Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in 1968 by
Jimmy Page (guitar),
Robert Plant (
vocals,
harmonica),
John Paul Jones (bass guitar, keyboards,
mandolin), and
John Bonham (drums). With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin are regularly cited as one of the progenitors of
heavy metal[1] and
hard rock music.
[2][3] However, the band's individualistic style drew from many sources and transcends any one genre.
[4] Led Zeppelin did not release the popular songs from their albums as singles in the UK, as they preferred to develop the concept of "
album-oriented rock".
[5]Close to 30 years after disbanding following Bonham's death in 1980, the band continues to be held in high regard for their artistic achievements, commercial success, and broad influence. The band has sold an estimated 200 million albums worldwide,[6] including 111.5 million certified units in the United States[7] and they have had all of their original studio albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard album chart in the U.S., with six reaching the number one spot.[8] Led Zeppelin are ranked _1 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.[9] Rolling Stone magazine has described Led Zeppelin as "the heaviest band of all time", "the biggest band of the '70s" and "unquestionably one of the most enduring bands in rock history."[1][10] Similarly, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes Led Zeppelin being "as influential in that decade (70s) as the Beatles were in the prior one."[11]
In 2007, the surviving members of Led Zeppelin reunited (along with deceased drummer John Bonham's son, Jason) for the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert at The O2 Arena in London.
The beginning of Led Zeppelin can be traced back to the English blues-influenced rock band The Yardbirds.[5] Jimmy Page joined The Yardbirds in 1966 to replace the original bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, who had decided to leave the group. Shortly after, Page switched from bass to lead guitar, creating a dual-lead guitar line up with Jeff Beck. Following the departure of Beck from the group in October 1966, The Yardbirds, tired from constant touring and recording, were beginning to wind down. Page wanted to form a supergroup with himself and Beck on guitars, and The Who's rhythm section—drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle. Vocalists Steve Winwood and Steve Marriott were also considered for the project..[12] The group never formed, although Page, Beck and Moon did record a song together in 1966, "Beck's Bolero", which is featured on Beck's 1968 album, Truth. The recording session also included bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones, who told Page that he would be interested in collaborating with him on future projects.[13]
