Led Zeppelin shows you the way

Celebration Day

Fifty years ago, on October 4, 1968, the band Led Zeppelin went on tour for the first time. A minor – E – C – D – F – G and A minor again –– recognise the riff? It’s from the hit “Stairway To Heaven”, well-known by guitar players or music lovers.

Stairway to innovation

In this era of hippie love, the Led Zeppelin boys (sporting long hair and beards) fused their different musical backgrounds, forming an experimental band. Their mutual desire for artistic stimulation led them to add mythology to their lyrics –– perhaps that’s what immortalised their music.

Led Zepplin’s music is inspired by a wide range of influences: from English folk ballads to rock and blues, intertwined with acoustic and electronic elements.

Zepplin’s musical genius is not only perceptable in their lyrics and musical scores, but also in their production discipline. They reportedly spent just 36 hours in the studio to record their eponymous debut album Led Zeppelin, which became a major hit. Their second album was recorded while they were actually on tour in America, stopping at different studios for completion – Led Zeppelin II turned out to be a greater hit than its predecessor.

The Song Remains the Same

Zeppelin’s experimentation inspired the next generation of musicians. Some of their guitar riffs have been adapted by well known bands, take Pink Floyd’s “Money”, for instance. You can hear Led Zeppelin’s opening riff from “How Many More Times”.

Bring It On Home

Despite tumultuous times in the 1980s, including the sudden death of drummer John Bonham, their music has not lost an inch of importance. Fans celebrated their 2007 reunion, and this year enjoy celebrating 50 years of Led Zeppelin.

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