Just In:The classic rock band Led Zeppelin hated touring with: “He was a raving nutcase!”…..

When it comes to the legendary British rock band Led Zeppelin, their touring experiences are as famous as their music. Known for their electrifying performances, larger-than-life personalities, and rock-and-roll excesses, the band also endured their fair share of backstage drama, some of which involved notorious conflicts with fellow musicians. One of the most infamous and contentious experiences in Led Zeppelin’s touring history occurred when they were forced to tour with one particular rock star who, in the words of the band, was a “raving nutcase.”

The Wild World of Rock and Roll Touring

Led Zeppelin, formed in 1968, quickly became one of the most successful and influential rock bands in the world. Their innovative sound, blending blues, hard rock, folk, and psychedelia, made them giants of the music industry. However, with fame came the inevitable pressures of touring. Touring in the late 1960s and 1970s was an exhausting and often dangerous affair, and tensions sometimes boiled over among bands.

Led Zeppelin was known for their larger-than-life personalities. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones were notorious for their backstage antics, often pushing the boundaries of decency and decorum. Yet, despite their own reputation for excess, the band members found themselves deeply frustrated when touring with other musicians who took rock-and-roll mayhem to an entirely different level.

Who Was the “Raving Nutcase”?

The “raving nutcase” in question was none other than Keith Moon, the legendary drummer of The Who. Known for his chaotic behavior and outlandish antics, Moon was one of the most unpredictable figures in rock history. His reputation for causing havoc both on and off stage was well-established by the time Led Zeppelin came into the picture.

Keith Moon was a close friend of Led Zeppelin’s guitarist Jimmy Page, and although the two musicians shared a mutual respect, there were times when their personalities clashed, especially when it came to touring. Moon’s behavior was often described as erratic, dangerous, and sometimes downright destructive, leaving other musicians in his wake scrambling to pick up the pieces.

The Who’s Tour with Led Zeppelin

In the early 1970s, both The Who and Led Zeppelin were at the height of their popularity, touring the world and playing in front of packed arenas. The bands had similar fan bases and often found themselves crossing paths on the road, with both groups having their own loyal followers.

At one point during the 1970s, Led Zeppelin and The Who were booked to tour together in the United States. On paper, this seemed like an exciting prospect. Both bands were at the top of their game, and the combination of their talents promised to make for an unforgettable rock-and-roll spectacle. However, what transpired behind the scenes was far from harmonious.

Keith Moon’s behavior quickly became a source of tension between the two bands. His antics were not only disruptive but also dangerous. There are numerous stories of Moon’s reckless behavior, some of which bordered on the absurd. On one occasion, he was reportedly found driving a car into a hotel lobby, a stunt that left both fans and staff in complete shock. On another occasion, Moon allegedly had a swimming pool drained and filled with cement, simply because he was bored.

Led Zeppelin’s members were not immune to the madness. According to various accounts from those who were on tour at the time, Moon would often stage practical jokes, sometimes involving the band members directly. These pranks, though meant to be playful, frequently crossed the line into annoyance and even danger. The Who’s drummer had a particular penchant for terrifying his fellow musicians, including making threats, destroying equipment, or engaging in bizarre behavior that would distract the band from their performances.

“Raving Nutcase” – Frustration from Led Zeppelin

The culmination of the frustration came when Led Zeppelin’s lead singer Robert Plant, in a rare candid moment, shared his thoughts on Moon’s behavior. In an interview, Plant described Moon as a “raving nutcase,” admitting that the entire experience of touring with him was exasperating.

The chaotic nature of Moon’s antics was more than just an inconvenience. It had a negative impact on the focus and discipline that Led Zeppelin prided themselves on. They were known for their intense work ethic and precision on stage, but Moon’s unpredictable behavior made it difficult to maintain any semblance of order. The band became increasingly frustrated with the situation, particularly as their own performances began to suffer due to the distractions caused by Moon’s antics.