Led Zeppelin get theme park treatment

USA Today reports that the new theme park coming to Myrtle Beach will let rock music fans ride Led Zeppelin's staiway to theme-park heaven.

First Aerosmith gets its own theme-park ride. Now Led Zeppelin. The creators of the Hard Rock theme park, under construction in Myrtle Beach, S.C., will announce details today of the park's signature ride: a 150-foot-tall steel roller coaster with a Led Zeppelin theme.

The looping attraction is one of more than 40 rock 'n' roll-themed amusements planned for the 140-acre theme park. It's scheduled to open in spring 2008.
The park, built by private investors under license from Hard Rock International, which operates 123 Hard Rock Cafes and eight Hard Rock Hotels, is the first major new park planned for the USA in nearly a decade. As on the Aerosmith coaster, which made its debut in 1999 at the Disney-MGM Studios park near Orlando, riders on Zeppelin will experience a musical immersion from speakers.

In tune with Hard Rock's passion for music and memorabilia, Hard Rock Park has worked closely with band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones on all aspects of Led Zeppelin - The Ride, including the ride's name, logo, and overall look and feel of the vehicles. Indeed the band selected "Whole Lotta Love" as the theme song for the attraction.

"We've partnered with the most iconic hard rock band of all time to create a truly unique and exciting experience that will serve as one of our signature attractions," said Steven Goodwin, CEO of Hard Rock Park. "Our relationship with Led Zeppelin is just one strong example of the support and authenticity Hard Rock Park is receiving from the rock community."