Or maybe Zep's US debut:
December 26, 1968
Denver, CO US
Auditorium Arena
http://ledzeppelin.com/show/december-26-1968
Notes:
Led Zeppelin make their American debut on this date, as they begin a short string of shows, the first few unbilled, opening for Vanilla Fudge.
News Report: Denver music man Barry Fey nearly became famous for being the guy who refused to book Led Zeppelin.
It was Dec. 26, 1968, and Fey had sold out a Vanilla Fudge and Spirit concert in the Denver Auditorium Arena - what's now part of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
"About 10 days before the show, I got a call from the agent saying, 'Barry, I want to add an act to our show,' " Fey said. "I said, 'Ron (Terry), all the tickets are sold.'
"He said, 'You've got to do this for me, Barry, this is a big, big act. Their name is Led Zeppelin.' I thought it was a joke."
Fey turned Terry down, until the agent showed Fey the money.
"Ten minutes later Ron called back and said 'Vanilla Fudge is going to give you $750, and if you give $750 of your own money, we still can put Led Zeppelin on the show.' " Fey caved in. The concert crowd had no idea that this new heavy-metal band from Britain was added to the show. That night marked the band's American debut.
"I got up on the stage and said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, give a warm Denver welcome to Led Zeppelin,' " Fey said. "They started playing, and it was incredible. It was an unbelievable show; people were gasping. That was a big day in Denver history." (Rocky Mountain News)
Click on the clipping of the review from the newspaper. Robert Plant "a cut above...but no special appeal.... John Bonham... effective ... but univentive." Good call, Mr. Critic.
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