Led Zeppelin I
January 12th, 1969.
Atlantic Records
Led Zeppelin I, as the title may suggest, is the debut record from hard rock heavyweights Led Zeppelin. The gap that bridges the more rock-y side of rock with the heavier, more metal, side of the spectrum finds its adhesive-like seal with Led Zeppelin. Jimmy Page's sloppily slung dark-as-night guitar, John Paul Jones' groovy antics, John Bonham's assault of his drumset and Robert Plant's lung-busting wails amalgamated in a hard-hitting whirlwind. As the 60's came to a close, and the comedown came into view, things were drifting into darker fields - the party was over.
With two strikes of the drums along with two strums of the guitar, Led Zeppelin open their world of blues-infused rock. Unbeknownst to the band, but maybe, more than likely, known in some sense, Led Zeppelin I would begin one of the most adored runs in contemporary music. The self-titled series - I to IV - would bring with it a different flavour each time round, and 'Houses of the Holy' and 'Physical Graffiti' extended this out even further. The creative juices - for lack of a better term - within Led Zeppelin between '69 and '75 are something of a mystery; an enigmatic moment in time. Lightning in a bottle, corked-up and made the most of.
Bonham turned the drums into a sport - a blood-sport. A blistered fingers kind of ordeal. A beat-it-'til-it's-black-and-blue operation. A way which tight-rope walked between technically gifted and animalistic. A feel which pulled the edge that bit closer; a near-volatile approach.
Each member has their own specific flavour and unequivocal talent, but they all come together to produce something which surpasses them on an individual level - the purpose of a band is to extend oneself beyond; to serve a higher power of sorts; to hang up ones own wants, and to go all-in on a combined vision. The individual is only so strong. You'll get where you're going faster alone, but you'll go further together as a team - a band.
The true meaning of a supergroup.
'Been dazed and confused for so long it's not true.'
