The Musicarnival is one of the many long-gone Cleveland rock institutions, a summer tent theater that operated on the grounds of Thistledown Race Track from 1954 to 1975. All types of major rock acts would make their way through the Musicarnival, including Led Zeppelin on one particularly big night for the world.
Now, if you're a fan of rock and roll history or Cleveland music history in general I would highly recommend Smoky, Sweaty, Rowdy and Loud: Tales of Cleveland's Legendary Rock & Roll Landmarks by Mike and Janice Olszewski. It's a fantastic, in-depth history of Cleveland's rock and roll scene over the years and the venues that helped make the city the rock capital of the world.
Ultimately, I think my favorite chapter comes from the one on said Musicarnival. When Led Zeppelin played there on July 20th, 1969, the band was only six months removed from releasing their first album (with Led Zeppelin II due out just a few months later), so they were really just coming into their own. Still, the group – along with the James Gang — sold out the venue, playing in front of 2,574 people, "stomping, clapping and dancing in the aisles during their five song stint," according to legendary Cleveland rock critic Jane Scott.Â
Led Zeppelin Catching the Moon Landing in Cleveland
This particular show also just so happened to coincide with the Apollo 11 moon landing (speaking of Cleveland's connection to moon missions, check out the region's role in the Artemis II mission). You'll notice in Scott's write-up of the show that Led Zeppelin only played five songs. Originally, the moon landing was supposed to take place around midnight, but it got pushed up and forced the band's hand, as they too wanted to witness the historic event.
After wrapping up "Communication Breakdown," the band hopped in their limos and took off for the Somerset Inn on Warrensville Center near Van Aken Boulevard. So now, if you go hang out at the Van Aken District, you can think about the fact that Led Zeppelin — along with Scott, Bruno Bornino of the Cleveland Press, and some members of the James Gang — all watched the Apollo 11 moon landing together down the street.
The Apollo 11 landing is one of those historical events where you'll never forget where you were as it happened. It obviously left such an impression on lead singer Robert Planet that years later in a satellite radio interview when he was asked about his memories of the event, all he had to say was one word: Cleveland.Â
Additionally, in the recent 2025 documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin, that infamous 1969 show is singled out.Â
"I just remember we were in a tent, and somebody landed on the moon," said Plant in the film.
Led Zeppelin's 1969 Musicarnival Setlist
- Train Kept a Rollin'
- I Can't Quit You Baby
- Dazed and Confused
- White Summer / Black Mountain side
- You Shook Me
- How Many More Times (medley incl. "Lemon Song")
- Communication Breakdown