The band Led Zeppelin are famous for their hard rock musical style and who left a huge influence on the music of the time. They were formed in London in 1968 and there were four members as follows:
Guitar - Jimmy Page
Vocals – Robert Plant
Keyboards and Bass Guitar – John Paul Jones
Drummer – John Bonham
The group’s music verged on heavy metal with tinges of folk music and blues. The band was not immediately popular as a group. In fact, they became popular after they released their fourth album because this album contained the much-loved ‘Staiway to Heaven’ track. The band did not release songs as singles because they believed the each single was a continuation or explanation of the next.
The band released their first album in 1969 and although it did quite well it was not a no.1 on the music charts. They toured America doing gigs in concert halls and nightclubs and although they were popular, they were not considered the idols we think of them today. Album followed album until the late 1970’s when the band started having personal problems. They then came apart when the drummer died rather suddenly in 1980. They disbanded the band completely.
Since then, they have often come together for concerts with Jason Bonham on Drums replacing his late father. Led Zeppelin is a mythical band who were popular in their days and who are still popular today.
“The Biggest Band in the World” (1971-1975). During these years Led Zeppelin reached new heights. They wore flowing clothes, had their own jet and were known for breaking television sets in their hotel suites. These antics seemed to have endeared them more to their fans.
However, in 1977, they broke a record and went down in the Guiness Book of Records as the band to have the largest attendance for a single act show. Their concert attracted 76,229 fans. After Robert Plant received the news that his son had died, the rest of the tours were cancelled and everybody was uncertain of the future of Led Zeppelin.
In 1978, the group’s new album ‘In Through The Out Door’, reached no.1 in the UK charts. In June 1980 their concert had to be stopped because Bonham collapsed on stage. This was thought to be a result of his drug and alcohol abuse but the band tried to cover it up by saying that he had just overeaten. His drinking continued for months after and it became so bad that he was drinking vodka for breakfast. Eventually he was carried to his bed where he fell asleep, never to wake up again. The cause of his death was registered as asphyxiation from vomit, and a verdict of accidental death after his death in October 1980. No other drugs were found in his body and he was cremated on 10 October 1980.
After Bonham’s death, the group disbanded and any tours which they had planned were cancelled. “We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend, and the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were – Led Zeppelin”.
In 1985, the three remaining members of the band came together for the Live Aid concert. However, due to bad management, no rehearsals beforehand and non-functioning instruments and Plant’s hoarse voice, the result was horrendous.
In 1988 there was another attempt to bring the band together. However, prior to the Atlantic Records40th Anniversary concert, band members argued and this resulted in yet another disappointing performance.
In 2003 Led Zeppelin released the triple live album How The West Was Won and Led Zeppelin DVD which became the best selling DVD of all time. In the same year Led Zeppelin received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and they also won the Polar Music Prize and in 2006 Led Zeppelin were included in the UK Music Hall of Fame.
In December 2007, Led Zeppelin broke another record. They were registered in the Guiness Book of Records of 2009 as holding the world record for the “Highest Demand for Tickets for One Music Concert” where 20 million requests for tickets were registered online. The concert was amazing and their performance was highly praised. Though encouraged to reunite and tour again, the band declined the offers. The film of the concert at the O2 made $2 million in one night and the live album reached no.4 and no.5 in the UK and the USA.
In 2013, the band will be releasing a new album. Many of the band’s fans are eagerly awaiting this album with bated breath and it should sell millions of copies because it will most probably be the last album produced by the mythical Led Zeppelin.
Works Cited:
Walser, Robert (1993). Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music. New York, NY: Wesleyan University Press. ISBN 0-8195-6260-2.
Welch, Chris (1994). Led Zeppelin. London: Orion. ISBN 1-85797-930-3.
Welch, Chris; Nicholls, Geoff (2001). John Bonham: A Thunder of Drums. San Francisco, CA: Backbeat. ISBN 978-0-87930-658-8.
