Led Zeppelin: Front and Center

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By Geoffrey Huchel

When you think of the greatest rock bands in the history of music, odds are Led Zeppelin will fall somewhere on the list. After all, their music has made a lasting impression throughout popular culture, and has influenced hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Queen, and Aerosmith.

Zeppelin, whose style drew from a wide assortment of musical genres including blues and folk, is in an elite category with the Beatles as the greatest artists ever; selling over 200 million albums worldwide. The band produced 9 albums which have all made the Billboard Top Ten and six reached number-one. Led Zeppelin is widely considered one of the most successful, innovative, and influential rock groups in history. Rolling Stone Magazine described them as “The biggest band of the seventies” and “Unquestionably one of the most enduring bands in rock history.” The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Among other awards, the band won an American Music Award in 2005.

You probably remember the moment you first heard their music. My introduction to them was as a teenager in the1990s. During that time, I really listened and became familiar with their music and appreciated their brilliance. You may have found yourself singing (at the top of your lungs, no doubt) to their iconic tunes in your car, or blasted the radio while jumping around and bopping your head to the beat while showing-off your incredible air guitar skills! Ok, ok, that may have just been me….

My fifteen year old son, Ethan, has an incredible appreciation for the band and is learning to play their songs on his own (non-air) guitar. I asked him to share his insight on the band and their contribution to the music world. He praised them as being unique and musically gifted. He went on to say, “Led Zeppelin isn’t just a band, they were inventive…” and “They had a sound that was ahead of its time”. He also feels they set a standard for the future of rock and heavy metal. Come on…Who could argue with that?

Led Zeppelin has left an indelible mark on the world one generation after another.

Discography: Led Zeppelin (1969)
Led Zeppelin II (1969)
Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Houses of Holy (1973)
Physical Graffiti (1975)
Presence (1976)
In Through the Out Door (1979)
Coda (1982)

Essential Led Zeppelin:

Good Times Bad Times (1969)
Whole Lotta Love (1969)
Ramble On (1969)
Babe I’m Gonna Leave you (1969)
Immigrant Song (1970)
Since I’ve Been Loving You (1970)
Stairway To Heaven (1971)
Black Dog (1974)
Kashmir (1975)

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