Led Zeppelin also significantly impacted the music industry, developing album-oriented rock, or AOR and stadium rock. The first two albums in particular are viewed as precursors to the genre, and Led Zeppelin is referred to as one of the three “unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal”, along with Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. Later in their career, their music shifted to more mellow, with lyrics influenced by personal experiences and circumstances.Ĭonsidered by many critics to be one of the most successful, innovative, and influential rock groups in history, Led Zeppelin is credited with essentially inventing heavy metal. Other themes and influences heard include Viking lore (“Immigrant Song”), and there were some postwar and militaristic impirations, such as the song “No Quarter”. Greek mythology inspired the lyrical content and title of the song “Achilles Last Stand”. This was largely because of Plant’s interest in legends, history, and Lord of the Rings, with material from the latter famously heard in the song “Ramble On”, which mentions Mordor and Gollum. Lyrical fragments from different songs were sometimes mixed together, and some included humorous sexual innuendos.Īs their music evolved, elements of mythology and mysticism were incorporated too, particularly on Led Zeppelin III. Themes of romance and unrequited love are prominent in the early music of Led Zeppelin, especially their music that was rooted in blues. A variety of influences are heard throughout their discography, including folk, country, Celtic, Indian, Arabic, and rockabilly. Led Zeppelin’s sound and style were rooted in guitar-driven hard rock and blues, and they were also quite adventurous with their music. Styles and Themes in the Music of Led Zeppelin Died of alcohol intoxication at the age of 32.At the suggestion of their manager, Peter Grant, the group dropped the ‘a’ in ‘lead’ so that it would not be mispronounced as ‘leed’, and the word ‘balloon’ was replaced by ‘zeppelin’. After receiving a cease and desist letter over the band name the “New Yardbirds”, Page changed the name to Led Zeppelin.The name was inspired by the humorous suggestion that Page’s earlier idea for a supergroup would go down like a “lead balloon”, an expression that implied disastrous results. Upon returning from tour, the band began recording their first album in London. Proby album Three Week Hero, which was the first studio track to feature all four members of the future Led Zeppelin. Before departing on a tour of Scandinavia as “the New Yardbirds”, the group recorded a track called “Jim’s Blues” for the P.J. The new lineup first rehearsed in August of 1968 in a room below a record store in London. Plant accepted and brought with him drummer John Bonham, and session musician John Paul Jones inquired about the vacant bass guitar position shortly after and was accepted. Terry Reid was Page’s first choice for vocals, but Reid declined and suggested Robert Plant, who was singing with another band at the time. Jimmy Page left with the rights to the name and recruited new band members to continue the Yardbirds’ contractual obligations for a tour in Scandinavia. The first incarnation of Led Zeppelin came together after the official disbandment of the Yardbirds in 1968. The group never formed, but they did record a song together in 1966 called “Beck’s Bolero” in a session that included bassist- keyboardist John Paul Jones, who would later join Led Zeppelin. As the band wound down, Page explored forming a supergroup with Beck and the Who’s band members Keith Moon and John Entwhistle. In 1966, London-based guitarist Jimmy Page joined a blue-influenced rock band called the Yardbirds, playing dual-lead guitar with Jeff Beck. Post break-up, the band continued to release numerous compilation and live albums and are one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with an estimated 200-300 million units sold worldwide. In 1980, Led Zeppelin disbanded following the death of their longtime drummer John Bonham. Their most iconic song, “Stairway of Heaven”, is one of the most popular rock songs of all time. While they rarely released any singles, songs such as “Whole Lotta Love”, “Immigrant Song”, “Ramble On”, and “Black Dog” have received an abundance of radio play. Ushering in an era of album rock, their heavy sound carried a unique undercurrent of several genres including heavy metal, hard rock, folk and blues. The four-man band gained worldwide fame in the 1970s and have become one of the most popular bands of all time. Led Zeppelin was a British rock band that was active from 1968-1980 and known for their innovative songwriting that has become a staple of classic rock.
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