OPPapers.com

Led Zeppelin

"Light and Shade" was the famous qoute Rolling Stone author Cameron Crowe used to describe Led Zeppelin. One of the all-time greatest rock bands, their sound was a combination of a thuderous rhythm section, unbelievable guitar riffs, and wild frontman. They had a balance and counter-balance based in the blues with a hard edgy sound. Their sound was at times hard and soft, pounding and melodic, it was light and shade.

In 1968 Jimmy Page inherited a dysfunctional Yardbirds. The group's original guitarist, Eric Clapton, would be replaced by Jeff Beck after leaving the band. Jimmy Page would later replace Beck. Left with the bands name and obligations Page recruited Robert Plant as vocalist, John Bonham on drums, and John Paul Jones on bass. They toured under the name the New Yardbirds. The name Led Zeppelin came from a famous quote from a music critic would voiced his opinion that the new line-up would go over like a "lead baloon". With tongue in cheek the band was renamed to Led Zeppelin.

They found success with heavy blues-driven rock songs that carried a frightening manic edge never before heard in popular music. They were able to maintain a highly creative and commercially successful level for many years. Their self titled debut album woke the world up to a new sound. By combining blues and R&B and cranking the volume dial up to 12 they literally rocked the world. Their first single Communication Breakdown paired a driving beat together with ripping guitar riffs and a powerful vocal. It would define half of the Led Zeppelin sound. The B-side Babe I'm gonna leave You combined a gutty vocal plead with a melodic acoustic guitar and rhythm section that slowly built into a cresendo. It would define the other half of their sound.

Their second album, Led Zeppelin II, [Atlantic Records, 1969] was anchored by the rock staples "Whole Lotta Love" and "Heartbreaker". Touring in support of the album Led Zeppelin was arguably the most popular rock...