Led Zeppelin is a band - and a brand - whose influence is wide and deep. The group introduced a new sound in rock'n'roll that combined the blues, heavy riffs, and Celtic mysticism. The result, as evidenced by their huge succes, was irresistable to many.
How did this band come to be, and where are they now?
The Early Years of Led Zeppelin
In 1968, after Jimmy Page left The Yardbirds, he began forming a new band by recruiting bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, a well-known session musician in London. Page then added (one might say “discovered”) a relatively unknown singer named Robert Plant. Plant in turn suggested drummer John Bonham, and the lineup of the band was solidified.
The first Led Zeppelin album, which was self-titled, appeared in 1969. It took The Yardbird’s use of blues to another level, making it louder and more overdriven. Robert Plant’s soaring vocals and John Bonhams’ tight, powerful drumming added a tenor that would later be deemed as Heavy Metal, and it is these qualities that later qualified the group as one of the forefathers of that genre. The album also included “Dazed and Confused,” a decidedly demonic sounding song that borrowed from the darkest part of Blues music and took it a step further with distorted, bowed guitar sounds.
The group toured for some time, gaining notoriety as their increasing radio play was steadily backed up by excellent live shows. They began writing Led Zeppelin II, their sophomore album, while still on the road. While it maintained its bluesy rots, the album was more aggressive, filled with power riffs and featuring Bonham’s beefy drum style.
This album was followed by Led Zeppelin III, which turned towards more Celtic, acoustic tones, though cuts like the “Immigrant Song” maintained their more aggressive vein. These three albums were accompanied by aggressive touring, and by the third album, the group was huge around the globe.
Led Zeppelin Peak Years and Demise
It was Led Zeppelin’s fourth, untitled album that represents their peak. Often referred to as Runes or The Runes Album, this disc featured many of Zeppelin’s most famous songs, including “Stairway to Heaven.” One of the biggest selling albums in history, it has come to be ingrained as a part to many cultures, especially in Europe and North America.
After this peak, Led Zeppelin released four more albums, all of them selling well. The last album released while the original band was functioning, In Through The Out Door, is a keyboard-focused album with John Paul Jones leading the charge as Robert Plant recovered from a serious car accident, Jimmy Page struggled with drug addiction, and John Bonham slipped further into alcoholism.
In September of 1980, Bonham succumbed to his alcoholism (asphyxiation was the official cause – choking on his own vomit) and the group disbanded.
Led Zeppelin Album Releases During Band's Existence
- Led Zeppelin I (1969)
- Led Zeppelin II (1969)
- Led Zeppelin III (1970)
- Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
- Houses Of The Holy (1973)
- Physical Graffiti (1975)
- The Song Remains The Same (1976)
- Presence (1976)
- In Through The Out Door (1979)
Led Zeppelin Recent Happenings
In December of 2007, Led Zeppelin reunited for a a single show with Jason Bonham, John Bonham’s son, playing drums. The reviews and response were overwhelmingly positive. In light of the is success, hope springs eternal amongst Led Zeppelin fans that a tour may follow sometime.
Led Zeppelin - Influence on Culture and Rock Music
It is difficult to measure the amount of influence Led Zeppelin has had on rock music and culture at large; suffice it to say that it is huge. To be sure the group, along with Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, planted the seeds of what would become Heavy Metal. But the influence goes far beyond that and can be felt not only in music, but also in other art forms and cultural references.
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