Throwback Thursday: Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin

Original Release date: 8th November 1971

This week on Throwback Thursday, we look at a real classic from a band who at the time were 'the biggest band in the world'. Led Zeppelin had a huge influence on rock music and over 40 years later, 'Led Zeppelin IV' sounds as majestic and magnificent as ever. The album includes some of the most recognisable rock and roll songs ever recorded. But the album came at a time when Led Zeppelin had fell out of favour with the music world. However, the power and brilliance of 'Led Zeppelin IV' totally changed this, thrusting Led Zeppelin to an even higher status.

'Led Zeppelin IV' was different. It blended together the hard rock elements from their second album, with their folk influences from the third album. This gave 'Led Zeppelin IV' huge appeal. Unfortunately the album was released under a storm of discontent. Their third album had received less than positive reviews. Critics and fans alike had moved away from the band. 

So when coming to release this album, Led Zeppelin wanted to do it anonymously to avoid any pre-conceptions people may have about the album. For this reason the album is untitled but came to be known as 'Led Zeppelin IV' and the album cover bears no band name or image. The album was accompanied by a clever marketing campaign, that is not dissimilar to the recent campaign Arcade Fire used with their latest release 'Reflektor'. This involved each member of the band devising a symbol to represent them. This was the brain child of guitarist Jimmy Page as a reaction to the negative press they had received in the past. These symbols are shown below, with Jimmy Page's in the top left corner, with John Paul Jones' in the top right corner, and John Bonham's and Robert Plant's on the bottom row. They were developed form various sources ranging from personal designs to historical symbols. As with 'Reflektor' these symbols were used in teaser adverts in the lead up to the album's release and also appear on the album cover sleeve.

'Led Zeppelin IV' was a huge hit when it was released, spending 77 weeks in the UK chart reaching Number 1 in it's second week of release. It has gone on to sell over 35 million copies worldwide making it one of the best selling albums of all time. Critics also looked upon it favourably and many make it Led Zeppelin's best album.

The strength of the album lies mainly in the band's superb musical talent. The rhythm section of John Paul Jones and the late John Bonham were incredible. Many modern Rock music stars look up to them, Dave Grohl in particular is a huge fan. The track 'Rock And Roll' shows this perfectly. Not only is the opening drum beat instantly recognisable and impossible to ignore, the bass marries perfectly with it to provide the foundations for a classic Rock song. When you add Robert Plant's unique vocals and Jimmy Page's superb riffs, it's difficult not to let the song get under your skin. The heavy Rock and Roll vibes continue with 'Black Dog' where Page shows off his skills with a trademark funky riff. 'When The Levee Breaks' shows more of the funky, blues side of Led Zeppelin with it's slower drum beat and bass line. The whining of Page's guitar adds an extra layer of cool. But the real stand out track and why this album is so revered is 'Stairway To Heaven'. When discussing this song it's hard not to run out of superlatives. Amazing, spectacular, superb, majestic. Every part is pretty much perfect. Form the beautiful opening guitar, and the unstoppable climatic solo, to the chilling sound of Plant's voice. It never fails to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. No wonder it is often voted as one of the best songs of all time.

Following the release of 'Led Zeppelin IV' the band released their fifth album 'House of the Holy' which received similar approval. They then toured the world selling out huge venues and breaking records on both sides of the Atlantic. Their sixth album was released a few years later in 1975. However, sadly, John Bonham died in October 1980, bringing an early end to Led Zeppelin. In 2007 the remaining members, and Bonham's son Jason, took to the stage at the O2 in London in a concert which is in the Guinness Book of Records for having the 'Highest Demand For Tickets for One Music Concert'. I went to see this concert at a special cinema screening and I highly recommend you watch it. They are still fantastic live and can still dominate any venue. Led Zeppelin really deserve the title 'the biggest band in the world' - they are a true musical powerhouse. Although I think Mick Jagger may have something to say about that!


Key Tracks: Black Dog, Rock And Roll, Stairway To Heaven, When The Levee Breaks



LED ZEPPELIN IV from Miguel Angel on Vimeo.