Guest Writer: Marianna Ritchey
Greatest Band of All Timesville, Population: Led Zeppelin
(My greatest friend is moving away tomorrow. It makes me sad but we will still be great friends and she will better her life. It is an amazing honor to have her amazing writing on this website I call home. God bless Marianna Ritchey.)
I have known Led Zeppelin was the greatest band of all time for about 3 years, though my relationship with them stretches all the way back to the late eighties, when I was given a cassette copy of "Houses of the Holy" for Christmas in 7th grade. That album, along with Bob Marley's "Legend," blew my mind for a full year, until I lost it in the great Boarding School Move of 1991. After that, Zep didn't resurface in my life until senior year, when I realized that I should have lost my virginity to "IV," rather than to some terrible Jimmy Buffet album.
It's hard to put your finger on the essence of what makes Led Zeppelin the greatest band of all time. Is it the musicianship? Sure, each member is almost preternaturally gifted at playing their instrument; from the brainy reclusiveness of John Paul Jones to the outrageous, hairy, tank-topped and mindfucking power of the late John Bonham to the gentle vibe control of golden-maned Robert Plant to the life-altering brilliance of silent and hostile Jimmy Page, of whom Katy Davidson once said, "thinking about him sitting in his room writing those riffs makes me literally cry," no one could argue that Led Zeppelin doesn't showcase a bewildering display of technical skill. But so do a lot of bands. Eddie Van Halen once claimed he could play 164th notes, which, aside from the fact that the speed of note subdivisions is not concrete and therefore impossible to brag about (since 164th notes could conceivably be played at the rate of one per minute, for example), is a really dumb thing to say. But even if it were true, and not dumb--that's not special. It's sure as hell not enough to make something The Greatest Of All Time. Think of it this way: I type 117 words per minute. That's pretty goddamn fast. But does it make me the greatest WRITER of all time? No. No, it doesn't. So it must be something else that makes Led Zeppelin better than all other bands in this or any other century.
Is it the songwriting? Sure, it's good. It's VERY good. For a band which relied so heavily on sexual innuendo, alcohol abuse obtuse JRR Tolkien references and 7 minute prog songs about heaven for their lyrical content, Zep remained incredibly fresh and innovative throughout its career; constantly challenging previous conceptions of what their "sound" was; changing, progressing, moving through dirty blues to painfully long stoner jam sessions to tight, crystal-clear concept epics to all out rock and fucking roll. But lots of bands have amazing songwriting. Cat Stevens is an amazing songwriter. But he's not the Greatest Band of All Time. Hildegarde of Bingen was inspired by visitations from angels, demons, and apocalyptic visions of the fall of Lucifer--but she's not the Greatest Band of All Time. Dmitri Shostakovich wrote the "Leningrad" symphony while Nazi bombs fell all around him, but he's not the Greatest Band of All Time.
It's not popularity, either. Though it's hard to argue with the legions of wall-eyed, swaying hippies that packed Madison Square Garden during John Bonham's 20 minute drum solo in 1973, the fact remains that Motley Crue packed the Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles with thousands of screaming fans before they had recorded a single note or been approached by a single label--yet they're not the Greatest Band of All Time.
No, it's something else that makes Led Zeppelin so special. It's something else that causes the band to rise from the mere brilliance wherein so many great bands languish, that causes them to ascend, glistening, to the top of the smooth pedestal upon which they stand, alone, as The Greatest Band Of All Time. And it's something I find impossible to explain.
My friend Adam Forkner and I share this love of Led Zeppelin, along with an undying appreciation for Ween in a time when most of our friends claim to have "outgrown" them. Perhaps my assertion that Led Zeppelin is in fact the Greatest Band of All Time is best affirmed by the following statement, which Mr. Forkner sent to me via email:
"when i was a kid my parents went to the store and left
me alone in the house so i took out my dads zep one
record, turned the stereo up all the way and started
rocking out with a spoon for a mic and then, in the
middle of a jimmy page solo with my foot on the back
of the couch, ready to do some theatrical flip in time
with 'whole lotta love" they came back and i was
embarassed but they were mostly proud to have raised a
son who knew the meaning of rock and fucking roll."
beautifully written and factually correct: Led
Zeppelin is the greatest fucking band ever.. Just ask my 13 year old daughter, Allison. She agrees with me..Great riffs. Thunderous drums. Gorgeous bass and piano melodies, and the axe master everyone else emulates.. Jimmy fucking Page. case closed
Well said, very well said. Led Zep are by far the greatest band of all time. I love the beatles, I love the stones, but they just don't scratch the surface. GET THE LED OUT
that was beautiful.
There is always going to be a matter of personal opinion in which somebody can say they like one band or another more than an other band. However, when you take any band and pick them apart, you could not come up with a better band. There music has truly stood the test of time. When you consider the time period from which the Zep evolved, there was no music even close to being as intense or complete as that of Zeppelin. This is the only band that I can take any one of their albums, and I mean any one, and listed to it straight through and not only love every note, but honestly say that nothing could make these songs better. They are absolutly complete. I can't go a month with out poppin on Zep, I'll just go nutts. Now I'm a music freak and listen to everything, especially Rock N' Roll from the late sixties and seventies, and there is no doubt in my mind that Zeppelin is the best was and the best there ever will be.
led zep is the best band just listening to them gives me the chills
rob botsford is the next jimmy page....Lux Fero
i have to disagree the beatles were the greatest band of all time hands down
ya no way in hell is led zeppelin the greatest band of all time....lol WHAT A JOKE!...i listen to led zeppelin, have them on my ipod, but comon, guys,.....no.....obviously band wise The Beatles is the greatest band of all time hands down no compitition, record sales, legacy, they are music legends and will forever be remembered so. Now the number 2 spot is kinda hard to judge, but i would have to say the Rolling Stones, it really depends on what your definition of the word "great" is. what is great? Talent...if it was based on instrumental skill then obviusly the beatles would not hold the number 1 spot..., so anyway.....
1. The Beatles (no explanationn needed
2. Rolling Stones (no explanation needed
3. Grateful Dead (Played More shows than any other band....to date....Toured non stop 1965 - 1995, talented
4.
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8.
got bored and couldnt finish
what site is this?.........
Eh. Led Zeppelin may be the greatest studio band ever, but they do not hold a candle to The Who live. John Entwistle is probably the only bassist to ever live that easily blows away JPJ. Keith Moon was completly different from John Bonham, but he was much more explosive and energetic. Jimmy page was a better guitarist than Pete Townshend, but Jimmy sounds empty live when he lacks the studio overdubbing that he relyed on in the studio(up to 4 guitar parts are sometimes heard at one time in some zeppelin recordings.) Robert Plant had an amazing voice, but no one owns the stage like Roger Daltrey. In my opinion what a band does in the Live feild is what matters most, and the who defintly blow led zeppelin away. Anyone can sound amazing in a studio.
If you guys want to comment on the beatles or the rolling stones or whoever else you may like, than find a blog that relates to them, don't come pressuring your thoughts and opinions on something you don't care to agree with. But with that said, I must also agree with the fact that the beatles are the greatest rock band of all time, but they did lack that special appeal, which Zeppelin gained without even knowing. Remember that the media hated Zepp for their very secret lives and music status at the time, but yet they gained the biggest crowds of that time, and broke all of the beatles records, and were for a fact greater than the beatles without trying. The Beatles=greatest rock band, Led Zeppelin=Greatest band of all time.
Having seen many , many bands over the years, Zeppelin amongst them- I certainly cannot place them as the greatest band of all time . Possibly one of the most infuential , but not the greatest.At the bath festival in 1970, which many people consider to be one of their greatest gigs , Zeppelin played for near 3 hours , were they great ? Not really, they played quite well but they could not hold a candle to many of the other bands I saw at Bath or at other festivals of the era. When compared to the Dead,The Who,Hendrix, The Stones, Traffic, even Free, I found Zeppelin to be sadly lacking.To me,they had little soul, their stage act was ordinary compared to that of the Who and none of their players( apart from Page ) could be said to be truly innovative and original. However, their BBC recording featuring material from the first album is stunning, if they could have kept producing material of this standard and level of energy, then possibly they might have attained the status of GBEver, but since they more or less became stuck in a rut after 1970 ( with the minor exception of Houses of the Holy) I am afraid that they really don't stack up in my book . From my live experiences, the Who with Keith Moon were the best rock band ever live and they created some of the most thoughtful and forceful rock ever. The Dead were the most innovative and varied band - who else played in so many genres and experimented to such an extent - and the Beatles were probably the best writers. But this is all moot, everyone is entitled to their opinion, if Zep are the best band ever for you, then they are, but for me , others are much , much more qualified to hold that title
Having seen many , many bands over the years, Zeppelin amongst them- I certainly cannot place them as the greatest band of all time . Possibly one of the most infuential , but not the greatest.At the bath festival in 1970, which many people consider to be one of their greatest gigs , Zeppelin played for near 3 hours , were they great ? Not really, they played quite well but they could not hold a candle to many of the other bands I saw at Bath or at other festivals of the era. When compared to the Dead,The Who,Hendrix, The Stones, Traffic, even Free, I found Zeppelin to be sadly lacking.To me,they had little soul, their stage act was ordinary compared to that of the Who and none of their players( apart from Page ) could be said to be truly innovative and original. However, their BBC recording featuring material from the first album is stunning, if they could have kept producing material of this standard and level of energy, then possibly they might have attained the status of GBEver, but since they more or less became stuck in a rut after 1970 ( with the minor exception of Houses of the Holy) I am afraid that they really don't stack up in my book . From my live experiences, the Who with Keith Moon were the best rock band ever live and they created some of the most thoughtful and forceful rock ever. The Dead were the most innovative and varied band - who else played in so many genres and experimented to such an extent - and the Beatles were probably the best writers. But this is all moot, everyone is entitled to their opinion, if Zep are the best band ever for you, then they are, but for me , others are much , much more qualified to hold that title
"ya no way in hell is led zeppelin the greatest band of all time....lol WHAT A JOKE!...i listen to led zeppelin, have them on my ipod, but comon, guys,.....no.....obviously band wise The Beatles is the greatest band of all time hands down no compitition, record sales, legacy, they are music legends and will forever be remembered so. Now the number 2 spot is kinda hard to judge, but i would have to say the Rolling Stones, it really depends on what your definition of the word "great" is. what is great? Talent...if it was based on instrumental skill then obviusly the beatles would not hold the number 1 spot..., so anyway....."
Boybands like "nsync" have outsold some of the greatest rock bands does it make them great? No in fact you can be horrible and still have astounding record sales look at Ashlee Simpson. Yea the beatles were popular they were every teenage girl's dream in their time which alone give them an immense record sale (not de-crediting their music) but they were no were even close to the musical intellegence of Led zeppelin. Try and cover the beatles and try and cover zep, see which one you have a nearly impossible time time trying to recreate on any instrument even singing wise I dont know anyone who can whale out notes like Robert Plant did. Jhas I can see you tried to prove a point, but you are in fact wrong. This is a site with pretty good points I found which I agree almost 100% with.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-1-2006-104124.asp
There will never be a group of musicans more talented or brilliant then that of Led Zeppelin there is little doubt in my mind that there will ever be a greater group. I'm not saying all members of Led Zeppelin were the most talented at there insturments they are all esily in the top five no other band can come close to that. I'd say the closest to there greatness would have to be The Allman Brothers of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. As far as people saying The Beatles are the greatest I refuse to allow myself to believe that a group of mediocre musicans are the greatest of all time and if any one disagrees I would strongly encourage to listen to all insturments on a Beatles song and then a Zeppelin song.
one word one band QUEEN!!!!!!!!!!!
To the ignorant guy who calleed The Beatles "mediocre" musicians you don't know what you are talking about! The 1992 Rolling Stone Album Guide called Paul McCartney a remarkable bass player and George Harrison always a fine guitarist. There is a web site called The Evolution of Paul McCartney's bass playing in which Sting,Will Lee,Billy Sheehan,and Stanly Clarke all are saying what a great and influential bass player Paul McCartney always was! George Martin The Beatles clasically trained music producer is quoted as saying,"There's no doubt that Lennon and McCartney were good musicians they had good musical brains and the brain is where the music originates it has nothing to do with your fingers" "As it happened they could also play their own instruments very well" "And since those early days they have all improved especially Paul he's an excellent musicical all-rounder probably the best bass guitarist there is,a first class drummer,brilliant guitarist and competent piano player."
Paul McCartney beat John Paul Jones and everyone as the the 1 greatest bass player in The Mister Poll online of over 100 people and on Rate Your Music poll. John Paul Jones and John Bonham along with Pete Townsend played on two songs on Paul McCartney's 1979 Wing's album Back To The Egg and they also played live in the December 1979 Wings Kampuchea concert. Pete Townsend also played on two songs on Paul's 1986 Press To Play album along with big Beatles fan Phil Colins.
Eric Clapton said George Harrison was a fantastic slide guitar player and he said John Lennon was a very good guitar player too and he would know he played live with John in 1969 as a member of John's John Lennon Plastic Ono Band.
I just posted a long post that didn't get posted so I'm just testing this now.
I posted a long post that didn't post so I'm just testing it now.
I posted a long post that didn't post so I'm just testing it now
Stop.
Where is your common sense, people?
Beatles more musically talented than LED ZEPPELIN...I beg to differ.
Yes, yes, yes...by far the beatles are the most SUCESSFUL, but Zep is only second in that way
but musically gifted...give me a freaking break
yes, plant has his annoying times, but, all in all, he's dramatically more unique than the alleged fab-four when it comes to singing..., and i mean real singing not just their "la la la" stuff with, yes, obviously, spectacular lyrics...thanks to Lennon's and McCartney's genius
but...here's my point. took me long enough.
JIMMY FUCKING PAGE vs. George Harrison? Um...let me think!!!!!!!!!!!Seriously, guys. Yes, Harrison's abilties are incandescently illuminated in "And Your Bird Can Sing", but Page's iconic Stairway solo shatters him to barely perceivable smithereens. this is a joke!
it must be!
JOHN FUCKING BONHAM vs. Ringo Starr? Enough said.
the single best rock drummer of all time, people
John Paul Jones is extraordinary, though shy
and plant always knew how to make an audience fall in love with him, if you know what i mean seriously, watch a live zep show. flamboyant!
But, there's the thing.
Where the Beatles, musical geniuses, that goes without saying, but..., showed up to shows in their cute matching little shoes and suits, belting out on Ed Sullivan show, "I Want to Hold Your Hand...!" to furiously shrieking girls, the Zep showed up in jeans, stoned half of the time..., and played not like musical geniuses..., but GODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! quite a difference, there. Listen to "HTWWW" should answer any supplementary inqueries. thanks a lot
13 y.o, by the way, and i still know all that :)
so right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
in responce to 'Tim at July 3, 2006 2:09 PM', 1970 was early in Led Zeppelin's career, so live performances were unlikely to be at their best at that stage. By 1979 Led Zeppelin were amazing live, and would have continued to be if Bonham had not have died. I cannot agree with you that 'The Who' are the greatest band - They lacked the originality that led zep had, and were to similar to the likes of the rolling stones and the beatles - they did not achieve anything that had not been done before. The lyrics were not as well written, guitar solos were...well, what guitar solos!?! vocals were no where near as good as Plant's unique style and live shows mean the most to you in a band? the whole spectrum of a band is what it is, not just one part! Also in responce to 'e at October 4, 2006 10:05 AM', what do you mean Queen are the best? I haven't heard a band so unoriginal and that had so terribly written tracks - "we will rock you, we will rock you, we will rock you, we will rock you..." - yeah, repeat that for 3 minutes and you got yourself a song [sarcasm]. if you think that is better than some of the epic tracks that led zep produced then i suggest you get some mental help, quickly if possible. Oh, and i agree - Led zep are the best band EVER! however that opinion only came to me a few weeks ago when i watched the 'Led Zeppelin DVD [2003]' and saw how absolutely amazing they are live, which made me go back through all their albums again and realise that they are truly amazing. Not one song was bad, even from CODA which was previously unreleased material! they are rock legends, and desevably take the throne of the greatst band ever - such a shame i will never see them live :-(
to zeppelinisbetter, The Beatles started out playing 8 hours a night for 2 years in a row in the sleazy strip clubs of Hamburg Germany taking speed pills just to stay awake,wearing tight leather jackets cursing,smoking and hitting each other on stage and going to bed with many young women groupies. It was their manager Brian Epstein that created the fake cleaned up image and John Lennon hated and resented this the most.
The All Music Guide says not only were John and Paul two of the greatest song writers in the history of rock,but as singers they were among the best and expresive in rock. Ozzy Osbourne said in a 2002 Online Bender Magazine interview That The Beatles Are The Greatest Band To Ever Walk The Earth! He's been a big Beatles fan since he was a teenager and he also says not loving The Beatles is like not loving oxogen!
rob botsford, jason burley, and of course josh buck are the shit. If I had a choice i would have stayed with you crazy assholes. It sucks waking up at five thirty just to run. Lux fero is the best!!! You too dewalt.
I never really got Led Zeppelin. I'm not mad about the Beatles ethier, however if I hear a good Beatles song I can enjoy it and I can tell theres great songwriting there. But I REALLY don't get Zeppelin.
Don't get Metalica to, I've tried listening to their albumes but I don't get em.
Thinking about it I think what i really hate are Guitar riffs. I love solos but big rocky riffs i hate.
And now i think about it, the thing that bugs me about the Beatles are their naff whiney voices.
Personally Led Zeppelin in my favorite band. I am not sure if they are the greatest band ever so to speak. I think the beatles need credit where credit is due. They are like main begginings of classic rock. I am a huge lover of classic rock and i love the stones the who beatles and pretty much everyone
But Led Zep seems to have something that i just can't put my hand on. I think a lot of Led Zep fans will agree there is just something about them that is mystifying
led zep is all abt the feel that beatles, the who, dead, stones all lacked! they were gud no doubt but zep is
the best.
Led Zeppelin is, no doubt, a phenomenal band.
But do you really have to diminish the accomplishments of Eddie Van Halen, with your cryptic bashing of him, to make that point?
Zeppelin isn't about individual talent.
What makes Zeppelin great is the sum of it's parts.
There can be no "Led Zeppelin" , as it were, without any one of it's founding members.
There hasn't been a band since Zeppelin that has put together that kind of special something that words can't describe.
I love Led Zeppelin with all of my musical heart. But please don't bash others for the sake of elevating their status.
It just makes for a dis-credited argument.
Wow the power of marketing!!
Some ass hole decided that because the Beatles showed up in their "Cute little shoes on the Ed Sullivan Show" somehow diminshes their musical creativity.
Get a grip guys and see through the bullshit.
Buy their fruits for ye shall know them!
To Comixsans, who said that The Beatles had whiney voices, I really can't understand how you or anyone could possibly think and say this! As The All Music Guide says not only were John and Paul the 2 greatest song writers in rock history but they were both among the best and most expresive in rock music. They are in both The Song Writing Hall of Fame and The Vocal Hall of Fame. John Lennon had the most beautiful unique voice too. I have read many people on message boards say they don't like Robert Plant's and Mick Jagger's voices. The worst voice I have ever heard is Bruce Springteen's he sounds like he's throwing up to a music backround,and Bob Dylan is known for having a nasally bad voice but I can tolerate him but I can't tolerate Bruce Springteen or Tom Petty because he has a terrible nasally voice.
what can you say really? each band was together 10 years, each band had great songs, and very like-able band members. i guess what i'm saying is i can appreciate both bands equally! i think they both rock. i have every album of the beatles, and zep and i'll tell ya, i find technically zep has the edge, lyrically i think the beatles have the edge. being able to have two good lead's is great for a band (paul,john) not to say plant isnt good he's a great, great lead singer, i dunno i just think they were each (band) were great at what they did and just fit in perfectly for what they were there to do. i can dig a beatle 2 min song, just as i can dig a 8 or 10 min zep song. i love them both. and if you really think about it, who influenced the beatles? elvis and others, and zep? well the beatles and their contemporaries.
IMO, there are only 2 bands that can stake a claim as the greatest of all time. The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. The reason? Diversity. These 2 bands, more than any other, showed more varying musical styles than any other. And Jimmy Page is the most versatile guitarist ever. He could even play the mandolin and banjo...They were not afraid to take a risk. Pink Floyd? Too many songs that sound alike. The Who? Same thing. Very formulaic. My personal favorite is Led. No bands music is more requested. No band is more rediscovered and adored by each succeeding generation. And no band is more talented. As far as live performances go, Led had some less than satisfying gigs. I saw one in 1973. But, Led was known for 3 hour shows with no warmup band and would tour at a pace that was frenetic. Invariably, Plant would strain his voice, and his singing, such an integral part of the sound, would lose its power. A perfect example of this was the concert footage from The Song Remains The Same. His voice was totally shot in that movie, the result of being shot in Madison Square Garden, the last leg of a torturous 50 city tour. It was admittedly a bad decision to use that footage for a movie. A better indication of the raw power and artistry of Led can be gotten by watching their DVD, released in 2003.
TIMELINEJanuary 9, 1944: Jimmy Page was born. June 3, 1946: John Paul Jones was born. May 31, 1948: John “Bonzo” Bonham was born. August 20, 1948: Robert Plant was born. July 1, 1966: Ahmet Ertegun signs the English group Cream. Atlantic will become a major force in British rock, releasing albums by such artists as the Bee Gees, Mott the Hoople, Yes, Genesis, Derek and the Dominos, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Led Zeppelin. July 7, 1968: The Yardbirds break up, guitarist Jimmy Page forms the New Yardbirds and changes the group’s name to Led Zeppelin, allegedly on the advice of the Who’s Keith Moon. October 15, 1968: Led Zeppelin performs its first show, at Surrey University in England. November 13, 1968: Atlantic Record announces its signing of a “hot new English group” named Led Zeppelin. February 15, 1969: The hotly anticipated, self-titled debut album by Led Zeppelin enters the album charts, ultimately reaching #10. December 6, 1969: Led Zeppelin enters the Top Forty with “Whole Lotta Love,” which reaches #4. It is this album-oriented band’s highest-charting single. December 27, 1969: ‘Led Zeppelin II’ tops the U.S. album charts for the first of seven weeks; it will reach #1 in the U.K. in February 1970. October 31, 1970: The more folk-oriented ‘Led Zeppelin III’ becomes the band’s second #1 album. January 30, 1971: Led Zeppelin hits #15 with “Immigrant Song”. November 27, 1971: Led Zeppelin’s fourth album, which features four runes (symbols) as its title, enters Billboard’s album chart, where it will remain for the next five years. Oddly, it doesn’t quite reach #1, peaking at #2. February 12, 1972: Led Zeppelin hits #15 with “Black Dog”. April 15, 1972: Led Zeppelin hits #47 with “Rock and Roll”. May 12, 1973: ‘Houses of the Holy,’ Led Zeppelin’s fifth album, becomes their third to reach #1. December 29, 1973: Led Zeppelin hits #20 with “D’yer Mak’er”. May 3, 1974: Led Zeppelin launches their Swan Song label, which releases their albums and ones by handpicked artists like Bad Company and the Pretty Things. March 22, 1975: ‘Physical Graffiti,’ a double album by Led Zeppelin, reaches #1 in its second week of release. It stays there for six weeks. March 29, 1975: Led Zeppelin becomes the first band in history to have 6 albums on the chart at once: ‘Physical Graffiti’ (#1), ‘Led Zeppelin IV’, ‘House of the Holy’, ‘Led Zeppelin II’, ‘Led Zeppelin’, and ‘Led Zeppelin III’. May 17, 1975: Led Zeppelin hits #38 with “Trampled Under Foot”. August 5, 1975: Robert Plant and his wife are injured in a car crash while vacationing in Greece. October 20, 1976: Led Zeppelin’s concert documentary, T’he Song Remains the Same,’ premieres in New York. September 7, 1979: Led Zeppelin’s last studio album ‘In Through the Out Door’ enters the British charts at Number One. September 8, 1979: ‘In Through the Out Door,’ Led Zeppelin’s first album of new material in over three years, is released. Topping the chart for seven weeks, it turns out to be their swan song. September 14, 1979: Led Zeppelin’s ‘In Through the Out Door’ begins its seven-week run at Number One on the US charts. February 16, 1980: Led Zeppelin hits #21 with “Fool In the Rain.”
COMMENT | Who wants to argue about #1posted by : zepfan437/4/2007 9:21:10 PM
September 25, 1980: John Bonham, drummer for Led Zeppelin, dies of asphyxiation in his sleep after having consumed “40 measures of vodka.” December 4, 1980: Led Zeppelin releases a statement announcing that it is disbanding in the wake of drummer John Bonham’s death. July 13, 1985: Led Zeppelin re-forms (with Phil Collins replacing the late John Bonham on drums) for the Live Aid benefit concert in Philadelphia. May 14, 1988: Led Zeppelin reunites, with drummer Jason Bonham (the late John Bonham’s son), to perform a few songs at Atlantic Records’ 40th anniversary concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden. November 13, 1990: ‘Led Zeppelin,’ a four-CD and six-LP box set, is released. Reaching #18 on the album chart, it will sell over one million copies, making it the best-selling box set in rock and roll history. September 11, 1993: ‘Led Zeppelin – The Complete Studio Records,’ a ten-CD box set, is released. October 12, 1994: The live documentary ‘Unledded,’ which reunites Robert Plant and Jimmy Page onstage, airs on MTV. It features four live acoustic versions of Led Zeppelin favorites and eight new Page-Plant collaborations. November 26, 1994: ‘No Quarter,’ by Led Zeppelin mainstays Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, enters the album chart at #4. January 12, 1995: Led Zeppelin is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the tenth annual induction dinner. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith are their presenters. November 18, 1997: ‘Led Zeppelin: BBC Sessions,’ a double CD of archival live performances on British radio from 1969-71, is released.
COMMENT | One of the greatest bands of all timeposted by : zepfan437/4/2007 9:31:36 PM
The Best Selling Albums Of All Time In All Categories, Including: Rock, Country, Rap, Movie Soundtracks, Big Band and Children's. As Of January, 2005 Millions Sold Title Artist's Name 28 Their Greatest Hits (vol. 1) The Eagles 27 Thriller Michael Jackson 23 The Wall Pink Floyd 22 Led Zeppelin IV Led Zeppelin 21 Back In Black AC/DC 21 Greatest Hits VOL I & II Billy Joel 20 Come On Over Shania Twain 19 The Beatles The Beatles 19 Rumours Fleetwood Mac 17 Boston Boston 17 The Bodyguard (soundtrack) Whitney Houston 16 The Beatles 1967 - 1970 The Beatles 16 Hotel California Eagles 16 Greatest Hits Elton John 16 Jagged Little Pill Alanis Morissette 16 No Fences Garth Brooks 16 Cracked Rear View Hootie & The Blowfish 15 Physical Graffiti Led Zeppelin 15 The Beatles 1962 - 1966 The Beatles 15 Saturday Night Fever The Bee Gees 15 Born In The U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen 15 Dark Side Of The Moon Pink Floyd 15 Appetite For Destruction Guns 'n Roses 15 Double Live Garth Brooks 14 Supernatural Santana 14 Bat Out Of Hell Meat Loaf 14 Ropin' The Wind Garth Brooks 14 Backstreet Boys Backstreet Boys 14 Baby One More Time Britney Spears 13 Frampton Comes Alive Peter Frampton 13 Greatest Hits Simon & Garfunkel 13 Purple Rain (soundtrack) Prince & The Revolution 13 Whitney Houston Whitney Houston 13 Baby One More Time Britney Spears 13 Millennium Backstreet Boys 13 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Live Bruce Springsteen 13 Metallica Metallica 13 Greatest Hits 1974 - 1978 Steve Miller Band 12 Abbey Road The Beatles 12 Led Zeppelin II Led Zeppelin 12 Hot Rocks The Rolling Stones 12 Slippery When Wet Bon Jovi 12 II Boyz II Men 12 Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits Kenny Rogers 12 Breathless Kenny G 12 Hysteria Def Leppard 12 The Woman In Me Shania Twain 12 No Jacket Required Phil Collins 12 Yourself Or Someone Like You Matchbox Twenty 12 Forrest Gump Soundtrack Various Artists 12 Wide Open Spaces Dixie Chicks 11 Ten Pearl Jam 11 Dirty Dancing Soundtrack Various Artists 11 James Taylor's Greatest Hits James Taylor 11 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band The Beatles 11 Crazysexycool TLC 11 Pieces Of You Jewel 11 Houses Of The Holy Led Zeppelin
COMMENT | Is it starting to sink in uniformed blabber mouths?posted by : zepfan437/4/2007 9:34:22 PM
The Best Selling Albums Of All Time In All Categories, Including: Rock, Country, Rap, Movie Soundtracks, Big Band and Children's. As Of January, 2005 Millions Sold Title Artist's Name 22 Led Zeppelin IV Led Zeppelin 15 Physical Graffiti Led Zeppelin 12 Led Zeppelin II Led Zeppelin 10 Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin
COMMENT | Who brought up Kiss? That hack band dream on.posted by : zepfan437/4/2007 9:36:17 PM
The Top Ten Artists in U.S. Album Sales Number Artist Sales The Top Ten Artists in U.S. Album Sales Number Artist Sales 1 The Beatles 106,530,000 2 Garth Brooks 92,000,000 3 Led Zeppelin 83,620,000 4 Elvis Presley 77,280,000 5 Eagles 65,000,000 6 Billy Joel 63,250,000 7 Barbra Streisand 62,750,000 8 Elton John 61,620,000 9 Aerosmith 54,370,000 10 Pink Floyd 52,600,000
COMMENT | Almost missed another great oneposted by : zepfan437/4/2007 9:40:30 PM
The Best Selling Albums Of All Time In All Categories, Including: Rock, Country, Rap, Movie Soundtracks, Big Band and Children's. As Of January, 2005 11 Houses Of The Holy Led Zeppelin
COMMENT | posted by : zepfan437/4/2007 9:49:57 PM
The Recording Industry Association of America's Top-Selling Albums of All Time**Through 3/8/2006.29 MillionEagles: Their Greatest Hits, 1971–1975, Eagles (Asylum)27 MillionThriller, Michael Jackson (Epic)23 MillionLed Zeppelin IV, Led Zeppelin (Atlantic)The Wall, Pink Floyd (Columbia)21 MillionGreatest Hits, Volumes I & II, Billy Joel (Columbia)Back in Black, AC/DC (Epic)20 MillionDouble Live, Garth Brooks (Capitol Nashville)Come On Over, Shania Twain (Mercury Nashville)19 MillionThe Beatles, The Beatles (Capitol)Rumours, Fleetwood Mac (Warner Bros.)17 MillionThe Bodyguard (soundtrack), Whitney Houston (Arista)Boston, Boston (Epic)16 MillionPhysical Graffiti, Led Zeppelin (Swan Song)The Beatles: 1967–1970, The Beatles (Capitol)Greatest Hits, Elton John (Island/Mercury)Hotel California, Eagles (Elektra)Cracked Rear View, Hootie & the Blowfish (Atlantic)No Fences, Garth Brooks (Capitol Nashville)Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette (Maverick)15 MillionAppetite for Destruction, Guns 'N Roses (Geffen)Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd (Capitol)Saturday Night Fever (soundtrack), Bee Gees (Polydor/Atlas)Born in the U.S.A., Bruce Springsteen (Columbia)The Beatles: 1962–1966, The Beatles (Capitol)Supernatural, Santana (Arista)14 MillionMetallica, Metallica (Elektra)Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits, Simon & Garfunkel (Columbia)…Baby One More Time, Britney Spears (Jive)Greatest Hits, Journey (Capitol)Bat Out of Hell, Meat Loaf (Epic)Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys (Jive)Ropin' the Wind, Garth Brooks (Capitol Nashville)13 MillionPurple Rain (soundtrack), Prince and the Revolution (Warner Bros.)Greatest Hits: 1974–1978, Steve Miller Band (Capitol)Millennium, Backstreet Boys (Jive)Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Live: 1975–1985 (box set), Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (Columbia)Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston (Arista)12 MillionLed Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin (Atlantic)Abbey Road, The Beatles (Capitol)No Jacket Required, Phil Collins (Atlantic)The Woman in Me, Shania Twain (Mercury Nashville)Ten, Pearl Jam (Epic)Forrest Gump (soundtrack) (Epic)Wide Open Spaces, Dixie Chicks (Monument)Yourself or Someone Like You, Matchbox Twenty (Atlantic)Hot Rocks, The Rolling Stones (abkco)II, Boyz II Men (Motown)Kenny Rogers's Greatest Hits, Kenny Rogers (Capitol Nashville)Slippery When Wet, Bon Jovi (Mercury)Hysteria, Def Leppard (Mercury)Breathless, Kenny G (Arista)Pieces of You, Jewel (Atlantic)11 MillionUp!, Shania Twain (Mercury Nashville)Human Clay, Creed (Wind-Up Records)CrazySexyCool, TLC (LaFace)Dirty Dancing (soundtrack) (RCA)Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles (Capitol)James Taylor's Greatest Hits, James Taylor (Warner Bros.)Eagles Greatest Hits, Vol. II, Eagles (Elektra)Falling into You, Celine Dion (Epic)No Strings Attached, 'N Sync (Jive)Devil Without a Cause, Kid Rock (Lava)Houses of the Holy, Led Zeppelin (Atlantic)Titanic (soundtrack) (Sony Classical)10 Million'N Sync, 'N Sync (RCA)Life After Death, Notorious B.I.G. (Bad Boy/Arista)Let's Talk About Love, Celine Dion (550 Music/Epic)Aerosmith's Greatest Hits, Aerosmith (Columbia)Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin (Atlantic)Greatest Hits, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (MCA)The Stranger, Billy Joel (Columbia)The Immaculate Collection, Madonna (Warner Bros.)Fly, Dixie Chicks (Monument)Eliminator, ZZ Top (Warner Bros.)Best of the Doobies, Doobie Brothers (Warner Bros.)Van Halen, Van Halen (Warner Bros.)Faith, George Michael (Columbia)Music Box, Mariah Carey (Columbia)Like a Virgin, Madonna (Sire)Unplugged, Eric Clapton (Reprise)Can't Slow Down, Lionel Richie (Motown)Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, Hammer (Capitol)Tapestry, Carole King (Ode)The Lion King (Soundtrack) (Walt Disney)The Joshua Tree, U2 (Island)Nevermind, Nirvana (DGC)Legend, Bob Marley & the Wailers (Island)Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt (Trauma/Interscope)1984 (MCMLXXXIV), Van Halen (Warner Bros.)Dookie, Green Day (Reprise)The Hits, Garth Brooks (Capitol Nashville)Daydream, Mariah Carey (Columbia)Come Away With Me, Norah Jones (Blue Note)Pyromania, Def Leppard (Mercury)Greatest Hits, Patsy Cline (MCA)Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, Outkast (So So Def)Hybrid Theory, Linkin Park (Warner Bros.)Oops!…I Did it Again, Britney Spears (Jive)Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder (Motown)1, The Beatles (Capitol)*Through 3/8/2006.
COMMENT | Get your heads out of the sand. After years or hating Zeppelin the critics finally gave into the reaposted by : zepfan437/4/2007 10:12:01 PM
September 14, 2003Top 10 Rock Performers of All TimeTalk about a subjective list. Don't look for hip-hop. And we're not talking jazz or Motown. These are the best rock 'n' roll performers who somehow affected the way we view pop culture.10. NirvanaThey changed the musical landscape, ushering out '80s keyboard-layered bands like Duran Duran, Flock of Seagulls and A-Ha and establishing the grunge trend for the '90s. They gave Generation X an anthem band and a tragic legendary front man in Kurt Cobain. Had it not been for Cobain, you wouldn't have Hole in your CD collection.9. Janis JoplinClearly the inspiration for women rockers, a tough, guttural blues singer who blazed her own trail in a male-dominated industry. She made it OK for women to be brash and bold, to sweat and have a little fun onstage. Singers like Melissa Etheridge, Chrissie Hynde and Ann Wilson were obviously influenced. Pearl was her own Lilith Fair.8. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street BandThey set the standard for a live performance, routinely playing four-hour shows night after night. In his heyday, Springsteen was the hard-working, working-class lyricist who left his heart onstage in a pool of passion. With the E Street Band, live performances were magic. In the recording studio, Springsteen was willing to toss out successful formulas, releasing introspective albums like "Nebraska" and "The Ghost of Tom Joad."7. Bob DylanHis gravely voice and beatnik poetry defined the '60s, resonating through the Greenwich Village coffeehouse scene and into every baby boomer's bedroom. The fact that "Time Out of Mind" won the 1997 Grammy for Album of the Year is a credit to this legend's creative longevity. No writer's block for this Minnesota boy.6. The Grateful DeadDevoted fans? Dead Heads' faithfulness to Jerry Garcia make Parrot Heads' passion for Jimmy Buffett seem as genuine as Ben's devotion to J-Lo. The Dead created the tie-dyed culture and their fans were willing to follow the band around the country, creating a subculture never seen before. The Dead were gifted musicians, spending hours practicing and churning out different set lists night after night.5. The Rolling StonesLongevity is why they belong on this list. Lyrically inferior to The Who and no musical match for Led Zeppelin, this is a party band that has endured for almost 40 years. Their catalog of music is impressive, with more than 30 albums and dozens of memorable singles. To see Mick Jagger move like he does today and Keith Richards move at all is a testament to dirty living.4. Elvis PresleyNo one had seen anything like this kid from Memphis, who defined rock star charisma. Like Frank Sinatra, Elvis crossed entertainment genres, finding success in movies as well as music. His charming voice and sexy moves drove women crazy. With the slew of impersonators still making money today, Elvis is perhaps the biggest rock star whose candle burned out long before the legend ever will.3. Led ZeppelinFrom their blues-inspired self-titled debut to the posthumous "Coda," Zeppelin brought a different sound to each record. Jimmy Page is arguably the best rock guitarist of all time—on par with Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore and Eric Clapton—but what made Zeppelin stand out was the dynamic voice of Robert Plant and the percussion of the late John Bonham.2. The WhoThe best of the late '60s British invasion, with rock's most honest songwriter in Pete Townshend and the quintessential charismatic front man in Roger Daltrey. Add the steady bass work of John Entwistle and the no-holds-barred drumming of Keith Moon (check out the drumming on "Quadrophenia") and no one could touch this band on album or onstage. "Tommy," one of the band's three concept albums, was reproduced onstage and screen and is considered a landmark achievement.1. The BeatlesThey set the musical direction of the '60s and redefined the word "mania." Each of the four band members could sing and write music. How many bands feature four different lead vocalists? The John Lennon-Paul McCartney songwriting team is the best ever. With more than 40 albums and dozens of top 10 singles, their place in history is unmatched. Posted on September 14, 2003
COMMENT | Just the facts mamposted by : zepfan437/4/2007 10:14:25 PM
Led Zeppelin wails on live releaseBy: Emily Tumbrink, Assistant Scene EditorIssue date: 9/3/03 Section: ScenePrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 Easily one of the greatest bands of all time, Led Zeppelin has had a lasting impact on music since the release of their self-titled debut in 1969, and their influence and popularity continue to this day. However, until only very recently, fans of Led Zeppelin, especially those of a younger generation, could only experience the band's music through their studio releases. There was no live album in existence that truly captured the essence of the Led Zeppelin live experience, and fans who were too young to have the privilege of witnessing the band in concert were left completely in the dark about the truly epic proportions of Led Zeppelin's ability to perform. Luckily, the wait for enlightenment is over. How the West Was Won is a three-disc set of two 1972 performances that Jimmy Page, guitarist for the band, re-discovered as he was gathering materials for a DVD. These performances showcase the band's talents during their heyday, just after the release of their masterpiece Led Zeppelin IV and immediately prior to Houses of the Holy, and feature songs mainly from these two albums. During the nearly three-hour jam session that forms How the West Was Won, Page's talents on guitar truly come to life. Recently named one of the top 10 guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, Page definitely lives up to his reputation, especially on "Dazed and Confused" and "Whole Lotta Love." With each approaching the 25-minute mark, Page is given free reign of the stage with lengthy guitar solos that showcase his skill. John Paul Jones' addition of a mandolin to the acoustic classic "Going to California" is another interesting touch that sets this live performance apart from anything ever released by Led Zeppelin. John Bonham's extended drum solo on "Moby Dick" gives this talented drummer the recognition that he deserves in a way that is only hinted at in the studio recording. By listening to each of these talented musicians in this live format, it becomes clear that they thrived in the loose environment of live performance, an environment that allowed them to wail in a way that is impossible on the more restrained studio albums.With a track listing that includes such classics as "Black Dog," "Over the Hills and Far Away," "Going to California," "Whole Lotta Love," and "Stairway to Heaven," How the West Was Won is an obvious choice for those who are fans of Led Zeppelin. The changes to many of the songs highlight the band's talents and also further illustrate their many influences, including blues, bluegrass and Celtic folk music. The 23-minute version of "Whole Lotta Love" contains short covers of music by Elvis Presley, Muddy Waters, James Brown and others, and allows the band to pay homage to their roots. Though this release is a few decades late, How the West Was Won is definitely worth the wait. Those who have even the slightest appreciation for Led Zeppelin's music will benefit from experiencing their music in live performance. The noticeable variations between the live and studio-recorded versions of the songs included on How the West Was Won definitely make this album a worthwhile purchase.
COMMENT | It's unreal what public education system has done to dumb down people, Time to upgrade the Zeppelin posted by : zepfan437/4/2007 10:19:51 PM
Physical Graffiti and the 1975 concert performances displayed Led Zeppelin at an artistic peak. After a tenth tour of America and a series of triumphant May concerts at London's Earls Court, http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/long_shadow_of_led_zeppelin/page/5
COMMENT | For your lifeposted by : zepfan437/4/2007 10:23:37 PM
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/long_shadow_of_led_zeppelin/page/5Doctors told Plant he would not be able to walk for months—in fact, they thought he might never walk again unaided.The group would not be able to tour for a year or more, if ever. Plant and Page sequestered themselves in Malibu and began writing material that was leaner and more hard-hitting. In November, Led Zeppelin traveled to Munich and recorded Presence. Released in April 1976, Presence conveyed the sense of a band up against bad odds, fighting back. The opening two tracks, "Achilles Last Stand" (about the car accident) and "For Your Life" (about hell and drugs and terror, and about how life inside the band may have been developing), featured the best solos Page would ever play—abstract, desperate, raging. "Presence was pure anxiety and emotion," Page said later. "We didn't know if we'd ever be able to play in the same way again. It might have been a very dramatic change, if the worst had happened to Robert. Presence is our best in terms of uninterrupted emotion."Over the years, Presence hasn't sold as well as most of the band's catalog. It's more or less the forgotten album; its feelings are too hard, too intense and probably too insular to stay close to for very long. In effect, Led Zeppelin accomplished something akin to Eric Clapton's achievement on Derek and the Dominos' Layla: They forged the spirit and purpose of blues into a new form, without relying on blues scales and structures. Presence is clearly singular in Led Zeppelin's body of work, and it's likely the best album the band ever made."It was really like a cry of survival," Plant said. "There won't be another album like it, put it like that. It was a cry from the depths, the only thing that we could do."
COMMENT | posted by : zepfan437/4/2007 10:53:09 PM
Psssssssh.. You people are kidding yourselves...
Led Zeppelin is the greatest band of all time!!!!!
I mean, I love The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, and The Gratfeul Dead... But they don't have the same emotional value that Led Zeppelin does! Everytime I hear Robert Plant screaming in "Whole Lotta Love" I get chills! And their songs have really deep meanings!!! And how could you lose with such musically perfected people put together?! Like John Paul Jones, bass and organ player, who in and after the "Houses of the Holy" album controlled the band and put out more awesome tunes. And Jimmy Page, obsessed with Aleister Crowley, learned to play guitar by himself, and got the group together. Or John Bonham (RIP) he was severe alcoholic which led to his demise but damn could ge play those drums!!! I play drums myself and I still can't get that sound that he made. He used the thickest drumsticks made ("trees") and hit the drums so hard that he bust quite a few drums-heads. And of course, Robert Plant... He had a voice that could be so monotone and then explode into screams that could make people faint, he was the youngest member of Led Zeppelin and he wrote "Stairway to Heaven." Enough said.
"So tonight you better stop and rebuild all your ruins... Becasue PEACE and TRUST can win the day despite of all your losing."
-LED ZEPPELIN
I personally prefer the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Don't think they've been mentioned. Still, Led Zeppelin is pretty fucking awesome.
No band before or since, not even the magnificent Who at their absolute peak, could compete with a fully focused and firing on all cylinders Led Zeppelin in their prime. Check out issue #113 of Classic Rock magazine out of the UK. Many future rock stars try to describe just how unbelievably powerful and dynamic Led Zeppelin were particularly in their first few years of existence. Don't get me wrong, I love The Who, and Live At Leeds is one of the best live albums ever made. I also saw The Who several times in the late 60's and they were tremendous shows. I also, however, witnessed Led Zeppelin twice in '69 and once in '71 and all three performances were so overwhelmingly powerful and jaw droppingly good, that they remain seared in my memory forever. I share the sentiment of Paul Stanley who said, "They were the most astonishing band I've seen to this day, there's nothing that has ever come close to what I witnessed that night." Though I'm not a Kiss fan, the old boy has seen many a great rock band and I respect his opinion. In fact, I know he's right because I was privileged enough to have seen the greatest band in rock history in it's unequaled prime. A professional film and audio recording of any of the shows I witnessed would instantly silence and convert the few remaining naysayers.