Today in 1979 Zeppelin played the first of two dates at Knebworth Park in England. A popular concert venue since the early 1970s, Knebworth Park boasts a natural bowl-shaped arena with the largest single field capacity in the country. This was Zeppelin’s first British show in four years, and the third of only four concerts they would do that entire year. The event featured Fairport Convention, Commander Cody, Chas and Dave, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and Todd Rundgren’s Utopia. The official attendance figure was 110,000, but an aerial photo commissioned by band manager Peter Grant later proved that almost 210,000 fans were actually inside the arena. The set included a backdrop video screen and introduction of holo-lasers for Jimmy Page’s solo. The fee Zeppelin received for this appearance was reportedly then the highest ever in the history of rock entertainment.
Note: The Eagles were supposedly the original choice to headline this show, but the promoter broke off negotiations with them when it proved impossible to meet their terms.
Setlist: The Song Remains the Same, Celebration Day, Out On the Tiles (intro), Black Dog, Nobody’s Fault But Mine, Over the Hills and Far Away, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I’ve Been Loving You, No Quarter, Ten Years Gone, Hot Dog, The Rain Song, White Summer / Black Mountain Side, Kashmir, Trampled Underfoot, Sick Again, Achilles Last Stand, Jimmy Page solo, In The Evening, Stairway to Heaven, Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love, Heartbreaker.
©2016 by GotLed
