The infamous “mud shark incident” involving Led Zeppelin is one of the most notorious (and debated) stories in rock history. It allegedly took place in 1969 at the Edgewater Inn in Seattle, a hotel situated right on Puget Sound, where guests could fish from their room windows.
According to the story, members of Led Zeppelin, particularly drummer John Bonham and tour manager Richard Cole, along with members of Vanilla Fudge, were involved in a bizarre prank. Supposedly, they caught a fish (often described as a mud shark or red snapper) and used it in a sexual encounter or prank involving a groupie.
The tale was popularized by Frank Zappa’s 1971 song *”The Mud Shark”* and became a sensationalized part of Led Zeppelin lore. However, its authenticity is heavily disputed:
1. **Vanilla Fudge’s Role:** Carmine Appice, the drummer of Vanilla Fudge, has claimed that his band—not Led Zeppelin—initiated the prank, with Led Zeppelin only witnessing or hearing about it later.
2. **Exaggerations Over Time:** Many elements of the story appear to be exaggerated or fabricated as it was retold over the years, especially in books about the excesses of rock ‘n’ roll. The more lurid details are likely embellishments.
3. **Groupie’s Perspective:** The identity of the groupie allegedly involved has never been confirmed, and no direct testimony exists.
Ultimately, the story reflects the hedonistic and sometimes outrageous behavior associated with rock bands in that era. Whether it happened exactly as described or was blown out of proportion remains part of its mystique.
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