Black Dogs: The Possibly True Story of Classic Rock's Greatest Robbery

by Jason Buhrmester

In July 1973, Led Zeppelin played three sold-out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Before the final performance, $203,000 of the band’s money went missing from a safe deposit box at the Drake Hotel in what was called the single highest deposit box theft in the city’s history. The money was never recovered. Black Dogs might be the story behind the greatest rock ’n’ roll heist of all time.

the last thing nineteen-year-old Patrick Sullivan needed was a new scam. Just months earlier, he had left a trail of broken friendships and new enemies in Baltimore for a fresh start in New York City after a botched robbery attempt landed one of his best friends in jail. But when he spies a briefcase full of cash backstage at a Led Zeppelin concert, Patrick makes plans for one last crazy mission–one that he hopes will redeem him in the eyes of everyone he left behind.

To pull it off, Patrick will have to return to his hometown to round up his Alex, the one who did time for Patrick’s last crime; Frenchy, the neurotic musician who still lives with Mom; and dim-witted but endearing Keith, the greasy-haired loner who excels at installing car stereos and then uninstalling them, all in the same day.

When the unlikely team’s plan goes horribly wrong, the boys find themselves mixed up with Backwoods Billy, the psychotic leader of the Holy Ghosts Christian motorcycle gang. They need some help, and they find it in some unlikely by crossing paths and making deals with a pill-popping DA, a safe-cracking funk band called the New York Giants, and the Maryland chapter of the Misty Mountain Hoppers Led Zeppelin Fan Club. Sporting a rare 1958 Les Paul guitar and a complicated plan that could either go wonderfully right or horribly wrong, the guys, fueled by beer and egos, make a desperate attempt at robbing the world’s coolest rock band–to hilarious result.

Black Dogs brings to life one of the infamously unsolved rock ’n’ roll mysteries and introduces us to a lovable bunch of knuckleheads who may have just pulled off the greatest heist in rock ’n’ roll history.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

241 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jason Buhrmester is an award-winning journalist, editor, writer and author. He is currently the Chief Content Officer at Reader’s Digest.

Previously, Buhrmester served as Editorial Director/Head of Content of Playboy magazine and as an editor at Blender, GOOD magazine, and Nylon publishing. His writing has appeared in Spin, Wired, Village Voice, Chicago Tribune, Robb Report, Malibu Magazine and other publications.

Reviews

[Damian C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has your heart ever skipped a beat because you were in fear of getting caught, or maybe it was because you were exhilarated with the prospect of getting away with it? This novel covers a fictitious story of a rebellious crew of friends that may have been involved in a true event hailed as the biggest heist in rock n' roll history. Set in the weeks leading up to Led Zeppelin's legendary three-night performance at Madison Square Garden in July 1973, a rough cut crew of friends navigate moral dilemmas and the meanness of the streets as they plot to pull off the biggest job of their lives. The novel is an exciting and fast read that allows the reader to connect with rock royalty from a completely new angle. Contained inside is an energy fueled story that will keep the attention steadfast from cover to cover.

Black Dogs: The Possibly True Story of Classic Rock's Greatest Robbery explains it all in the title. I sincerely enjoyed the novelization of what could have possibly happened on that spectacular night. The reader can expect a fast-moving pace that balances character development and story building. Being a shorter novel, the author Jason Buhrmester wonderfully sets all descriptions as valuable thus not leaving any room for meaningless content. I appreciated that the language used was very down to earth, and the characters were easily relatable in their dialogue. The drama that ensues with plotting a heist is enjoyable leading up to the big night. Tying into a true event that is still unsolved mixed with the theme of rock n' roll was a clever and refreshing story that easily kept me engaged. I have high praise for this novel with a straightforward dose of an adrenaline story is needed for your fix in reading.

[Yuckamashe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a total sucker for stories about bumbling idiots trying to pull jobs. There is just something endearing about stupid criminals. Its even better when you root for the dipshits and it has a decent ending.. I really enjoyed this little caper.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in just a few hours. It's well written brain candy. Sharp, tight, and concise writing. Nothing deep or profound, just a good tale with shady anti-heroes you wouldn't want to know in real life, which of course makes them fascinating on the page! Buhrmester is a talented writer who can make you sympathize with criminals.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Expected this book to be one of those true crimes that reads like a novel, similar to something by Erik Larson or Susan Orleans. It was not. This is purely fiction. It seems that Led Zeppelin was indeed robbed of $200,000 when they stayed at the Drake Hotel, but this is a completely invented version of how this could have happened. That might have been okay except that the author is not a very good writer. This story follows four friends who, after having spent their youth pulling off petty crimes, decides to score big and rob Led Zeppelin. Along the way, these grungy metal-heads get in trouble with a motorcycle gang, approached by a DA and at least one of them gets thrown in jail. The author clearly thinks these characters are very cool and badass, but they come off as juvenile dumbasses that it's hard to either root for or against, because who the hell cares.

[Mak Hoeksema · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 6/10 - It was an interesting story and concept, but not enough to justify the simplistic writing style. So simple in fact, I felt like I was reading a book for lower level middle school readers. Chapters were 2 pages long and there was barely any imagery at all. The story made sense and flowed really well, never having a dull moment drag on, but nothing could drag on if it tried. Really quick and easy read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting true story... I like it but would like to know more about the characters and how they came to be who they are.

[Tricia Cupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm, hilarious, and well detailed heist book. Easy to get hooked on and breeze through.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1973, Led Zepplin apparently had $203,000 in cash stolen from them while staying at the Drake Hotel in New York. The perpetrators were never caught and the money never recovered. That real-life event is the seed from which this fast-paced heist caper sprouted. Patrick, Alex, Frenchy, and Keith are a bunch of Baltimore friends in their late-teens/early-20s whose main pleasures in life are booze, drugs, rock and roll, and girls. Jobs only serve as means to one of the aforementioned ends, and being young men of minimal scruples, they're not above a life of burglary and petty theft to keep themselves afloat.

The book opens with Patrick visiting from his new home in New York to welcome Alex back from a stint in jail, following a botched burglary involving a python. In the midst of this reconciliation, Patrick pitches Alex on a hare-brained scheme to rip off Led Zepplin. Needless to say, wacky antics ensue, including a pawn shop burglary, a stolen safe that gets stolen again, a violent Christian biker gang (the Holy Rollers), a Baltimore hood/funk impresario, a corrupt DA, a '58 sunburst Les Paul, a Led Zepplin fan club, a riot at the Fells Point carnival, and more.

This has the kind of fun, knockabout humor of an Elmore Leonard joint featuring a bunch of dummies just looking to score, chockablock with colorful characters and some outrageous set pieces. It's a fun caper story, as long as you don't take it seriously -- someone could make a really fun film out of this.

[Kevin]

Led Zeppelin apparently always demanded to be paid in cash for live shows. In 1973, following a stand at Madison Square Garden, someone stole over $200,000 from them. The crime was never solved, but this book uses that story as a jumping off point to imagine how it might have happened.

The concept is kind of hokey, one of the plot devices was very obvious to this reader (although not to any of the characters in the book) and the musical scenes in the book are the weakest (especially those with Zeppelin themselves). But the execution overall was pretty good, with a twisty plot, gritty characters, and authentic local Baltimore color. Fans of well-written crime stories will like this.

[AdultFiction Teton County Library · Rating 1 out of 5]

TCL Call#: Fiction Buhrmester

Madeleine - 1 star
Struggled to make it to 50 pages. At that point I quit as it was still a book about too cool boys who lamely name-drop their favorite bands while spending their days stealing and lying. And they don't even do that with any flair. I felt like I was at one of those excruciating diary readings where people go up on stage and read the MOST pathetic thing they ever wrote in their diaries during their teens in a desperate attempt to get a laugh. Nope.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Led Zeppelin was robbed of $203,000 in cash back in the 70's when they were touring. No one ever found out what happened!! This book was a real quick read. It follows some 19 year old misfits who turn to robbery and conning in order to made due. It's pretty comical with skullduggery and fights and partaying and also lots of rock n roll references. It was fun to be in there little world. Rock!!

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aargh. I already filled this in, what happened to it?!

A fun book to read, but because the central characters were criminals, I really didn't connect or care for them. April noted that the author did a lot of research to get his facts regarding Led Zeppelin correct. And that may be true, but while reading the book I noticed he made a reference to Farrah Fawcett that, given the time frame of the story, was about one to two years before she became a breakout star.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, tight, fast-paced read about a group of guys post-high school engaged in lots of drinking, drugs, and petty crimes. The stakes are raised when they decide to steal a suitcase full of cash from Led Zeppelin. Black Dogs is a lot like most guys in their late teens/early twenties - full of swagger.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does Jason love Black Sabbath? I think so! A great "fictional" account of how Led Zeppelin got robbed. I loved the little nuances of people in the book that remind me a little of mutual friends that we share. I heard a rumor that this book was picked up for a movie, and if it's true, can't wait to see this on the big screen!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read about a band of friends (hoodlums?) who decide to rob Led Zeppelin during the height of their fame in the 1970's. Full of fits and stops, they manage the unimaginable in spite of themselves.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1973 over $200,000 was stolen from Led Zeppelin in a New York hotel. This story may have been what happened. Or not. It is a somewhat funny, somewhat gritty look at young adult life in the early 70s. I liked it.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

BAD BOOK. NO STARS FOR YOU.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

True rock and roll and a pinch of hoodlums. Great combo. I will be re-reading it down the road...Black humor at it's best.

[Mikelkpoet · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun story. A quick read. Nice pretense. I'm not down with Led Zeppelin anyway!

[linnea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I loved the atmosphere of the 70s rock.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read for music lovers. Pretty simple but entertaining enough. Led Zepplin fans might get a chuckle...

[Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story about Sabbath-loving, car-stero-installing-n-stealing early 70s loserinos who somehow manage to steal from...Led Zepplin? YES.

[Wendi Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick and fun.

[Luc Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, twists, turns failure and loss, unexpected gains and oh so much more!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a quick and very funny read with a nice dose of suspense thrown in too.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining. I probably would've found it a lot more amusing 10 years ago.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick, entertaining read. Was hoping for a bit more meat in the story and a better grip on rock history through the tale.

[James Maiorana · Rating 3 out of 5]

good enough hurricane book

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read. If you like classic rock and harmless mischief, and don't take this book too seriously, then you should enjoy it.

[Ray Charbonneau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intended to be humorous, anyhow.