The Starship & Caesar's Chariot

Travelling was always considered a major chore by Zeppelin. Neither Jimmy Page nor Peter Grant were particularly fond of flying, and Bonham was often known to require a drink or two to calm his nerves before taking off. In a country the size of America, air travel was a necessity, and so some sort of accomodations had to be made.

Beginning with the 1972 U.S. tour, the band traveled in a small private Falcon Jet hired by Grant. Unfortunately, these aircraft are comparatively light and susceptible to air turbulence. After performing a show at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium on June 2, 1973, Zeppelin encountered bad turbulence on a flight back to Los Angeles. This unnerving incident persuaded Grant that if they were going to have to fly, they would do it in as much style, comfort and safety as possible-regardless of cost ($30,000 for the remainder of the 1973 US Tour).

The Starship, N7201U (CN: 17907), was the first Boeing 720-022 built. It was delivered to United Airlines on Oct. 05, 1960 and then purchased on Jan. 15, 1973 by Contemporary Entertainment for $750,000. Owner Ward Sylvester, manager of performer Bobby Sherman, spent another $750,000 renovating the interior of The Starship.

Inside, the main cabin contained seats and tables, revolving arm chairs, a 30-foot long couch running along the right hand side of the plane opposite the bar, a television set and video cassette player; an electronic organ was built into the bar. At the rear of the plane were two back rooms, one a den with a low couch and pillows on the floor, the other a bedroom, complete with a white fur bedspread and shower room.

The Starship was even staffed by two stewardesses, Susie, and attractive eighteen-year old blonde, and Bianca, a twenty-two year old with a dark complexion and a sense of humor.

The Starship was again used throughout the entire 1975 U.S. tour (at a cost of $2,500 per hour or $5 per mile - whichever came higher), by which time Bonzo liked to occupy the co-pilot's seat. "He flew us all the way from New York to L.A. once," Peter Grant told a startled fellow traveler on one tour, "He ain't got a license, mind..."

The Starship was used by Alice Cooper, Allman Brothers Band, Deep Purple, Elton John, Olivia Newton-John and Peter Frampton on their tours.

The Starship was leased by McCulloch Int. in Nov. 1975, repossessed by Bank of America on Nov. 10, 1977, purchased by AeroAmerica on June 21, 1978, subleased as a private plane on Sept. 1978 through Mar. 1979 and then it went into storage at Luton Airport in London. It was then parted out in July 1982 because it was too corroded for flight.

Starship Pictures
ca. 1961	ca. 1973	ca. 1973
Jul. 24, 1973	Jul. 30, 1974	Oct. 13, 1974
Feb. 27, 1975	Feb. 27, 1975	ca. Feb. 1977
ca. Nov. 1978	ca. 1973	ca. 1973
ca. 1973	ca. 1973	ca. 1973
Jul. 24, 1973	Jul. 24, 1973	Jul. 24, 1973
Jul. 24, 1973	Jul. 24, 1973	Jul. 24, 1973
Jul. 24, 1973	Jul. 24, 1973	Jan. 17, 1975
Jan. 17, 1975	Jan. 17, 1975	Jan. 17, 1975
Jan. 17, 1975	Jan. 17, 1975	Jan. 17, 1975
Jan. 17, 1975	ca. 1975	ca. 1975
ca. 1975	ca. 1975	ca. 1975
ca. 1975	ca. 1975	ca. 1975

Caesar's Chariot was subleased by McCulloch Int. in Aug. 1975 and returned in Sept. 1976. Led Zeppelin subleased Caesar's Chariot in Apr. 1977.

After Led Zeppelin returned the plane in July 1977, the Bee Gees used Caesar's Chariot on their 1979 tour, then it returned into service until Boeing Military Airplane Company bought the plane in July 1986 and placed it in Davis-Monthan AFB on Oct. 11, 1986 for KC-135 re-engine and spares support program. It was totally parted out by Feb. 1987, but parts may have been rescued by an aircraft maintenance school.

Caesar's Chariot Pictures
ca. 1972	ca. Jul. 1975	ca. Nov. 1976
ca. 1977	ca. 1977	Apr. 25, 1977
Apr. 25, 1977	Apr. 25, 1977	Jun. 1977
Jul. 18, 1977	ca. Dec. 1978	Nov. 22, 1979
ca. Feb. 1983	ca. 1977	ca. 1977
ca. 1977	ca. 1977	ca. 1977
ca. 1977

Sources: Stairway To Heaven-Led Zeppelin Uncensored by Richard Cole and Led Zeppelin-The Concert File by Dave Lewis and Simon Pallet.