In 1977 , manager Peter Grant gave his approval for 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 a concert at the Oakland Coliseum on 23 July 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
concert tour of the United States
Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977
Richard Cole