Led Zeppelin (album): Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
imported>Meg Taylor (format) |
Pat Palmer (talk | contribs) m (Text replacement - "John Paul Jones (musician)|" to "") |
||
| (16 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{ | {{Subpages}} | ||
{{Infobox Album | {{Infobox Album | ||
|name = Led Zeppelin | |name = Led Zeppelin | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
|artist = [[Led Zeppelin]] | |artist = [[Led Zeppelin]] | ||
|released = 12 January 1969 (US), 28 March 1969 (UK) | |released = 12 January 1969 (US), 28 March 1969 (UK) | ||
|recorded = <small>October 1968 at [[Olympic Studios]], [[London]].</small> | |recorded = <small>October 1968 at [[Olympic Studios]], [[London, United Kingdom|London]].</small> | ||
|genre = Hard rock, blues rock, folk rock | |genre = Hard rock, blues rock, folk rock | ||
|language = English | |language = English | ||
|length = 44 | |length = 44 minutes 50 seconds | ||
|label = Atlantic Records | |label = [[Atlantic Records]] | ||
|catalogue = Atlantic SD 7208 (US), Swan Song SSK 59402 (UK) | |catalogue = Atlantic SD 7208 (US), Swan Song SSK 59402 (UK) | ||
|producer = [[Jimmy Page]] | |producer = [[Jimmy Page]] | ||
|engineer = Glyn Johns | |engineer = Glyn Johns | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{TOC|Right}} | |||
'''''Led Zeppelin''''' is the eponymous | '''''Led Zeppelin''''' is the eponymous debut album of [[England|English]] [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Led Zeppelin]]. It was recorded in October 1968 at [[Olympic Studios]] in London and released on [[Atlantic Records]] on 12 January 1969. The album featured integral contributions from each of the group's four musicians and established Led Zeppelin's fusion of [[blues]] and rock. ''Led Zeppelin'' also created a large and devoted following for the band, with their unique hard rock sound endearing them to a section of the [[counterculture]] on both sides of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]. Although the album initially received mixed reviews, it was commercially very successful and has now come to be regarded in a much more positive light by critics. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
In August 1968, the English rock group [[ | In August 1968, the English rock group [[the Yardbirds]] had disbanded. Guitarist [[Jimmy Page]], the Yardbirds' sole remaining member, was left with rights to the group's name and contractual obligations for a series of concerts in [[Scandinavia]]. For his new band, Page recruited bassist [[John Paul Jones]], vocalist [[Robert Plant]] and drummer [[John Bonham]]. During September 1968, the group [[Led Zeppelin Scandinavian Tour 1968|toured Scandinavia]] as the New Yardbirds, performing some old Yardbirds material as well as new songs such as '[[Communication Breakdown]]', '[[I Can't Quit You Baby]]', '[[You Shook Me]]', '[[Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (Led Zeppelin song)|Babe I'm Gonna Leave You]]' and '[[How Many More Times]]'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ledzeppelin.com/show/september-7-1968|title=Concert on 7 September 1968 at Teen Clubs, Denmark|accessdate=2008-01-01|publisher=Led Zeppelin official website}}</ref> The month after they returned to England, October 1968, Page changed the band's name to Led Zeppelin, and the group entered [[Olympic Studios]] in London to record their debut album. In late 1968, Peter Grant arranged a series of gigs at British clubs, where Zeppelin received a mixed audience reception. | ||
==Recording and production== | ==Recording and production== | ||
===Recording sessions=== | ===Recording sessions=== | ||
In a 1990 interview, Page said that the album took only about 36 hours of studio time (over a span of a few weeks) to create (including mixing), adding that he knows this because of the amount charged on the studio bill.<ref>''[[Profiled|Led Zeppelin Profiled]]'' radio promo CD, 1990</ref><ref>Welch, | In a 1990 interview, Page said that the album took only about 36 hours of studio time (over a span of a few weeks) to create (including mixing), adding that he knows this because of the amount charged on the studio bill.<ref>''[[Profiled|Led Zeppelin Profiled]]'' radio promo CD, 1990</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|year=1996|chapter=Fly, Zeppelin, Fly|title=Led Zeppelin|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|pages=28|isbn=978-1-85868-271-6}}</ref> One of the primary reasons for the short recording time was that the material selected for the album had been well-rehearsed and pre-arranged by the band on Led Zeppelin's [[Led Zeppelin Scandinavian Tour 1968|tour of Scandinavia]] in September 1968.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Schulps|first=Dave|date=October 1977|title=Jimmy Page: The Trouser Press Interview|url=http://www.teachrock.org/resources/article/jimmy-page-the-trouser-press-interview/|journal=Trouser Press|publisher=Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press|volume=4|issue=22|issn=0164-1883}}</ref> As Page explained, '[the band] had begun developing the arrangements on the Scandinavian tour and I knew what sound I was looking for. It just came together incredibly quickly.'<ref>{{cite book|author=Lewis, Dave and Pallett, Simon|title=[[Led Zeppelin: The Concert File]]|edition=Revised|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|year=2005|pages=23|isbn=978-1-84449-659-4}}</ref> | ||
In addition, since the band had not yet signed their deal with [[Atlantic Records]], Page and Led Zeppelin's manager [[Peter Grant]] paid for the sessions entirely themselves, meaning there was no record company money to waste on excessive studio time.<ref>Lewis | In addition, since the band had not yet signed their deal with [[Atlantic Records]], Page and Led Zeppelin's manager [[Peter Grant]] paid for the sessions entirely themselves, meaning there was no record company money to waste on excessive studio time.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=21|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> In another interview, Page revealed that the self-funding was to ensure artistic freedom: {{Quote|I wanted artistic control in a vice grip, because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with these fellows. In fact, I financed and completely recorded the first album before going to Atlantic. ... It wasn't your typical story where you get an advance to make an album — we arrived at Atlantic with tapes in hand ... Atlantic's reaction was very positive — I mean they signed us, didn't they?'<ref>{{cite journal|last=Tolinski|first=Brad|coauthors=Greg DiBenedetto|date=May 1993|title=Inside the studio with Jimmy Page|url=http://www.skeptictank.org/files/en004/lza93pag.htm|journal=Guitar World|publisher=Harris Publications|volume=14|issue=5|issn=1063-4231}}</ref>}} | ||
The group recorded their songs reportedly for £1,782.<ref>Lewis, | The group recorded their songs reportedly for £1,782.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=21|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> Grant then made a highly publicized recording contract with Atlantic Records, the same label that had turned [[Cream (band)|Cream]] into a phenomenon. Atlantic was looking for the next 'supergroup', and Grant had convinced them that Led Zeppelin was It. Atlantic executive [[Ahmet Ertegun]] had not even heard the tapes from the first Led Zeppelin recording session when he brought out his chequebook and wrote Grant a US$200,000 advance. More significantly, Grant insisted that the band retain full control over their music. Atlantic's initial promotion of the band was as follows: 'Top English and American rock musicians who have heard the [first Zeppelin] tracks have compared the L.P. to the best of Cream and [[Jimi Hendrix]], and have called Led Zeppelin the next group to reach the heights achieved by Cream and Hendrix.' Led Zeppelin's debut album went on to gross more than UK£3.5 million, just short of 20,000 times more than they invested. | ||
For the recordings, Page played a [[psychedelic]] ally painted [[Fender Telecaster]], a gift from [[Jeff Beck]].<ref>Rosen, Steven [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003340.html 1977 Jimmy Page Interview], ''Modern Guitars'', 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of ''[[Guitar Player]]'' magazine).</ref> This was a different guitar from those he favoured for later albums (most notably a [[Gibson Les Paul]]). Page played the Telecaster through a [[Supro]] [[amplifier]].<ref>Rosen, Steven [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003340.html 1977 Jimmy Page Interview], ''Modern Guitars'', 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of ''[[Guitar Player]]'' magazine).</ref> He also used a [[Gibson J-200]] for the album's acoustic tracks.<ref>Rosen, Steven [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003340.html 1977 Jimmy Page Interview], ''Modern Guitars'', 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of ''[[Guitar Player]]'' magazine).</ref> | For the recordings, Page played a [[psychedelic]]ally painted [[Fender Telecaster]], a gift from [[Jeff Beck]].<ref>Rosen, Steven [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003340.html 1977 Jimmy Page Interview], ''Modern Guitars'', 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of ''[[Guitar Player]]'' magazine).</ref> This was a different guitar from those he favoured for later albums (most notably a [[Gibson Les Paul]]). Page played the Telecaster through a [[Supro]] [[amplifier]].<ref>Rosen, Steven [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003340.html 1977 Jimmy Page Interview], ''Modern Guitars'', 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of ''[[Guitar Player]]'' magazine).</ref> He also used a [[Gibson J-200]] for the album's acoustic tracks.<ref>Rosen, Steven [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003340.html 1977 Jimmy Page Interview], ''Modern Guitars'', 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of ''[[Guitar Player]]'' magazine).</ref> | ||
===Production=== | ===Production=== | ||
''Led Zeppelin'' was produced by Jimmy Page and engineered by [[Glyn Johns]], who had previously worked with [[ | ''Led Zeppelin'' was produced by Jimmy Page and engineered by [[Glyn Johns]], who had previously worked with [[the Rolling Stones]] and [[Small Faces]]. The album was recorded on an analogue 4-track machine, which helped to give the record its warm sound. According to Page, 'The first album is a live album, it really is, and it's done intentionally in that way. It's got overdubs on it, but the original tracks are live.'<ref>'I first met Jimmy on Tolworth Broadway, holding a bag of exotic fish...', ''[[Uncut magazine|Uncut]]'', January 2009, p. 42.</ref> | ||
Page reportedly used natural room ambience to enhance the reverb and recording texture on the record, demonstrating the innovations in sound recording he had learned during his session days. Up until the late 1960s, most music producers placed [[microphone]]s directly in front of the [[amplifier]]s and drums. For ''Led Zeppelin'' Page developed the idea of placing an additional microphone some distance from the amplifier (as far as twenty feet) and then recording the balance between the two. By adopting this 'distance equals depth' technique, Page became one of the first producers to record a band's 'ambient sound' — the distance of a note's time - lag from one end of the room to the other.<ref>Tolinski, Brad; Di Bendetto, Greg (January 1998). 'Light and Shade'. ''Guitar World''.</ref> | Page reportedly used natural room ambience to enhance the reverb and recording texture on the record, demonstrating the innovations in sound recording he had learned during his session days. Up until the late 1960s, most music producers placed [[microphone]]s directly in front of the [[amplifier]]s and drums. For ''Led Zeppelin'' Page developed the idea of placing an additional microphone some distance from the amplifier (as far as twenty feet) and then recording the balance between the two. By adopting this 'distance equals depth' technique, Page became one of the first producers to record a band's 'ambient sound' — the distance of a note's time - lag from one end of the room to the other.<ref>Tolinski, Brad; Di Bendetto, Greg (January 1998). 'Light and Shade'. ''Guitar World''.</ref> | ||
| Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
==Artwork== | ==Artwork== | ||
''Led Zeppelin'''s front cover, which was chosen by Page, features a black-and-white image of the burning ''[[LZ 129 Hindenburg|Hindenburg]]'' airship. The image refers to the origin of the band's name itself when Page, [[Jeff Beck]], [[Keith Moon]] and [[John Entwistle]] were discussing the idea of forming a group, Moon joked, 'It would probably go over like a lead balloon.'<ref>Lewis | ''Led Zeppelin'''s front cover, which was chosen by Page, features a black-and-white image of the burning ''[[LZ 129 Hindenburg|Hindenburg]]'' airship. The image refers to the origin of the band's name itself when Page, [[Jeff Beck]], [[Keith Moon]] and [[John Entwistle]] were discussing the idea of forming a group, Moon joked, 'It would probably go over like a lead balloon.'<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=21|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> | ||
The album's back cover features a photograph of the band taken by former-Yardbird [[Chris Dreja]].<ref>Lewis | The album's back cover features a photograph of the band taken by former-Yardbird [[Chris Dreja]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=21|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> The entire design of the album's sleeve was coordinated by [[George Hardie]], with whom the band would continue to collaborate for future sleeves.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=21|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> | ||
Hardie recalled that he originally offered the band a design based on an old club sign in [[San Francisco]] — a multi-sequential image of a | Hardie recalled that he originally offered the band a design based on an old club sign in [[San Francisco, California]] — a multi-sequential image of a Zeppelin airship up in the clouds. Page declined but it was retained as the logo for the back cover of Led Zeppelin's first two albums and a number of early press advertisements.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=21|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> During the first few weeks of release in the [[United Kingdom]], the sleeve featured the band's name and the [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] logo in turquoise. When this was switched to the now - common orange print later in the year, the turquoise - printed sleeve became a collector's item.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=22|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> | ||
The album cover received widespread attention when, at a February 1970 gig in Copenhagen, the band were billed as | The album cover received widespread attention when, at a February 1970 gig in Copenhagen, the band were billed as "The Nobs" as the result of a legal threat from aristocrat Eva von Zeppelin (a relative of the creator of the [[Zeppelin]] aircraft). Countess von Zeppelin, upon seeing the logo of the ''Hindenburg'' crashing in flames, threatened but failed to have the show pulled off the air.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bookshelf/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001958757 Shadwick, Keith ''Led Zeppelin 1968-1980: The Story of a Band and Their Music'' (excerpt posted on ''Billboard'')]</ref> | ||
==Composition== | ==Composition== | ||
The conceptual originality of the album was displayed on tracks such as '[[Good Times Bad Times]]' and 'Communication Breakdown', which had a unique and distinctively heavy sound new to the ears of young music-buyers in the late-1960s. 'Communication Breakdown' would become monumental in its influence. ''Led Zeppelin'' also featured delicate [[steel-string acoustic guitar]] by Page on '[[Black Mountain Side]]', and a combination of acoustic and electric approaches on their adaptation of 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You'. | The conceptual originality of the album was displayed on tracks such as '[[Good Times Bad Times]]' and 'Communication Breakdown', which had a unique and distinctively heavy sound new to the ears of young music-buyers in the late-1960s. 'Communication Breakdown' would become monumental in its influence. ''Led Zeppelin'' also featured delicate [[steel-string acoustic guitar]] by Page on '[[Black Mountain Side]]', and a combination of acoustic and electric approaches on their adaptation of 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You'. | ||
'[[Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin song)|Dazed and Confused]]' is arguably the album's | '[[Dazed and Confused (Led Zeppelin song)|Dazed and Confused]]' is arguably the album's centrepiece: a foreboding arrangement featuring a descending bass line from Jones, heavy drumming from Bonham and some powerful guitar riffs and soloing from Page. It also showcased Page playing guitar with a violin bow (an idea suggested by [[David McCallum Sr.]], whom Page had met while doing [[recording studio|studio]] session work).<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|year=2009|title=Led Zeppelin: The Stories Behind Every Led Zeppelin Song|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|pages=25|isbn=978-1-84732-286-9}}</ref> The bowed guitar in the middle section of the song brought psychedelic rock to experimental new heights, especially in extended stage versions, building on Page's earlier renderings of the song during the latter days of the Yardbirds. 'Dazed and Confused' would become Led Zeppelin's signature performance piece for years to come. The bowed guitar technique is also used on '[[How Many More Times]]', a song which features a 'Bolero' riff and an improvised shift in [[cadence (music)|cadence]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=27|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> | ||
Many of Led Zeppelin's earliest songs were based on blues standards, and the album also included two songs: 'You Shook Me' and 'I Can't Quit You Baby'<ref>Lewis | Many of Led Zeppelin's earliest songs were based on blues standards, and the album also included two songs: 'You Shook Me' and 'I Can't Quit You Baby'<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=24|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> On 'You Shook Me', Plant vocally mimics Page's guitar effects - a metallicized version of the '[[Call and response (music)|call and response]]' blues technique. | ||
In an interview he gave in 1975, Page offered his own perspective on the album's music: {{Quote|For material, we obviously went right down to our blues roots. I still had plenty of Yardbirds riffs left over. By the time Jeff [Beck] did go, it was up to me to come up with a lot of new stuff. It was this thing where [Eric] Clapton set a heavy precedent in the Yardbirds which Beck had to follow and then it was even harder for me, in a way, because the second lead guitarist had suddenly become the first. And I was under pressure to come up with my own riffs. On the first LP I was still heavily influenced by the earlier days. I think it tells a bit, too... It was obvious that somebody had to take the lead, otherwise we'd have all sat around jamming for six months. | In an interview he gave in 1975, Page offered his own perspective on the album's music: {{Quote|For material, we obviously went right down to our blues roots. I still had plenty of Yardbirds riffs left over. By the time Jeff [Beck] did go, it was up to me to come up with a lot of new stuff. It was this thing where [Eric] Clapton set a heavy precedent in the Yardbirds which Beck had to follow and then it was even harder for me, in a way, because the second lead guitarist had suddenly become the first. And I was under pressure to come up with my own riffs. On the first LP I was still heavily influenced by the earlier days. I think it tells a bit, too... It was obvious that somebody had to take the lead, otherwise we'd have all sat around jamming for six months. But after that, on the [[Led Zeppelin II|second LP]], you can really hear the group identity coming together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cameroncrowe.com/journalism/articles/crowe_eyesandears_journalism_led.html|title=Cameron Crowe interview Led Zeppelin |accessdate=2007-11-07|date=1975-03-18}}</ref>}} | ||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
The album was advertised in selected music papers under the slogan 'Led Zeppelin - the only way to fly'.<ref>Lewis | The album was advertised in selected music papers under the slogan 'Led Zeppelin - the only way to fly'.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=22|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> It initially received mixed reviews. As was noted by rock journalist [[Cameron Crowe]] years later: 'It was a time of 'super-groups,' of furiously hyped bands who could barely cut it, and Led Zeppelin initially found themselves fighting upstream to prove their authenticity.'<ref>Liner notes by [[Cameron Crowe]] for ''[[The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin box set)|The Complete Studio Recordings]]''</ref> Conversely, in Britain the album received a glowing review in the ''[[Melody Maker]]''. [[Chris Welch]] wrote, in a review titled 'Jimmy Page triumphs - Led Zeppelin is a gas!': 'their material does not rely on obvious blues riffs, although when they do play them, they avoid the emaciated feebleness of most so-called British blues bands'.<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|year=1996|chapter=Conquest of America|title=Led Zeppelin|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|pages=37|isbn=978-1-85868-271-6}}</ref> | ||
The album was very commercially successful. It was initially released in America on 17 January 1969 to capitalise on the band's [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1968/1969|first U.S. concert tour]]. Before that, Atlantic Records had distributed a few hundred advance white label copies to key radio stations and reviewers. A positive reaction to its contents, coupled with a good reaction to the band's opening concerts, resulted in the album generating 50,000 advance orders.<ref>Lewis | The album was very commercially successful. It was initially released in America on 17 January 1969 to capitalise on the band's [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1968/1969|first U.S. concert tour]], and 28 March 1969, in the United Kingdom. Before that, Atlantic Records had distributed a few hundred advance white label copies to key radio stations and reviewers. A positive reaction to its contents, coupled with a good reaction to the band's opening concerts, resulted in the album generating 50,000 advance orders.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=22|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> It stayed on the Billboard chart for 73 weeks and held a 79-week run on the British charts. By 1975 it had grossed $7,000,000.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=5047&aid=10331 Billboard discography]</ref> | ||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
The success and influence of the album is today widely acknowledged, even amongst those critics who were initially | The success and influence of the album is today widely acknowledged, even amongst those critics who were initially sceptical. | ||
According to Lewis: {{Quote|Time has done nothing to diminish the quality of one of the finest debut albums ever recorded. There's an urgency and enthusiasm about their performance that retains timeless charm. The nine cuts offer a ''tour de force'' of powerful yet often subtle dynamics ... And let's not forget the fact that with this album, Page virtually invents the guitar riff as a key songwriting component.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2004|title=Led Zeppelin: The Complete Guide to their Music|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=8|isbn=978-1-84449-141-4}}</ref>}} | |||
In 2003, [[VH1]] named ''Led Zeppelin'' the 44th greatest album of all time, while ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked it 29th on the magazine's list of [[The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|the 500 greatest albums of all time]]. It is widely regarded as marking a significant turning point in the evolution of [[hard rock]] and early [[Heavy metal (music)|heavy metal]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fast|first=Susan|year=2001|title=In the Houses of the Holy: Led Zeppelin and the Power of Rock Music|location=New York, NY|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=40|isbn=978-0-19-511756-1}}</ref> | |||
===Reviews=== | |||
{|class='wikitable sortable' | |||
|- | |||
!Reviewer | |||
!Country | |||
!Review | |||
!Year | |||
!Score | |||
|- | |||
|Scott Floman (''Goldmine'') | |||
|United States | |||
|Rock and Soul Album Reviews | |||
|2002 | |||
|align='center'|A+ | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
===Accolades=== | ===Accolades=== | ||
{|class='wikitable sortable' | {|class='wikitable sortable' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Publication | !Publication | ||
! Country | !Country | ||
! Accolade | !Accolade | ||
! Year | !Year | ||
! Rank | !Rank | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ''[[The Times]]'' | |''[[The Times]]'' | ||
| United Kingdom | |United Kingdom | ||
| The 100 Best Albums of All Time<ref>{{ | |The 100 Best Albums of All Time<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/times100.htm|title=The Times: The 100 Best Albums of All Time - December 1993|accessdate=2009-02-10|publisher=''The Times''}}</ref> | ||
| 1993 | |1993 | ||
| 41 | |align='center'|41 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | |''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | ||
| United States | |United States | ||
| The ''Rolling Stone'' 500 Greatest Albums of All Time<ref>{{ | |The ''Rolling Stone'' 500 Greatest Albums of All Time<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938174/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time/| title=The ''Rolling Stone'' 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|accessdate=2007-08-18| publisher=''Rolling Stone''}}</ref> | ||
| 2003 | |2003 | ||
| 29 | |align='center'|29 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Grammy Awards]] | |[[Grammy Awards]] | ||
| United States | |United States | ||
| [[Grammy Hall of Fame Award]]<ref>{{ | |[[Grammy Hall of Fame Award]]<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Awards/Hall_Of_Fame/#l|title=The Grammy Hall of Fame Award|accessdate=2007-08-18|publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences}}</ref> | ||
| 2004 | |2004 | ||
| * | |align='center'|* | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ''[[Q Magazine|Q]]'' | |''[[Q Magazine|Q]]'' | ||
| United Kingdom | |United Kingdom | ||
| The Music That Changed the World<ref>{{ | |The Music That Changed the World<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Music That Changed the World (Part One: 1954 – 1969)|publisher=Q magazine special edition|location=UK|month=January|year=2004}}</ref> | ||
| 2004 | |2004 | ||
| 7 | |align='center'|7 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Robert Dimery | |Robert Dimery | ||
| United States | |United States | ||
| ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''<ref>{{ | |''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''<ref>{{Cite news|first=Robert|last=Dimery |title=[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]|publisher=Universe Publishing|id=0-7893-1371-5|pages=910|date=7 February 2006}}</ref> | ||
| 2006 | |2006 | ||
| * | |align='center'|* | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' | |''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' | ||
| United Kingdom | |United Kingdom | ||
| 100 Greatest British Rock Album Ever<ref>{{ | |100 Greatest British Rock Album Ever<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/classicrock2.htm|title=Classic Rock - 100 Greatest British Rock Album Ever - April 2006|accessdate=2009-02-10|publisher=''Classic Rock''}}</ref> | ||
| 2006 | |2006 | ||
| 81 | |align='center'|81 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ''[[Uncut magazine|Uncut]]'' | |''[[Uncut magazine|Uncut]]'' | ||
| United Kingdom | |United Kingdom | ||
| 100 Greatest Debut Albums<ref>{{ | |100 Greatest Debut Albums<ref>{{Cite news|title=100 Greatest Debut Albums|publisher= Uncut|location=UK|month=August|year=2006}}</ref> | ||
| 2006 | |2006 | ||
| 7 | |align='center'|7 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| DigitalDreamDoor | |DigitalDreamDoor | ||
| United States | |United States | ||
| The 100 Greatest Rock Debut Albums<ref>{{ | |The 100 Greatest Rock Debut Albums<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best_albums-debut.html|title=The 100 Greatest Rock Debut Albums - 2006|accessdate=2009-02-10|publisher=DigitalDreamDoor}}</ref> | ||
| 2006 | |2006 | ||
| 2 | |align='center'|2 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ''[[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]'' | |''[[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]'' | ||
| United States | |United States | ||
| The Definitive 200<ref>{{ | |The Definitive 200<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.definitive200.com/200_list.php|title=The Definitive 200|accessdate=2007-08-18|publisher=''Rock and Roll Hall of Fame''}}</ref> | ||
| 2007 | |2007 | ||
| 165 | |align='center'|165 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ''Q'' | |''Q'' | ||
| United Kingdom | |United Kingdom | ||
| 21 Albums That Changed Music<ref>{{ | |21 Albums That Changed Music<ref>{{Cite news|title=21 Albums That Changed Music|publisher=Q magazine 21st anniversary issue|location=UK|month=November|year=2007}}</ref> | ||
| 2007 | |2007 | ||
| 6 | |align='center'|6 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
<small><nowiki>*</nowiki> denotes an unordered list</small> | <small><nowiki>*</nowiki> denotes an unordered list</small> | ||
{| class='wikitable' | ==Track list== | ||
|colspan='2' style='background: | {|class='wikitable' | ||
|colspan='2' style='background:#ccffff'|<center>'''Album information'''</center> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | | ||
Track listing: | Track listing: | ||
*Side 1: | *Side 1: | ||
#'[[Good Times Bad Times]]' ([[Jimmy Page]], [[ | #'[[Good Times Bad Times]]' ([[Jimmy Page]], [[John Paul Jones]], [[John Bonham]]) – 2:47 | ||
#'[[Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (Led Zeppelin song)|Babe I'm Gonna Leave You]]' (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Anne Bredon) – 6:41 | #'[[Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (Led Zeppelin song)|Babe I'm Gonna Leave You]]' (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Anne Bredon) – 6:41 | ||
#'[[You Shook Me]]' (Willie Dixon, J. B. Lenoir) – 6:30 | #'[[You Shook Me]]' (Willie Dixon, J. B. Lenoir) – 6:30 | ||
| Line 162: | Line 180: | ||
*'How Many More Times' was listed as 3:30 on the record sleeve deliberately by Jimmy Page in order to trick radio stations into playing the song. | *'How Many More Times' was listed as 3:30 on the record sleeve deliberately by Jimmy Page in order to trick radio stations into playing the song. | ||
*[[Robert Plant]] participated in songwriting, but wasn't given credit due to unexpired contractual obligations resulting from his association with [[CBS Records]].<ref>Lewis | *[[Robert Plant]] participated in songwriting, but wasn't given credit due to unexpired contractual obligations resulting from his association with [[CBS Records]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=22|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> | ||
*Some cassette versions of the album reversed the order of the sides. For these versions, side one began with 'Your Time Is Gonna Come' and ended with 'How Many More Times', while side two began with 'Good Times Bad Times' and ended with 'Dazed and Confused'. | *Some cassette versions of the album reversed the order of the sides. For these versions, side one began with 'Your Time Is Gonna Come' and ended with 'How Many More Times', while side two began with 'Good Times Bad Times' and ended with 'Dazed and Confused'. | ||
| Line 168: | Line 186: | ||
==Chart positions== | ==Chart positions== | ||
===Album=== | ===Album=== | ||
{| class='wikitable sortable' | {|class='wikitable sortable' | ||
!Chart (1969) | !Chart (1969) | ||
!align='center'|Peak Position | !align='center'|Peak Position | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Canadian ''RPM'' Top 100 Chart<ref name='Canadian rpm chart'>{{ | |Canadian ''RPM'' Top 100 Chart<ref name='Canadian rpm chart'>{{Cite web|url= http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5957&volume=11&issue=8&issue_dt=April%2021%201969&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=hrg50o22lgammqcogv27ve6d95|title=RPM Albums Chart - 21 April 1969|publisher=''RPM''|accessdate = 2009-01-17}}</ref> | ||
|align='center'|11 | |align='center'|11 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| UK Albums Chart<ref name='UK albums chart'>{{ | |UK Albums Chart<ref name='UK albums chart'>{{Cite web|url= http://www.chartstats.com/albuminfo.php?id=2422|title=Top 100 Albums - 10 May 1969|publisher= chartstats.com|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|align='center'|6 | |align='center'|6 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| US ''Billboard'' The 200 Albums Chart<ref name='US billboard 200 chart'>{{ | |US ''Billboard'' The 200 Albums Chart<ref name='US billboard 200 chart'>{{Cite web|url= http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=305&cfgn=Albums&cfn=The+Billboard+200&ci=3068880&cdi=8729737&cid=05%2F17%2F1969|title=The Billboard 200 - 17 May 1969|publisher=''Billboard''|accessdate=2009-01-17}}</ref> | ||
|align='center'|10 | |align='center'|10 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| French Albums Chart<ref name='French albums chart'>{{ | |French Albums Chart<ref name='French albums chart'>{{Cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/| title=Top 100 Albums - 1969|publisher=infodisc.fr|accessdate = 2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|align='center'|115 | |align='center'|115 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Japanese Albums Chart<ref name='Japanese albums chart'>{{ | |Japanese Albums Chart<ref name='Japanese albums chart'>{{Cite web|url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/|title=Top 100 Albums - 1969|publisher=Oricon|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|align='center'|36 | |align='center'|36 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
{| class='wikitable sortable' | {|class='wikitable sortable' | ||
!Chart (1970) | !Chart (1970) | ||
!align='center'|Peak Position | !align='center'|Peak Position | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Norwegian Albums Chart<ref name='Norwegian albums chart'>{{ | |Norwegian Albums Chart<ref name='Norwegian albums chart'>{{Cite web|url = http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Led+Zeppelin&titel=Led+Zeppelin&cat=a | title = Top 20 Albums - 8 February 1970 | publisher = norwegiancharts.com | accessdate = 2009-01-17}}</ref> | ||
|align='center'|16 | |align='center'|16 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Spanish Albums Chart<ref name='Spanish albums chart'>{{ | |Spanish Albums Chart<ref name='Spanish albums chart'>{{Cite web|url= http://www.promusicae.es/english.html|title=Top 100 Albums - 21 February 1970|publisher= PROMUSICAE|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|align='center'|1 | |align='center'|1 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| German Albums Chart<ref name='German albums chart'>{{ | |German Albums Chart<ref name='German albums chart'>{{Cite web|url=http://www.charts-surfer.de/musiksearch.php|title=Top 100 Albums - February 1970|publisher=charts-surfer.de| accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|align='center'|32 | |align='center'|32 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Australian ''Go-Set'' Top 20 Albums Chart<ref name='Australian album chart'>{{ | |Australian ''Go-Set'' Top 20 Albums Chart<ref name='Australian album chart'>{{Cite web|url= http://www.poparchives.com.au/gosetcharts/1970/19700523.html#albums|title=Top 20 Albums - 23 May 1970|publisher=''Go Set''|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|align='center'|9 | |align='center'|9 | ||
|- | |||
|} | |||
{|class='wikitable sortable' | |||
!Chart (2014) | |||
!align='center'|Peak Position | |||
|- | |||
|UK Albums Chart<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/led-zeppelin-reissues-storm-official-albums-chart-top-10-3057/|title=Top 40 Albums - 4 June 2014|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=5 June 2014}}</ref> | |||
|align='center'|4 | |||
|- | |||
|US ''Billboard'' The 200 Albums Chart | |||
|align='center'|7 | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 208: | Line 237: | ||
===Singles=== | ===Singles=== | ||
{|class='wikitable' | {|class='wikitable' | ||
! Year | !Year | ||
! Single | !Single | ||
! Chart | !Chart | ||
! Position | !Position | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1969 | |1969 | ||
| 'Good Times Bad Times' | |'Good Times Bad Times' | ||
| US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 Singles Chart (Pop Singles)<ref name='US singles chart'>{{ | | US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 Singles Chart (Pop Singles)<ref name='US singles chart'>{{Cite web| url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=379&cfgn=Singles&cfn=The+Billboard+Hot+100&ci=3070518&cdi=8833384&cid=04%2F19%2F1969|title =Hot 100 Singles - 19 April 1969|publisher=''Billboard''|accessdate = 2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
| align='center'|80 | |align='center'|80 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 226: | Line 255: | ||
!align='center'|Certification | !align='center'|Certification | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Canada ([[Canadian Recording Industry Association|CRIA]]) | |Canada ([[Canadian Recording Industry Association|CRIA]]) | ||
|align='center'|1,000,000+ | |align='center'|1,000,000+ | ||
|align='center'|Diamond<ref>{{ | |align='center'|Diamond<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php|title=CRIA Led Zeppelin - 1 December 1982|publisher=CRIA|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| France ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]]) | |France ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]]) | ||
|align='center'|100,000+ | |align='center'|100,000+ | ||
|align='center'|Gold<ref>{{ | |align='center'|Gold<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/certifications/artiste-102.htm|title=Disque en France: Led Zeppelin - 1982|publisher=SNEP|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Switzerland (IFPI) | |Switzerland (IFPI) | ||
|align='center'|25,000+ | |align='center'|25,000+ | ||
|align='center'|Gold<ref>{{ | |align='center'|Gold<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://swisscharts.com/awards.asp?year=1991|title= Swiss Charts Certifications: Led Zeppelin - 1991|publisher=swisscharts.com|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Germany (IFPI) | |Germany (IFPI) | ||
|align='center'|100,000+ | |align='center'|100,000+ | ||
|align='center'|Gold<ref>{{ | |align='center'|Gold<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank.html|title=Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Led Zeppelin - 1993|publisher=musikindustrie.de|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Argentina ([[Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers|CAPIF]]) | |Argentina ([[Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers|CAPIF]]) | ||
|align='center'|30,000+ | |align='center'|30,000+ | ||
|align='center'|Gold<ref>{{ | |align='center'|Gold<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=Led+Zeppelin&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|title=CAPIF: Led Zeppelin - 1993|publisher=CAPIF|accessdate = 2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Australia ([[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]) | |Australia ([[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]) | ||
|align='center'|140,000+ | |align='center'|140,000+ | ||
|align='center'|2× Platinum<ref name='ARIA'>{{ | |align='center'|2× Platinum<ref name='ARIA'>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-1999.htm|title=ARIA Album Accreditations - 31 December 1999| publisher=ARIA|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| United States ([[RIAA]]) | |United States ([[RIAA]]) | ||
|align='center'|10,000,000+ | |align='center'|10,000,000+ | ||
|align='center'|8× Multi-Platinum<ref>{{ | |align='center'|8× Multi-Platinum<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS|title=RIAA.org Led Zeppelin - 2 March 2001|publisher=RIAA|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Spain ([[PROMUSICAE]]) | |Spain ([[PROMUSICAE]]) | ||
|align='center'|80,000+ | |align='center'|80,000+ | ||
|align='center'|Platinum<ref>{{ | |align='center'|Platinum<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.promusicae.es/english.html|title= PROMUSICAE Led Zeppelin - 2002|publisher=PROMUSICAE|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| United Kingdom ([[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]]) | |United Kingdom ([[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]]) | ||
|align='center'|600,000+ | |align='center'|600,000+ | ||
|align='center'|2× Platinum<ref name='BPI'>{{ | |align='center'|2× Platinum<ref name='BPI'>{{Cite web|url= http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=32718|title=BPI Led Zeppelin certification - 20 October 2006|publisher=BPI|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref>* | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Netherlands ([[NVPI]]) | |Netherlands ([[NVPI]]) | ||
|align='center'|30,000+ | |align='center'|30,000+ | ||
|align='center'|Gold<ref>{{ | |align='center'|Gold<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nvpi.nl/nvpi/pagina.asp?pagkey=60461#resultaat|title=NVPI: Led Zeppelin - 2006|publisher=NVPI|accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref>* | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 270: | Line 299: | ||
<small>Note: (*) Remastered sales only</small><br> | <small>Note: (*) Remastered sales only</small><br> | ||
{| class='wikitable' | ===Certification history=== | ||
|colspan='2' style='background: | {|class='wikitable' | ||
!Organization | |||
!Level | |||
!Date | |||
|- | |||
|RIAA – USA | |||
|align='center'|Gold | |||
|22 July 1969 | |||
|- | |||
|RIAA – USA | |||
|align='center'|Platinum | |||
|11 December 1990 | |||
|- | |||
|RIAA – USA | |||
|align='center'|4× Platinum | |||
|11 December 1990 | |||
|- | |||
|RIAA – USA | |||
|align='center'|6× Platinum | |||
|25 November 1997 | |||
|- | |||
|RIAA – USA | |||
|align='center'|8× Platinum | |||
|3 May 1999 | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
==Credits== | |||
{|class='wikitable' | |||
|colspan='2' style='background:#ccffcc'|<center>'''Personnel'''</center> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | | ||
| Line 291: | Line 349: | ||
|} | |} | ||
== | ==References== | ||
{{ | {{Reflist|2}}[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:44, 26 October 2024
| Led Zeppelin | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Studio album |
| Artist | Led Zeppelin |
| Release Date | 12 January 1969 (US), 28 March 1969 (UK) |
| Recorded | October 1968 at Olympic Studios, London. |
| Genre | Hard rock, blues rock, folk rock |
| Language | English |
| Length | 44 minutes 50 seconds |
| Label | Atlantic Records |
| Catalogue | Atlantic SD 7208 (US), Swan Song SSK 59402 (UK) |
| Producer | Jimmy Page |
| Engineer | Glyn Johns |
Led Zeppelin is the eponymous debut album of English rock band Led Zeppelin. It was recorded in October 1968 at Olympic Studios in London and released on Atlantic Records on 12 January 1969. The album featured integral contributions from each of the group's four musicians and established Led Zeppelin's fusion of blues and rock. Led Zeppelin also created a large and devoted following for the band, with their unique hard rock sound endearing them to a section of the counterculture on both sides of the Atlantic. Although the album initially received mixed reviews, it was commercially very successful and has now come to be regarded in a much more positive light by critics.
Background
In August 1968, the English rock group the Yardbirds had disbanded. Guitarist Jimmy Page, the Yardbirds' sole remaining member, was left with rights to the group's name and contractual obligations for a series of concerts in Scandinavia. For his new band, Page recruited bassist John Paul Jones, vocalist Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham. During September 1968, the group toured Scandinavia as the New Yardbirds, performing some old Yardbirds material as well as new songs such as 'Communication Breakdown', 'I Can't Quit You Baby', 'You Shook Me', 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' and 'How Many More Times'.[1] The month after they returned to England, October 1968, Page changed the band's name to Led Zeppelin, and the group entered Olympic Studios in London to record their debut album. In late 1968, Peter Grant arranged a series of gigs at British clubs, where Zeppelin received a mixed audience reception.
Recording and production
Recording sessions
In a 1990 interview, Page said that the album took only about 36 hours of studio time (over a span of a few weeks) to create (including mixing), adding that he knows this because of the amount charged on the studio bill.[2][3] One of the primary reasons for the short recording time was that the material selected for the album had been well-rehearsed and pre-arranged by the band on Led Zeppelin's tour of Scandinavia in September 1968.[4] As Page explained, '[the band] had begun developing the arrangements on the Scandinavian tour and I knew what sound I was looking for. It just came together incredibly quickly.'[5]
In addition, since the band had not yet signed their deal with Atlantic Records, Page and Led Zeppelin's manager Peter Grant paid for the sessions entirely themselves, meaning there was no record company money to waste on excessive studio time.[6] In another interview, Page revealed that the self-funding was to ensure artistic freedom:
| ‘ | I wanted artistic control in a vice grip, because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with these fellows. In fact, I financed and completely recorded the first album before going to Atlantic. ... It wasn't your typical story where you get an advance to make an album — we arrived at Atlantic with tapes in hand ... Atlantic's reaction was very positive — I mean they signed us, didn't they?'[7] | ’ |
The group recorded their songs reportedly for £1,782.[8] Grant then made a highly publicized recording contract with Atlantic Records, the same label that had turned Cream into a phenomenon. Atlantic was looking for the next 'supergroup', and Grant had convinced them that Led Zeppelin was It. Atlantic executive Ahmet Ertegun had not even heard the tapes from the first Led Zeppelin recording session when he brought out his chequebook and wrote Grant a US$200,000 advance. More significantly, Grant insisted that the band retain full control over their music. Atlantic's initial promotion of the band was as follows: 'Top English and American rock musicians who have heard the [first Zeppelin] tracks have compared the L.P. to the best of Cream and Jimi Hendrix, and have called Led Zeppelin the next group to reach the heights achieved by Cream and Hendrix.' Led Zeppelin's debut album went on to gross more than UK£3.5 million, just short of 20,000 times more than they invested.
For the recordings, Page played a psychedelically painted Fender Telecaster, a gift from Jeff Beck.[9] This was a different guitar from those he favoured for later albums (most notably a Gibson Les Paul). Page played the Telecaster through a Supro amplifier.[10] He also used a Gibson J-200 for the album's acoustic tracks.[11]
Production
Led Zeppelin was produced by Jimmy Page and engineered by Glyn Johns, who had previously worked with the Rolling Stones and Small Faces. The album was recorded on an analogue 4-track machine, which helped to give the record its warm sound. According to Page, 'The first album is a live album, it really is, and it's done intentionally in that way. It's got overdubs on it, but the original tracks are live.'[12]
Page reportedly used natural room ambience to enhance the reverb and recording texture on the record, demonstrating the innovations in sound recording he had learned during his session days. Up until the late 1960s, most music producers placed microphones directly in front of the amplifiers and drums. For Led Zeppelin Page developed the idea of placing an additional microphone some distance from the amplifier (as far as twenty feet) and then recording the balance between the two. By adopting this 'distance equals depth' technique, Page became one of the first producers to record a band's 'ambient sound' — the distance of a note's time - lag from one end of the room to the other.[13]
Another notable feature of the album was the 'leakage' on the recordings of Robert Plant's vocals. In a 1998 Guitar World interview, Page stated that 'Robert's voice was extremely powerful and, as a result, would get on some of the other tracks. But oddly, the leakage sounds intentional.'[14] On the track 'You Shook Me', Page used the 'backward echo' technique. It involves hearing the echo before the main sound (instead of after it), and is achieved by turning the tape over and employing the echo on a spare track, then turning the tape back over again to get the echo preceding the signal.[15]
Artwork
Led Zeppelin's front cover, which was chosen by Page, features a black-and-white image of the burning Hindenburg airship. The image refers to the origin of the band's name itself when Page, Jeff Beck, Keith Moon and John Entwistle were discussing the idea of forming a group, Moon joked, 'It would probably go over like a lead balloon.'[16]
The album's back cover features a photograph of the band taken by former-Yardbird Chris Dreja.[17] The entire design of the album's sleeve was coordinated by George Hardie, with whom the band would continue to collaborate for future sleeves.[18]
Hardie recalled that he originally offered the band a design based on an old club sign in San Francisco, California — a multi-sequential image of a Zeppelin airship up in the clouds. Page declined but it was retained as the logo for the back cover of Led Zeppelin's first two albums and a number of early press advertisements.[19] During the first few weeks of release in the United Kingdom, the sleeve featured the band's name and the Atlantic logo in turquoise. When this was switched to the now - common orange print later in the year, the turquoise - printed sleeve became a collector's item.[20]
The album cover received widespread attention when, at a February 1970 gig in Copenhagen, the band were billed as "The Nobs" as the result of a legal threat from aristocrat Eva von Zeppelin (a relative of the creator of the Zeppelin aircraft). Countess von Zeppelin, upon seeing the logo of the Hindenburg crashing in flames, threatened but failed to have the show pulled off the air.[21]
Composition
The conceptual originality of the album was displayed on tracks such as 'Good Times Bad Times' and 'Communication Breakdown', which had a unique and distinctively heavy sound new to the ears of young music-buyers in the late-1960s. 'Communication Breakdown' would become monumental in its influence. Led Zeppelin also featured delicate steel-string acoustic guitar by Page on 'Black Mountain Side', and a combination of acoustic and electric approaches on their adaptation of 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You'.
'Dazed and Confused' is arguably the album's centrepiece: a foreboding arrangement featuring a descending bass line from Jones, heavy drumming from Bonham and some powerful guitar riffs and soloing from Page. It also showcased Page playing guitar with a violin bow (an idea suggested by David McCallum Sr., whom Page had met while doing studio session work).[22] The bowed guitar in the middle section of the song brought psychedelic rock to experimental new heights, especially in extended stage versions, building on Page's earlier renderings of the song during the latter days of the Yardbirds. 'Dazed and Confused' would become Led Zeppelin's signature performance piece for years to come. The bowed guitar technique is also used on 'How Many More Times', a song which features a 'Bolero' riff and an improvised shift in cadence.[23]
Many of Led Zeppelin's earliest songs were based on blues standards, and the album also included two songs: 'You Shook Me' and 'I Can't Quit You Baby'[24] On 'You Shook Me', Plant vocally mimics Page's guitar effects - a metallicized version of the 'call and response' blues technique.
In an interview he gave in 1975, Page offered his own perspective on the album's music:
| ‘ | For material, we obviously went right down to our blues roots. I still had plenty of Yardbirds riffs left over. By the time Jeff [Beck] did go, it was up to me to come up with a lot of new stuff. It was this thing where [Eric] Clapton set a heavy precedent in the Yardbirds which Beck had to follow and then it was even harder for me, in a way, because the second lead guitarist had suddenly become the first. And I was under pressure to come up with my own riffs. On the first LP I was still heavily influenced by the earlier days. I think it tells a bit, too... It was obvious that somebody had to take the lead, otherwise we'd have all sat around jamming for six months. But after that, on the second LP, you can really hear the group identity coming together.[25] | ’ |
Reception
The album was advertised in selected music papers under the slogan 'Led Zeppelin - the only way to fly'.[26] It initially received mixed reviews. As was noted by rock journalist Cameron Crowe years later: 'It was a time of 'super-groups,' of furiously hyped bands who could barely cut it, and Led Zeppelin initially found themselves fighting upstream to prove their authenticity.'[27] Conversely, in Britain the album received a glowing review in the Melody Maker. Chris Welch wrote, in a review titled 'Jimmy Page triumphs - Led Zeppelin is a gas!': 'their material does not rely on obvious blues riffs, although when they do play them, they avoid the emaciated feebleness of most so-called British blues bands'.[28]
The album was very commercially successful. It was initially released in America on 17 January 1969 to capitalise on the band's first U.S. concert tour, and 28 March 1969, in the United Kingdom. Before that, Atlantic Records had distributed a few hundred advance white label copies to key radio stations and reviewers. A positive reaction to its contents, coupled with a good reaction to the band's opening concerts, resulted in the album generating 50,000 advance orders.[29] It stayed on the Billboard chart for 73 weeks and held a 79-week run on the British charts. By 1975 it had grossed $7,000,000.[30]
Legacy
The success and influence of the album is today widely acknowledged, even amongst those critics who were initially sceptical.
According to Lewis:
| ‘ | Time has done nothing to diminish the quality of one of the finest debut albums ever recorded. There's an urgency and enthusiasm about their performance that retains timeless charm. The nine cuts offer a tour de force of powerful yet often subtle dynamics ... And let's not forget the fact that with this album, Page virtually invents the guitar riff as a key songwriting component.[31] | ’ |
In 2003, VH1 named Led Zeppelin the 44th greatest album of all time, while Rolling Stone ranked it 29th on the magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It is widely regarded as marking a significant turning point in the evolution of hard rock and early heavy metal.[32]
Reviews
| Reviewer | Country | Review | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Floman (Goldmine) | United States | Rock and Soul Album Reviews | 2002 | A+ |
Accolades
| Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Times | United Kingdom | The 100 Best Albums of All Time[33] | 1993 | 41 |
| Rolling Stone | United States | The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time[34] | 2003 | 29 |
| Grammy Awards | United States | Grammy Hall of Fame Award[35] | 2004 | * |
| Q | United Kingdom | The Music That Changed the World[36] | 2004 | 7 |
| Robert Dimery | United States | 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die[37] | 2006 | * |
| Classic Rock | United Kingdom | 100 Greatest British Rock Album Ever[38] | 2006 | 81 |
| Uncut | United Kingdom | 100 Greatest Debut Albums[39] | 2006 | 7 |
| DigitalDreamDoor | United States | The 100 Greatest Rock Debut Albums[40] | 2006 | 2 |
| Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | United States | The Definitive 200[41] | 2007 | 165 |
| Q | United Kingdom | 21 Albums That Changed Music[42] | 2007 | 6 |
* denotes an unordered list
Track list
|
Track listing:
| |
- 'How Many More Times' was listed as 3:30 on the record sleeve deliberately by Jimmy Page in order to trick radio stations into playing the song.
- Robert Plant participated in songwriting, but wasn't given credit due to unexpired contractual obligations resulting from his association with CBS Records.[43]
- Some cassette versions of the album reversed the order of the sides. For these versions, side one began with 'Your Time Is Gonna Come' and ended with 'How Many More Times', while side two began with 'Good Times Bad Times' and ended with 'Dazed and Confused'.
Chart positions
Album
| Chart (1969) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Top 100 Chart[44] | 11 |
| UK Albums Chart[45] | 6 |
| US Billboard The 200 Albums Chart[46] | 10 |
| French Albums Chart[47] | 115 |
| Japanese Albums Chart[48] | 36 |
| Chart (1970) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Norwegian Albums Chart[49] | 16 |
| Spanish Albums Chart[50] | 1 |
| German Albums Chart[51] | 32 |
| Australian Go-Set Top 20 Albums Chart[52] | 9 |
| Chart (2014) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart[53] | 4 |
| US Billboard The 200 Albums Chart | 7 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 'Good Times Bad Times' | US Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart (Pop Singles)[54] | 80 |
Sales certifications
| Country | Sales | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (CRIA) | 1,000,000+ | Diamond[55] |
| France (SNEP) | 100,000+ | Gold[56] |
| Switzerland (IFPI) | 25,000+ | Gold[57] |
| Germany (IFPI) | 100,000+ | Gold[58] |
| Argentina (CAPIF) | 30,000+ | Gold[59] |
| Australia (ARIA) | 140,000+ | 2× Platinum[60] |
| United States (RIAA) | 10,000,000+ | 8× Multi-Platinum[61] |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | 80,000+ | Platinum[62] |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | 600,000+ | 2× Platinum[63]* |
| Netherlands (NVPI) | 30,000+ | Gold[64]* |
Note: (*) Remastered sales only
Certification history
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA – USA | Gold | 22 July 1969 |
| RIAA – USA | Platinum | 11 December 1990 |
| RIAA – USA | 4× Platinum | 11 December 1990 |
| RIAA – USA | 6× Platinum | 25 November 1997 |
| RIAA – USA | 8× Platinum | 3 May 1999 |
Credits
| |
References
- ↑ Concert on 7 September 1968 at Teen Clubs, Denmark. Led Zeppelin official website. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
- ↑ Led Zeppelin Profiled radio promo CD, 1990
- ↑ Welch, Chris (1996). “Fly, Zeppelin, Fly”, Led Zeppelin. London: Carlton Books, 28. ISBN 978-1-85868-271-6.
- ↑ Schulps, Dave (October 1977). "Jimmy Page: The Trouser Press Interview". Trouser Press 4 (22). ISSN 0164-1883.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave and Pallett, Simon (2005). Led Zeppelin: The Concert File, Revised. London: Omnibus Press, 23. ISBN 978-1-84449-659-4.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 21. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Tolinski, Brad; Greg DiBenedetto (May 1993). "Inside the studio with Jimmy Page". Guitar World 14 (5). ISSN 1063-4231.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 21. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Rosen, Steven 1977 Jimmy Page Interview, Modern Guitars, 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of Guitar Player magazine).
- ↑ Rosen, Steven 1977 Jimmy Page Interview, Modern Guitars, 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of Guitar Player magazine).
- ↑ Rosen, Steven 1977 Jimmy Page Interview, Modern Guitars, 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of Guitar Player magazine).
- ↑ 'I first met Jimmy on Tolworth Broadway, holding a bag of exotic fish...', Uncut, January 2009, p. 42.
- ↑ Tolinski, Brad; Di Bendetto, Greg (January 1998). 'Light and Shade'. Guitar World.
- ↑ Tolinski, Brad; Di Bendetto, Greg (January 1998). 'Light and Shade'. Guitar World.
- ↑ Tolinski, Brad; Di Bendetto, Greg (January 1998). 'Light and Shade'. Guitar World.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 21. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 21. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 21. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 21. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 22. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Shadwick, Keith Led Zeppelin 1968-1980: The Story of a Band and Their Music (excerpt posted on Billboard)
- ↑ Welch, Chris (2009). Led Zeppelin: The Stories Behind Every Led Zeppelin Song. London: Carlton Books, 25. ISBN 978-1-84732-286-9.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 27. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 24. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Cameron Crowe interview Led Zeppelin (1975-03-18). Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 22. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Liner notes by Cameron Crowe for The Complete Studio Recordings
- ↑ Welch, Chris (1996). “Conquest of America”, Led Zeppelin. London: Carlton Books, 37. ISBN 978-1-85868-271-6.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 22. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Billboard discography
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2004). Led Zeppelin: The Complete Guide to their Music. London: Omnibus Press, 8. ISBN 978-1-84449-141-4.
- ↑ Fast, Susan (2001). In the Houses of the Holy: Led Zeppelin and the Power of Rock Music. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 40. ISBN 978-0-19-511756-1.
- ↑ The Times: The 100 Best Albums of All Time - December 1993. The Times. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ↑ The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
- ↑ The Grammy Hall of Fame Award. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
- ↑ "The Music That Changed the World (Part One: 1954 – 1969)", Q magazine special edition.
- ↑ Dimery, Robert. "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die", Universe Publishing, 7 February 2006, pp. 910. 0-7893-1371-5.
- ↑ Classic Rock - 100 Greatest British Rock Album Ever - April 2006. Classic Rock. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ↑ "100 Greatest Debut Albums", Uncut.
- ↑ The 100 Greatest Rock Debut Albums - 2006. DigitalDreamDoor. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
- ↑ The Definitive 200. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
- ↑ "21 Albums That Changed Music", Q magazine 21st anniversary issue.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 22. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ RPM Albums Chart - 21 April 1969. RPM. Retrieved on 2009-01-17.
- ↑ Top 100 Albums - 10 May 1969. chartstats.com. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ The Billboard 200 - 17 May 1969. Billboard. Retrieved on 2009-01-17.
- ↑ Top 100 Albums - 1969. infodisc.fr. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ Top 100 Albums - 1969. Oricon. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ Top 20 Albums - 8 February 1970. norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved on 2009-01-17.
- ↑ Top 100 Albums - 21 February 1970. PROMUSICAE. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ Top 100 Albums - February 1970. charts-surfer.de. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ Top 20 Albums - 23 May 1970. Go Set. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ Top 40 Albums - 4 June 2014. Official Charts Company. Retrieved on 5 June 2014.
- ↑ Hot 100 Singles - 19 April 1969. Billboard. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ CRIA Led Zeppelin - 1 December 1982. CRIA. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ Disque en France: Led Zeppelin - 1982. SNEP. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ Swiss Charts Certifications: Led Zeppelin - 1991. swisscharts.com. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Led Zeppelin - 1993. musikindustrie.de. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ CAPIF: Led Zeppelin - 1993. CAPIF. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ ARIA Album Accreditations - 31 December 1999. ARIA. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ RIAA.org Led Zeppelin - 2 March 2001. RIAA. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ PROMUSICAE Led Zeppelin - 2002. PROMUSICAE. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ BPI Led Zeppelin certification - 20 October 2006. BPI. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.
- ↑ NVPI: Led Zeppelin - 2006. NVPI. Retrieved on 2009-01-19.