Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1968–1969

Led Zeppelin's 1968/1969 tour of North America was the first concert tour of the United States and Canada by the English rock band. The tour commenced on 26 December 1968 and concluded on 16 February 1969. It was important for the band, as their popularity grew substantially because of the concerts and helped them reach significant commercial success in the US, which translated to sales elsewhere.

Overview The genesis of this tour was the cancellation of a concert tour by the Jeff Beck Group, which happened to be managed out of the same office occupied by Led Zeppelin's manager Peter Grant. Grant contacted the promoters and convinced them to take on Led Zeppelin instead.Liner notes by Cameron Crowe for The Complete Studio Recordings

To help publicise the band in America before the tour, Grant sent white label advance copies of the band's debut album to key FM radio stations. The album itself was issued on 13 January, almost mid-way through the tour. According to tour manager Richard Cole, the tour was underwritten by Grant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and bass player John Paul Jones, while singer Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham were paid a salary.A to Zeppelin: The Story of Led Zeppelin, Passport Video, 2004.

For this stint of concerts, Led Zeppelin initially played as the support act for bands such as Vanilla Fudge and Iron Butterfly (both of which were also contracted to Atlantic Records) and Country Joe & the Fish. However, as the tour progressed, it became apparent that Led Zeppelin was easily outshining the headline acts.Lewis, Dave and Pallett, Simon (1997) Led Zeppelin: The Concert File, London: Omnibus Press. , p. 15."Their Time is Gonna Come", Classic Rock Magazine: Classic Rock Presents Led Zeppelin, 2008, p. 17. Guitarist Jimmy Page noticed that by the time the group reached San Francisco, other groups were not turning up, and Led Zeppelin were then headliners.Nick Kent, "Bring It On Home", Q Magazine, Special Led Zeppelin edition, 2003

Bassist John Paul Jones believed the reason their concerts were popular was because they played tightly and quickly without many delays, saying "we would just go on and go 'bang bang bang' with three driven songs with solos", which other groups did not do.Dominick A. Miserandino, Led Zeppelin – John Paul Jones , TheCelebrityCafe.com.

In one famous concert, Led Zeppelin's final of four nights performed at the Boston Tea Party, the band played for more than four hours with only one album worth of material. Grant was delighted with the group's performance, and the band then realised then that they would be a very successful rock band.

It was during this tour that Led Zeppelin's drummer, John Bonham, developed a close friendship with the drummer of Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice.Mat Snow, "Apocalypse Then", Q magazine, December 1990, pp. 77, 79. Chris Welch (1994) Led Zeppelin, London: Orion Books. , p. 34. The average fee charged by Led Zeppelin for a concert during this tour was around $1,500. It has been stated that for one show they performed for a mere $320. Figures like these would soon be dwarfed by the six-figure sums routinely demanded, and received, by Led Zeppelin on subsequent tours as their popularity skyrocketed. Peter Grant recalled that "The Yardbirds had been getting $2,500 a night but people like Bill Graham had faith in us and so did the kids who saw it." Grant, who was unable to attend the tour with the group, also stated:

Tour set list Although there was some variation, a fairly typical set list for the tour was:

"Train Kept A-Rollin'" (Bradshaw, Kay, Mann) "I Can't Quit You Baby" (Dixon) "As Long As I Have You" (Mimms) "Dazed and Confused" (Page) "You Shook Me" (Dixon, Lenoir) "White Summer"/"Black Mountain Side" (Page) "Pat's Delight" (Bonham) "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" (Bredon, Page, Plant) "How Many More Times" (Bonham, Jones, Page) "Killing Floor" (Burnett) "For Your Love" (Gouldman) "Communication Breakdown" (Bonham, John Paul Jones, Page)

Tour dates + List of North American Tour 1968–1969 concerts Date City Country Venue Opening Act(s) Attendance26 December 1968DenverUnited StatesDenver Auditorium Arena 27 December 1968SeattleSeattle Center Arena28 December 1968VancouverCanadaPacific Coliseum3,708 / 15,03829 December 1968PortlandUnited StatesPortland Civic Auditorium N/A30 December 1968SpokaneJohn F. Kennedy Memorial Pavilion1 January 1969 (cancelled)SalemSalem Armory Auditorium2 January 1969West HollywoodWhisky a Go Go3 January 1969 (cancelled)4 January 19695 January 19699 January 1969San FranciscoFillmore West10 January 196911 January 196912 January 196915 January 1969Iowa CityIowa Memorial Union Main LoungeMother Blues17 January 1969DetroitGrande BallroomLinn County, Lawrence Blues Band18 January 1969Target19 January 1969Wind and/or Linn County20 January 1969 (unconfirmed?)WheatonWheaton Youth Center23 January 1969BostonBoston Tea PartyThe Raven24 January 196925 January 196926 January 196929 January 1969 (cancelled)PhiladelphiaSpectrum31 January 1969New York CityFillmore East1 February 19692 February 1969TorontoCanadaThe Rock PileTeegarden & Van Winkle, Mary Lou Horner1,200 / 1,2003 February 1969 (cancelled)New York CityUnited StatesScene Club N/A4 February 1969 (cancelled)5 February 1969 (cancelled)6 February 1969 (cancelled)7 February 1969ChicagoKinetic Playground8 February 196910 February 1969 (unconfirmed; likely cancelled)MemphisElma Roane Fieldhouse14 February 1969Miami BeachThee Image Club15 February 196916 February 1969BaltimoreBaltimore Civic Center

Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1968–1969

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