intro

What do you get if you cross two well established London session musicians, two talented young artists from Birmingham, and an ex-professional wrestler? No.... you get the largest rock band of the seventies who out sold "Elvis Presley", and even the "Beatles", flew in their own private Boeing jet airliner, and literally created the term "music industry". Led Zeppelin's music was the driving force for many bands of their era, by their own admissions, "Aerosmith", and "Queen" to name but two. Yet even more astounding is their music has influenced bands through the 90's and into the new millennium, with some of today's top bands crediting the Zeppelin era for inspiration. The unfortunate premature death of drummer John Bonham saw to the demise of the band, despite many rumours of replacement drummers and the band reuniting. It's not surprising that such a close and tight group could not find any replacement for the late Bonham.

Biography

1965 - Arguably, you can say it all starts with James Patrick Page, who by 1965 was "The" session guitarist on the block. Having previously built a solid reputation playing with bands such as "The Rolling Stones", "The Kinks", and "The Who", (working with producer Shel Talmy), and even with contemporary top acts of the time, "Tom Jones". He also recorded sessions for Donovan's "Sunshine Superman" album, where he crossed paths with another up and coming session artist called John Paul Jones.

1966 - Page decides to leave session work, (at least for a time), to join sixties blues group "The Yardbirds". It's worth noting here, that this infamous group has a history with great guitar players including former members "Eric Clapton", and "Jeff Beck". It was only natural that Page knew these guys too, and even had the same session manager as Clapton at one stage, (Andrew Loog Oldham). Page had been previously approached to join the Yardbirds on guitar when Clapton left the band, but he refused. The job went instead to Jeff Beck . Page later joined surprisingly, as Bass player, when Yardbirds man Paul Samwell Smith decided to quit the band. Filling in, initially to honour outstanding tour dates, Page eventually decides to stay with the Yardbirds when Chris Dreja takes over on bass. Page adds a new dimension to the group, playing alongside Jeff Beck on guitar. Page and the Yardbirds can be seen in the 60's Brit film "Blow Up", (starring David Hemmings). They play their song "Stroll On", with Beck on guitar and Page featuring on bass.

September '66 and the Yardbird's new line-up tour the UK with the "Rolling Stones", and "Ike and Tina Turner", with co-support band "The New Jaywalkers" featuring Terry Reid, a vocalist that Page was very impressed with. When the Yardbirds later returned to tour the US, Jeff Beck decides to quit the band. He was not replaced, and the Yardbirds were back to a four piece once more. With Keith Relf, (Vocals), Jim McCarthy, (Drums), Chris Dreja, (Bass), and Jimmy Page, (Guitar). It was here the band began to experiment more with their live performance, with favourite songs "Train Kept a rollin'", and "Howlin' Wolf's" "How many more times", they extended improvisation, with Page dabbling with guitar effects and using a violin bow, (a trick he had learned earlier in his session career).

1968 - The band were still not happy, however, and were now becoming restless, and eager to follow their own projects. With the imminent split for the band ahead, their last concert was at Luton technical college, UK July 1968. Chris Dreja, (Bass), initially decided to stay, but then changed his mind for a career in photography and design. Page was left with the band's name and a handful of Scandinavian tour dates to fill.

It was here that he remembered Terry Reid, (Vocalist - see above), and offered him a place in the new band. Reid declined, but recommended a young vocalist from Birmingham named Robert Plant, who had recorded with the "Band of Joy", and was known by Alexis Korner. Page contacted Plant, who, in turn, recommended John Bonham, (drums), also from the "Band of Joy", (and other smaller bands from Birmingham). Meanwhile, John Paul Jones answered Page's advert for a bass player, and having already been on the same session circuit as Page, was the perfect choice. The band line-up now looked complete. The four first jammed in the customary tiny rehearsal room back in London, playing old blues numbers and learning Yardbird's songs. Everything looked set for the remaining tour dates.

The fifth member of the band was manager Peter Grant, ex sheet metal worker, and professional wrestler. He had managed the Yardbirds towards their final days, and formed the company "Super Hype Recording", to free the band from "Mickie Most productions". An important move for the band, as returning from a successful Scandinavian tour as the "New Yardbirds", the band were looking for a new identity and record deal. In fact, it was Grant and his persona that managed to gain a record contract with Atlantic records, US. Purely on the reputations of the group, with no material, and only a personal recommendation from soul artist "Dusty Springfield".

1968 - October, and the New Yardbirds were back in the UK playing the Marquee club in London, and still looking for a new identity. After playing around with a few names, it was allegedly Keith Moon, (Drummer, "The Who"), who suggested their career would plummet like a lead balloon. Hence the name "Led Zeppelin", (they dropped the 'a' from Lead, so the name could not be confused). They played their first gig as "Led Zeppelin" in Surrey University late October. By the end of 1968, Zeppelin had recorded their first album, (in some 30 hours!).

It contained honed versions of "How many more times", and improvised stage number, "Dazed and Confused"; as well as some new numbers co-written with Plant, "Good times, bad times", "Babe I'm gonna leave you", "You're time is gonna come", and the explosive "Communication Breakdown". Also included were blues tracks "You shook me", and "I can't quit you babe", (Willie Dixon). The album was titled simply "Led Zeppelin" and featured a black and white visualisation of a burning zeppelin, (in reference to Keith Moon and John Entwhistle's former comments on the band's future success). The album was released in the US. by Atlantic records in January 1969, but not until March back in the UK.

1969 - Zeppelin were back in Scandinavia. And with an excellent live appearance on Danish TV special "TV-Byen", in front of a small cross-legged audience, they were off for more TV specials in France. British indifference towards the band led(?) them across the Atlantic, (ocean), to aim for the big market place, namely the US. Grant had cleverly arranged an extensive tour of the US states, appearing at small venues, using feedback from local record stores on local preferences and music dislikes, and using local radio stations to air debut album tracks on an unsuspecting audience. The tour was a major success, with their album reaching the US. top 5 in around six months. Zeppelin returned home to less rapturous applause, and rather less air play and promotion.

April - Grant had arranged for Zeppelin to be back in the states, this time playing for four times the fee at sell out major venues, the "Fillmore" and "Winterland". Another clever marketing ploy by Grant. They were back in the UK by June, and Zeppelin appeared on several UK radio stations, appeared at the Festival of Blues in Bath, and performed an outstanding date for the "Pop Proms" at London's Royal Albert Hall. July, and Grant had Zeppelin touring the US yet again, along with prog rockers "Jethro Tull". It was during this extensive touring that Zeppelin laid the foundations for their follow up album. At London's Lyceum in October and then Carnegie Hall, US. They prepared their audience with performances of their new numbers, that included 30 minute drum solos from maestro John Bonham, with the group receiving standing ovations and critical acclaim.

December - Zeppelin release their second album to eagerly awaiting fans around the world. Titled simply "Led Zeppelin 2", the album featured nine tracks written entirely by the group, including the rock landmark "Whole Lotta Love", created from a bass line by John Paul Jones, "What is and what should never be", "Bring it on home", and drum solo inspired "Moby dick". Plant penned the lyrical "Ramble on", with references to Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings".. "...It was in the darkest depths of Mordor, I met a girl so fair...", (Plant used Tolkien references on later albums also).

The album was very much a breakthrough into the heavier side of rock music. With emphasis on clarity and production techniques that Page had spent his session career mastering. Page uses a **Theremin , for the spaced out mid section of "Whole lotta love", and would also use it to spectacular effect live on stage. The album was an instant hit topping the UK and US chart, with only one single released for the US market alone, a shortened version of "Whole lotta love". Zeppelin refused to release any singles for the UK market, stating that it would be against their values to promote this way. In the meantime, with over $5 million copies sold, the debut album , "Led Zeppelin" becomes a Gold and double platinum seller in the US.

** Theremin (electronic instrument that creates sound output from air disturbances, often used in horror and sci-fi movies).