at a glance...

Hometown: London, England
Year Formed: 1968

Members:
Robert Plant -vocals
Jimmy Page -guitar
John Paul Jones -bass, keyboards
John Bonham - drums

Bands In The Family:
The Yardbirds, The Firm

Notes:
Led Zeppelin grew out of the Yardbirds' final incarnation. Combining the trusted blues structures with a heavier, more dynamic sound, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham created a completely unique overall experience. Lyrically, they mined themes such as the occult and mysticism, appealing to a younger generation. They became one of rock's biggest bands of the 1970s before calling quits upon Bonham's death in 1980. Led Zeppelin was the crucial link between the blues foundation of rock and heavy metal, boasting a "big," plodding sound thanks mainly to Bonham's majestic drums and Page's studio prowess.

As the 1960s came to a close, the trend in rock was to get in touch with your rustic acoustic side and even the mighty Led Zeppelin could not escape. In Zep's case, this concept revealed a deeper, more mature band and produced one of their most undervalued records. A disarmingly honest and emotionally vibrant work, III is more refined than their earlier work, but shows none of the bombast that would mark their subsequent albums.

Only the "Immigrant Song" has become a true staple of FM radio, so this album has the immediate benefit of not being played to death over the airwaves. The acoustic numbers resonate in a way that their heavier works can't. "Friends" melds acoustic-guitar strumming, an eerie string arrangement, and powerful lyrics about brotherhood. "Tangerine," with whining steel guitar, and "That's the Way," with delicate mandolin, are pretty ballads of love, friendship, and beauty. "Gallows Pole" stands firmly in the folk tradition while "Hats Off to (Roy) Harper" combines a Delta-blues feel with psychedelic vocal effects.

In addition to acoustic forays, the band also contributes some outstanding heavy rockers such as the jubilant "Celebration Day" and the propulsive "Out On the Tiles," which displays John Bonham's frenzied percussion and Jimmy Page's studio wizardry with beefy guitar. "Since I've Been Loving You" is the obligatory slow-blues tour de force: Plant screams and moans and squeals while Page is at his sloppiest, overwrought best. In short, the breadth of this album makes it one of Zeppelin's most rewarding endeavors.