How Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Other Rock Legends Helped Fund Monty Python and the Holy Grail—The Untold Story Behind the Music World’s Role in Bringing a Comedy Classic to Life

Did you know that Led Zeppelin helped finance Monty Python‘s first movie?
After their popular BBC sketch series, Monty Python’s Flying Circus ended its run in 1974, the group wanted to try their hand at the big screen. The only problem? No movie studio would finance Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

Thinking outside of the box they approached some of their friends in the rock world for financing. This proved to be a genius idea. The UK tax rate at the time was a whopping 90 percent. Investing in a film provided them with a healthy tax break. Eric Idle noted that about ten different groups and individuals, including, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Genesis, and Jethro. Since it opened in April 1975, Monty Python and the Holy Grail has grossed over $5 million dollars and only cost $400 thousand to make.

And we can thank Led Zeppelin and their counterparts in the rock world for helping bring this classic to the screen.
Photo:
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, comedian Bill Minkin, comedian Michael Palin and Led Zeppelin siggnger Robert Plant attending a Monty Python party in New York,
USA, 1975