When Led Zeppelin opened for Jose Feliciano

The music world often surprises us with iconic moments and unexpected encounters. One such memorable moment took place in 1969 at Ohio University, when a young British band named Led Zeppelin opened for Puerto Rican star Jose Feliciano. This episode symbolized the diversity and openness of the music scene at the time.

Musical Context of 1969

At the end of the 1960s, the music scene was undergoing significant change. Rock was booming, and new sounds and genres were emerging on the scene. The United States was a market that Led Zeppelin wanted to conquer and like any new band they had to make a name for themselves in any way they could.

Jose Feliciano

The talented Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and guitarist had already achieved international recognition in 1969. He had captivated the world with his cover of The Doors' "Light My Fire," and his hit "Feliz Navidad" would become a holiday anthem. His distinctive style, which fused Latin and pop influences, had earned him a loyal fan base.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin, on the other hand, was a newly formed British band and was just beginning to make waves on the music scene. Virtuoso guitarist Jimmy Page came from the blues rock group The Yardbirds. He teamed up with the voice of Robert Plant and created the sound that would by then be considered "hard blues". John Paul Jones and John Bonham completed the band. Despite being relatively unknown at the time, Led Zeppelin was already demonstrating their musical virtuosity.

The concert

The night Led Zeppelin opened for Jose Feliciano at Ohio University's Baker Center became a musical milestone. Although the auditorium was not up to the acoustic standards of a concert stage, concertgoers, who were expecting to enjoy Feliciano's Latin flair, were surprised by the explosive performance of the British band. Led Zeppelin's energy and virtuosity impressed the audience and secured their place in the music scene.

This unique encounter became an iconic anecdote in the history of music. Led Zeppelin would go on to become one of the most influential rock bands of all time, while Jose Feliciano continued his successful music career.