Live: Rolling Stones vs. Led Zeppelin

[Count Drugcula]

The Stones and Led Zeppelin were arguably the two biggest bands at least of the period from the late 60s to around 1977. They were in direct competition each other for the title of biggest band in the world, especially during their respective American tours in the summer of 1972.

According to a book I read, they were actually outselling the Stones live in '72 but the Stones had much better PR and a better relationship with the media (this book claims the media/reviewers pretty much downed Led Zeppelin at almost every step in the first few years) so it seemed like the Stones' tour was the bigger event that summer.

That said, who do you feel was the better live act?

The only tours that should be considered (for sake of fairness) are the Stones' tours between 1969 and 1980; Likewise, only Led Zeppelin's concert career as a full band.

The Rolling Stones Stones:

December 1968 (Rock N' Roll Circus--Last show with Brian Jones)

July 1969 (Hyde Park DVD, first show with Mick Taylor)

November-December 1969 - American Tour 1969 (Altamont that year)

August-October 1970 - European Tour 1970

March 1971 - UK Tour 1971

June-July 1972 - American Tour 1972 (Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones)

January-February 1973 - Pacific Tour 1973

September-October 1973 - European Tour 1973 (Brussel's Affair, last shows with Mick Taylor)

May 1975 (NYC 1975 Tour announcement, first show with Ron Wood)

June-August 1975 - Tour of the Americas '75

April-June 1976 - Tour of Europe '76

June-July 1978 - US Tour 1978

Led Zeppelin:

September 1968 - Scandinavian Tour 1968

October–December 1968 - UK Tour 1968

December 1968-February 1969 - North American Tour 1968/1969

March–April 1969 - UK and Scandinavian Tour 1969

April–May 1969 - North American Tour Spring 1969

June 1969 - UK Tour Summer 1969

July–August 1969 - North American Tour Summer 1969

October 1969 - European Tour Autumn 1969

October–December 1969 - North American Tour Autumn 1969

January 1970 - UK Tour 1970 (Captured on the Led Zeppelin DVD)

February–March 1970 - European Tour 1970

March–April 1970 - North American Tour Spring 1970

June–July 1970 - Tour of Iceland, Bath & Germany 1970

August–September 1970 - North American Tour Summer 1970

March–April 1971 - United Kingdom Tour Spring 1971

May–August 1971 - European Tour 1971

August–September 1971 - North American Tour 1971

September 1971 - Japanese Tour 1971

November–December 1971 - United Kingdom Tour Winter 1971

February 1972 - Australasian Tour 1972 (Captured on the Led Zeppelin concert DVD)

May–June 1972 - North American Tour 1972

October 1972 - Japanese Tour 1972

October 1972-January 1973 - UK Tour 1972/1973

March–April 1973 - European Tour 1973

May–July 1973 - North American Tour 1973 (Broke Beatles 1965 Shea Stadium record; Song Remains the Same DVD)

January–March 1975 - North American Tour 1975

May 1975 - Earls Court 1975 (Captured on the Led Zeppelin DVD)

April–July 1977 - North American Tour 1977

August 1979 - Two warm-up concerts in Denmark and Knebworth Festival 1979 (captured on the Led Zeppelin DVD)

June–July 1980 - Tour Over Europe 1980

Edited April 4, 2011 by Count Drugcula

[Black Sabbath]

Stones

[ZoSoRose]

Zeppelin

[Jumpin' Jack Flash]

Led Zeppelin, although The Rolling Stones also kick ass live.

[zeppelinrocksnexttognr]

Zeppelin.

[coolio GNR]

Zeppelin. Hands down.

Edit: O, I didn't read the post. The better band impo is Zeppelin. The better live band is the Stones. Hands down.

Edited April 7, 2011 by coolio GNR

[dalsh327]

Led Zep impressed people with their playing, but the "must see" band of that time was The Rolling Stones.

[Black Sabbath]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLddJ1WceHQ

/thread

[ITW 2012]

The Stones were pretty impressive when they had Mick Taylor in the band. Still though, you've got to go with the Zeppelin.

Edited April 7, 2011 by ITW 2012

[Zint]

Back then you felt blessed to see the Stones,Zep,The Who live.

There was no internet dissections...you just came back at talked about how fucking amazing any and all of it was.

[batman007]

Zeppelin!!! A Whole Lot of love!!!!!!!!!!1111111

[JONEZY]

Never saw Led Zeppelin live, to young. Did see Page/Plant. Saw the Stones twice, 1989 and 1994.

I'm sure Zep was awesome live.