Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest and most successful bands of all time, and in 1973, they were probably the most powerful rock brand on the planet. In five years, between 1968 and 1973, they released a series of spectacular albums only matched by bands like the Stones or the Fab Four.
Those who saw them during this period were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience—especially if they managed to catch them at a smaller venue with a couple of thousands in the audience. One of the greatest places to see them that year was The Empire, a bingo establishment that doubled up as a concert hall.
Empire Bingo Hall Predated the Booming Online Sector
The Empire has to be up there with the most legendary of all bingo halls, predating the online bingo boom and acting as an early pioneer of the activity in the country. Nowadays, the main way that people play bingo is online, through the myriad internet sites that offer it. For instance, it’s possible to play free bingo at Paddy’s from anywhere with an internet connection, and you can be in with a chance to win prizes.
This free service has led to more people becoming game players and a few are enticed into paying for bingo tickets to win money. As bingo has come full circle back in the public eye, people are increasingly interested in old bingo clubs and want to know about the past of some of the UK’s best places.
One of the Best Spots to Watch Led Zeppelin
The Empire was always an eccentric institution in Edinburgh’s entertainment circuit. According to a piece in Capital Theatres, it was an ordinary bingo room by day, where the traditional ball draw was played before the masses. At night, it was transformed into a rock and roll paradise that attracted the best acts of the time.
By 1973, Led Zeppelin had played the world’s biggest arenas; they were riding the wave of their fourth album. Being able to see them at the Empire, then, was like purchasing a private entrance to one of the nation’s most exclusive clubs. Just imagine seeing ‘Rock and Roll’ and ‘Stairway to Heaven’ so close, up close that you could see the sweat pooling in Jimmy Page’s eyes as he slashed out yet another epic guitar solo. Music experiences don’t get much better than that.
Who Else Played at the Empire?
After the great 60s, there was a new breed of great rock bands and single performers in the early 70s. Concert-goers didn’t visit the Empire just to attend Led Zeppelin’s epic live shows.
Elton John played there in 1972, just as he was emerging as one of the best new acts in the country. David Bowie also made an appearance in 1973, and he was arguably the biggest star of the time with numerous albums under his belt already. According to an article in Variety, Bowie killed off his Ziggy Stardust alter ego later that year, meaning the Empire gig was one of the last chances to see him as that classic creation.
The Empire will go down in history as one of the greatest venues to have hosted Led Zeppelin. People who were around at that time were lucky, as it’s almost impossible to see major acts in such intimate settings these days.
