[4] In Ptolemaic Terrascope, Phil McMullen described the recordings as "a vitally important document in the overall scheme of things" and "unashamedly" admitted that the Terrastock festivals "were directly influenced and inspired by the now legendary Zig Zag Benefit Concert" and concluded "It doesn’t get any better than this”.

This is the earliest released recording of Starry Eyed and Laughing, featuring their original drummer, Nick Brown, who left the band only a few weeks after this concert.

Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers were well known on the London pub-rock circuit, but it is felt that they never captured "the magical ambiance of their best live shows on record".

All tracks were written by John Stewart Help Yourself had disbanded in August 1973 and reformed to appear at this concert; Morley, Whaley and Leonard flying in from Switzerland where Man, who they were all then with, were on tour.

[4] Michael Nesmith brought his pedal steel guitarist Red Rhodes with him and quickly established a rapport with the audience, playing "the storytelling troubadour" with thoughts, asides, and introductions.