Led Zeppelin: The Rise, Revolution, and Resilience of Rock's Legendary Titans
Led Zeppelin quickly made a name for themselves in their first year, going on four concert tours in the U.S. and UK while releasing their second album, Led Zeppelin II. Recorded mainly on the road, it became an even bigger hit than their debut, topping the charts in both countries. This album shifted their blues-rock sound to a heavier style, which some historians say helped spark heavy metal. However, the band doesn't identify with that label.
The band viewed their albums as complete experiences rather than just collections of songs, with their manager, Grant, promoting the album format. A shortened version of "Whole Lotta Love" was unauthorized as a single, hitting number four on the Billboard chart in early 1970, further boosting their popularity.
After the second album, they toured the U.S., starting with smaller venues and eventually playing larger ones, with some concerts lasting over four hours. 1970 Page and Plant took a break to write their third album, Led Zeppelin III, leaning into an acoustic vibe influenced by folk and Celtic music. This surprising shift strained their relationship with the music press, and while it reached number one in both countries, it had the shortest run of their first five albums.
In the 1970s, Led Zeppelin became one of the era's most influential bands, updating their image with flashy outfits and high-energy shows featuring lasers. Travelling in their private Boeing 720, they gained a wild reputation, with stories of Bonham riding a motorcycle inside a hotel—though some of those tales were likely exaggerated.
Houses of the Holy was released in March 1973. The album art sparked controversy due to its depiction of nude children climbing the Giant's Causeway. Despite this, it topped charts globally and broke attendance records during their North American tour. In 1974, they launched their label, Swan Song, named after an unreleased track, and signed various artists. The label thrived during their time together but eventually folded after the band disbanded. In 1975, they released Physical Graffiti, a double album featuring a mix of new and older tracks.
Rolling Stone called it their "bid for artistic respectability," adding that the only bands Led Zeppelin had to compete with for the title "The World's Best Rock Band" were the Rolling Stones and the Who.
The album was a huge hit both commercially and critically. Right after Physical Graffiti dropped, Led Zeppelin's past albums returned to the top 200 charts. In May 1975, they played five sold-out shows at the Earls Court Arena in London, the largest arena in Britain at that time.
After their amazing shows at Earls Court, Led Zeppelin was gearing up for an autumn tour in the U.S., kicking off with some outdoor gigs in San Francisco. But in August 1975, Robert Plant and his wife, Maureen, got into a serious car accident while on holiday in Rhodes, Greece. Plant ended up with a broken ankle, and Maureen needed a blood transfusion to survive. With touring off the table, Plant spent his recovery time in Jersey, joined by Bonham and Page. Eventually, they all met up in Malibu, California, where they wrote much of the material for their next album, Presence.
By 1976, Led Zeppelin had firmly established itself as the top rock band in the world, even surpassing legendary acts like the Rolling Stones in terms of sales.
Their album "Presence," released in March, signaled a shift in their musical direction. It leaned more towards straightforward, guitar-driven tracks, moving away from the acoustic ballads and complex arrangements they were known for in earlier albums. While "Presence" was a platinum seller, it garnered mixed reviews from fans and critics, with some suggesting that the band's extravagant lifestyle might have finally taken its toll on their sound.
Due to Plant's injuries, Led Zeppelin didn't tour in 1976. Instead, they worked on the concert film The Song Remains the Same and released the soundtrack. The film premiered in NYC on October 20, 1976, but critics and fans didn't warm up to it, especially in the UK. After staying away from the stage since 1975, the band struggled to win back the public's love. Unfortunately, the following chapters in the band's journey were marked by tragedy. While on tour in the United States, Plant received the devastating news that his five-year-old son, Karac, had passed away due to a stomach virus. This heartbreaking event led to the immediate cancellation of the rest of the tour, fueling widespread speculation about the future of Led Zeppelin. Despite the death of planet Son, the band continued.
In November 1978, Led Zeppelin recorded at Polar Studios in Stockholm, resulting in the album In Through the Out Door. It featured some sonic experimentation that received mixed reviews but hit number one in both the UK and the U.S. shortly after its release. By early November 1979, all their albums were back on the Billboard Top 200.
In August 1979, after a couple of warm-up shows in Copenhagen, they headlined the Knebworth Music Festival, performing for around 104,000 people. After a brief European tour in mid-1980, things took a turn when Bonham collapsed during a concert in Nuremberg. This led to speculation about excessive drinking. However, the band claimed he had just overeating.
A North American tour was set to start on October 17, 1980. However, after a night of heavy drinking following rehearsals, Bonham was found dead the next day from asphyxiation due to vomit, with the death ruled accidental. His cremation took place on October 12 at Rushock parish church. The band cancelled the tour, and despite various rumours about replacement drummers, they ultimately decided to disband. On December 4, 1980, they released a statement expressing their deep sense of loss, signed "Led Zeppelin."
On December 10, 2007, Led Zeppelin came together again for the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert at the O2 Arena in London. Jason Bonham filled in for his father on drums once more. According to Guinness World Records 2009, this show broke the "Highest Demand for Tickets for One Music Concert" record with an incredible 20 million requests submitted online! Despite this performance and rumours of a full-scale reunion, this was the last time the three remaining members reformed for a concert.
Led Zeppelin is one of rock history's most groundbreaking and influential bands. Rock critic Mikal Gilmore put it perfectly when he described them as "talented, complex, grasping, beautiful, and dangerous." They created an impressive body of work that has stood the test of time, overcoming countless challenges, including their inner struggles.
Led Zeppelin has significantly impacted hard rock and heavy metal, influencing bands like Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and Queen. Jeff Mezydlo described them as the best at creating the heavy guitar sound that led to the metal movement. Their sound-shaped alternative rock inspires groups like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and the Smashing Pumpkins.
Led Zeppelin has dramatically impacted the music industry, especially in shaping album-oriented rock (AOR) and stadium rock. John Kalodner of Geffen Records once said they rank just below the Beatles in influence, citing their ability to create AOR hits without always needing Top 40 success. They pioneered big arena shows, consistently selling out stadiums.
The band has sold over 200 million albums, with some estimates reaching 300 million, including 111.5 million in the U.S. They hold the record for eight consecutive number-one albums in the UK, tied with ABBA, and are among rock history's most bootlegged artists.
Culturally, Led Zeppelin represents the last flourish of the 60s psychedelic vibe. While often labelled as "cock rock," their influence goes beyond music; their fashion sense has shaped styles throughout the years, impacting glam metal of the 80s and modern bands like Kings of Leon and the White Stripes. Their calm aura continues to draw admiration and inspire new generations.
Led Zeppelin has won many awards over the years. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Notable accolades include an American Music Award in 2005 and the Polar Music Prize the same year. They also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, and four of their albums entered the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Regarding album sales, they have five Diamond albums and a bunch of Multi-Platinum and Platinum records in both the U.S. and the UK. Rolling Stone even ranked them as the 14th-greatest artist of all time in 2004. Their albums and songs have made it onto Rolling Stone's lists of the greatest albums and songs ever, including classics like Stairway to Heaven.
Jimmy Page was recognized as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for his charity work, while Robert Plant was honoured as a Commander in 2009 for his contributions to music. They're often cited as the best rock band ever.
