Led Zeppelin made their US live debut as a late addition to a sold out concert in Denver featuring Vanilla Fudge and Spirit. The booking might not have happened had Vanilla Fudge not offered to play for less money so Zeppelin could get added to the night's lineup.
The Rocky Mountain News review of the show included, "The concert was cranked off by another heavy, the Led Zeppelin, a British group making its first U.S. tour. Blues oriented (although not a blues band), hyped electric, the full routine in mainstream rock – done powerfully, gutsily, unifiedly, inventively and swingingly by the end of their set.
Singer Robert Plant – a cut above average in style, but no special appeal in sound. Guitarist Jimmy Page of Yardbirds fame – exceptionally fine. Used a violin bow on the guitar strings in a couple of tunes with resultant interesting, well integrated effects.
Bassist John Paul Jones – solid, involved, contributing. John Bonham – a very effective drummer, but uninventive, unsubtle and unclimactic, just an uneventful solo. "
Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on December 26 include...
1939 Producer Phil Spector born.
1962 Scorpions drummer James Kottak born.
1963 Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich born.
1966 Jimi Hendrix writes Purple Haze.
1967 Magical Mystery Tour premiers on British TV.
1968 Steppenwolf and Canned Heat head-up the San Francisco Holiday Rock Festival at the Cow Palace south of the city. Santana, Dewey Martin's "New" Buffalo Springfield, The Spencer Davis Group, Blue Cheer, Three Dog Night, The Electric Prunes and Flaming Groovies are also on the bill.
1979 A several day series of benefit concerts to raise money to help civilian victims of a war in Cambodian kicks off at London's Hammersmith Odeon. The Concerts for the People of Kampuchea would include Queen, Who, Pretenders, Clash, Paul McCartney and Wings, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Elvis Costello and the Attractions and others. The set McCartney & Wings did on the final night would be that band's last concert performance.
1999 Curtis Mayfield dies…
