Rock iconsLed Zeppelinformed in London, England, out of the bones of a prior band with their own notable history calledthe Yardbirds. When the Yardbirds went their separate ways in 1968, their guitarist, Jimmy Page, formed Led Zeppelin later that same year along with vocalist Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham, and bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones.Led Zeppelin put out their first studio album,Led Zeppelin, in 1969, andbegan to take the world by storm with their pioneering bluesy, acoustic yet hard rock-leaning style.
That is, until 1980 came along, and with it the accidental death of Bonham. While many bands might have attempted to carry the torch onward, the surviving members of Zeppelin acknowledgedthat Bonham’s crucial role in the shape, tempo, and styling of their songs (especially live) made hiring a new drummer impossiblefor them. So, despite a few off-and-on reunions over the years with different drummers (including Bonham’s son Jason), the path of one of the best-selling bands in music history came to a close - but it wasn’t the end for the music of Plant, Page, or Jones.
Planting New Roots
A Frontman’s Next Chapter
After the death of Bonham,Robert Plant embarked on a solo career that began with 1982’sPictures atElevenand included other titles such asNow and Zen,Fate of Nations,Band of Joy, andCarry Firein the years that followed. While some of Plant’s sound choices would certainly ring familiar with Zeppelin fans, in his solo work he’salso chosen to explore genres like synth pop and African musicand find his own defining style. In fact, it took Plant some years before he’d put Zeppelin songs back into his live setlists.
Plant would also create with many collaborators over his post-Zeppelin years. Famed drummer Phil Collins would work with Plant multiple times, both in the studio and on the stage. Plant also formed several backing bands, including Priory of Brion, Band of Joy, and the Sensational Space Shifters. He evenreunited with his former bandmate Page for a brief 1984 supergroup with guitarist Jeff Beck called the Honeydrippers, as well as a duo album the pair made calledWalking into Clarksdalein 1998.
Perhaps the most storied team-up taken by Plant was his country-folk turn with bluegrass star Alison Krauss on the albumsRaising SandandRaise the Roof, whichled to multiple Grammy nominations as well as awardsforRaising Sand. Plant continues to stay active musically and in his touring career. His voice has certainly softened a bit over the years since his Led Zeppelin prime screams, but thanks to his musicality, Plant has found a key for every musical lock that always keeps his art interesting.
Turning The Page
A Guitarist’s Influence
Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page would gradually ease himself into solo material and be a part of various bands after mourning the death of his friend Bonham. That would include creating soundtracks for films likeDeath Wish IIin 1982. He’d alsomake joint albums with English singer-songwriter Roy Harper, Whitesnake singer David Coverdale, and former bandmate Plant,and join supergroups like The Firm with Paul Rodgers and the Honeydrippers (with Plant as well). Page also contemplated joining former Yes band members Alan White and Chris Squire in a group called XYZ, but songs never got out of the demo stages.
The Recording Session That Almost Broke Led Zeppelin Guitarist Jimmy Page: “It Was Horrific”
Before becoming one of the most legendary rockers of all time, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page was a session musician—but quit after an awful experience.
Page would finally release his first and only solo album,Outrider,in 1988, which featured vocals from musicians John Miles and Chris Farlowe, as well as a vocal turn from Plant. Bonham’s son Jason would also play drums on the record. WhileOutriderwasn’t met with an overwhelmingly stellar response, it was understandably difficult for Pageto again reach, let alone eclipse, the heights he had reached while redefining musicwithin Led Zeppelin. Those were some absolutely mountainous riffing peaks to try and equal.
One of Page’s greatest later achievements may ultimately be kicking his addiction to drugs, which played havoc with his creativity and musical relationships both during and after his time in Zeppelin. While his work on albums and touring with various bands has slowed greatly in the last few decades, it’s Page’s legacywith six strings, twelve strings, and the unique violin bowthat will be remembered most highly, forever, as Zeppelin’s guitar hero.
Keeping Up With Jones
The Multi-Instrumentalist’s Moment
For Led Zeppelin bassist and keyboard player John Paul Jones, the death of John Bonham presented a turning point in the multi-instrumentalist’s career. At one point, Jones had considered leaving Zeppelin as they began recording their albumPhysical Graffitidue to the exhaustion he was experiencing from the band’s rigorous schedule. Following the band’s separation after Bonham’s passing, however, Jones continued on to work with a wide variety of artists, like R.E.M., Butthole Surfers, Seasick Steve, Lenny Kravitz, Brian Eno, Heart, Foo Fighters, and Paul McCartney.
Jones would also branch out as a producer, putting together albums for bands like the Datsuns, the Mission, and Uncle Earl, as well as artists like Nickel Creek singer Sara Watkins. In 2009, Jones would again unite with Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters fame to form supergroup Them Crooked Vultures andrecord a single studio album with Grohl on drums and Queens of the Stone Age singer Josh Homme on guitar. Jones would also compose music for movies and put together the soundtrack for 1985’sScream for Help.
A man of many talents, Jones would eventually also find himself composing multiple solo studio albums with 1999’sZoomaand 2001’sThe Thunderthief, as well as a collaborative album with Diamanda Galas in 1994 calledThe Sporting Life. Jones continues to stay active, collaborating and playing with other musicians into the present day. His style of playing rock bass, as well as his keyboard work and arranging skills, continues to be seen as highly influential, not only on bands ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Aerosmith,but on the very genre of rock itself.
15 Best Uses Of Led Zeppelin Songs In Movies
Led Zeppelin songs in movies add a certain something to scenes when used correctly. Here are the best examples.
Though ultimately I’m sure it will be Jones' legacy in Led Zeppelin that, much like Page, Bonham, and Plant’s contributions, will be remembered best and most brightly in music circles. Like fellow ’60s-era rocker Jimi Hendrix, the quartet of Zeppelin just had a certain type of heat andslapto their sound together from their very origin that continuesto rise differently off the pavement and from the speakers even decades later.
They unlocked a certain type of blueprint from their ’60s origins, through the ’70s until their 1980 breakup, which was lightning in a bottle.We won’t see it replicated that way again, and not in a way that will ever be as impactful asLed Zeppelintruly was.
