Biography

(cont.. from page 2)

Autumn, and Zeppelin move to Munich to record their next album. With Plant still not fully mobile and having to stay seated in the studio, the album was cut in record time, in less than a month. However, problems regarding the undecided album cover, meant the album release would be delayed until the following year.

1976 - Zeppelin release "Presence" in April, to an eagerly awaited music press and fans. With one of the most costly album covers ever, (who knows why?). The album cover is a pastiche of 1950's American imagery and science fiction. Containing a picture of "the object", (a black lamp stand, without the lamp), that conjures up images of special powers, with it appearing in different pictures inside the album double sleeve.
The tracks include the lengthy, "Achilles last stand", "For your life", and "Royal Orleans", heavily influenced by John Paul Jones keyboard. Side two begins with "Nobody's fault but mine", then the obscure "Candy store rock", followed by "Hots on for nowhere", almost a reprise of the first side, finishing with a slow blues ballad "Tea for one". The album, yet again is different from the previous, with a very distinct sound. This may be explained by the short time that the album was taken to record. None the less, the album was another instant hit, with Zeppelin finally getting some British promotion, albeit late night, on "the old grey whistle test" and the "John Peel radio show".

October - finally the release of the movie, fans had long awaited. Titled, "The song remains the same", with it's collage of live performance and documentary style footage, and fantasy cutaway, the film was very much a "sit back and chill out" type of affair. Page shows his skills and brilliance with ease, with close up footage of guitar soloing and Chuck Berry 'duck walk', and Plant strutting; the only downside was a somewhat lack of Zeppelin favourites. Still what can you expect for a two hour film cut from a three hour Zeppelin performance. Songs included the "Title" track, and "Rain Song" seamlessly played together as per original album, "Houses of the Holy". Then onto "Celebration day", with song "Black dog" being cut short from the final film. The middle section is by far the best, with "No Quarter" setting the mood nicely for an epic "Stairway to Heaven". Finishing with "Whole lotta love", with Page using the 'Theremin' to great effect, (so that's what it looks like?).

For the first time many fans in the UK could now put faces to the elusive and mysterious members of the group. For many, the delight of seeing Zeppelin live, especially in the UK, was difficult to say the least. With only occasional pictures in the music press to covert and scrutinise, now one could see the entire band, at once and in close up. A double live soundtrack album "The song remains the same" was subsequently released to support the film release.

1977 - The band begin rehearsing for their latest US tour beginning in April, Zeppelin toured the southern states, Texas, Illinois, and midwest. They then moved on to Florida, and New York, and then west coast, L.A. With an average of 3 hours for each performance, Zeppelin were renowned value for money, with fans rushing for tickets and filling stadiums and venues. Their well rehearsed stage performances were the keystone of their trade, as essentially Led Zeppelin were a 'live' band, and the album releases were secondary to the tours, which is in complete contrast to most other rock artists, who tour solely to promote a new album.

It was in New Orleans, US, that Robert received news that his son, 'Karac', had been taken ill back in the UK. His five year old son had been taken into hospital with a stomach infection on July 26th, but by the time Plant had arrived back home, sadly, his son had died. The remaining US tour dates were cancelled, and Plant retreated from the media and stardom to be with his family. The rest of the band took time out, amidst rumours that Zeppelin were finally heading for a split.

1979 - It was January before Zeppelin and Plant reunited to write and record at Abba's studio in Stockholm. With Plant now active and ready to carry on, the album was mixed in February, along with news of the birth of Robert's new son, 'Logan'. Zeppelin were to plan a triumphant UK comeback, by playing Knebworth park on August 4th. Later, due to overwhelming demand, a second date was added for August 11th. Supported by "Rolling Stones" side project, "The New Barbarians",(featuring Keith Richard and Ron Wood), as well as a host of other acts. Zeppelin used two nights in Copenhagen in July to polish their performance, although some technical problems 'dogged' the gigs.

August 4th and 11th - media reported an estimated 150,000 fans arriving to see the band play together for the first time in the UK since 1975. Despite minor technical 'hitches', both gigs went smoothly with Zeppelin playing for 3-4 hours and around twenty songs, including tracks from their newly recorded album, "In the evening", "Hot dog", and "southbound Suarez". The real highlight, however, was the impressive list of past tracks, including "The song remains the same", "The Rain song", "Over the hills and far away", "Black dog", "Rock and roll", "Stairway to Heaven", "Dazed and confused", "Whole lotta love", and lengthy epics "in my time of dying", "kashmir", and "Achilles last stand". This, just a few of the songs performed. The concert was enhanced with giant video screens and laser beams, and a special laser beam violin bow for Page, who panned the red light back and forth across the park during "Dazed and confused" whilst standing beneath a rotating conical laser shroud.

August 20th - Zeppelin release their ninth album "in through the out door", an obscure title, apparently with reference to the rise of the band to stardom? Whilst the album cover was intriguing, hidden beneath a brown paper outer sleeve, it depicted various angled shots of a bar room scene, (several different versions existed). The inner sleeve could be painted simply by wetting the dried colours beneath the paper. The album itself was somewhat of a disappointment, however, with many fans unhappy and frustrated with the finished product. The album was heavy on keyboard from John Paul Jones, but none of the raw power, and blues that had been such a predominant part of Zeppelin's music was present. In the same way as "Houses of the Holy", it appears Zeppelin had set out to produce something different and new, and instead, only ended up with half of something. The ballads, as compared with previous albums, were weak and the main tracks "in the evening", "Southbound Suarez", and "Carouselambra" were lengthy. Despite receiving cordial reviews from the music press, the album did not fair well.

1980 - April, Zeppelin spent time rehearsing at the Rainbow theatre, London. But had to move to the New Victoria theatre when the news was leaked. The rehearsals were for a tour across Europe including Belgium and Germany, beginning in June. The dates would include smaller venues, and a reduced set of around a dozen numbers, which surprisingly included, "Train kept a rollin'", an old "Yardbirds" favourite, and the song from which the "New Yardbirds" roots had began.

The tour dates in Germany went well, with Simon Kirke, ("Bad Company"), joining John Bonham on drums for "Whole lotta love". Until, that is, at Nuremberg, when the performance was stopped short early on, and John Bonham was rushed to hospital after collapsing due to physical exhaustion. Despite this setback, Bonham was rested and soon rejoined the band to complete the rest of the tour. Zeppelin returned home, pleased with their performance and reception, eager to look ahead and plan a new tour.

September 25th - John Bonham was found dead, apparently after a night partying at Page's new home in Windsor, where they had been drinking for most of the day. After falling unconscious, Bonham was taken to bed. He was found unconscious the next morning by road manager, Louis LeFevre, who immediately called for an ambulance, but it was too late. Bonham had tragically died in his sleep. Within days, and despite a tour of north America already set, the band announced that the tragic loss of their friend made it impossible for them to carry on, and that Led Zeppelin would split.

1982 - The appropriately named "Coda" album is released on Swan Song records. The album contains eight tracks previously unreleased dating back to 1969. Tracks include, "We're gonna groove", "Poor Tom", a live version of "I can't quit you babe", recorded from a sound rehearsal at the Royal Albert Hall 1970. Also included is a tribute to John Bonham, with instrumental track "Bonzo's Montreux", a drum and electronic mix from 1976. The double folded album sleeve contains various pictures of the band, both past and present. The album was released as a final goodbye from Zeppelin to fans.

Despite rumours of a replacement for Bonham, that included old friend Carmine Appice, Cozy Powell, Aynsley Dunbar and Simon Kirke. Zeppelin never reformed to pursue their future further. Concentrating on solo projects, Page later produced and recorded the soundtrack for Michael Winner's "Deathwish 2" movie. Plant went on with his solo group that included guitarist Robbie Blunt, and had respectable success with his albums "Pictures at eleven", (1982), "Principle of moments", (1983), which spawned the hit single "Big Log" and "Shaken 'N' Stirred", (1985).

Zeppelin reformed briefly for Live Aid 1982, playing in Philadelphia live, with guest drummers Jason Bonham, (John's son), and Phil Collins, (Genesis). They also featured for Atlantic records anniversary concert with a host of blues and soul stars.

1985 - Page joined vocalist Paul Rodgers, ("Bad Company", "Free"), and formed "The Firm". However the band came to an early demise, with rather unfavourable critical reviews. He later joined forces with vocalist David Coverdale, ("Whitesnake"), for the album "Coverdale - Page", (1993). This was a minor hit, but did not spawn a follow up album release.

John Paul Jones returned to arrangement and production, (as per his former session skills). He produced and engineered for the "Scream for help" film score and soundtrack, featuring Jon Anderson, ("Yes"), and Madeline Bell.

1988 - Plant went onto later success with his new, younger band, their album "Now and Zen" was widely acclaimed as a worthy successor to Zeppelin and his past glory. Page would often appear ready for a renunion with Plant and their earlier material, but Plant would reluctantly always decline. Page went onto release his solo album, "Outrider", which featured Jason Bonham and Barrymore Barlow, (formerly "Jethro Tull"), on drums. Robert Plant recorded vocals and is credited for one track, "The Only One". The album was not a major success.

1992 - John Paul Jones performs and arranges for the Peter Gabriel album "Us", and works with Brian Eno on his album, "Nerve Net". The following year he performs live with Lenny Kravitz on the MTV music awards.

1994 - Page and Plant finally get back together for "No Quarter", an acoustical and ethnic reworking of some new songs, and old Zeppelin favourites. Including "No Quarter", "What is and what should never be", "The Rain Song", "Friends", and "Kasmir", to name but a few. The concert was subsequently released on dvd, (2004).

1998 - Page and Plant release the follow up album, "Walking into Clarksville", recorded for Atlantic records at Abbey road studios, London. The album features twelve tracks, with the single, "Most High" receiving a Grammy award for "Best hard rock performance" in 1999.

1999 - Page toured and played with "The Black Crowes", performing their songs, and some old Zeppelin favourite's. They released a double live album the following year, titled, "Live at the Greek", recorded at the Greek theatre, LA , (2000). The album features an impressive list of Zeppelin tracks, including, "Lemon Song", "What is and what should never be", "Celebration day", and "In my time of dying".

1999 - 2003. John Paul Jones releases his first solo album, "Zooma". With a return to live performing and touring, he would later support "King Crimson" on their US tour, and also tour Japan with "Guitar wars", featuring Paul Gilbert, ("Mr.Big"), Nuno Bettencourt, ("Extreme"), and Steve Hackett, (formerly "Genesis").

2003 - Sees the release of a double Dvd of past Led Zeppelin live performances, titled "How the west was Won". The dvd includes performances from Knebworth 1979, and the unseen Royal Albert Hall 1970, and Earl’s Court 1975 concerts. With over 5 hours of live footage and extras, the dvd also includes their early appearance on Danish TV back in 1969. A Triple live CD release accompanies the release of the Dvd. The CD features live performances from 1972 concerts at the LA Forum and at Long Beach in California, US. The album hit #1 on it's Billboard debut.

Links

Led Zeppelin official website

Led-Zeppelin.com

Led Zeppelin - Alexis Reisner