Led Zeppelin Scheduled to Play Philadelphia in 1977
Led Zeppelin, the world-renowned English rock band, was scheduled to play two shows in Philadelphia in June 1977, during their United States and Canada tour. The band had quick success with their debut album released in 1969 and went on to record albums such as ‘Led Zeppelin IV’ and ‘Houses of the Holy.’ On the June 9th and 10th the band was scheduled to play two shows, one in Baker Bowl and the next in the Philadelphia Spectrum. It was one of Led Zeppelin’s first shows since ending their five-year hiatus in 1975.
The Philadelphia band announced that their U.S. and Canada tour would be taking place that spring and would include nine other cities. They had planned to launch the tour in Atlanta and end in Providence, Rhode Island. Fans of Led Zeppelin were excited for the return of the band and their new sounds they had to offer. Ticket sales for their Philadelphia show sold out a week prior to the show.
Music experts have speculated that Led Zeppelin’s long absence from the stage lead to the band having newfound energy on the road. Although the tour was never completed, fans of Led Zeppelin were excited to here the new styles the band had developed. “The band had been away from the stage for so long” says music critic, John Gladwell, “it seemed they had even more energy and wanted to show off.”
Led Zeppelin had a unique sound to them, compared to other rock bands and even other artists of their time. They had a classic rock sound that was also focused heavily on blues and folk. Playing in concert allowed Led Zeppelin to enrich their live performances with heavier instrumentals and long improvisations. At the Philadelphia shows fans heard stories from the band as well as performed their fan favorite hits like ‘Whole Lotta Love’, and ‘Stairway to Heaven.’
The unique sound of Led Zeppelin that was heard in 1977 is still remembered by music enthusiasts today. Music educators have seen Led Zeppelin as an important influence for contemporary music, as they are credited with influencing other traveling bands and creating a whole new, unique sound. The blues rock sound created by Led Zeppelin was something that the music industry had never seen before and was an influence for many musicians to come.
Influence of Led Zeppelin After Last Show
Led Zeppelin’s 1977 show in Philadelphia, and their tours before that, had an immense influence on rock music after them. While this show was one of the last they had before taking another hiatus, it’s been speculated that their influence on rock music after their breakup is greater than before it.
Following Led Zeppelin’s breakup, their influence on rock music spanned into the future with rising new and upcoming bands crediting the band for influence in their music. This was surprising as fans of classical rock, fans of Zeppelin in particular, were expecting the genre to fade away as the band did.
The unique blues-rock sound that Zeppelin created was something that hadn’t been seen before and opened a whole new segment of music for upcoming bands to build off of. Music educators have seen the sounds of Led Zeppelin as a guide for musicians and bands to come, as they have gone on to innovatively combine the genres of blues and rock in a new, interesting way.
The influence they had on rock music post-breakup can be seen in modern and upcoming bands like The Struts and Greta Van Fleet, who cite the classical band as an influence throughout their music. Furthermore, research has found that bands such as Rage Against The Machine and bands from the 90’s rock scene can trace their music back to the influence of Led Zeppelin.
Legacy of Led Zeppelin For Other Bands
The legacy of Led Zeppelin has transcended age, as their musical influence has lived on long after their breakup in 1980. After 1977’s Philadelphia show, the band had a myriad of new sounds and improvisational takes on their music that many upcoming bands adopted.
Led Zeppelin has created a platform for bands to experiment and improvise with music that has given them a unique sound to differentiate themselves from the rest. Bands such as Tool, Metallica, and Muse have taken the lead given by Led Zeppelin and begun their own journey in creating a distinct sound from the rest of the rock genre.
Led Zeppelin’s unique style is something that continues to influence young and upcoming bands today. Bands such as The Struts and Greta Van Fleet have credited the classic rock band for their innovative and experimental sound. Furthermore, the influence of Led Zeppelin is seen in many popular bands today such as Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys.
1977 Tour Allow Led Zeppelin to Explore Genres
The 1977 tour allowed Led Zeppelin to explore different music genres and experiment. During their five-year hiatus, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham, the original members of the classic rock band, went exploring different cultures and beginnings, enabling them to bring back different versions of their existing songs.
Philadelphia’s show was the perfect opportunity for the band to showcase their newly found sound. Led Zeppelin had already established themselves as a widely-loved rock band, now the tour gave them the perfect opportunity to showcase their newer, richer sound.
The U.S. tour was also an argument for music educators at the time, as it was a prime example of musicians deeply exploring music genres and cultures. The band bridged different cultures with their blues-rock sound, one in which fans could connect with and adored by millions of people across the world.
Led Zeppelin Revive Influence on Music
Though 40 years have passed since Led Zeppelin’s performance in Philadelphia, their music continue to be held in high regard. Music experts believe that Led Zeppelin has managed to revive influence on modern rock music today, having led new, upcoming bands to adapt elements from their sound and made them their own.
Lead singer, Robert Plant, has also managed to make a comeback in the Industry after the band’s abrupt end. At 70 years old, Plant continues to lend his voice to new genres and collaborate with musicians such as the exponents of funk, Nathaniel Rateliff, and many others.
The 1977 tour also showed the unique vision the band had together and how they held up to their reputation even after five years of breathing room. The tour held almost 150,000 people across the nation, not to mention those who showed up for the Philadelphia shows. As Plant stated for Rolling Stone in 1906, “we were so good that there was no point in stopping.”
Dynamic Stage Performance Keep Led Zeppelin Alive
The band’s dynamic stage performance and improvisations while on tour kept Led Zeppelin alive in the memory of their fans for years to come. Led Zeppelin’s performance was memorable and captivating, ensuring the audience leave with satisfaction.
Led Zeppelin also created their own audience participation, as fans were expected to be the part of the show as well, singing with the band and participating in improvisations. This created an even more captivating stage show, something that music educators today credit as one of the greatest parts of Led Zeppelin’s live performance.
The inclusion of the audience in the show gave each gig its own personality, as the band couldn’t predict what the crowd or their response would be like night to night. This agility allowed them to continuously develop new sounds, as the band went on to cite their audience’s performance as a major influence in their music.
Live Recordings and Preservation of 1977 Show
Finally, along with the unique sound Zeppelin had, they also have been credited with the preservation of live recordings from past performances. Led Zeppelin’s 1977 show in Philadelphia was one of the many recordings the band kept throughout their career.
The band released several editions of their 1977 show recordings to the public, highlighting their career highlights and unique performance. Fans of the band were able to experience these never-before-seen performances and appreciate the band’s impressive repertoire showcased in it.
The recordings show the classic energy Led Zeppelin had on stage, something music enthusiasts have credited as a pivotal part of the band’s success and legacy. Fans of the band also have appreciated the live recordings, as this gives them the opportunity to relive their classic albums in a different, live setting.
