I was fifteen at the time, had queued for over three hours for the tix with my friends Guy n Kevin, withstood the touts attempting to get us to buy them tix or sell ours, fended off the free loving 'family chix' attempting to get us to go off n join their cult... And then going to the vast open space of Ally Pally with parachutes draped across the ceilings (to keep the sound down!), and hippy types selling flagons of cider from trestle tables, cheesecloth tops, bell bottom jeans, Led Zep scoop necked shirts, joss sticks etc. It was like some wonderful medieval market (on reflection)
people everywhere, many propped against the walls as they waited and god knows what was being consumed.... The gig was one of the first biggies I ever saw and I had listened to Zep for only about six months prior to the gig, but already knew the big songs.... It was one of the most special events I can recall. The sound was awesome within the space, huge stacked amps across each side of the stage. They played for what seemed an extraordinary time with such power and that voice of Robert Plant's. I will never forget this, truly one life affirming experience and one that was firmly set in a time where everything seemed possible, no matter which way 'the wind blew'. That night I was blown away.