A
Anonymous
Guest
I know Led Zeppelin aren't a Metal band in the strict sense, but since this BB lacks a general music forum, and this doesn't really fit into the General Discussion forum either, I thought I'd post it here.
Earlier this evening, I had an interesting discussion with JackKnife in the Chatroom, in which we discussed the impact the individual band members had on the music of Led Zeppelin. We all know that Led Zep were pretty much the tightest group in Rock history, and this is why they disbanded after Bonzo's death. However, we also know that Zeppelin were essentially Page's band, and that he was the brain behind most of the music. With that in mind, Page was the centrepiece of the band, and it is fair to say most of the rest of the instruments (some individual songs disregarded) and the vocals were built around Page.
So, JackKnife and I were discussing which musician gave the band its most important trademarks next to Page. I personally argued it was John Bonham, as his drumming sound and style is one I would personally recognize out of a million. JackKnife brought up the valid point that while Zeppelin wouldn't be Zeppelin without Bonham, Plant was responsible for much of the atmosphere, especially by the songwriting on the third and fourth albums (also later, see for example "Kashmir"). LZ III really is Page and Plant's album, I must agree with that. However, many other Zeppelin pieces do not really profit from Plant. Much of what he is singing could be replaced with anything else and it would not make a difference- it is really the instruments that tell the stories (again, some individual songs disregarded). Listen to the first and second albums, or "Houses Of The Holy" to get the idea.
Onstage, it was clearly Page and Plant that carried the vision of Led Zeppelin, but in the studio, I personally think it was Page and Bonham. As for John Paul Jones, he really only appears as an invaluable member on the later records (Houses Of The Holy onwards).
However, at the end of the day, it really is the band as a whole, not the individual musicians, that make up the legend of Led Zeppelin.
Anyway, I would like to hear your opinions on this.
Earlier this evening, I had an interesting discussion with JackKnife in the Chatroom, in which we discussed the impact the individual band members had on the music of Led Zeppelin. We all know that Led Zep were pretty much the tightest group in Rock history, and this is why they disbanded after Bonzo's death. However, we also know that Zeppelin were essentially Page's band, and that he was the brain behind most of the music. With that in mind, Page was the centrepiece of the band, and it is fair to say most of the rest of the instruments (some individual songs disregarded) and the vocals were built around Page.
So, JackKnife and I were discussing which musician gave the band its most important trademarks next to Page. I personally argued it was John Bonham, as his drumming sound and style is one I would personally recognize out of a million. JackKnife brought up the valid point that while Zeppelin wouldn't be Zeppelin without Bonham, Plant was responsible for much of the atmosphere, especially by the songwriting on the third and fourth albums (also later, see for example "Kashmir"). LZ III really is Page and Plant's album, I must agree with that. However, many other Zeppelin pieces do not really profit from Plant. Much of what he is singing could be replaced with anything else and it would not make a difference- it is really the instruments that tell the stories (again, some individual songs disregarded). Listen to the first and second albums, or "Houses Of The Holy" to get the idea.
Onstage, it was clearly Page and Plant that carried the vision of Led Zeppelin, but in the studio, I personally think it was Page and Bonham. As for John Paul Jones, he really only appears as an invaluable member on the later records (Houses Of The Holy onwards).
However, at the end of the day, it really is the band as a whole, not the individual musicians, that make up the legend of Led Zeppelin.
Anyway, I would like to hear your opinions on this.
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