The Energy of Anticipation and Rock And Roll

My first concert was Led Zeppelin, and the anticipation was palpable as I had no idea what to expect. It took place in 1973 outdoors at the historic Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. Walking into the nearly empty stadium—since we arrived early—I felt a deep sense of belonging. The scent of marijuana lingered in the air, and everyone around us was filled with joy and positive energy.

We quickly settled on the field, about 25 yards from the massive stage adorned with towering speakers. The weather was to be ideal, a classic June day in San Francisco—cool in the morning and warming up as the day went on.

The tickets simply read "supporting acts to be announced," leaving everyone in the dark about who would be opening. Someone spotted two drum sets on stage, sparking speculation: could it be the Allman Brothers?

I heard whispers that David Bowie was set to open the show, and there were even rumors of a Beatles reunion performance.

The excitement and energy were overwhelming for a 17-year-old suburban teen like me.

I had no idea I was about to witness what many consider the greatest rock band of all time. Little did I know that years later, when I mentioned my first concert was Led Zeppelin at Kezar, I would receive knowing looks and impressed reactions.

It was 1973, and there were around 50,000 people in attendance—quite a crowd for that time. What songs would the band play? They were between their fourth and fifth albums, having taken nearly four years to release new material.

The anticipation fueled a unique energy within me, and sharing that thrilling atmosphere with 50,000 fellow fans created unforgettable memories.