Led Zeppelin & Showco (1970–1974)

Led Zeppelin’s early‑’70s tours were among Showco’s most influential projects, with a small Dallas crew helping power some of the biggest rock shows of the era. This page begins an ongoing archive of Led Zeppelin–related Showco materials from the 1970–1974 period.

Showco equipment and scaffolding at stage right for a Led Zeppelin concert. Photograph courtesy of Roy Rena Jr.; date unconfirmed.

Showco equipment and scaffolding at stage right for a Led Zeppelin concert. Photograph courtesy of Roy Rena Jr.; date unconfirmed.

“Loretta,” a Showco touring truck with a white cab and box body, used to transport concert equipment in the early 1970s.

“Loretta,” a Showco touring truck with a white cab and box body, used to transport concert equipment in the early 1970s.

A group gathered around a table during Led Zeppelin’s 1971 tour, sharing a moment away from the stage.

A group gathered around a table during Led Zeppelin’s 1971 tour, sharing a moment away from the stage.

Showco speaker stacks in scaffolding at Led Zeppelin’s Sydney concert, Australia, 1972. Front view of the horn-loaded sound system.

Showco speaker stacks in scaffolding at Led Zeppelin’s Sydney concert, Australia, 1972. Front view of the horn-loaded sound system.

Led Zeppelin performing beside Showco speaker stacks in Sydney, Australia, 1972, viewed from the side of the stage.

Led Zeppelin performing beside Showco speaker stacks in Sydney, Australia, 1972, viewed from the side of the stage.

Wide view of Showco’s speaker tower, scaffolding and equipment cases at Led Zeppelin’s Sydney concert, Australia, 1972.

Wide view of Showco’s speaker tower, scaffolding and equipment cases at Led Zeppelin’s Sydney concert, Australia, 1972.

Side view of Showco’s speaker tower and covered stage at Led Zeppelin’s Sydney concert, Australia, 1972.

Side view of Showco’s speaker tower and covered stage at Led Zeppelin’s Sydney concert, Australia, 1972.

Showco’s side-stage mixing position during Led Zeppelin’s 1972 tour, with audio equipment, a cooling fan and the stage beyond.

Showco’s side-stage mixing position during Led Zeppelin’s 1972 tour, with audio equipment, a cooling fan and the stage beyond.

Close-up of Showco’s side-stage audio controls with a crew member seated in front, during Led Zeppelin’s 1972 tour.

Close-up of Showco’s side-stage audio controls with a crew member seated in front, during Led Zeppelin’s 1972 tour.

Robert Plant holding a microphone under red stage lighting during Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour. Photograph by Craig Satterfield.

Robert Plant holding a microphone under red stage lighting during Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour. Photograph by Craig Satterfield.

Craig Satterfield’s self-portrait with his camera beside Showco equipment and a stadium crowd during Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour.

Craig Satterfield’s self-portrait with his camera beside Showco equipment and a stadium crowd during Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour.

Jimmy Page with pigeons onstage, 1973. Photograph by Craig Satterfield, who recalls the bird release during Led Zeppelin’s stadium shows.

Jimmy Page with pigeons onstage, 1973. Photograph by Craig Satterfield, who recalls the bird release during Led Zeppelin’s stadium shows.

John Paul Jones at the keyboards with Jimmy Page behind him during Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour. Photograph by Craig Satterfield.

John Paul Jones at the keyboards with Jimmy Page behind him during Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour. Photograph by Craig Satterfield.

Jimmy Page raising a violin bow above his guitar during Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour. Photograph by Craig Satterfield.

Jimmy Page raising a violin bow above his guitar during Led Zeppelin’s 1973 tour. Photograph by Craig Satterfield.

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