English rock band for their 1973 and 1975 North American During the 1972 tour and in the early part of the 1973 tour the band had hired a small private Falcon Jet to transport its members from city to city, but these aircraft are comparatively light and susceptible to turbulence. After performing a show at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco in 1973, Led Zeppelin encountered bad turbulence on a flight back to Los Angeles. As a result, the band’s manager Peter Grant resolved to hire The for the remainder of the tour, at a cost of $30,000.
(*) The Starship, N7201U (S/N: 17907), was the first Boeing 720 built. It was delivered to United Airlines in October 1960 and then purchased in 1973 by Contemporary Entertainment.
Led Zeppelin and The Starship**, focusing on their iconic use of the aircraft during their North American tours in the 1970s, the backstory of the plane itself, and its place in rock history. Let me know if you’d like to turn this into a document or tweak the focus.
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# **Led Zeppelin and The Starship: The Jet That Changed Rock ‘n’ Roll Touring**
In the golden era of rock and roll, when music was larger than life and bands lived like kings, no group symbolized the excess, spectacle, and sheer power of 1970s rock more than **Led Zeppelin**. From their thunderous live performances to their mythic lifestyle, Zeppelin set the standard — and nothing epitomized their dominance more than their use of a custom private aircraft, *The Starship*.
While many bands traveled from gig to gig by bus or commercial flights, Led Zeppelin redefined what it meant to tour. In 1973 and again in 1975, the band flew across North America in a luxury airliner that had once carried commercial passengers — but was now transformed into a flying palace. This aircraft, known simply as *The Starship*, became one of the most iconic symbols in rock history.
## **Before the Starship: The Falcon Jet Days**
Led Zeppelin’s early tours of the United States were grueling marathons of city-hopping, press interviews, and nightly performances in sold-out arenas. During the 1972 tour and the early part of their 1973 U.S. tour, the band used a small private **Falcon Jet** to get around. Although it offered privacy and saved time compared to commercial flights, the Falcon had limitations. The aircraft was comparatively light and often unstable during bad weather.
After playing to 50,000 fans at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco in 1973, the band boarded the Falcon Jet for a flight back to Los Angeles. Mid-flight, they hit heavy turbulence, shaking the plane and the nerves of its passengers. For a band whose motto might as well have been “bigger, louder, faster,” the idea of relying on a jittery jet was unacceptable.
Led Zeppelin’s famously protective and fearsome manager, **Peter Grant**, made a bold decision. Concerned for his band’s comfort and safety — and seeking a travel method that would match their superstar status — he chartered a different kind of aircraft: *The Starship*.
## **The Starship: A Boeing 720 with Rock Star Swagger**
*The Starship* was no ordinary airplane. Built as the **first Boeing 720 ever produced**, it was delivered to United Airlines in October 1960 as aircraft **N7201U** (serial number 17907). For over a decade, it carried commercial passengers across the U.S. — until it was bought in 1973 by **Contemporary Entertainment**, a company specializing in luxury air travel for celebrities.
The aircraft was soon transformed into a veritable hotel in the sky. After a $200,000 refit, *The Starship* emerged as a symbol of 1970s extravagance. The exterior was repainted with bold lettering and a red, white, and blue motif. Inside, the transformation was even more radical.
### **The Interior: A Flying Palace**
The interior of *The Starship* was customized to match the decadent tastes of the biggest bands in the world. The refit included:
– A **bedroom** with a custom-built waterbed.
– A **living room** area with couches, a television, and a stereo system.
– A fully-stocked **bar and cocktail lounge**.
– A **fireplace-like installation** (strictly for show).
– Plush, shag-carpeted floors and mirrored ceilings.
– A **private room** for parties — and escapades.
For Led Zeppelin, this wasn’t just transportation; it was a sanctuary, a party pad, and a statement. On the road, they could now skip hotel check-ins, security lines, and bus rides. After a show, they could fly directly to the next city — or just cruise above the clouds in comfort and luxury.
## **The 1973 and 1975 North American Tours**
Led Zeppelin first used *The Starship* during the second leg of their **1973 U.S. tour**, which kicked off with a vengeance. Their shows were selling out arenas and stadiums across the country, and their fourth album (commonly known as *Led Zeppelin IV*) had reached legendary status, driven by songs like “Stairway to Heaven.”
With *The Starship* at their disposal, the band created a touring lifestyle few could imagine. They would base themselves out of major cities — like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago — and fly in and out of smaller tour stops, returning “home” to a luxury hotel after each gig. It eliminated the fatigue of constant hotel changes and ground travel.
By the time of their **1975 tour**, Zeppelin had become even more massive. *The Starship* was once again chartered, and it remained an integral part of their touring setup.
## **Life Aboard the Starship**
The tales of what happened aboard *The Starship* have become part of rock folklore. Stories of wild parties, groupies, flowing champagne, and general chaos are the stuff of legend. While much of the myth-making comes from second-hand stories and exaggerations, there’s no doubt that life on *The Starship* was a far cry from the average band’s travel routine.
Photographs from the era show the band relaxed, lounging in chairs with drinks in hand, smiling beside the aircraft, or hanging out mid-flight. The press took notice, too — the sight of a private Boeing jet with “Led Zeppelin” emblazoned on the fuselage was enough to spark envy and awe.
## **Not Just for Zeppelin**
Although Led Zeppelin made *The Starship* famous, they weren’t its only rock and roll occupants. In the mid-to-late ’70s, the plane was also used by:
– **Elton John**
– **The Rolling Stones**
– **Alice Cooper**
– **Deep Purple**
– **Peter Frampton**
– **Bob Dylan**
Each band or artist brought their own energy to the aircraft, but none embraced it quite as fully or iconically as Led Zeppelin.
## **The End of an Era**
By the late 1970s, the glory days of *The Starship* began to fade. The aircraft had a limited service life, and its operating costs were high. It was eventually retired from the luxury charter scene and began a slow decline.
Led Zeppelin themselves were also facing challenges. After 1977, they stopped touring in the U.S. following the death of Robert Plant’s son and the growing pressures of fame. The band’s final tour in 1980 was cut short by the sudden death of drummer **John Bonham**, leading to their breakup.
With Zeppelin no longer ruling the skies, *The Starship* lost its greatest ambassadors.
## **Legacy and Cultural Impact**
Today, *The Starship* remains a lasting symbol of 1970s rock excess — and of Led Zeppelin at their peak. It represents a moment in time when rock stars traveled like royalty and lived without limits. More than just a plane, *The Starship* was a mobile HQ for one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
It also set a precedent. While private jets have become more common among modern musicians, few have matched the spectacle or cultural footprint of *The Starship*. No artist today can quite replicate the same blend of mystery, opulence, and sheer force of personality that surrounded Led Zeppelin and their aircraft.
## **Conclusion: Flying High**
The decision to swap a turbulent Falcon Jet for *The Starship* in 1973 was more than just a travel upgrade — it was a statement. Led Zeppelin weren’t just another touring band; they were redefining what rock could be. Their use of *The Starship* elevated their tours into epic odysseys and became a visual metaphor for their high-flying success.
Fifty years later, the image of Zeppelin’s logo streaking across the sky on the side of a Boeing jet still captures the imagination. In an era of excess and innovation, *The Starship* was the ultimate ride — and Zeppelin were the ultimate passengers.
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