Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin was a English rock band formed in 1968. One of the most popular and influential musical ensembles of the 20th century, they were consistent innovators who never lost mainstream appeal, remaining popular and accessible right through their last album. more...

While the band is perhaps best known as pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal, Zeppelin also included disparate elements from an eclectic spectrum in their music, including blues, rockabilly, soul, funk, Celtic, Indian, Arabic, folk and even Latin.

Led Zeppelin's four members consisted of Jimmy Page (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin), Robert Plant (lead vocals, harmonica), John Bonham (drums, percussion), and John Paul Jones (bass guitar, keyboards and mandolin).

More than two-and-a-half decades after the group disbanded in 1980, Led Zeppelin's music continues to sell well, garner widespread radio play, and prove a seminal influence on modern rock music. To date, the group is reported to have sold more than 300 million albums worldwide, including 109 million sales in the United States alone.

History

The Early days (1968-1970)

The band was originally formed in 1968 by guitarist Jimmy Page. Page had joined the Yardbirds, first as a bassist, eventually switching over to lead guitar after the departure of Jeff Beck.(for a very brief period both Page and Beck shared guitar duties) The Yardbirds, tired from constant touring and recording, were beginning to wind down, and there was talk of building a "supergroup" with himself and Beck on guitar, the Who's Keith Moon on drums, and John Entwistle on bass. Vocalists Steve Winwood and Steve Marriott had been considered for the project as well. The group never formed, although Page, Beck and Moon did record a song together, the instrumental "Beck's Bolero", which ended up on Jeff Beck's solo debut. This session also included bassist John Paul Jones who told Page that he would be interested in future projects with the guitarist.

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