In the wake of Led Zeppelin 's turmoil-plagued 1977 American tour , which ended abruptly with the sudden death of his son Karac , singer Robert Plant had become averse to touring America with the band . His reluctance to do so persisted despite the success of the '' In Through the Out Door '' album and the band 's return to the stage at the 1979 Knebworth Festival after a two-year absence . Following the conclusion of Led Zeppelin 's successful Tour Over Europe 1980 , however , Plant had a change of heart and informed Led Zeppelin 's manager Peter Grant that he was willing to undertake an American tour with the band in the autumn of 1980 . According to writer Mick Wall , though , Grant had been concerned about the band 's lengthy absence from one of its primary markets , and had correctly viewed the European tour as a way of rekindling Plant 's interest in performing in America . Relieved by Plant 's change of heart and mindful of the singer 's conditions , Grant began planning a nineteen-date tour covering the American East Coast and Midwest , and envisioned Led Zeppelin undertaking additional West Coast and UK tours in early 1981 . The band began preparations for the tour with renewed optimism about Led Zeppelin 's future , with John Paul Jones in particular commenting that the band had " new energy " and was " almost in a rebirth situation . " John Bonham 's death , however , resulted in the scuttling of the band 's touring plans , and ultimately in the demise of Led Zeppelin itself , with the breakup of the band officially announced on 4 December 1980
1977 American tour
Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977
Led Zeppelin – The 1980s, Part One