Looking Back: Led Zeppelin's Last Stand

Gibson has a look back at this historic gig: To think that Led Zeppelin ever had a lot riding on a single show seems ridiculous. They were the biggest band in the world for a decade. More than that, Jimmy Page and company held that title with a confidence and swagger that few other performers could ever muster. And yet, the band had good reason for nerves as they ventured out to Knebworth Park in the heart of England in August, 1979.

Outside of two low-key, warm-up gigs in Denmark, the band had not played a single show since their 1977 North American tour was cut short after the tragic death of Robert Plant's son. And they hadn't played in England since 1975, when they played five, dazzling shows at Earls Court in London. In the meantime, punk had landed and threatened to render everything that came before it � particularly those things which were big and showy � moot. And if ever a band was big and showy, it was Led Zeppelin. As they were poised to reintroduce themselves to English audiences, the band could have chosen to tour modest venues across the country. But manager Peter Grant decided that modest just didn't suit the group, and so a massive show was booked at Knebworth Park, the enormous grounds adjoining a historic 15th century mansion which has seen landmark concerts, over the years, from the likes of Pink Floyd, Queen and Oasis. - more on this story

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