“Down like a metal balloon.” I guess the prophecy was not as accurate. In fact, it was not even close to correct.
Led Zeppelin actually took over like a lead zeppelin; leading the way of countless bands to come. This remarkable influential band has been one of the greatest ones in the history of rock music. The members that integrated it will always be remembered by their exceptional performance since the beginning; their innovating style is often repeated in familiar songs from nowadays and the controversy regarding satanic influences that might cause parents to panic is one of the most inexplicable and mysterious occurrences in this field.
Back in 1968, an eager British guitarist decided to form a band in London “in order to fulfil some performance commitments booked in Scandinavia before the break up of the original Yardbirds” (Wikipedia). Jimmy Page was soon to become the lead guitarist of The New Yardbirds which later grew onto what we now know as Led Zeppelin. The history of the name comes from fellow band The Who said that the band was going to sink like a lead zeppelin. “When adopting the name, the word lead was deliberately misspelled to prevent people pronouncing it as in lead singer, as opposed to a Zeppelin constructed of the metal lead” (Wikipedia). On January 12th of 1969, their first album that carried the name of the band came out. The original songs from this CD made a big impact on the States right after it came out and their sells increased rapidly to be only one step from number one, after The Beatles. They continued to record albums that not only pushed the sales up, but also made them worthy of our praise to this band’s members.
After the seed of the creation of a band grew roots on Page’s head, the members were to be gathered, handpicked by the enthusiastic and determined guitarist. “Page's first choice as singer, Terry Reid, declined the opportunity but recommended Robert Plant, who accepted and then brought in his old friend [drummer] John Bonham from the defunct Band of Joy” (Fender Players Club). The first bassist Chris Dreja left to pursue a photography career that lead to the picture on the back cover of the first album so Page brought John Paul Jones to occupy his place. The influences of the band were obviously The Yardbirds and the little trails from the previous bands of the members such as Hobbstweedle and Band of Joy. The creator of the band stated that his ideal band’s style would be “a marriage of blues, hard rock and acoustic music topped with heavy choruses” (Jimmy Page). The influences that led to the fame of this legendary band caused people from everywhere to listen to them now.
Currently, there are a lot of people of all ages listen to this renowned band. It first hit in London where it started and spread to the United States and on to the rest of the world. “The band's varying musical tendencies were fused on their untitled fourth album, which is variously referred to as Led Zeppelin IV, Zoso, Runes, or Four Symbols” (Allperson). From this album comes their signature song Stairway to Heaven which along with Dazed and Confused, Black Dog and Whole Lotta Love composes the group of most famous songs by them. However, there is a mysterious divisive fact about the first song. By the time the Led Zeppelin IV was released, Judas Priest had recorded backwards messages on their songs, making thousands of people with not many chores to get done flip this track and for sure “they weren’t disappointed when upon listening to Stairway to Heaven, heard what they thought was Plant saying ‘here’s to my sweet Satan” (Wikipedia). This rumor has been going on with the band and although they denied they worshiped the devil, the clearly audible message on the song is still a mystery. Of course, the distinction of Led Zeppelin did not come as an effect of this controversy; this only left an unanswered question in our head.
By 1980, the band would finish their last tour in Europe without expecting John Bonham’s sudden dead on September 25th after choking on his own vomit. Nevertheless, this musical group left us nine records to enjoy; Led Zeppelin I through III, the untitled fourth album, Houses of Holy, Physical Graffiti, Presence, The Song Remains the Same, In Through the Door and Coda. They decided that without their drummer, they could not be a band and that is the main reason why they broke up. I think their personalities got weary from being with each other so much, but there were still some reunions in order to provide a live concert for us, the younger fans.
