In this Ebook, we’ll get to know one the greatest rock bands to have ever existed – Led Zeppelin.

We will be introduced to its history, learn some interesting facts, and listen to some awesome music.

Brief History

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham.

The band has published 8 studio albums over 10 years, and performed countless amount of times all over the world.

Many have considered Led Zeppelin to be one of the most successful, innovative, and influential bands in the history of rock music (including myself).

Getting Started

The band began their first tour of the UK on 4 October 1968. By the time, they were called “New Yardbirds”. Only 3 week later their name was changed to “Led Zeppelin” (more on that later).

Their debut album, called after the band – Led Zeppelin, was released in the US during a tour on 12 January 1969.

The first song of the first album:

One of my favorite songs by Led Zeppelin, and also their most regularly performed song, appearing at over 400 concerts.

It was inspired by Jake Holmes’ song (also called “Dazed And Confused”)

The lyrics refer to the effects of a girl’s indecision on ending a relationship, and in my opinion, the combination of Plant’s vocal, Bonham’s  drums and Page’s guitar (bowed using a violin bow!) makes you feel the song’s atmosphere.

When performed, It was greatly expanded to include more improvisation and could be as long as 30 minutes!

In their first year, Led Zeppelin completed 4 US and 4 UK concert tours, and also released their second album.

Their second album came out the same year and was even more successful. It was recorded mostly on the road at various North American studios

The immigrant song from their third album released in 1970, in Thor: Ragnarok (2017).

It was written about the Viking invasions of England, relating to the movie.

The single “babe I’m gonna leave you” from Led Zeppelin III, released in 1969, performed in Danmarks Radio.

Getting Bigger

During the 70’s, Led Zeppelin reached new heights of commercial and critical success that made them one of the most influential groups of the era.

With 37 million copies sold, their 4th album, known as  Led Zeppelin IV is one of the best-selling albums in history, and its massive popularity cemented Led Zeppelin’s status as superstars in the 70’s. By 2021, it had sold 24 million copies in the United States alone.

In this album, a logo was added with 4 symbols, symbols chosen by each band member (as shown later).

“Rock And Roll” live at Madison Square Garden, 1973:

One of Led Zeppelin’s most known and appreciated songs:

Among the most popular and influential works in rock history.

It was never released as a single, yet was the most requested and most played song on American rock radio in the 70’s.

The Name

When the members and Keith Moon and John Entwistle (from The Who’s) were discussing the idea of forming a group, Moon joked, “It would probably go over like a lead balloon”, and Entwistle reportedly replied, “a lead zeppelin!”.

The Album’s Cover

The front cover, which was chosen by Page, features a black and white image of the burning Hindenburg airship – an airship accident that occurred on May 6, 1937, in Manchester Township, New Jersey, United States. The German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed during its attempt to dock with its mooring mast at Naval Air Station Lakehurst.

The End

on 25 September 1980, John Bonham (the drummer) was tragically pronounced dead at 32 years old, after he vomited and choked in his sleep.

The band published a statement:

“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.” The statement was signed simply “Led Zeppelin”

On 31 May 2018, on what would have been Bonham’s 70th birthday, a statue was unveiled in his hometown of Redditch, England, to commemorate him, emblazoned with the words:

“The most outstanding and original drummer of his time, John Bonham’s popularity and influence continue to resonate with the world of music and beyond.”

The End ?

Since Bonham’s death, the surviving former members sporadically collaborated and participated in one-off reunions in 1985, 1988, 1995, 2007.

The most successful of these was the 2007, as part of The Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert.

Black Dog from Led Zeppelin IV, in the 2007 reunion:

Modern Led Zeppelin

Greta Van Fleet is an American rock band from Frankenmuth, Michigan, formed in 2012. One particularly interesting thing about them is their similarity to Led Zeppelin’s music style:

In a March 2018 interview, even Plant said of Greta Van Fleet: “they are Led Zeppelin I”. 50 years later.

To conclude

As we’ve seen, Led Zeppelin is one of the most original, versatile, and influential bands in history of music. Their creations affect artists until this day, despite the relatively short time in which they have been performing and creating, and their music will surely live forever.