The $200,000 Heist from Led Zeppelin at the New York Hilton Hotel
On this day, July 29, 1973, rock legends Led Zeppelin experienced a dramatic and costly theft at the New York Drake Hotel. The band, riding high on the success of their 1973 North American tour, discovered that over $200,000 in cash had been stolen from their safety-deposit box. This event remains one of the most notorious unsolved thefts in rock and roll history.
Led Zeppelin, comprising Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham, were at the height of their fame in 1973. They were in the middle of a successful North American tour promoting their album “Houses of the Holy” and had just completed two sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden. The band was earning huge sums of money and enjoying immense popularity.
The theft was discovered shortly after the band’s second concert at Madison Square Garden. More than $200,000, their earnings from the concerts, was missing from their safety-deposit box at the New York Drake Hotel. The band and their management were shocked and immediately reported the theft to the authorities.
Despite a thorough investigation, the cash was never recovered, and the thief or thieves were never identified. The stolen amount was significant, equivalent to approximately $1.3 million today, representing a major financial blow. The theft attracted widespread media attention, further cementing Led Zeppelin’s enigmatic and legendary status.
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The incident highlighted the chaotic and often risky nature of life on the road for rock bands in the 1970s. The heist remains an intriguing unsolved mystery in rock history, contributing to the enduring lore surrounding Led Zeppelin. Despite the setback, Led Zeppelin continued their tour and maintained their place as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.