#436 - FOUND! A Strange Look at Led Zeppelin Near the End. Forgotten 1979 Article.

Led Zeppelin in 1979—still “leading the pack,” still selling out Madison Square Garden for SIX nights, and still somehow managing to stay mysterious while the rest of rock is out here begging for attention. In this episode, Robert John Hadfield cracks open a Circus magazine (Sept. 18, 1979)—published just after In Through the Out Door and one year before we lost John Bonham—and reads an article that’s equal parts praise, myth-making, and spicy critique. Along the way, Robert John Hadfield digs into Peter Grant (the human brick wall), Zeppelin’s “no singles” strategy, the In Through the Out Door six-cover paper bag rollout, and one of the most interesting Bonham descriptions ever put in print: a drummer defined by what he doesn’t play. Then the article drops the line that makes every Zeppelin defense shield instantly deploy: “They have never been innovators.” …and yes, Robert John Hadfield fully expects the comments to turn into a battlefield. Big thanks to Gary Light Hall for sending this magazine in the legendary box of treasures—and thanks to Digitech for supporting the channel. Timestamps 00:00 – Why this 1979 article matters 00:23 – “Still leads the pack” headline 00:54 – Thanks to Gary Light Hall 01:05 – Sponsor shoutout: Digitech 01:16 – Stick around: special message later 01:25 – In Through the Out Door context 01:49 – The six secret album covers (A–F) 02:09 – Why this album is a “mixed bag” 02:52 – The article’s killer Zeppelin description 03:48 – MSG six nights + $100 scalper tickets 04:25 – Bill Graham drama + Gandhi quote 05:13 – Did YOU ever see Zeppelin live? 05:40 – “A shrine” every rock fan must visit 06:13 – Discovering Zeppelin in the early ’80s 07:20 – The “Zeppelin… he’s great” test 08:27 – 1979 radio: Stairway still dominating 08:50 – No singles… album-only strategy 09:42 – Incredible photos + Band of Joy note 10:00 – The Starship Jet (Boeing 720) story 11:20 – Bonham’s “what he leaves out” genius 12:24 – Gilmour comparison + the power of restraint 14:50 – Zeppelin vs Beatles: cultural impact debate 15:55 – “Innumerable clones like KISS” (wait…what?) 17:29 – 30 hours in the studio?! Debut album flex 18:29 – The Terry Reid “what if” moment 19:17 – Peter Grant: strategy + protection 20:24 – Custom setlists by city (wild) 21:52 – The mystique strategy (and why it works) 23:19 – KISS mystique… and the overexposure trap 26:01 – Page, the occult, and Boleskine House 27:04 – Plant’s tragedy + “All of My Love” context 27:26 – Peter Grant: “Popeye” airport story 28:12 – “They were never innovators” (fight me) 29:18 – Borrowing, blues standards, and credit issues 30:21 – Stairway, Kashmir, Achilles… not innovative? 32:31 – “Pioneering isn’t required” (Elvis comparison) 34:53 – “They’ve always been synthesizers” 35:49 – Final message: the channel’s next level 38:03 – Volunteer invitation + how to reach me Get Involved If you want to help this community grow, email me: [email protected] Hashtags #LedZeppelin #InThroughTheOutDoor #CircusMagazine #JohnBonham #JimmyPage #RobertPlant #ClassicRock #RockHistory #VinylCommunity #Digitech