Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin. The titans. The band that took British blues and rock and pushed it to its logical extreme. I've got the first six albums on original vinyl, and the sleeves alone are works of art. Jimmy Page formed the band in 68 from the ashes of the Yardbirds with a specific vision: blend the raw power of blues with the epic scope of classical and folk music. He recruited John Paul Jones on bass and keyboards, Robert Plant on vocals — that golden god voice — and John Bonham on drums. The result was explosive.

The self-titled debut in 69 announced their intentions immediately. Good Times Bad Times, Communication Breakdown — the blues reimagined as somethin' heavier, more aggressive, more dynamic than anythin' before. Plant's wailin', blues-soaked vocals and Bonham's thunderous drummin' created a template others would spend decades tryin' to replicate.

Led Zeppelin II in 69 — recorded mostly on tour, captured the raw energy of their live shows. Whole Lotta Love, built around a riff Page adapted from Willie Dixon, became their biggest hit. Number one in several countries. But it was Led Zeppelin IV in 71 that's the masterpiece. No title, no band name on the cover, just four runic symbols. Inside was Stairway to Heaven — eight minutes of slow-buildin', multi-part rock that many consider the greatest song ever recorded. Never released as a single. Never needed to be. Also: Rock and Roll, Black Dog, Going to California. One of the best-sellin' albums in UK history.

They never officially released a single in the UK during their active years — a deliberate policy. Albums only. And what albums. Six UK number ones. Led Zeppelin IV alone has sold over 37 million copies worldwide.

Their live performances were legendary. Three-hour concerts, extended solos — Bonham's Moby Dick drum solo — improvisational jams that showcased the telepathic connection between the four. Earls Court in 75. Knebworth in 79. I'd've given anythin' to be at Knebworth.

John Bonham died in 80 after a night of heavy drinkin'. The band couldn't imagine continuin' without him. In the decades since, their reputation has only grown. The 2007 one-off reunion at the O2 drew 20 million ticket applications for 18,000 seats. Twenty million. That tells you everythin' you need to know.