AboutMike Caldwell Expertise Fortunately, or unfortunately, there are no Led Zeppelin questions I can't answer. My immediate specialty (or proclivity as it may be) has to do with concert performances and lyrical interpretations.
Experience Countless hours of biographical research and personal interaction with relevant individuals. Avid contributor to Led Zeppelin newsgroups since 1997 (check Google groups!)
Publications Bullseye News Magazine. The Vapid Voice.
Expert: Mike Caldwell Date: 5/30/2008 Subject: First stadium gigs
Question QUESTION: Hi, i wanted to know more about Led's first ever stadium gigs, it is said that they played at the Oakland Coliseum (now Mcafee coliseum) in summer 1970 so this should be their first real stadium gig?
Actually I think that their first actual stadium gig came in Australia in 1972 (in Sidney)
ANSWER: WELL that's a slightly twisty question with multiple answers. If you define "stadium" as a large, outdoor venue, built for observing sports or whatever, then *technically* it would be their appearance at the Atlanta Pop Festival on July 5, 1969. That was held at a large raceway, which, since it had seats and was outdoors, would basically constitute a "stadium". That's being picky, but one has to be precise. If a race track and its facilities don't suffice as a "stadium" then we'd have to move on to July 13, 1969 at the Singer Bowl in New York. They were already topping the bill and this was a true outdoor "stadium" concert. They had previously played in festivals, such as Newport and NYU Jazz Festival, but those weren't held in stadiums.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Well, and also which was their first actual "stadium" gig they played with no support act or them alone, not in a festival. I also define stadiums as both definitions you gave.
ANSWER: Pretty close - by that criteria, the honor would have to go with the Feb 16, 1972 show at the Subiaco Oval in Perth Australia. That was an outdoor show and the beginning of their triumphant reign over the southern hemisphere.
CORRECTION - I stand corrected, that was the Yale Bowl show back in the summer of 1970.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Oh,thanks any pictures or info on that show?
Answer Yeah, actually the best documentation of the show (with ads and the like) can be found at http://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/august-15-1970
There isn't too much out there otherwise, though I know I've seen a crowd shot from that show somewhere in a book, buried away.
