Blimp Time-Hop: Robert Plant’s One Maine Concert Ever At CCCC

Remember that time when the singer from Led Zeppelin came to Portland, Maine?

It was the first and last appearance ever by Robert Plant at the Civic Center.

The historic night happened 30 years ago today, on July 13, 1990 on the Manic Nirvana tour.

Canadian singer, Alannah Myles opened the show. Her song, Black Velvet (a loving thank-you note to Elvis Presley) was a number one hit by the time she got here.

It was also rumored that she and our headliner were dating at the time.

This wasn’t the first time a member of Zep brought a mystical spectacle to Blimpville.

Jimmy Page made a stop here on his Outrider tour in 1988 (that lasers and bow moment during Dazed & Confused forever etched in our minds).

Surprisingly, despite a spirited reminder the week leading up to the show by yours truly on the BLM airwaves that “Robert Plant, the friggin’ Golden God was coming to OUR town”, the show was not a sellout. How does that happen? It’s still a perplexing question that vexes me to this day.

Anyway even though it wasn’t officially a capacity  out, the Civic Center looked pretty well packed to us by showtime.

When he hit the stage, Robert Plant showed us why he is the greatest with this incredible set list. Along with strong solo material, we were treated to 6 Led Zeppelin classics.

Watch Tie Dye on the Highway live in Knebworth just a couple weeks before our one and only Maine show here in Portland.

Ever seen Robert Plant play guitar? Here's some cool behind-the-scenes footage of Robert with members from his and Alannah's band jammin' during soundcheck in the summer of 1990.