Led Zeppelin Press Conference – Vancouver, 1970
In the spring of 1970, Led Zeppelin arrived in Vancouver at the height of their explosive rise to rock stardom. Fresh off the release of Led Zeppelin II, the band was greeted with a mix of awe and chaos at a press conference held at the Georgia Hotel, where Canadian journalists eagerly awaited a glimpse into the minds of the now-iconic quartet.
The atmosphere was electric yet slightly tense. Robert Plant, golden-haired and charismatic, took the lead in fielding questions, often deflecting with humor or poetic musings. Jimmy Page, dressed in a dark velvet jacket and clutching a cigarette, responded softly and carefully, especially when asked about the band’s rapid ascent and their musical influences. “We’re just doing what comes naturally,” he said. “There’s blues, there’s folk, but we’re not trying to be purists. It’s all about energy.”
John Paul Jones remained the quiet observer, offering a few dry comments about the band’s grueling tour schedule. Meanwhile, John Bonham brought levity to the room, cracking jokes and sipping from a teacup that may or may not have held tea.
Reporters asked about rumors of rowdy behavior and smashed hotel rooms. Plant laughed it off, saying, “We play loud, but we don’t always live loud. Most of the time, we’re just tired.”
Despite some media skepticism over their bombastic style, the band exuded confidence. They weren’t just musicians — they were shaping a cultural movement. When asked about their future, Page replied cryptically, “There’s more to come. We’re just getting started.”
Within hours, they would blow the roof off the Pacific Coliseum with a thunderous set, but for now, they sat in that pressroom — enigmatic, unapologetic, and undeniably legendary.
