LEDZEPPELIN

Nicolas Araneda Music 1010 Wednesday Class

If there is a band out there in the world of music that has revolutionized the world of Rock n Roll and influenced every band after their appearance into the music world, its Led-Zeppelin. Having sold more than 300 million records and millions of concert tickets worldwide, they are considered one of the most important bands in the history of Rock. Formed in 1968 in London, England by guitarist Jimmy Page, former member of legendary band the Yardbirds, singer Robert Plant, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. Their music is heavily influenced by American blues, as well as Jazz, soul, Oriental music and British folklore that, along with the lyrics, have become a major influence on what is now known as heavy metal. Their uses of lyrics incorporate mythology, mysticism, and a variety of other topics that portrayed the band as an unknown in the music industry. Given that the Hippie movement was winding down by the late 60s, Led-Zeppelin was one of the final nails in the coffin that put the hippies to rest. Their debut self-titled album was released on January 12, 1969 and it peaked at number 10 on the Billboard charts. Upon the albums released, wide acclaim and praise from critics was given, some even calling their sound as new and exciting music that has never been heard before. Their success spread very fast throughout the United States and their popularity was as big as The Beatles. The first album incorporated everything from folk ballads to blues and rock. The most notorious songs from the debut album were Dazed and Confused, Communication Breakdown, and Babe Im Gonna Leave You.

While on tour in the United States, work on their second album was started, recording entirely on the road at several studios. The album, simply named Led Zeppelin II had even bigger success than the first, debuting at number 4 on the US billboard charts. Songs like Whole Lotta Love, Heartbreaker, and Ramble On became big international hits. Members of the quartet contributed to their compositions, setting a fine example of group creativity. Robert Plants incredible vocal range and Jimmy Pages enchanting guitar solos were responsible for the bands unique mysticism. Page and Plants improvisations were counterpointed by the steady virtuosity of John Paul Jones bass lines and John Bonhams incredible drumming. Their third album, influenced by folk and Celtic music, showed the inventiveness of the band, which incorporated more acoustic and electric works that showed the bands versatility. Songs of the magnitude of Immigrant Song and Since Ive been Loving You were the culmination of the bands musicianship, which paved the way for their fourth and most popular album, Led Zeppelin IV. Released in November 8, 1971, it was received with great enthusiasm and reflected the bands popularity and immense talent of musicianship. The album includes classics such as Black Dog, Rock and Roll, The Battle of Evermore and Stairway to Heaven. This latter song is considered to be one of the greatest songs of all time. Running at eight minutes and two seconds, is composed of several sections, which increase in tempo and volume as the song progresses. Stairway to heaven begins as a slow acoustic song accompanied by Robert Plants intricate lyrics. As the song progresses, the rhythm section enters and

explodes with Jimmy Pages notorious guitar solo, which to this day is considered to be one of the greatest solos in music. The intense interaction of all four players on stage gave their live performances a visual attribute that intertwined with the harmonies and rhythmic structures of their compositions. Their onstage performances were just as notorious as their offstage antics. Along with their mass fame, tales of wildness and excess only added to their larger than life image. Stories of trashing hotel rooms, riding motorcycles on the lobby and a story involving a shark, were one of the few notorious stories that have led this band to achieve the name of the biggest band in the world.

As a symbol of the bands popularity and extensive touring during the 1970s, they bought a private jet, nicknamed the Starship, which had the bands name imprinted on the side of it. They carried their music throughout the world, playing

arenas and stadiums. One of their biggest shows was in Tampa, Florida when they played for an audience of 62,000 people beating the record set by The Beatles at Shea Stadium when they played for 56,000 screaming fans. One of the bands most important concerts was Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was a filmed concert that incorporated three performances in the New York venue. The film showed bands mysticism and showmanship as well fantasy-filled theatrical clips that showed the bands interest in the world of magic and myth. Led Zeppelins fourth album, titled Houses of the Holy, released in 1973 incorporated the their use of synthesizers and distortion effects. Houses of the Holy topped the charts worldwide, following with a North American tour, which broke records for attendance. After their successful tour, Led Zeppelin took a break from touring and focused in launching their own record label, Swan Song. In 1975, a double album was released from the band, with the name of Physical Graffiti, their first album under their own label. Just like their previous CDs, it received massive praise from the media who said that the only bands that Led Zeppelin had to compete against were the Rolling Stones and The Who, also big name acts of that time. After going on tour to promote Houses of the Holy, Led Zeppelin went on hiatus due to a car crash that left Robert Plant badly injured. Also Jimmy page was believed to have been battling with heroin addiction, as well as John Bonham who was a major drinker. In 1977, the band continued to tour North America, selling out stadiums in every state. However, the tour was followed by controversy due to off

stage problems dealing with riots from fans outside of the venues, or arrests. The tour eventually had to be cut short following the tragic death of Robert Plants 5-old son, who had died of a stomach virus. The bands hiatus led to widespread speculation about the bands future. In 1980, while attending rehearsals, his assistant found John Bonham dead in his room. The cause of his death was due to asphyxiation from vomit, due to his binge drinking from the night before. He was cremated on October 10, 1980 and his ashes were buried in Droitwich, England. The planned world tour was inevitably cancelled and despite rumors of another drummer taking over the position, the group decided to disband. Following Bonhams death and the disbandment of the band, the remaining members of Led Zeppelin went on to play in their own music projects. Despite a for a performance at Live Aid in 1985, the band had never reunited for a full-blown concert, until 2007 when the band finally reunited for a concert honoring the death of Ahmet Ergun, founder of Atlantic Records. The three remaining members of the band had not played together since 1985 and they asked John Bonhams son, Jason Bonham to take his place. The high anticipation for this show was immense, culminating in tickets being completely sold out in less than 2 minutes. Led Zeppelins popularity and legacy will forever live on. They influenced every band in hard rock. Their success is shown by the millions of albums sold and millions of hardcore fans that they still have to this day. They have produced important and groundbreaking music that will inspire bands to come.

Sources www.imdb.com/name/nm0496389/bio When Giants Walked the Earth: A Biography of Led Zeppelin by Mick Wall www.allmusic.com/artist/led-zeppelin-mn0000139026