Formed following the breakup of the legendary Yardbirds (more to come about them in a later post) they first started calling themselves Led Zeppelin in 1968. They released their first album, Led Zeppelin I in 1969. It was trashed and disregarded by critics. Led Zeppelin was merely another British band that was trying to make it big. Followed a few months later by their second album, Led Zeppelin II. Zeppelin
channelled blues and their own version of rock n' roll into one of the most influential heavy metal albums of all time. They were finally making a name for themselves.
Of course, nine albums and a death later Led Zeppelin ended but their legacy didn't. Many regard Zeppelin as a mere 'classic rock' band and know only of the songs Stairway to Heaven and The Immigrant Song but what people forget is that Led Zeppelin's career wasn't devoted on what the critics thought, or their singles. Zeppelin's career was based on the fans. One of the first bands to only stay afloat by the demand of their immense, devoted crowd. Men and women alike would flock to bask in Jimmy Page's electrifying guitar. No doubt that they were talented, they were able to influence an entire genre, not just a sub genre. When asked what you think of Zeppelin, you probably instantly think of "rock n' roll", and that's what they are. True, real and pure. Sure all their fans now a days are antisocial teenagers who grow their hair long and play air guitar in the hallways but they are the cream of the crop. True fans who love bands for what they sound like and what they mean rather than their surface image are true human beings indeed. Go talk to those long haired teens someday. They're good people. I should know, I'm one of them.
Well, I leave you with one of my personal favourites by the gods, Tangerine from Led Zeppelin III http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8II-gt0cfM&feature=related acoustic Zeppelin is rare indeed, enjoy it.
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