Led Zeppelin

WHO IS... LED ZEPPELIN 1. Just who is Led Zeppelin, anyway? Just a glance at their Wikipedia page reveals that the band sold more than 110 million albums, and that Rolling Stone called them “the biggest band of the 70’s.” That being said, why should you care? 2. Here are a few reasons: a. Led Zeppelin, more than almost any other group, defined what we think of when we think of a “rock band.” Whether it’s the picture above, posing in front of their own plane, or Jimmy Page playing his signature double-necked guitar, Led Zeppelin’s career gave us iconic images that define an entire genre, and even popular music as a whole. b. They were revolutionaries. Certainly with their equipment (who plays a double-necked guitar?!), but also with their recording techniques, songwriting, ability to blend different styles, and also invent new ones. c. They were hugely influential. The list of musicians who cite Led Zeppelin as the band that inspired them to become musicians themselves is practically endless. d. They made a variety of really cool music! Whether it’s the epic journey of “Stairway to Heaven,” the plaintive blues of “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” the warrior cry of “Immigrant Song,” or dozens of songs in between, they offer something for just about everyone. It doesn’t hurt that they were all individually brilliant musicians! 3. Led Zeppelin was formed in London, England in 1968, by guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. 4. According to legend, the name “Led Zeppelin” was chosen after a friend -- Keith Moon, drummer of The Who, suggested that people wouldn’t like the band’s music -- that it would go down “like a lead zeppelin.” That is, like a blimp too heavy to stay in the air. This prediction turned out to be completely wrong! 5. On the first three records, titled simply “Led Zeppelin,” “Led Zeppelin II,” and “Led Zeppelin III,” the band combined their own original songs with intense, often over-the-top interpretations of American blues music and traditional folk songs. They stood out in the music industry at the time by not releasing singles, insisting that their albums were intended for beginning-to-end listening. Led Zeppelin I (1969) “Good Times/Bad Times.” Even in the first song off the first record, Led Zeppelin were already masters of their craft. Some drummers spend their whole lives trying to play the bass drum the way Bonham does on this track. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsZG7n7ries 6. Constant touring and exciting live shows -- some lasting up to four hours! -- built the band a huge following by word of mouth. Extensive improvisation (when the band members came up with new parts and solos on the spot) showcased their individual talents, as did their jammed-out versions of popular rock and R&B songs of the time. Check out this live performance from 1973 at Madison Square Garden in New York City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxHoLtrGNCA a. Singer, Robert Plant, had a powerful voice and a huge range, and became known for animalistic yowls and screams, sometimes mimicking the sound of an electric guitar with his voice. b.Guitarist Jimmy Page was a master songwriter and riff-writer, and a spectacular soloist; he was also responsible for many of the recording techniques and tricks that made the band sound so cool and unique. In addition to his double-necked guitar, he was also known for playing his guitar with a cello bow to achieve an unusual, droning sound. c. Less flashy than his bandmates, both on- and off-stage, bassist John Paul Jones made the most diverse contributions to the band’s sound, and had the most formal training. He contributed Soul-inspired, groovy bass, keyboard parts on modern and high-tech (at least for the time) instruments, and classical music-inspired string and horn arrangements. d. Drummer John Bonham, aka “Bonzo,” is considered by many to be the best rock ‘n’ roll drummer ever to play the instrument. He managed to combine incredible strength and speed with taste, feel, and creativity, and the distinctive tone of his playing and equipment set the standard for years after him, as did his epic drum solos. 7. By the 1971 release of the album known as “Led Zeppelin IV,” (the band’s fourth record in three years!) Zeppelin’s incredible performances, groundbreaking records and constant touring had made them one of the biggest bands in the world. More than any other band, they defined a sound for “hard rock” or “arena rock,” and had a huge part to play in developing what would go on to be called “heavy metal.” “Led Zeppelin IV” would go on to sell more than 37 million copies. Check out “Black Dog,” a classic, riff heavy Zeppelin track from “Led Zeppelin IV”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tlSx0jkuLM 8. Over the course of their career, the band was responsible for some of the legendary bad behavior we now associate with “rock stars:” trashing hotel rooms, riding motorcycles indoors, and flying around in their own plane “The Starship.” 9. This behavior eventually had a cost; despite the ongoing success of albums and tours (the band set an attendance record when 77,299 people attended a 1977 concert), drummer Bonham died in 1980 drug complications. At this point, the remaining members decided to break up, rather than continuing without him. 10. Despite this tragic ending (and a handful of one-off reunion performances in the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s, with Bonham’s son Jason on drums), the towering legacy of Led Zeppelin lives on in their records, recorded live performances (including the 1976 concert film, “The Song Remains the Same”), and the thousand of bands they influenced to follow in their footsteps. LED ZEPPELIN LISTENING PARTY Check out these songs on YouTube. What do you like? What do you not like? What aspects of the music do you notice the most? Can you imagine this being the biggest band in the world? a. Led Zeppelin I (1969) “Good Times/Bad Times.” Even in the first song off the first record, Led Zeppelin were already masters of their craft. Some drummers spend their whole lives trying to play the bass drum the way Bonham does on this track. b. Led Zeppelin II (1969) “Whole Lotta Love” Page starts, Jones joins, and Bonham is in last to create one of the heaviest grooves in rock ‘n’ roll. Notice the crazy sound effects and Plant’s weird vocals in the bridge -- very experimental for 1969! c. Led Zeppelin III (1970) “Immigrant Song” We now take for granted a rock ‘n’ roll band conjuring the feeling of Viking warriors riding into battle, but Zeppelin was the first! d. Led Zeppelin IV (1971) “Black Dog” “Rock and Roll” “Stairway to Heaven” Practically impossible to pick between these three classics. The first two are riff-heavy stomps in distinctive Zeppelin style. The last, an eight-minute epic that defines the band, for good or bad. Make sure to keep listening for the payoff at the end! e. Houses of the Holy (1973) “Over the Hills and Far Away” You can really hear the influence of folk music on the band’s sound in this song. At least, until the rhythm section comes in. f. Physical Graffiti (1975) “Kashmir” Led Zeppelin experimented with incorporating North African, Middle Eastern, and Indian influences in their music, which can be heard in this song, along with Jones’ ability to arrange parts for classical stringed and brass instruments. g. Presence (1976) “Achilles Last Stand” Another epic, mythological journey in the lyrics. Apparently, it’s guitarist Page’s favorite Led Zeppelin song, no doubt due to the many, many guitar parts he added, and extensive soloing. h. In Through the Out Door (1979) “Fool in the Rain” One of John Bonham’s most-beloved and most-copied drum parts, which he in turn adapted from legendary session drummer Bernard Purdie. Includes the band’s version of a Brazilian Samba in the bridge!.

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