Led Zeppelin was threatened when the band planned to perform an encore during one of its full-packed shows.
Formed in 1968 in London, the English rock band dominated the industry with its original lineup of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham. Page - who became the founding guitarist of Led Zeppelin - wanted to perform in Memphis, Tennessee, the following year since the place was the home of Elvis Presley and the center of the early rock 'n' roll genre.
It happened on Led Zeppelin's first-ever North American tour, which they started before releasing their debut album mid-show on Jan. 12, 1969. A month later, they visited the Memphis State University Field House.
On Instagram, Page recalled how performing at Memphis was a dream come true since the place is considered the mecca of music.
However, people in certain US states were not that welcoming of strangers. Led Zeppelin members were also followers of Black blues music. With that, it affected their chance to do an encore in one of its tours.
"This wasn't necessarily the best time to be touring the South: Black people were still being lynched in other southern states and the man who shot the two bikers at the end of Easy Rider would get a standing ovation in movie theaters!" Page said.
Squatch Rocks noted that one of the band's road crew overheard a local Memphis police talking about the members and making them pack up immediately after the show.
Page soon revealed that the band received a threat from police who told them he would bust his head after planning to do an encore. He recalled seeing the police guy putting a steel bar in front of him to block him.
Led Zeppelin's Disbandment
Despite the band's success, Led Zeppelin officially called it quits in 1980.
After Bonham's death in the same year, the band decided to cancel its North American tour. There were rumors that several musicians were eyed to replace the late member, including Ric Lee, Cozy Powell, Carmine Appice, Bev Bevan, Barriemore Barlow, and Simon Kirke.
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However, the surviving members decided to disband instead.
Led Zeppelin confirmed its split in a December 1980 statement, writing, "We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend, and the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were."
The active members reunited several times thereafter and continue performing from time to time.
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