Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin were formed in 1968 by the session musician Jimmy Page after his former group, The Yardbirds. Page was joined by another session musician John Paul Jones on bass, the Brummie singer Robert Plant as lead vocalist and John Bonham as drummer. The band toured and recorded together for 12 years until the death of John Bonham on 25 September 1980.

Despite the break-up of the group, the members of Led Zeppelin have continued to collaborate from time to time on recording and songwriting projects. The band has reformed for a number of charity appearances, notably Live Aid and a reunion in 2007 at the O2 Arena in London.

History

The New Yardbirds

When Jimmy Page's band, The Yardbirds imploded in 1968, they still had some touring committments to take care of. Guitarist Jimmy Page swiftly assembled a group of musicians with a view to fulfilling those dates. Original Yardbirds bassist Chris Dreja was supposed to continue with the band, but left to pursue a career as a photographer. However, he suggested Page's session musician friend John Paul Jones for the job.

Page also initially approached the singer Terry Reid to join the band, but Reid declined, recommending Brummie blues singer Robert Plant instead. Plant, in turn, recommended a former bandmate, John Bonham as drummer for the band.

While the band performed the the Yardbirds dates, they took the decision to change the band name to Led Zeppelin. The name originated in a joke made by either Keith Moon or John Entwhistle of The Who that a supergroup comprised of Page, Moon and Entwhistle. It was said the the very idea "would go down like a lead balloon...more like a lead zeppelin". However, Peter Grant was concerned that the name would be mispronounced in the American market, so the name Led Zeppelin was settled on.

Discography

Studio Albums

	Led Zeppelin - Released: 12 January 1969
	Led Zeppelin II - Released:22 October 1969
	Led Zeppelin III - Released:5 October 1970
	Led Zeppelin IV - Released:8 November 1971
	Houses Of The Holy - Released:28 March 1973
	Physical Graffiti - Released:24 February 1975
	Presence - Released:31 March 1976
	In Through The Out Door - Released:15 August 1979
	Coda - Released:19 November 1982

Useful Websites

• Led Zeppelin official
• Alex Reisner's Led Zeppelin site
• Description of the four symbols on the cover of Led Zeppelin IV