Led Zeppelin, known for their heavy, guitar-driven sound, are considered pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal. With over 200 million record sales worldwide, they are one of the best-selling music artists. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
Jimmy Page, the lead guitarist of Led Zeppelin, was born on January 9, 1944, in Heston, Middlesex, England. He was a key figure in the formation and musical direction of the band.
John Paul Jones, the bassist and keyboard player of Led Zeppelin, was born on January 3, 1946, in Sidcup, Kent. His musical contributions and arrangements were integral to the band's sound.
John Bonham, the legendary drummer of Led Zeppelin, was born on May 31, 1948.
Robert Plant, the vocalist of Led Zeppelin, was born on August 20, 1948, in West Bromwich, West Midlands. His distinctive voice and stage presence contributed to the band's success.
On June 30, 1966, Jimmy Page became a member of The Yardbirds as a bass player. After The Yardbirds disbanded, Jimmy Page sought new musicians.
On June 23, 1968, the band New Yardbirds was formed.
Led Zeppelin's four members came together for the first time in a small basement in London. They realized they had something special after playing 'Train Kept a-Rollin' and decided to start rehearsing for their album.
On August 25, 1968, the band had a studio session for the PJ Proby album.
Led Zeppelin, then known as The New Yardbirds, performed their first live show in a converted gym in Gladsaxe, Denmark. Guitarist Jimmy Page, the only familiar face in the lineup, funded the tour through Scandinavia. The performance was praised for its flawless music by a local reviewer.
On September 27, 1968, the recording sessions for the debut album 'Led Zeppelin I' by the band Led Zeppelin continued.
On October 4, 1968, Led Zeppelin embarked on their UK tour in 1968, showcasing their music to audiences across the United Kingdom.
On October 15, 1968, Led Zeppelin performed their first show.
Led Zeppelin performed their first show under the name Led Zeppelin at the University of Surrey in Battersea. This event signified the official transition from The New Yardbirds to Led Zeppelin.
A photo session featuring Led Zeppelin and Chris Dreja took place on October 29, 1968, capturing moments of the band and the photographer.
On November 11, 1968, Led Zeppelin officially signed with Atlantic Records, marking a significant milestone in their music career as announced through a press release.
Peter Grant secured a $200,000 record deal for Led Zeppelin with Atlantic Records, a significant milestone for the band as a newcomer in the music industry.
In December 1968, Led Zeppelin embarked on their North American Tour 1968/1969, marking their first major tour in the United States and Canada.
On December 27, 1968, Jimmy Page gave one of the first U.S. interviews about Led Zeppelin, providing insights into the band's early days and music.
Led Zeppelin released their debut album, 'Led Zeppelin I', on January 9, 1969. The album showcased the band's unique blend of blues, rock, and folk influences, setting the stage for their legendary career.
On January 12, 1969, Led Zeppelin released their debut album 'Led Zeppelin I' in the United States and Canada, marking the beginning of their iconic music career.
Led Zeppelin's self-titled debut album was released in the US during their North American tour. The album achieved significant success, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard chart.
In February 24, 1969, Led Zeppelin embarked on their Europe 1969 Tour.
On March 21, 1969, Led Zeppelin appeared on the BBC TV Programme 'How Late It Is'.
A press release announced on March 26, 1969 that Led Zeppelin would play at Marquee and embark on a US Tour.
On March 28, 1969, the debut album 'Led Zeppelin I' was released in the UK.
Led Zeppelin's self-titled debut album was released in the UK, reaching number 6 on the charts. The album's unique musical style marked a turning point in the evolution of hard rock and heavy metal.
On April 11, 1969, a press release was issued at Fillmore West and Winterland. The announcement likely pertained to upcoming events or music releases.
In April 1969, Led Zeppelin embarked on their North American Tour for the spring season. This tour marked a significant milestone in the band's career.
On May 5, 1969, Led Zeppelin recorded at Mystic Studios for their album LZ II and collaborated with Lord Sutch & Heavy Friends. This session played a crucial role in shaping the band's musical direction.
On May 8, 1969, Led Zeppelin had a jam session with Screaming Lord Sutch at Thee Experience.
On May 10, 1969, Led Zeppelin had a recording session at R&D Studios in Vancouver.
On May 21, 1969, Led Zeppelin had a recording session at A&R Studio in New York City.
On May 26, 1969, Atlantic Records hosted a party at Plaza Hotel in New York City.
On July 5, 1969, Led Zeppelin started their North American Tour for the summer of 1969.
Led Zeppelin III album, known for its more 'folk' orientation, is released on October 5, 1970, and reaches number 1 on the U.K. top 100 chart.
In November 2021, Led Zeppelin celebrated the 50th anniversary of their iconic track 'Stairway to Heaven', which was released on 8th November 1971. The song is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
In 1972, Led Zeppelin embarked on a highly successful North American tour, solidifying their status as one of the biggest rock bands in the world. The tour featured epic performances and further cemented the band's legendary reputation.
Led Zeppelin released 'Houses of the Holy' in March 1973. The album showcased the band's experimentation with synthesisers and mellotron orchestration, and the controversial album cover featured images of nude children.
Led Zeppelin established Swan Song Records on May 10, 1974.
Led Zeppelin released their album 'Physical Graffiti' on this date. The album later achieved the number 1 position on the U.K top 100 charts.
Led Zeppelin had all six of their albums in the Billboard 200 album chart, with 'Physical Graffiti' reaching No. 1.
Robert Plant, the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, was involved in a car crash on this date.
Robert Plant and his wife were involved in a car crash in Greece. Plant suffered a broken ankle while his wife was critically injured. As a result, Plant was unable to tour and retreated to California with Jimmy Page and John Bonham, where they wrote most of the album 'Presence'.
'The Song Remains the Same' was released on this date. It is a live album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, featuring songs from their concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1973. The album captures the energy and power of Led Zeppelin's live performances.
On 30 July 1977, Robert Plant received the devastating news that his five-year-old son, Karac, had passed away from a stomach virus. This tragic event led to the immediate cancellation of Led Zeppelin's ongoing tour, sparking speculation about the band's future.
In November 1978, the band regrouped to start working on their next album, In Through The Outdoor.
In August 1979, Led Zeppelin announced their performance at the Knebworth Festival, which turned out to be a huge success with a three-hour show and four encores.
During a show in Nuremberg, Germany on 27 June 1980, Led Zeppelin's concert came to an abrupt halt when Bonham collapsed onstage and was rushed to the hospital.
On 24 September 1980, Led Zeppelin's drummer John Bonham passed away at Bray Studios after consuming excessive alcohol, leading to asphyxiation from vomit.
On 25th September 1980, John Bonham tragically passed away at the age of 32 due to asphyxiation after heavy drinking. His death led to the disbandment of Led Zeppelin, marking a significant loss in the music world.
On 12 October 1980, John Bonham's remains were cremated and his ashes were interred at Rushock parish church in Worcestershire.
John Bonham, the drummer of Led Zeppelin, passed away at the age of 32 due to asphyxiation from vomit after consuming a large amount of alcohol. He had been drinking heavily throughout the day and was found dead the next morning at Page's house by their tour manager and John Paul Jones.
After Led Zeppelin's dissolution, Robert Plant formed the Honeydrippers in 1981, with Jimmy Page on lead guitar, releasing their only album in 1984.
After the tragic loss of their drummer Bonham, Led Zeppelin announced their disbandment due to the deep sense of loss and inability to continue without him.
Page, Plant, and Jones reunited for the Live Aid concert at JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, playing a short set featuring drummers Tony Thompson and Phil Collins, and bassist Paul Martinez. The performance was marred by a lack of rehearsal, out-of-tune guitar, poorly functioning monitors, and hoarse voice.
Page, Plant, and Jones reunited for the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert, with Bonham's son Jason on drums. The performance was disjointed with arguments and technical issues.
The first Led Zeppelin box set, featuring tracks remastered under Page's supervision, was released in 1990 and bolstered the band's reputation, leading to discussions about a reunion.
Page and Plant reunited for a 90-minute 'UnLedded' MTV project in 1994. They later released an album called No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded, featuring reworked Led Zeppelin songs.
In 1995, Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on their first ballot. The band's influential contribution to rock music was recognized by this prestigious honor.
In 1997, Atlantic released a single edit of 'Whole Lotta Love' in the US and the UK, the only single the band released in their homeland, where it peaked at number 21.
Page and Plant released an album called Walking into Clarksdale in 1998, featuring all new material. The partnership dissolved after disappointing sales.
The year 2003 saw the release of the triple live album How the West Was Won by Led Zeppelin.
In 2004, Rolling Stone included several Led Zeppelin songs in their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, solidifying the band's legacy in music history.
In 2005, Jimmy Page was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his charitable endeavors, recognizing his contributions beyond music.
Led Zeppelin was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, further solidifying their impact on the British music scene.
Led Zeppelin performed a highly anticipated reunion concert at The O2 Arena in London, marking their first full concert since the death of John Bonham in 1980.
Led Zeppelin reunited for the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert at the O2 Arena in London in December 2007, with Jason Bonham filling in on drums for his late father. The show set a record for the highest demand for tickets for one music concert, with 20 million requests submitted online.
Led Zeppelin was honored at the 2008 MOJO Awards with the 'Best Live Act' prize, recognizing their exceptional live performances and cementing their status as one of the greatest rock bands.
In 2009, Robert Plant was honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his significant services to popular music, showcasing his impact on the industry.
Jimmy Page, a member of Led Zeppelin, had thoughts of creating a supergroup with musicians like Steve Winwood, Keith Moon, John Entwistle, and Jeff Beck. However, this supergroup idea never materialized.
The film of Led Zeppelin's O2 performance, Celebration Day, premiered on October 17, 2012. It grossed $2 million in one night and the live album peaked at number 4 and 9 in the UK and US, respectively.
Page revealed that he had been remastering Led Zeppelin's discography, with the first wave of albums - Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II, and Led Zeppelin III - released on June 2, 2014.
Led Zeppelin's album Physical Graffiti was released on February 23, 2015, almost exactly forty years after its original release, as part of the band's remastering project.
To celebrate the band's 50th anniversary, Led Zeppelin reissued How the West Was Won on March 23, 2018, including the album's first pressing on vinyl.
For Record Store Day on April 21, 2018, Led Zeppelin released a 7' single 'Rock and Roll'/'Friends', marking their first single release in 21 years.
An upcoming documentary film, Becoming Led Zeppelin, was released in 2021. It is the first time band members have agreed to participate in a biographical documentary.
An article written by Alli Patton detailing the beginnings of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin.