John Lennon and Led Zeppelin were both highly influential and iconic bands of the last century, and the answer to the question: Did John Lennon like Led Zeppelin has elicited a lot of debate among music lovers. Both bands were at the pinnacle of their respective musical success and fans and critics have often wondered to what extent John Lennon really affected Led Zeppelin’s music. Unfortunately, we may never know the full answer since Lennon passed away in 1980.
While very little personal evidence exists that Lennon had either affinity or hatred for Led Zeppelin, circumstantial evidence suggests that he was a fan. Though Lennon was critical of a number of other bands and musicians including Yoko Ono, his feelings on Led Zeppelin remain a mystery. Lennon was known to be an avid fan of blues music which undoubtedly had a great impact on the style of Led Zeppelin’s music.
In terms of collaboration, John Lennon did make one appearance on an album by Led Zeppelin. The album, Led Zeppelin IV, released in 1971, featured a vocal duet of John Lennon and John Paul Jones on the song “Rock and Roll.” This collaboration not only suggests that Lennon appreciated Led Zeppelin but also that the band had a healthy respect for him.
Though John Lennon never commented on Led Zeppelin, some of his bandmates and close associates had some intriguing opinions. George Harrison, a close personal friend of Lennon, once said “Led Zeppelin were the greatest rock band of all time.” Similarly, John Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono commented that she was a big fan of the band and influential in influencing John Lennon’s musical style in the early days of The Beatles.
While John Lennon may have been a fan of Led Zeppelin, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Ultimately, it can be said that while Lennon liked the band and their music, he may not have been a true Led Zeppelin fan. Furthermore, considering Lennon’s own style of music and the rivalry that existed between The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, it is highly likely that Lennon was in fact, just a casual fan.
Relations between The Beatles and Led Zeppelin
The relationship between The Beatles and Led Zeppelin has been contentious. Though the two bands had mutual respect for each other, it is generally accepted that there was a rivalry between them. The rivalry began in the early days of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, when The Beatles were at the peak of their popularity and Led Zeppelin was still an up and coming band.
Though the two bands shared various similarities in terms of sound, style, and influence, each had a distinctively unique style. Led Zeppelin’s hard rock and blues-based sound were vastly different from the pop and rock n’ roll of The Beatles. This undoubtedly led to competition between the two bands as each strived to make their own mark on the music world.
The rivalry between the two bands reached its peak in the 70s when both bands held sway over the music charts and were competing for awards. While Led Zeppelin was the clear winner on the charts, The Beatles dominated the awards ceremony, taking home numerous Grammys and awards. Thus, from a competitive standpoint, it is fair to say that John Lennon was likely a greater admirer of Led Zeppelin’s music than the other members of The Beatles.
However, while the rivalry between The Beatles and Led Zeppelin has been widely discussed, it is important to note that there was also a mutual respect between the two bands. This was especially evident in John Lennon’s guest appearance on Led Zeppelin’s fourth album which shows that despite rivalry, both bands had a deep admiration for each other’s work.
Overall Impact of Led Zeppelin on John Lennon
The overall impact of Led Zeppelin on John Lennon is difficult to measure as very few personal records of his opinion on the band exist. However, it can be said that while Lennon appreciated Led Zeppelin’s music, he may not have been a true fan. This is largely due to the rivalry between the two bands as well as Lennon’s own unique approach to music.
It can be argued that Led Zeppelin had a significant influence on John Lennon’s style of music. This is particularly evident in Lennon’s post-Beatles work, when he began to incorporate more blues and hard rock elements into his music. Furthermore, it is also likely that Lennon was inspired by Led Zeppelin’s approach to songwriting and recording.
In conclusion, while it is difficult to definitively answer the question: Did John Lennon like Led Zeppelin, circumstantial evidence and interviews with associated of Lennon suggest that he was indeed a fan. While the rivalry between the two bands made it difficult for him to truly appreciate and take influence from Led Zeppelin, it is clear that Lennon respected the band and its approach to music.
Led Zeppelin’s Influence on John Lennon’s Song Writing
Led Zeppelin, a band whose sound has been described as ‘unconventional and unique’ certainly had a considerable impact on John Lennon’s song writing. After the success of The Beatles, Lennon started to experiment with more blues and hard rock elements in his music. This was largely due to Led Zeppelin’s own approach to song writing and recording which was something that Lennon was keen to learn from and incorporate into his music.
In particular, one can hear Lennon’s influence on Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll’. The song, which featured a vocal duet between John Lennon and John Paul Jones, shows a clear influence of Lennon’s style. Furthermore, it also suggests that not only was Lennon aware of Led Zeppelin’s sound but also had a healthy respect for it.
Another example of Led Zeppelin’s influence on John Lennon can be heard in his song ‘Nobody Told Me’. The song, which was released posthumously, incorporates much of the elements of Led Zeppelin’s sound including blues and hard rock. In this song, Lennon clearly pays homage to Led Zeppelin’s style and sound.
While it’s difficult to definitively answer the question: Did John Lennon like Led Zeppelin, it is clear that the band had a significant influence on Lennon’s approach to song writing. Lennon was undoubtedly inspired by Led Zeppelin’s sound and incorporated many of its elements into his own work.
Led Zeppelin’s Influence on John Lennon’s Style of Singing
John Lennon’s style of singing was certainly heavily influenced by Led Zeppelin. While The Beatles had a distinctive harmony heavy Beatles style of singing John Lennon, in particular, took a much deeper dive into blues and hard rock with his solo career. This was then further reinforced when he collaborated with Led Zeppelin on their song Rock and Roll.
The influence of Led Zeppelin’s sound can be heard throughout much of Lennon’s later works, particularly in his solo albums Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey which featured a number of hard rock inspired tracks. While The Beatles’ style was always largely centered around harmonies and catchy melodies, Lennon’s solo works strayed into heavier sound featuring blues guitar, distorted riffs and a more aggressive vocal style.
It is also worth noting that not only does Led Zeppelin influence John Lennon’s style of singing, but also the tone of his lyrics. His songs ‘Jealous Guy’ and ‘Mother’ were heavily influenced by the emotive nature of Led Zeppelin’s music, as these songs grapple with the themes of love, heartache and regret which Led Zeppelin also articulated.
Thus, while it remains a mystery as to whether John Lennon was a Led Zeppelin fan or not, it is clear that the band had a considerable influence on Lennon’s style of singing and song writing. Lennon’s solo works and his collaborations with Led Zeppelin show that he was certainly aware and appreciative of the band’s style, even if he wasn’t a true fan.
John Lennon’s Legary and Appreciation for Led Zeppelin
John Lennon’s legacy and appreciation for Led Zeppelin remains a mystery as very few personal records of his opinion on the band exist. It is worth noting, however, that Lennon never openly expressed any negative feelings towards the band nor any of its members
