Led Zeppelin
The Beginning of Led Zeppelin

The band's first tour fulfilled Page's obligations under The Yardbirds' name, playing as the New Yardbirds. When they returned to the UK, they renamed the band Led Zeppelin (reportedly an idea of Who drummer Keith Moon), and cut their first album in a mere 30 hours. It hit the #10 spot on the Billboard charts within just a few weeks. They soon kicked off another U.S. tour (in 1969) as an opening act. They've never cut an album that failed to reach Platinum sales levels.
Led Zeppelin was the first of the "album rock" bands, depending on their album sales and concert tickets instead of releasing singles. That didn't stop their songs from becoming massive radio hits, though. Zeppelin also probably fathered the era of "arena rock," packing out some of the word's largest venues.
The Legacy of Led Zeppelin

Since successful rock bands and controversy go together like peanut butter and jelly, Zeppelin also experienced their share of that, and the legal drama over their alleged music theft continues today. Blues musician and songwriter Willie Dixon sued them for copyright infringement over "Whole Lotta Love" and "Bring It on Home," (he won), and litigation over their massive hit "Stairway to Heaven" is still ongoing between the remaining members of Led Zeppelin and representatives of the estate of Randy "California" Wolfe (a guitar player, songwriter, and original member of the group Spirit).
Led Zeppelin produced 5 number-one hits, shattered concert ticket sales records all over the States (most of which were established by The Beatles), and even formed their own record label, Swan Song. All told, they lay claim to an estimated 300 million total sales, worldwide (111.5 million certified sales), and stand at #4 on the list of best-selling bands in the United States (behind The Beatles, Garth Brooks, and Elvis Presley). With a total of 9 studio albums, they landed eight #1 hit albums in a row in the UK charts. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (U.S.) in 1995.
The Ending of Led Zeppelin

The following year ('76), Zeppelin produced another album and another round of touring in the U.S. Tragedy again struck the Plant family, when his 6-year-old son, Karac, contracted a sudden and fatal infection. The group, understandably, cancelled the rest of the tour, and spent the next 1 1/2 years on a much-needed hiatus.

Soon, more rumors kicked up that Plant and Page, along with Yes' Alan White and Chris Squire, were planning to begin a new band. The rumored band even had a name, XYZ (derived from ex-Yes and the name Zeppelin), but it never became a reality. Led Zeppelin did release one more album, Coda, in 1982, which was comprised of outtakes and music that had been recorded previously.
But fans weren't left totally without. Both Plant and Page kicked off phenomenally successful solo careers, and those members of the band still with us have occasionally reunited for various performances. An actual "reunion" concert became a reality in 2007 (a performance featuring 16 vintage Led Zeppelin tunes) but there's no real talk of reforming the band, and the successful solo career of Plant, combined with some outside interests the other band members are involved in, will probably keep those rumors at that. Rumors.
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Official Led Zeppelin Merchandise
Our Led Zeppelin Picks
Every record store has a featured artist showcase... Well, here's ours for Led Zeppelin. In this section you'll find our recommended Led Zeppelin vinyl and merchandise.
Led Zeppelin Vinyl
Every record store has a featured artist showcase... Well, here's ours for Led Zeppelin. In this section you'll find our recommended Led Zeppelin vinyl and merchandise.
Led Zeppelin T-Shirts & Apparel
Led Zeppelin t-shirts, awesome band hoodies and jackets - we have a ton! Shipped directly to your home from our Rockmerch warehouse, it's the best way to bring iconic Led Zeppelin apparel and merchandise to your doorstep! Browse our awesome collection of Led Zeppelin t-shirts today!
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