It sounds like you’re interested in a detailed, 900-word write-up on Led Zeppelin’s use of The Starship during their 1973 and 1975 North American tours. Below is a well-researched article covering the topic comprehensively.
Led Zeppelin and The Starship: A Rock & Roll Legacy in the Skies
By the early 1970s, Led Zeppelin had cemented itself as the biggest rock band in the world. With chart-topping albums, record-breaking ticket sales, and a reputation for extravagant tours, the band’s meteoric rise was unmatched. However, as their touring schedule intensified, so did their logistical challenges. Traveling from city to city on a standard commercial flight—or even a private Falcon Jet—became inconvenient, exhausting, and at times, dangerous.
During their 1972 and early 1973 North American tours, Zeppelin relied on smaller aircraft to shuttle between shows. These jets, while private, were susceptible to turbulence and lacked the comfort and amenities needed for a band of their stature. The breaking point came after a harrowing flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles in June 1973. Having just played a sold-out show at Kezar Stadium, the band boarded their Falcon Jet, only to be met with severe turbulence that shook them to their core.
Peter Grant, Led Zeppelin’s formidable manager, immediately sought a better solution. Enter The Starship, a Boeing 720 airliner customized for rock royalty. This jet would not only revolutionize the way Zeppelin toured but also set a precedent for luxury travel in rock & roll.
The Birth of The Starship
The Boeing 720 in question was originally built for United Airlines in 1960 but was retired from commercial service by the early ‘70s. Seeing an opportunity, American singer Bobby Sherman and his manager, Ward Sylvester, purchased the plane in 1973 and invested $200,000 into transforming it into the ultimate flying hotel.
Their goal? To lease it out to major touring bands who sought comfort, privacy, and a sense of home while on the road. The aircraft was dubbed The Starship, and its first major clients were none other than Led Zeppelin.
Inside The Starship
The Starship wasn’t just a plane—it was a floating palace of rock & roll excess. The interior featured:
- A plush 30-foot lounge with a full bar, perfect for after-show parties.
- A private bedroom with a king-size waterbed (often occupied by Robert Plant or Jimmy Page).
- A fully stocked kitchen, complete with a chef.
- A shower and a bathroom, rare luxuries on an aircraft at the time.
- An entertainment system, including a TV, a cassette stereo, and even an organ.
- A poker table, where band members and crew engaged in high-stakes games.
With a customized paint job—including a bold red, orange, and gold stripe down the fuselage—The Starship was instantly recognizable. It was more than transportation; it was a symbol of Led Zeppelin’s dominance and opulence.
Led Zeppelin Takes Flight
For the remainder of the 1973 tour, Led Zeppelin used The Starship extensively. No longer bound by tight commercial flight schedules or turbulent small jets, the band could fly in style. The benefits were immediate:
- Increased Efficiency – The band could now fly directly to venues without multiple layovers, saving time and energy.
- Comfort & Luxury – Long flights became a chance to rest, party, or write music rather than a stressful necessity.
- Privacy & Security – With screaming fans and media attention growing, The Starship allowed Zeppelin to avoid crowded airports.
Their use of the aircraft continued into the legendary 1975 North American tour. By this time, Zeppelin was the highest-grossing rock act in the world, and their tour demands had escalated accordingly. The Starship became a second home, hosting everything from wild parties to moments of quiet solitude before explosive concerts.
The Wild Stories Aboard The Starship
Led Zeppelin’s use of The Starship is legendary, and countless stories from those tours still circulate today. Some highlights include:
- Robert Plant declaring the plane was his kingdom – He reportedly once stepped into the cockpit and jokingly radioed air traffic control, announcing, “This is the Led Zeppelin airship. We have assumed control!”
- Epic in-flight parties – The plane became notorious for its wild celebrations, with band members, groupies, and crew engaging in nonstop revelry between shows.
- John Bonham’s antics – Zeppelin’s drummer was known for his outrageous behavior, including once getting so drunk that he had to be carried off the plane.
Yet, despite the debauchery, The Starship played a key role in maintaining the band’s sanity and stamina during grueling tours.
The End of The Starship
By the late 1970s, The Starship was phased out of use. Its engines were outdated, and maintenance costs skyrocketed. By 1977, it was no longer suitable for touring. Zeppelin, along with other major rock acts like The Rolling Stones, moved on to newer private jets.
Eventually, The Starship was sold for scrap, marking the end of an era. Yet its legacy lives on—not just in rock history but in how modern musicians travel today.
Legacy: The Starship and the Evolution of Rock Travel
Led Zeppelin’s use of The Starship set a precedent for how rock bands tour. Before them, most artists relied on commercial flights or modest charters. After them, luxury jets became the standard for top-tier musicians.
Today, artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, and U2 use private aircraft that make The Starship seem primitive by comparison. However, Zeppelin’s era remains the golden age of rock travel—a time when a single plane became a flying kingdom for the biggest band in the world.
Though The Starship no longer exists, its spirit lives on in every rock star who steps aboard a private jet, ready to conquer the world—just as Led Zeppelin did in the 1970s.
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