PHOTOS found in the Echo archives show there was a ‘Whole Lotta Love’ in Southampton back in January 1973 when the city played host to one of the world’s biggest rock bands.

For two consecutive nights Led Zeppelin graced two city venues, beginning with a show at the Gaumont Theatre on January 21, that was watched by two-and-a-half thousand Zeppelin fans, who flooded into the venue to watch the rock and roll heavyweights perform live.

These Daily Echo photographs of the gig show the band, which consisted of singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham, in full flow as they cruised through a set list which included classics Whole Lotta Love, Dazed and Confused, Black Dog and Stairway to Heaven.

Daily Echo:

The Gaumont gig was followed up the next night with a show at Southampton University’s Old Refectory building and it was during this set that singer Robert Plant dedicated Whole Lotta Love to then Southampton University Students’ Union president Alan Whitehead, who would later become better known in the city as the prominent Labour MP.

Daily Echo: Jimmy Page.

Just as fascinating as the band photographs are those of Zep fans queuing outside for what were relatively intimate gigs compared to their mammoth stadium performances.

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