LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Peter Grant: Led Zeppelin
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Peter Grant made his name as the extrovert manager of Led Zeppelin. Here is his extraordinary life story written by one of the UK’s best-known music journalists. Bouncer, wrestler and one-time tour manager of Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers and Gene Vincent, Grant was a colorful rogue who always lived on the edge but who retired from the music industry a rumored heroin addict.
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In 1977, Grant gave his approval for Led Zeppelin's tour manager Richard Cole to hire John Bindon to act as security co-ordinator for the band's concert tour of the United States. Bindon had previously provided security for actors Ryan and Tatum O'Neal. Towards the end of the tour, a major incident occurred during their first concert at the Oakland Coliseum on July 23, 1977. Upon arrival at the stadium, it was alleged that Bindon pushed a member of promoter Bill Graham's stage crew out of the way as the band entered via a backstage ramp. Tension had been simmering between Graham's staff and Led Zeppelin's security team during the day, and as Grant and Bindon were walking down the ramp near the end of the concert, words were exchanged with stage crew chief Jim Downey, which resulted in Bindon knocking Downey out cold.[6] Within minutes, a separate off-stage incident involving Graham's security man Jim Matzorkis (who was accused of slapping Peter Grant's 11 year-old son Warren over the removal of a dressing room sign), escalated into an all-in brawl. Led Zeppelin's second Oakland show took place only after Bill Graham signed a letter of indemnification absolving Led Zeppelin from responsibility for the previous night's incident.
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By applying South London street smarts and doggedness to his intimidating presence, Grant made the four members of Led Zeppelin, and himself, unfeasibly rich and influential. His way couldn't last and soon the lawyer-managers would come in, the accountants accompanying them, and no manager would be found again counting ticket stubs in the dressing room at 2am. But at least for the bigger artists, there would be no return to the subservient days of the 1950s and '60s.
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Peter has always supported pro bono work. In October, 2007, Peter acted for the mother of the late Savanah Hall in an Inquest into the death of a child in foster care in Prince George which led to 26 recommendations, including 17 directed to the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The First Nations Summit and the UBCIC have called for the implementation of those recommendations.
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By promoting Led Zeppelin concerts, Grant ensured that the vast bulk of ticket profits wound up in the hands of the band rather than in the hands of promoters and booking agents. He is reported to have secured 90% of gate money from concerts performed by the band.[3][4]
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Three stars may seem a bit harsh, as the book itself, is well written , and obviously Chris Welch has a love for Grant, and Zeppelin. He had quite a bit of access to the band, relatively compared to other journalists, from early on, even accompannying the band on tour.
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