Led Zeppelin was a British rock band formed in London in 1968 by guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. Emerging from the breakup of the Yardbirds, the group initially performed as the New Yardbirds before adopting the name Led Zeppelin. Their music combined blues, hard rock, folk, psychedelia and other influences, and they became one of the most commercially successful and influential rock bands of the 1970s.
The band's self-titled debut album, Led Zeppelin (1969), established its heavy, guitar-driven sound. It was followed by Led Zeppelin II (1969), Led Zeppelin III (1970) and the untitled fourth album commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV (1971). The latter included “Stairway to Heaven”, which became one of the band's best-known songs. Later albums such as Houses of the Holy (1973) and the double album Physical Graffiti (1975) expanded the group's sound through acoustic music, progressive rock, funk and influences from non-Western musical traditions.
Led Zeppelin were also known for large-scale live performances and an emphasis on albums rather than individual singles. Page's guitar arrangements and production, Plant's vocals, Jones's bass and keyboards and Bonham's powerful drumming became highly influential in the development of heavy metal and hard rock, while the band's more experimental work also influenced progressive and alternative rock. Led Zeppelin were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
The band's lyrics occasionally drew on mythology and fantasy. Several songs contain references to J. R. R. Tolkien's writings and The Lord of the Rings, including “Ramble On”, “Misty Mountain Hop” and “The Battle of Evermore”.
Led Zeppelin ceased regular activity following the death of John Bonham in 1980, with the surviving members deciding not to continue the group with a replacement drummer. Page, Plant and Jones later reunited for several individual performances, most notably a 2007 concert at London's O2 Arena with Bonham's son Jason Bonham on drums.
Influence
Led Zeppelin influenced generations of rock and metal musicians through their use of heavy guitar riffs, dynamic arrangements, unusual rhythms and large-scale production. Their influence extended into later progressive and alternative metal. Members of Tool have cited Led Zeppelin among their musical interests and influences; drummer Danny Carey has specifically identified John Bonham as one of his formative drumming influences.
Tool also recorded an extended cover of Led Zeppelin's “No Quarter”, originally written by Page, Plant and Jones. Their version was released on the 2000 collection Salival, providing a direct musical connection between the two bands.