Thursday, March 26, 2009

Led Zeppelin 04/09/1977 Chicago Stadium, Chicago

Full Show: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8BEAE914C969B254

This is a very interesting concert I have been looking for and finally found. The concert lasts about an hour due to Jimmy Page getting sick. In the middle of Ten years Gone jimmy calls to his roadies to get his chair, he basically falls into it and continues playing in pain. After the song which he struggles to get through, the rest of the band run to his side. Apparently he was puking during the song as well. Plant tells everyone they need a break. Then shortly after Mr Richard Cole comes on to say that they are going to cancel the rest of the show. He explains how the tickets will be refunded or "honored". They reschedule the show at the end of the 77 tour. But unfortuantley the last couple concerts in 77 including the make up was canceled because Plants Son dies. So Cole decides they will add a concert in the 1980 US Tour for those who were at the 77 concert. But unfortunately Mr Bonham dies and we never see zep again.

Heres the Set List
Led Zeppelin
Great Chicago Fire
Empress Valley Supreme Disc
Audience Recording
April 9, 1977

Disc 6 of 9
1-The Song Remains The Same
2-The Rover Introduction/Sick Again
3-Nobody's Fault But Mine
4-Since I've Been Loving You
5-No Quarter
6-Ten Years Gone
7-Announcements

__
Here is a great description of the concert from guy who was there:

t's now Saturday, April 9th,1977 and an infamous moment in Led Zeppelin's history is about to be made. The onstage collapse of Jimmy Page. It's the third show of four that Led Zeppelin performed that week at the Chicago Stadium. My tickets are identical in location to where I was seated at the Thursday evening show. First Balcony, front row, viewing Page and Bonham's side.
It'a a party night and the crowd's mood was raucus! I was with some of my football teamates that evening, so we were indulging a bit. Enjoying the Festivities! The lights go dead , but camera flashes illuminate Zeppelin as they take to the stage. Similarily dressed as in the first two shows. Page again wearing his white satin garb and notorious black and white zapatos. Jimmy plays a descending chord pattern prior to TSRTS and then charges right into opening. It's feels like a good night as Page, Bonham and Jones initiate proceedings. Robert moving boldly with the changes as Jimmy solos aggressively. A well- executed tandem of The Rover and Sick Again follow. I notice Page is not smoking cigarettes tonight and there are no Heinekens atop his Marshalls.
" Good Evening Chicago! " is Robert's greeting. Jimmy treats us to an A Cappella version of Since I've Been Loving You. My first thought was that they were shifting the set. But the band doesn't respond to Page! Robert covers for Jimmy by exclaiming " Tonight's a blues night!" In order Jimmy begins Nobody's Fault But Mine. Page remembers to engage his MXR Phase 90 pedal at the appropriate times. Jones and Bonham are hypnotically linked as they carry on. Plant's voice, here with a Arabic tinge, also tranlates into his body motion.
Now is the proper time for Since I've Been Loving You. Or is it Tea For One? It's a combination! Robert arrives in pain and can you feel it. The band's dynamics and chemistry come off well here. No Quarter crawls out at you next. The sound is ominous and dramatic. Jones solos regally with lasers in spectacular display behind him. Page and Bonham join him in a rock and roll boogie section more reminiscent of 1950's era rock + roll. The gears shift and it's into the meat of the solo section. Page bleeding his notes out in sustain and then unleashing a flurry of Django/ Les Paul mutated licks. Man! JPJ and Bonzo are kicking major ass! Jimmy's angular octave blocks lead back to Jones' sole piano. There are no obvious problems in Page's playing tonight. Not until the next song.
Firecrackers are going off abundantly and Robert's getting pissed off. Another plea to the fools lighting these things off. Ten Years Gone begins fine but then, as Page begins the middle solo, he turns back to his roadie, calling for something. His chair is brought forth and set up by his pedals. Jimmy thens drops back in his chair on a 45 degree angle. He jabs at his foot pedals from afar. What a bizarre sight! Page actually fumble- fingers his way to the conclusion of the the song. A Herculean effort indeed! Robert is immediately at Jimmy's side and the rest of the band huddle around him. I can see Jimmy shaking his head side to side, as if he was saying " No way!" His mates help him up and walk him off the stage. Things don't look too promising. About five minutes later there is an announcement over the P.A. -" Jimmy is ill and feels he cannot give his best. Retain your ticket and there will be a rescheduling." Wow! That was it? I triple -checked to make sure I had my ticket. As my buddies and I got up to vacate the stadium, a guy got up behind me and moaned " They ended it just as I'm peaking on Mescaline!" Sorry dude....
There was a ripple effect from this show's cancellation. August 2nd would be the rescheduled date and they would add an additional concert set for August 3rd. Something to really look forward to over the summer of 1977. More Zeppelin shows! My tickets for the 8/3 concert were incredible. On the main floor , 3rd row dead center. How I received those seats is another story. But, it was never to be. One week exactly before Zeppelin was return to Chicago, I received a phone call from one of my friends. He told me he had just heard on the radio that Robert Plant's son had died. My heart just fell. That's it. It's over. I felt deeply that the band would never be the same. Those type of tragedies alter you forever.
Easter Sunday will be the final date of Led Zeppelin's 1977 stay in Chicago. For this show, Jimmy Page has been digging around in his wardrobe for something very special to wear......
-Unknown

4 comments:

TN13841 said...

Hi, loce your site, wondering how I can get a copy of the June 13th 1977 show, I was there... I was only 14 yrs old but it was the greatest concert I've ever been to. I have the Destroyer LP set but would love to get a copy of the show I actually attended, please help... Tom

Stilt Maker! said...

Im back from CA where I live and was watching the Kennedy Ctr honoring Zeppelin last night. Brought back some fierce memories. April 9,1977 My first ever concert with my first real girlfriend. Epic! We were just kids 17 and 16. Took a train from the burbs and a taxi to the stadium. Was getting turned on left and right from all the 20 and 30 somethings at the show. Felt really taken care of by the crowd and we were having the time of our life. Thanks for you write up, that was indeed a special night. My girl that I really loved and brought to the show ended up dying in a car wreck the next year. Glad we had that night!
best to you

Unknown said...

I commented on your YouTube post. This was my recording. I lent it to a guy name Tony in California. Is that you? I still have the original. It sounds like you are missing much of the show. At the beginning when Plant came out and asked to stop blowing off the fireworks for instance. And by the way, that is me asking my then girlfriend not to step on my coat(She is gone now too). Reason being, I had my camera and extra tapes and batteries just in case. In my coat. I titled this "Sick Again". Still have my ticket stub. Although they did give refunds.

cherryred said...

I was also at this show.... I recall Jimmy being helped off the stage and the eerie silence when the announcement was made to hold onto our tickets stubs. I'm very grateful to have seen Zeppelin as a whole, even if it was just a partial show. Years later, we saw Plant & Page twice in Chicago:)