Peter Grant: Encyclopedia II - Peter Grant - The Led Zeppelin Era

Peter Grant - The Led Zeppelin Era

It was in late 1966 that Simon Napier-Bell asked Grant to take over management of The Yardbirds, who were constantly touring yet struggling financially. Producer Mickie Most had suggested to Napier-Bell that his friend Peter Grant would be an asset to The Yardbirds, but as it eventuated, his arrival was too late to save the band. The experience however did give him ideas, which were put to good use later with Led Zeppelin. Grant's no-nonsense approach to promoters and persuasive presence was influential in The Yardbirds making money from its concerts for the first time. He also travelled closely with The Yardbirds ensuring that all costs were kept to a minimum, that members were also paid on time, and demanded publicity and artistic control by the band.

Without Peter Grant, it would have been doubtful Led Zeppelin would have been as successful. He negotiated a sizable five-year record contract with Atlantic Records and his business philosophy would eventually pay off for the label. Grant strongly believed that bands could make more money and have more artistic merit by producing albums rather than churning out singles. Live performances were more important than television appearances – if you wanted to see Led Zeppelin you had to experience one of their performances. By promoting Led Zeppelin's concerts he ensured that ticket profits wound up in the hands of the band rather than in the hands of promoters and booking agents. Grant's famous dressing room scene in the film The Song Remains the Same where he demands an explanation from concert staff on the sale of illegal photos, was typical of his no-nonsense dealings with people who tried to profit at the band's expense.

Grant was also instrumental in setting up Led Zeppelin's publishing company Superhype, in 1969. In 1974, Grant was the driving force in establishing Swan Song Records which gave Led Zeppelin further financial and artistic control over its own products. He also managed Bad Company and Maggie Bell. In 1975, Grant turned down a lucrative offer to manage Queen. When Grant was once questioned on what was the single most important thing a manager could say, his response was "know when to say no". In 1977, Grant was asked by Colonel Tom Parker to manage a proposed tour of Europe by Elvis Presley. In the event Elvis passed away on August 16, 1977, just as negotiations had begun.

Marital problems, obesity, heroin addiction and the death of Zeppelin drummer John Bonham all took their toll on Grant's health and after the official breakup of Led Zeppelin he virtually retired from the music business. Towards the end of his life however he conquered his addiction and lost a huge amount of weight. In 1992, he appeared in the film Carry On Columbus as a cardinal. On the afternoon of November 21, 1995 while driving to his home, Horselungs Manor in Sussex, he suffered a fatal heart attack. His son Warren was by his side. Grant was buried on December 4, 1995 at St. Peter and St. Paul's churchyard, Hellingly, Sussex.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "The Led Zeppelin Era", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki