The story of a NASTY firecracker that nearly stopped Led Zeppelin's 1980 in Vienna | Documentary 

I remember when the 1980 tour had been announced. I was only 13 and had gotten permission from my parents to get tickets when they went on sale for my area. When I think back on that time, I must’ve been listening to Zeppelin since I was nine years old. I can’t imagine a nine-year-old listening to Zeppelin today. How lucky some of us were during the 70’s. And when the news came on about Bonham’s death, it was just devastating. Devastating. And then the 80s began to roll in with all the plastic bands and corporate formulas forced upon us through music videos. We still haven’t recovered.

Bring the person responsible back stage where Peter Grant, Richard Cole and John Bindon want to ‘speak’ to him. 😮

Led Zeppelin performed in Vienna, Austria at Wiener Stadthalleon on 26 June 1980, and in Zürich, Switzerland at Hallenstadion on 29 June 1980. I know this information because I am an avid fan and collector of the band’s bootleg recordings. I listen not only for enjoyment and pleasure - but also to carefully study and learn from each performance. The Zürich show originally came out as a bootleg entitled *Swiss Made* and is my favourite overall from the *Led Zeppelin Over Europe Tour 1980.* I remember reading a very favourable review of it in the Led Zeppelin fanzine/newsletter *Proximity.* I subscribed and I had purchased several back issues in 1983. At the time in the early 1980s, the reviewer/journalist stated: ‘Lately, these Led Zeppelin bootleg recordings are coming out at an alarming rate.’ LOL! The City of Vienna features beautiful architecture; especially in the interiors - so inspiring! Also: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE *Xanadu* - both *Xanadu - The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack* and the film. So much wonderfully fine music. I especially love my favourite scene when the lead male character, Sonny, manages to enter Kira’s celestial home by roller skating into the group of The 9 Sister Muses’ mural and finds himself together again with his dream girl (played by Olivia Newton-John). I experienced two similar miracles: The first one happened at what could have been the lowest point in my life - the woman of my dreams (my wife, Cindy) literally came out of nowhere; out of thin air, chased after - and pursued me! The second happened this past week. My tabby cat of ten years went missing at the beginning of May. After two miserable months of mourning, I spotted another brown female tabby cat needing a home. She arrived out of nowhere in my front yard about a week ago and now we are inseparable. Miracles do happen! 🔮🐈💗

I so look forward to these! Thank you for this little piece of history with these amazing men. You are so appreciated!❤

If that kid became known, Peter and RIchard would have given him a "talking to".

Another killer episode🎉

Thank you,Jose. Another great episode. I just got through listening to every 1980 gig. I started a few weeks ago and listened to mostly Audience recordings when I could. I really enjoy 1979/1980 Zeppelin….studio and live. Something special about those last two years. I really appreciate the effort they put out considering everything they’d been through….and we’re going through….especially Robert. Plant is an absolute champ. Ya gotta love him. Cheers ✌️

Another exceptional episode JCM !

Jose! Once again, you hit it out of the ballpark. That's a shame what happened with the fool who threw the firecracker. Peace, from Florida, USA.

Thank you for covering the 1980 tour concerts. I feel like this tour is so overlooked, no one talks about this and 1979. I feel like maybe it has to do with two things. One, this era of Zep is maligned for Page's supposed addictions. Secondly, the earlier tours are more notorious for debauchery and whatever and people seem to relish that nonsense. Regarding these two aspects; I think while Page was not in his best shape, he could still rock, and there's plenty instances of where he did very well, such as Munich or Frankfurt. Also, regarding that second factor, I think the death of Plant's son broke Robert completely and he wanted to drop a lot of that dark cloud bullshit that had come to be associated with Zeppelin. I think this was also one of the reasons why Richard Cole was fired.

I’ve been watching all your videos. I love all the details with every one of them. Don’t stop keep them coming.Are you planning to do videos on the making of the First three Led Zeppelin albums?? I don’t see those on your channel! Take care!

Why was it legal to bring firecrackers inside an auditorium in the first place? I never understood that, or why you would even want to bring them in.

JCM congratulations on another amazing concert documentary. (not a big deal) but i wonder why Page become more of the active MC during live gigs in the latter years of Zeppelin. Also i never thought that i would ever be able to recognize when Bonham was on autopilot (besides the last song). Thanks to your analysis clips, i recognized the lack of enthusiasm. However Bonzo was still better than most drummers even when he is on autopilot

The real under the radar tour in Zep history. Exceptional song list. Bonham was in need of a reset in life I think, his heart wasn’t always in it, and we know what happened in September 😢. Some great moments in this show, love to hear a proper release from this tour! Never heard this show before, thanks for another fascinating look into the zeppelin world Jose! 🙏🏻🙏🏻

If that were me, I'd be livid. The show would have ended right there and then. Rock and roll was past its adolescent stage by this point. We'd already had Altamont, The Who Cincinnati show and the Montreux (Smoke On the Water) show. Its a testament to their professionalism that they went on. Having said that, after the incident they did seem to play wait a more focused intensity.

the way you say "Rod Laver tennis shoes" makes my clothes come off best music history channel on YT, down to the audience tape play-by-play

I remember seeing them on April 12th, 1977 at the old Met Center in Bloomington MN. Some people near the stage tossed fireworks and I think one or more landed on the stage around the time they were doing the quieter sit down portion of the set (Going to California, Black Country Woman, Bryn Yr Aur) and Plant said if it continued, they would cancel the rest of the show. Total length of the set that night was 3 hours, 20 minutes.

I probably have it on a hard drive from my hardcore collecting days but I want to track down this show now, the thought of a mailed in Kashmir by Bonham sounds intriguing.

Another Great episode-Thanx Jose ! & Yeah I remember Distinctly how this Tour got basically NO COVERAGE in the Trades. Were they too busy with so-called New Wave ? Thought the Mighty Zep was Done/Irrelevant ? Waiting for their Fall US tour ? Who knows man………

Espetacular!!!

When Jimmy toured for the outrider album, a lot of the shows were delayed because he had to have some kind of surgery. When he played Miami it was in a much smaller venue than originally scheduled. Very early in the show somebody lit off the firecracker. The look of fear on Jimmy's face was like nothing I think I had ever seen. He stopped the show and said if it happened again that the show was over.

"the funk of forty thousand years" 😆

Rock on Jose

You know, I never realized it...but Trampled Underfoot has a Doors-type vibe to it.

Eye thank You!!! Yes well, that was a show right on the edge of disaster from start to finish.......Thank you JCM for finding the hidden gems in the show!!

Nice work as always. Tough period for Zep. Can't remember which show, but there's a soundboard boot from this tour where you can hear Plant and Bonham bitching their way thru the whole show....they just wanted to go home. They probably should have broken up a few years prior. Saved everyone in the establishment a lot of heartache.

😮😮😮 wow he means business!

This 1980 sound is a pale comparison to 73 and 75 tour sounds, fast, energetic and just great. The band was so good they set a bar that was not matched on this night.

Wow

Wasn't there some old video somewhere of them recording "In Through The Outdoor" sessions ?

I would love to hear an unedited version of the 1973 Madison square garden shows, just for comparison. Jimmy’s playing & tone were the best I’ve heard him. Celebration Day solo was fantastic, not to mention No Quarter solo section. Jimmy has never played like that since. I often wonder if he played like that before🤷‍♂️. As a 16 year old I thought there’s nobody who can play like that. Now in my late 50’s I’m feeling that Jimmy Page’s playing went to pot once on heroine. His tone changed too. It’s hard to tell without unedited good quality sound, but that’s my feeling about it. Jimmy’s songwriting I’ve never questioned. John Bonham was great even drunk if still conscious. JPJ I’ve realized was the secret sauce that pulled these two incredible musicians power into a tight thing still unequaled bay any other band ever. Robert Plant wrecked his voice in 1972 & could no longer hit the high register power voice ie (Black Dog), but the fact that he was able to continue performing these songs not tuned down is a F’en miracle of professionalism & talent. He’s still singing & touring, different arrangements & style than Zeppelin but still amazing in his own way. In the 70’s & early 80’s, we only had Hit Parade, Circus & the Rolling Stone magazines to learn about the bands. The Album covers were huge too. Now you can go on RU-vid & see anyone anytime past or present. The mystery set around the artist seems to be lost by too much coverage & over exposure. Zeppelin was a time of great changes & artistic growth that is still unequaled today. All the songs from that era will be listened to for centuries if not longer. One thing is for sure, with modern digital recording out of your bedroom, it’s probably never going to get better. I really respect your ability to describe a scene & tell the story. Great job as always!!! Jimmy Page is still my all time favorite guitar player & it was him that made me lock my bedroom door & practice guitar thru high school.

Ever notice how different Jim's voice is when introducing BD in 1980 compared to interviews a couple years later?

This is one of the oddest Zep shows... I understand that idiot with the 🧨 but in the 70's or in the USA that would of never worked a promotor, saying bring him up on stage most likely a riot would of happened that's my opinion. Bonzo ,was not good in 1980 Alcohol and D-rugs yes were destroying him but damn. The Plant rumors swirling of canceling the upcoming American tour probably didn't help. Plant definitely made it hard with his demands for the tour. Whole Lotta Love was the highlight for me this night. As always Jose, 👏🏼✌🏼 your awesome 👍🏼

The firecracker should have been sampled and sent into Jimmy’s Echoplex and to set the rhythm of “Whole Lotta Love”. Of course, it would be unavailable for the theremin section.

Hi Jose! Excellent episode as always! I hope this irresponsible guy was arrested, it would be very interesting if he had to “talk” to Peter Grant’s gang (we know what this “conversation” would be like) 👊🤜💪 If I’m not mistaken, Jimmy was hit at another show, I don’t remember which one. Poor Jimmy, I guess he was the target of jealous losers, luckily he was never seriously hurt. Did the guy with the firecracker think that Zeppelin would write a song for him, like that other goofy who was immortalised by Deep Purple in the legendary Smoke On The Water? I was imagining the consequences: if the show had been cancelled, the crowd would have revolted, the guy probably have received a good beating…it would well deserved. Glad everything ended well, a good show, sad to think a few months the rock world would say goodbye to greatest drummer ever. Thanks Jose Sensei, see ya 👋

I'll be hitting you up in a little while brother Jose

I wonder if they caught the guy. Anyone out there at the concert?

“I get to meet Jimmy Page? I DID IT! IT WAS ME!!!” 😂

Barclays james harvester The eyes of the universe.😊❤

I had read, that it was a student no a promotor... 7:05

Interesting you mention that Bonzo sounds off during All Of My Love. Jimmy hated All Of My Love, I think the rest of the band did too. Page talks about it in an 80's interview, he says "it's not our best work". He talks about how the big chorus thing isn't really what Zeppelin was about. Brutal really, considering he knew it was about Karac. Jimmy really can be the Dark Lord when he wants to be. In my opinion, it's not a great song. It's definitely always stood out as a strange oddity among Zeppelin tunes.

Jimmy’s hand got hit with a firecracker during a ‘77 show also

Isn't it Page who starts addressing the crowd at 13:56?

Men please you still got time P L E A S E! Dont forget Berlin more detailed. You doing good!!

Page had a rough night.

Would of been cool to hear Hotdog in Vienna 😂

The firecracker was an American thing. I would not be surprised to know it was done by an American GI. I never understood it, I was going to shows in this era and a big boom never helped create a better show. As a guitar player myself a cherry bomb going off next to me while playing would seriously destroy my focus even if it didn't hurt me. Audience members got hurt sometimes too. It was all around no good for anybody...

🌠JCM ..WHAT KINDA A$$%^&LE THROWS A FIRECRACKER @ ROCK GOD JIMMY PAGE ? THe same kinda person that brings a flare gun 2 a FZ Concerts & burns the place ..to the ground ...Why hasnt Jimmy Page contacted u yeat ...? duude yer video's r SOOO GOOD ! G..WHERES THE MEATLOAF ..? THO ...JOKING...

"Deutschland Uber Alles" unfortunately a poor choice by JP in Austria. Not only was it not their national anthem in 1980, but it was forced to be their national anthem during the Nazi time, so it wouldn't have represented a fond memory for anyone. But maybe it was intentional after the firecracker to the face. Takes us back to June 14 1977 at the Garden.

john bonham wasn't in good shape.he looked overweight by 1980.you can tell for how less body movement he made when playing.he kept his arms lower than ever,a total rarity. he had great control of his strength and stamina always,but on this tour the sound coming out of the drums is not as it used to be.phisically it changed a lot for him.if they could have continue,i bet there was some serious issues to deal and fix

Led Zeppelin was AWFUL on the 1977 tour but really reached a new low in 1980. Plants barking vocals, Page playing like a 14 year old at his first gig, JPJ on that horrible early synth, and Bonham just a fat drunk who wanted out. I am a huge Zeppelin fan but trying to paint the years between 1977 and 1980 as some sort of triumph? Please.