Pacific Coliseum - March 21, 1970

Submitted by srapallo on
March 21, 1970
Vancouver
BC
Canada
ca
Setlist

Includes: We're Gonna Groove, I Can't Quit You Baby, Dazed and Confused, Heartbreaker, White Summer / Black Mountain Side, Since I've Been Loving You, Organ solo / Thank You, What Is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, How Many More Times, Communication Breakdown, Whole Lotta Love.

Note

The group holds a press conference earlier in the day.
Press conference info: https://www.ledzeppelin.com/event/march-21-1970-0

Review: Zeppelin Pack ‘em In

Robert Plant, lead singer of the high-flying Led Zeppelin, said recently in London the group wanted to tour America again because audiences here are so “ultra responsive”.

His observation was correct, but even the Led Zeppelin was obviously not prepared for the reaction they caused Saturday at the Pacific Coliseum as nearly 19,000 rock fans jammed the building for the group’s first concert in a 19-city tour.

Although it started half-an-hour late, the concert was already blessed by the fact that there were none of the often tedious and time-consuming supporting acts.

Led Zeppelin walked onstage at 8:30pm, took control and didn’t stop through two-and-a-half hours of glorious, ear-splitting rock.

They are essentially the same group they werehere last year, with as many new faults as there were noticeable improvements.

Except for a few minor mechanical problems during the opening of Dazed and Confused, Led Zeppelin succeeded in their heavy brand of rock that everyone came to hear.

The only new material offered was the song Since I’ve Been Loving You, to be released soon on Led Zeppelin III. It’s raw, physical qualities make the album one worth looking forward to.

And no one really minded that they played songs from their first two albums. From the raw, gutsy sounds of How Many More Times, to the frenzy improvisation that is Heartbreaker.

Robert Plant, the physical and vocal gymnast of the group, turned the crowd on at will with his shaggy blond mane and his searing three-octave voice.

The lead guitar of Jimmy Page was a constant delight to the senses, particularly in his much-improved White Summer solo.

Drummer John Bonham demonstrated his talent in a 15-minute stick-twirling and barehanded exhibition that exhausted both himself and listener, while bass guitarist John Paul Jones more than kept the beat alive.

As the concert drew to a close during the fever pitch of Whole Lotta Love, the massive crowd surged forward and about 50 senseless fans spoiled it for the group and the audience by vaulting up onto the 15-foot high stage.

“Never before in the history of Led Zeppelin has this happened,” Plant shouted mock-serious into the microphone, not knowing whether to be offended or flattered.

When the stage was finally cleared, Led Zeppelin came back for two encores and a standing ovation that was a fitting tribute to one of the most talented rock groups in the business today. (Express, 3.24.70)

Notes

The group holds a press conference earlier in the day. Some 16mm news footage exists.
Press conference info: ledzeppelin.com/event/march-21-1970-0

Review: Zeppelin Pack ‘em In

Robert Plant, lead singer of the high-flying Led Zeppelin, said recently in London the group wanted to tour America again because audiences here are so “ultra responsive”.

His observation was correct, but even the Led Zeppelin was obviously not prepared for the reaction they caused Saturday at the Pacific Coliseum as nearly 19,000 rock fans jammed the building for the group’s first concert in a 19-city tour.

Although it started half-an-hour late, the concert was already blessed by the fact that there were none of the often tedious and time-consuming supporting acts.

Led Zeppelin walked onstage at 8:30pm, took control and didn’t stop through two-and-a-half hours of glorious, ear-splitting rock.

They are essentially the same group they werehere last year, with as many new faults as there were noticeable improvements.

Except for a few minor mechanical problems during the opening of Dazed and Confused, Led Zeppelin succeeded in their heavy brand of rock that everyone came to hear.

The only new material offered was the song Since I’ve Been Loving You, to be released soon on Led Zeppelin III. It’s raw, physical qualities make the album one worth looking forward to.

And no one really minded that they played songs from their first two albums. From the raw, gutsy sounds of How Many More Times, to the frenzy improvisation that is Heartbreaker.

Robert Plant, the physical and vocal gymnast of the group, turned the crowd on at will with his shaggy blond mane and his searing three-octave voice.

The lead guitar of Jimmy Page was a constant delight to the senses, particularly in his much-improved White Summer solo.

Drummer John Bonham demonstrated his talent in a 15-minute stick-twirling and barehanded exhibition that exhausted both himself and listener, while bass guitarist John Paul Jones more than kept the beat alive.

As the concert drew to a close during the fever pitch of Whole Lotta Love, the massive crowd surged forward and about 50 senseless fans spoiled it for the group and the audience by vaulting up onto the 15-foot high stage.

“Never before in the history of Led Zeppelin has this happened,” Plant shouted mock-serious into the microphone, not knowing whether to be offended or flattered.

When the stage was finally cleared, Led Zeppelin came back for two encores and a standing ovation that was a fitting tribute to one of the most talented rock groups in the business today. (Express, 3.24.70)

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Press Review (2): Zeppelin Fans Devour Solid 2 ½ Hour Concert

The high flying Led Zeppelin boarded a plane at Richmond Airport Sunday, leaving thousands of fans contented with their Saturday night concert.

The Zeppelin, on a one-month tour of North America, were on stage 2 ½ hours in the Coliseum, offering everything in their books.

Earlier in the day, at a press conference in the Bayshore Inn, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham, spent a half-hour before television camera and reporters.

Plant, explaining why the group prefers to appear solo at concerts, said they do not like to be cut short by time curfews. The singer said they want to give their fans full exposure for their month. A third Led Zeppelin album will be cut following the 30-day North American tour, he announced.

Questioned about their fans, Plant said the group had never experienced youths mobbing the stage. But he spoke too soon.  During the concert, dozens of fans leaped up on stage to get close to the entertainers. The stage was crammed with fans within minutes.

“Everybody is going to stay cool,” Plant ad-libbed in song as the youths sat on stage, some contorting with the music. The youths got off stage without incident when told the group would do an encore if the stage was cleared.

Earlier, Plant received applause for telling hundreds of people to sit down because nobody behind them could see.

Heaviest applause during the concert was for John Bonham following his 20-minute plus extended drum solo in Moby Dick.

During their stay, members of Zeppelin visited the Riverqueen and toured the island.  The group will earn $1,000,000 during the 18 city tour.   [3/25/1970 / Richmond Review]

Setlists

includes: We're Gonna Groove, I Can't Quit You Baby, Dazed and Confused, Heartbreaker, White Summer / Black Mountainside, Since I've Been Loving You, Organ solo / Thank You, What Is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, How Many More Times, Communication Breakdown, Whole Lotta Love.

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