Sonic Boom: The Impact of Led Zeppelin. Volume 1 - Break & Enter. Frank Reddon
in the United States. This brand-new group opened for your band, Spirit, at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, December 26, 1968. I’d love to hear whatever you can tell me.
CASSIDY: All right. That was a long time ago now but I’ll do my best!
REDDON: That’s fine, I’m anxious to hear whatever you have to say, Ed.
CASSIDY:
In the era of the 1960s, I found each group had its own sound and personalities that stood out. During that time, when you heard groups such as The Doors, Hour Glass [aka Allman Brothers Band], Led Zeppelin, Spirit, Vanilla Fudge, they all had distinctive personalities and sounds. I think The Beatles more or less set the stage for everybody else in the 1960s, creating and performing a genre of music that would be of lasting quality.
Other bands followed as pop music advanced. Ours, for one. Led Zeppelin, along with The Doors, Traffic, Hendrix and others set the stage for music that also had the quality of longevity, due to the tangible factors of distinctive personalities and sounds. There were also the British Invasion bands such as The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin. Each had its own blend of special musical magic.
Admittedly, much of these artists’ distinctiveness had to do with the fact that technological advances in musical equipment were being made during the mid to late 1960s. As well, rock’n’roll as a musical form still had a great deal to be discovered at this point. It was definitely an era of discovery - artistically, socially and technologically. All these factors worked together in some way and gave us many distinctive artists with the innovative, memorable music they created during the 1960s.
As for my recollections about Led Zeppelin’s music…Remember that I was in my forties when Zeppelin shared the bill with Spirit in 1968 in Denver. I fully appreciated the musicianship of the whole band but it wasn’t necessarily the type of music I preferred to listen to. Age does make a difference, you know!
We would all listen to each other when we were performing on the same bill. When Spirit played the Denver Auditorium back in 1968 with Led Zeppelin, I thought Led Zeppelin was a very good band right off the bat. Page immediately proved his value as a high quality musician when Led Zeppelin came onto the scene in 1968 and I saw this in Denver as I watched them perform.
I knew that he had been with The Yardbirds and was a very accomplished studio musician. I could identify with the studio musician thing because I’ve participated in an abundance of studio work over the years, even at that point in 1968. If you can make it in the studio, chances are you’re going to be good on stage. And he was, both in The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin.
His work with The Yardbirds was spectacular, and here he was - about to start touring the States for the first time with his brand-new band. It was also interesting that they had no album to promote when they were in Denver in 1968, either. They were playing tracks from it but it hadn’t been released yet.
I also picked up on the fact that the other members of Led Zeppelin were competent in their own right. Plant’s vocals were drenched in a blues/rock’n’roll blend, with the bass playing of John Paul Jones demonstrating his expertise. Of course, I was interested in what Led Zeppelin’s drummer, John Bonham, was doing. I was very impressed. He was excellent for being such a young guy. It gets back to that personality factor. Some call it chemistry.
Zeppelin’s four members projected their own personality as they played. They were highly individual but, at the same time, they were able to contribute their individuality into a cohesive, group format. That’s something you can identify as a seasoned musician almost instantly and that’s what I picked up on when I first saw Zeppelin play. They had everything necessary to succeed in their group.
From what I remember, the Denver audience was very receptive to what Led Zeppelin and Spirit were doing that night. Zeppelin definitely had the raw materials to make it in the music business. All four members were strong improvisers. I could tell. And they would only improve as time went on.
REDDON:
Those are incredible insights. Ever since I found out I could interview you, I’ve wanted to ask you this. One of the numbers Led Zeppelin played on its First U.S. and Canadian Tour of 1968-69, was a Garnet Mimm’s number called As Long as I Have You. This song was a structure for one of Zeppelin’s earliest attempts at a medley. Sandwiched within this medley structure is a chunk of Spirit’s song Fresh Garbage. What did you think when you heard Zeppelin making reference to your music?
CASSIDY:
I was actually flattered. I think we all were. We didn’t view it as stealing our stuff or a rip-off of our material. It was interesting the way they put that medley together. As you know, Spirit’s lead guitarist, Randy California, was also my stepson. He greatly appreciated the guitar work of Jimmy Page. Randy’s untimely passing was not only a great loss for our family and friends but also for the music world. Randy was such a gifted guitarist in so many fields. I know Page was one of several exceptional talents whom Randy greatly admired and was influenced by. Randy was also hugely influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, as well as many others.
So to answer your question, we were flattered Led Zeppelin showed that our music – the main riff of Fresh Garbage - had influenced their music in that early medley of As Long as I Have You.
As well, by listening to each other play and by genuinely making an effort to understand the artistry and the music you’re listening to, you inevitably become a better musician yourself in the process. That’s what we used to do when we were billed with other bands. I think it’s safe to say that’s what most groups did in the 1960s.
It didn’t matter who went on first or second really; it was mainly about the music. I’m not saying listening intently to each other’s music didn’t go on in the 1970s and to this day, but the sense of community and mutual respect of the acts performing on the same bill back in the 1960s were so very strong.
REDDON:
I guess that puts a wrap on it, Ed. Thank you so much for your time. This has been a fascinating excursion for me. All the best with your ongoing career.
CASSIDY:
Thank you very much, Frank. If you think of anything else you want to ask me down the line, feel free to contact me. And I wish you every success with your project.
PHIL DAUM
FORSAKES THE FUDGE IN FAVOUR OF ZEPPELIN AT THE GROUP’S FIRST-EVER CANADIAN GIG
Led Zeppelin’s thunder was largely due to the physical playing of John “Bonzo” Bonham.
Courtesy: The Frank Reddon Collection, used with permission. Enzepplopedia Publishing, Inc.
As a teenager in 1968, Phil Daum was a Vanilla Fudge fan and the band was about to play a concert in his hometown. Did he ever think he would forget all about the very act he had paid his money to see, after seeing an unknown warm-up band from England that evening? Not a chance! But that’s exactly what happened when he saw Led Zeppelin on the band’s First U.S. and Canadian Tour of 1968-69 in late December 1968.
REDDON:
Hi, Phil. It’s a pleasure to meet you. It took awhile for us to link up but I’m glad we did. Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed about seeing Led Zeppelin in Vancouver, on the band’s First U.S. and Canadian Tour of 1968-69.
DAUM:
I’m really happy to talk to you about this. It brings back so many good memories. I’m going to enjoy this.
REDDON:
Excellent. Me too! We’ll start with when and where you first saw Led Zeppelin, back in December of 1968.
DAUM:
I