Extract from 'There Must Be A Better Way' Page 76
.....enjoying some great music with Ten Years After, featuring the amazing Alvin Lee, blowing everyone's minds. There was also a nice set from the idiosyncratic blues veteran Champion Jack Dupre, who in my opinion showed everyone how the blues should really be played. However, it was left to Led Zeppelin to steal the show. Peter Grant, already showing his managerial flair, made sure the band was on stage at just the right moment for them to make the maximum impact. Wendy and I were in the office with some friends when we heard this tremendous commotion. I immediately shot out to see what the hell was happening only to bump into Brian doing the same thing. I think there's a riot going on,he said. When we reached the stage area we both relaxed as we realised it was nothing more sinister than the audience reaction to Zeppelin set. Later that evening Peter Grant called into our office for a chat. Good crowd wasn't it? Done all right today - just broken even? He enquired politely. He went on,see Freddy, I told you the boys wouldn't let you down. They were worth the extra money weren't they? He was obviously delighted with the way they had been received and he was right. Zeppelin was already worth a great deal more than we had agreed to pay them. It was obvious, even then, that they were going to be really huge. Listening to the departing kids all I could hear was Led Zeppelin this, Zeppelin that. It was the biggest buzz since we saw the Beatles break some six years or seven earlier. The day finally drew to a close. The parks department who were responsible for the Recreation Ground surprised us all by allowing people to stay on site overnight. Tired but euphorically happy, Wendy and I drove the hundred yards or so to Pratts Hotel. You may think this was sheer laziness on our part but we had a rather large case with us, packed with the cash we had taken that day, including a large amount of pre-decimal silver coins. The case was so unbelievably heavy I could hardly carry it. Staggering with it into the foyer of the hotel I needed all my strength to keep from dropping it. We were greeted by the elderly night porter whom we knew well from our regular visits to the hotel and who would always, with great courtesy, carry our luggage to our room. Before I could stop him, he rushed over to the case and started to lift it. The case stayed obstinately glued to the floor. However, not so his feet, both of which were lifted into the air. I just managed to catch him before he fell backwards. Getting his breath back, he looked at me rather accusingly. What have you got there? Been robbing a bank? Something like that, I replied. He then very graciously allowed me to risk a hernia and struggle up to our room, while he confined himself to bringing us our gourmet supper of stale ham sandwiches.......
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