Led Zeppelin, one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, used a specially outfitted aircraft for their 1973 and 1975 North American tours. Prior to this, the band relied on a small private Falcon Jet to travel between cities. However, these smaller aircraft were prone to turbulence, making flights uncomfortable. After experiencing severe turbulence following their 1973 performance at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, the band’s manager, Peter Grant, decided to secure a more suitable aircraft for the remainder of the tour.
Grant arranged for Led Zeppelin to lease *The Starship*, a customized Boeing 720, at a cost of $30,000. *The Starship* (N7201U, S/N: 17907) was the first Boeing 720 ever built, originally delivered to United Airlines in October 1960. In 1973, Contemporary Entertainment purchased and modified the plane into a luxurious flying hotel designed specifically for rock bands.
The aircraft featured a lavish interior with amenities such as a bar, a 30-foot couch, a bedroom with a king-sized bed, a shower, and even an electric organ. The customized jet provided Led Zeppelin with a comfortable and efficient way to travel, avoiding the logistical hassles of commercial flights and ensuring they arrived at each tour stop well-rested.
The Starship became an integral part of Led Zeppelin’s legend, symbolizing the band’s extravagant lifestyle and the peak of 1970s rock excess. Other bands, including the Rolling Stones and Deep Purple, also used *The Starship*, but it is most closely associated with Led Zeppelin. The aircraft remained in service for several years before being retired due to mechanical issues. Despite its eventual decommissioning, *The Starship* remains a key part of rock history, representing an era of unparalleled musical success and excess.
