The Song Remains The Same, (The Rover intro) Sick Again, Nobody's Fault But Mine, Over the Hills and Far Away, Since I've Been Loving You, No Quarter, Ten Years Gone, Battle of Evermore, Going to California, Black Country Woman, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, White Summer ~ Black Mountain side, Kashmir, Trampled Underfoot, (Out On the Tiles intro) Moby Dick, Jimmy Page solo, Achilles Last Stand, Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love ~ Rock and Roll.
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Click here to view the US '77 Tour Programme (flipbook) |
Keith Moon joining the group onstage during Moby Dick and the encores. Moon's assistant, Dougal Butler recalls the event:
"Led Zeppelin is in town to do a gig at the LA Forum. So, of course, nothing will do but we must go and visit them where they are staying, which is the Beverley Hilton. We arrive at about five o’clock in the afternoon, get a very big hello from the Zeppelin lads and commence to down a great number of bevvies for, when it comes to it, Zeppelin are not slouches in the matter of taking their medicine. Moreover, they have a great deal of readies to ensure that the supply is fairly constant and, by and large, of the Dom Perignon and Courvoisier class, to mention but the least exotic.
When it comes time to move on to the gig, we find ourselves in John Bonham’s rooms and it is Bonzo who suggests Moonie and I should nip along with him and watch the gig. Which is what we do. In their set, Zeppelin have a spot where John Bonham has a long solo which involves him and his massive drum kit rising up in the air via a hydraulic drum riser. And just as he is about to elevate, he calls on Moonie, who is watching from the side of the stage. Somewhat hesitantly, Moonie steps out and joins Bonzo and, suddenly, we have the spectacle of two of the heaviest and most exciting drummers in rock flailing about Bonzo’s kit like a pair of Bruce Lees on speed. Naturally the kids go crazy because they can see that it is none other than Moonie who joins Bonham. They carry on and holler as if Our Lord himself descends to bang about on the skins whilst singing My Way at the same time. Next thing, aboslutely everyone is standing up and then they begin to light up cigarette lighters and matches and wave them about until all that anyone can see from the stage is an undulating carpet of lights, thousands of pinpoints of fire all making up one big starburst. These kids give Moonie and Bonham a standing ovation that lasts five minutes and when Moonie comes off stage I can see he is quite affected by this vote of approval."
The Song Remains The Same, (The Rover intro) Sick Again, Nobody's Fault But Mine, Over the Hills and Far Away, Since I've Been Loving You, No Quarter, Ten Years Gone, Battle of Evermore, Going to California, Black Country Woman, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, White Summer ~ Black Mountainside, Kashmir, Trampled Underfoot, (Out On the Tiles intro) Moby Dick, Jimmy Page solo, Achilles Last Stand, Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love ~ Rock and Roll.
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Click here to view the US '77 Tour Programme (flipbook) |
Keith Moon joining the group onstage during Moby Dick and the encores. Moon's assistant, Dougal Butler recalls the event:
"Led Zeppelin is in town to do a gig at the LA Forum. So, of course, nothing will do but we must go and visit them where they are staying, which is the Beverley Hilton. We arrive at about five o’clock in the afternoon, get a very big hello from the Zeppelin lads and commence to down a great number of bevvies for, when it comes to it, Zeppelin are not slouches in the matter of taking their medicine. Moreover, they have a great deal of readies to ensure that the supply is fairly constant and, by and large, of the Dom Perignon and Courvoisier class, to mention but the least exotic.
When it comes time to move on to the gig, we find ourselves in John Bonham’s rooms and it is Bonzo who suggests Moonie and I should nip along with him and watch the gig. Which is what we do. In their set, Zeppelin have a spot where John Bonham has a long solo which involves him and his massive drum kit rising up in the air via a hydraulic drum riser. And just as he is about to elevate, he calls on Moonie, who is watching from the side of the stage. Somewhat hesitantly, Moonie steps out and joins Bonzo and, suddenly, we have the spectacle of two of the heaviest and most exciting drummers in rock flailing about Bonzo’s kit like a pair of Bruce Lees on speed. Naturally the kids go crazy because they can see that it is none other than Moonie who joins Bonham. They carry on and holler as if Our Lord himself descends to bang about on the skins whilst singing My Way at the same time. Next thing, aboslutely everyone is standing up and then they begin to light up cigarette lighters and matches and wave them about until all that anyone can see from the stage is an undulating carpet of lights, thousands of pinpoints of fire all making up one big starburst. These kids give Moonie and Bonham a standing ovation that lasts five minutes and when Moonie comes off stage I can see he is quite affected by this vote of approval."
November 8, 2009 9:22pm Badgeholder
I was there, good seats too, up a little on the left, but close. I often wonder where legendary bootlegger Mike Millard was located, probably very close by. Anyway, my main memories are:
The volume - Bonzo hit his drums a few times in the dark to start the show and we just looked at each other "HOLY SHIT" LOUD!! haha
Guitar strap problem - During the first song (TSRTS) Jimmy's strap broke and he almost dropped the doubleneck guitar. Photos of him sitting on the drum riser while a roadie hovers, are from this song / gig.( This is why there's a pause before Sick Again on the recording, he's getting another guitar)
Keith Moon - We saw someone running around, banging his head on the gong. Only later did we see it was Moonie. What a nut!
The volume, part II - For Kashmir, it got even louder!
The greatest concert I ever saw, hands down. Ten Years Gone, we had no idea they were capable of pulling that off live, what a shock that was. Achilles Last Stand. Wow. Bonzo right before my eyes. Too much!! My ticket stub is currently MIA, but if I find it I will share
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Led Zep 6-23-77
January 6, 2013 6:27am Lair Hull
My second concert, only after Ted Nugent/Rush in 1976.
My goodness. I was 15, just graduated 9th grade. I rode in the back of my Brother's lime green Ford Courier. Ha! Make no mistake, I will never forget this exact day. There was a certain "underground" mystique and coolness about Zeppelin. Peter Frampton was lighting up the airways and stirring-up young girls. Led Zeppelin was THE band that was the sh#!. Anyone that knew, knew...this band was the band that you had to see. Before the show started,
I was at the concession stand getting a soda (only fifteen!) and some
popcorn, when the lights went down. This is what I will NEVER release from memory...you would think that Babe Ruth just hit the home run to win the World Series - PURE PANDEMONIUM. People were knocking t-shirt and merchandise tables over (and anyone in their way) to get a glimpse at the and, and the man who built it...Jimmy Page. Jimmy and his band struck a few warm-up chords; totally incoherent strums only to challenge the massive electronic collaboration. So much for my popcorn, the souvenir merchant wore them as I was stampeded into the arena. What I witnessed for the next 3+ hours was history.
Thank you Led Zeppelin for shaping my life.
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I Was There At The Forum on 23 June 1977
April 24, 2009 7:03pm ZeppFanForever
I was there at The Forum on 23 June 1977. It was a great and memorable concert, I really enjoyed ZEPPELIN'S music. However, there was also a lot of drama going on in my life at the concert which was not very fun. Oh well, LONG LIVE THE MIGHTY LED ZEPPELIN!
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For Badgholders only/Night of the Loonies
December 3, 2007 3:56pm Poe
My first and only time to catch Zep. Had no idea it would be immortalized thru the bootlegs of that night featuring Moon the Loon. Loose, powerful and obvioulsy having a great time in thier 2nd home of LA. The trainwreck in Kashmir was priceless in displaying how even the best of the best can lose it. ...Will always remember Percy's closing comment: "LA, its been fun". Not bad for 8.50!
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6/23/77 Concert at LA Forum
November 19, 2008 6:00pm Irene Rumbaugh
I made Jimmy Page a jacket and took it to the Forum and gave it to the General Manager. I made a black jacket because he usually wore black. This year he switched to white. I attached a letter stating that I had tickets for the 6/23 show. The concert was fantastic and I really enjoyed the show. When they came out for the encore Jimmy Page had my black jacket on! He walked all around the stage and turned around to show off the back. I almost fainted and my group of friends went crazy, I was a celebrity in my group of friends. I will never forget that moment as long as I live. Just to think that he would do that was awesome. To this day when I tell people about it they are amazed also.
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First Concert Ever
November 12, 2012 6:33pm Kevin H.
Nosebleed seats, though. My older brother was planning on going with his two buddies, but they got better seats somehow. So my brother ended up taking his girlfriend and me - his snot nosed little 14-year-old brother. I had to pay him for the ticket - I think it was 8 dollars.
"The Rover" was my favorite song, so I was bummed when the band started to play it and then went into "Sick Again." Standout songs for me were "Ten Years Gone" and "Nobody's Fault But Mine" for some reason. Way up where we were sitting (about two rows from the back, I think), the second-hand smoke (not just tobacco) was pretty think and I admit to nodding off a little during the long keyboard solo in "No Quarter." I wanted to rock, dammit.
I was confused with all the inside jokes about "badge holders" and all that. I also admit to not recognizing who the other person on stage was during "Moby Dick." I wasn't until after he got up and gave his speech that I figured out it was Keith Moon. I was a big Who fan, but the seats were that far away and there were no video screens or anything back then.
After this, I thought that all concerts were 3 hours long.
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I was there June 23, 1977,
January 28, 2008 8:45pm Robert Rossello
I was there June 23, 1977, at age 16. We were in the nosebleed section, so I had to enjoy the music without visual. Thanks for this site, it brings me right back to that night like it was yesterday. I will never forget it.
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L.A Forum June 23 1977
December 11, 2007 9:02am Eamonn
One of the most out standing live recordings ever made, I got mine in 79, It is want I am currenty playing in my car today. ,,,,,, And Yes "I"m a badge holder"
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Night 3 at the Forum
November 23, 2007 2:26pm Mike Gags
This show has accurately been portrayed on the popular bootleg "For Badgeholders Only Pt 1 & 2". This was the 2nd bootleg I ever owned and is probably my favorite. A 4 album set with great sound quality (probably recorded by Mike Millard as were many other LA shows).
Song Remains the Same opens this show as was standard in 1977. A rare dedication to John Reed (LA Queens) for Sick Again and we quickly discover that Jimmy is dialed in. Great versions of Nobody's Fault and Over the Hills follow. Since I've Been Loving You is played flawlessly......as if Plant & Page are joined at the hip. Every lyric and every note played to perfection. I still don't know why this song was dropped from the regular rotation in 1975. The marathon masterpiece No Quarter is next and Jonesy's solo is awesome........until Page comes out of right field with a wicked blues lead that reminds me of Mick Taylor circa 1972. Things quiet down a bit and then the main solo is unleashed by Page. Clocking in at over 30 min, it's safe to say this song has matured. For yet a longer version see 6/27/77 (42 min).
Ten Years "Bonham" is delayed a bit by the antics of Mr Plant. Eventually the song is played and then we get our 1st reference to Badgeholders. The acoustic set opens with Battle of Evermore with weak back-up vocals courtesy of JP Jones. However, with the clever use of echo and delay, Plant can cover for him. Going to CA is well performed, although the crowd does drown out the beginning. BC Woman and BYR Stomp close out the set........Strider!!!!!! A relatively tame White/Black serves as the intro into a butchered Kashmir. Jonesy gets lost and they play the refrain twice. This wouldn't be the only time the boys messed up this classic. For some reason, this song could often go astray. Trampled Underfoot quickly regains the lost momentum and then it's time for Bonzo and Keith Moon to beat on the skins. This is the only drum solo I ever listen to. Great tympani interplay between these two late legends. What a treat!
Pagey then takes the reigns and its theramin time complete with a Star Spangled Banner and more. This indulgence leads into Achilles. Great song live and this version doesn't dissappoint. Great drum fill leads Plant into the "Ahh Ahh" section and signals that the end is near. Stairway with all the dedications and thank you's is a triumph and the show is over. Moon joins them again for the encores WLL>R & R. A classic concert that's been shared with many fans via the bootleg system. Thank You Led Zeppelin.
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Concert description
March 18, 2008 10:26am Argenteum Astrum
An excellent show ... a famous Badge Holders show due to Plant's several dedications to the badge holder people ... with the whole band firing on all cylinders! It is the only known show from 1977 tour when the band stopped after the first song. The peculiar stop is brief and Robert doesn't offer any hints. Perhaps a guitar change was neccessary. Jimmy's soloing during Since I've Been Loving You, Achilles Last Stand, and Ten Years Gone in particular, is amazing. Keith Moon joins in to make this already classic show legendary in stature. Just listen for a very crazed sounding yelling over the beginning of Bonham's drum solo: "The best rock and roll drummer in the world ... living today! Mr John Bonham! With Buddy Rich's arms!" He says more after that, but I can never quite make out just what it is because he seems to trail off into a noise of swearing and yelling, which conjures up cartoon images of the Tazmanian Devil or even (perhaps more appropriately) Animal from the Muppets. But that's Keith Moon for uou! He also appeared before the encores. "LA. It's been very funny. Good night!" and the show was over.
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Black jacket
January 27, 2009 1:48am Chris Stillwell
There is video footage of your gift to him. Check 1977 video w/ keith moon towards the end!
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Pause after TSRTS
October 6, 2014 12:35pmJason Kippy
You're right, but the band stops becasue Jimmy breaks a string. Im just putting that out there.
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Thank you for the best night of my life!!!
July 20, 2014 8:36pm phyllis
My all time fav band!!! I was 17 and 5 days away from my daughters birth.I was threatened by both sides of the family that if i went I would be locked in my room for the whole tour. No worries I had my own house..lol...I will never ever forget that night. My daughter swears she experienced it all with me. When we get stressed, we cuddle and put the live show in and close our eyes, just like being there again, except she's almost 37, and next to me!!
As a child the only escape I had from "life" was music. Thank you for the healing magic your music gave, and still gives to my life!!
-Phyllis
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