steveo
08-17-2002, 02:25 AM
As chronicled in and paraphrased from, "The Hammer of the Gods"
The first encounter was shortly after the launching of Zepplin's Swan Song label in both NYC and Los Angeles, May 1974. Elvis was doing a show at the LA Forum and knew Zepplin was somewhere in the building watching. Elvis turned to guitar player James Burton and announced, "we better play our our best because Led Zepplin is in the audience". They later met in the hotel room across the street from the Forum where Elvis was staying. Zepplin members had been groomed somewhat beforehand that they could not swear or talk about music while keeping Elvis's company. To Zepplin this meeting was a lifetime thrill and the highlight of their own Physical Graffiti tour. Introductions were made and drinks handed out. John Bonham got into conversation with Elvis about cars. Unfortunately for Zepplin they were only given 30 minutes with the "King". Upon leaving Robert Plant gushed out, "Elvis, your my idol, thanks for letting us come". Elvis responded by singing the first line of, "Treat me like a Fool". Plant jumped in and sang the second line then both harmonizing the third line. Elvis asked for Zepplin's autographs, "it's for my daughter Lisa Marie".
In 1976, notorious Zepplin road manager Richard Cole was touring with Eric Clapton while Zepplin was on hiatus. Cole had become good friends with one of Elvis's bodyguards so it was arranged that Cole could bring EC to meet with Elvis in Graceland. A few months later in Los Angeles Cole decided he would meet with Elvis again only this time he would bring along Zepplin bass player John Paul Jones. Again it was made clear to both that there would be no swearing, no discussion of music and would have to leave after 20 minutes. Arriving at Elvis's Bel-Air mansion Cole and Jones walked into Elvis's living room holding chilled bottles of Dom Perignon in each hand. Elvis was clad in pajamas and house slippers, sprawled on the couch watching TV with members of his usual entourage. Cole let loose, in jest, in his thick Irish accent a barrage of colourful metaphors describing his disappointment in the lack of festivities. Elvis replied, "Man, what's with all this cussin' and swearing?". As Cole continued Elvis couldn't take it anymore and jumped off the couch and assumed a karate pose, Cole, who was quite adept at fisticuffs, did the same. Elvis attacked Cole with karate chops to the wrists which resulted in Cole's gold Tiffany watch falling to the floor. Elvis picked it up, admired it, then said "that's nice". Using more colourful metaphors Cole told him to keep it. Not to be outdone Elvis ran out of the room and returned with a gold watch, laden with 32 diamonds telling Cole he could keep that. Elvis then set his sights on JPJ and said, "whaddaya got? Give me yur watch!". Jones was wearing a Mickey Mouse watch so he handed it over. Elvis left the room again and returned with a dual time zone Baume & Mercier watch and gave it to Jones. Cole then gave Elvis a Brazilian amethyst ring. Elvis gave Cole a 2 carat diamond ring that had "Love Linda" engraved on it. Three hours later both Cole and Jones were allowed to leave as Elvis, still clad in pajamas and slippers, escorted both back to their limo. A befuddled entourage watched in disbelief...Elvis never leaves the house!
A year later news of the Elvis's death found Led Zepplin and was a terrible blow for the band. Through the formative years of Zepplin they often played a encore of Elvis tunes and continued to do so on occasion in their waning years together. They considered Elvis a great inspiration to their own music.
The first encounter was shortly after the launching of Zepplin's Swan Song label in both NYC and Los Angeles, May 1974. Elvis was doing a show at the LA Forum and knew Zepplin was somewhere in the building watching. Elvis turned to guitar player James Burton and announced, "we better play our our best because Led Zepplin is in the audience". They later met in the hotel room across the street from the Forum where Elvis was staying. Zepplin members had been groomed somewhat beforehand that they could not swear or talk about music while keeping Elvis's company. To Zepplin this meeting was a lifetime thrill and the highlight of their own Physical Graffiti tour. Introductions were made and drinks handed out. John Bonham got into conversation with Elvis about cars. Unfortunately for Zepplin they were only given 30 minutes with the "King". Upon leaving Robert Plant gushed out, "Elvis, your my idol, thanks for letting us come". Elvis responded by singing the first line of, "Treat me like a Fool". Plant jumped in and sang the second line then both harmonizing the third line. Elvis asked for Zepplin's autographs, "it's for my daughter Lisa Marie".
In 1976, notorious Zepplin road manager Richard Cole was touring with Eric Clapton while Zepplin was on hiatus. Cole had become good friends with one of Elvis's bodyguards so it was arranged that Cole could bring EC to meet with Elvis in Graceland. A few months later in Los Angeles Cole decided he would meet with Elvis again only this time he would bring along Zepplin bass player John Paul Jones. Again it was made clear to both that there would be no swearing, no discussion of music and would have to leave after 20 minutes. Arriving at Elvis's Bel-Air mansion Cole and Jones walked into Elvis's living room holding chilled bottles of Dom Perignon in each hand. Elvis was clad in pajamas and house slippers, sprawled on the couch watching TV with members of his usual entourage. Cole let loose, in jest, in his thick Irish accent a barrage of colourful metaphors describing his disappointment in the lack of festivities. Elvis replied, "Man, what's with all this cussin' and swearing?". As Cole continued Elvis couldn't take it anymore and jumped off the couch and assumed a karate pose, Cole, who was quite adept at fisticuffs, did the same. Elvis attacked Cole with karate chops to the wrists which resulted in Cole's gold Tiffany watch falling to the floor. Elvis picked it up, admired it, then said "that's nice". Using more colourful metaphors Cole told him to keep it. Not to be outdone Elvis ran out of the room and returned with a gold watch, laden with 32 diamonds telling Cole he could keep that. Elvis then set his sights on JPJ and said, "whaddaya got? Give me yur watch!". Jones was wearing a Mickey Mouse watch so he handed it over. Elvis left the room again and returned with a dual time zone Baume & Mercier watch and gave it to Jones. Cole then gave Elvis a Brazilian amethyst ring. Elvis gave Cole a 2 carat diamond ring that had "Love Linda" engraved on it. Three hours later both Cole and Jones were allowed to leave as Elvis, still clad in pajamas and slippers, escorted both back to their limo. A befuddled entourage watched in disbelief...Elvis never leaves the house!
A year later news of the Elvis's death found Led Zepplin and was a terrible blow for the band. Through the formative years of Zepplin they often played a encore of Elvis tunes and continued to do so on occasion in their waning years together. They considered Elvis a great inspiration to their own music.