Led Zeppelin and Spirit have a unique relationship; they were not only label mates but also contemporaries and, on occasion, even tour mates. In the late 1960s and early 1970s they were at the forefront of a musical revolution inside of the burgeoning American rock scene, experimenting with psychedelic and progressive sounds never before heard in popular music. It is therefore unsurprising that the two bands would tour together.
However, the answer to whether Led Zeppelin opened for Spirit is rather complicated. While the two bands did tour together, splitting bills with one band’s name listed as the headliner, Spirit themselves weren’t always the one that got the top billing.
The two bands shared the stage in places like Hollywood, Boston, and Dallas with dates ranging between August 16, 1969 and December 11, 1970, each time filling in large venues and captivating their audiences with a remarkable sound and dedication to the performance. Both bands were still relatively unknown at the time, so the double billing was a major draw due to the similarities of their styles and genre.
The only reported instance in which Spirit was the headliner over Led Zeppelin was a show at San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University, Northridge) on October 20, 1969, during Farm Aid, running from 2pm to 4am and sharing the bill with bands such as Cat Mother and the All Night News Boys and The Staple Singers. Tickets were priced at $3.50 and the venue reportedly ‘sold out’. This was a momentous occasion for Spirit; the band was reviewed as having been the highlight of the show and was able to demonstrate their journey from R&B band to psychedelic influences.
Led Zeppelin had a greater following earlier in their career, including the strong presence of the ‘guitar god’ Jimmy Page; this was a clear factor in why the headlining band varied between the two. However, they still respected each other’s sound and performance and for a brief time double headlined together in 1969 and 1970.
The Music of Led Zeppelin and Spirit
They were very much part of the same musical genre. It is upon comparing their sounds – from the unusual time signatures and chord sequences, to the bold and often bittersweet vocals – that one can further verify the affinity between them. Although considered two sides of the same coin, there are enough similarities in their music to have sparked a spirited collaboration.
Due to the frequent double-headlining of shows, the bands showcased some creative improvisations of their music and often kept the crowds mesmerized. For example, Led Zeppelin would chant some lines of Spirit’s hit, “Fresh Garbage,” to which the band responded with some chords from Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused”. As the two bands fell into the depths of their session, seldom leaving the stage until the early morning, their musical fever spread to the raptured audience.
What further influenced the audience – and arguably created a greater bond between the two bands – was the fact that Led Zeppelin frequently covered some of Spirit’s more popular songs such as “Fresh-Garbage” and “Like a Rolling Stone”. This gesture showcased a new level of respect and admiration, which in a way led to the bands’ synergy and reputation of experimentation and improvisation.
They both touched the wild side of the 60s and 70s. A combination of electrifying guitar solos, ethereal keyboards, shrieking horns, skillfully crafted harmonies and grimy bass lines were essential elements in the concoctions of these two artistic powerhouses – merging to create an explosion of something that was unlike anything heard before.
Albums
Led Zeppelin’s early album releases featured the blues-rock foundation of their sound on songs such as “Good Times Bad Times” and “I Can’t Quit You Baby” while Spirit’s eponymously titled debut showcased a blues-rock-psychedelic experienced seen in songs such as “Mechanical World” and “Gramophone Man”. Both albums were released in 1968 and laid the foundation for the two bands’ influential music styles.
Spirit’s next two conceptual albums completed their transition from blues-rock to psychedelic sounds – for example, “Animal Zoo” off their sophmore effort and “Life Has Just Begun” from Clear – while Led Zeppelin expanded further upon their hard rock sound in 1969’s Led Zeppelin II and the following year’s Led Zeppelin III., containing landmark songs like “Whole Lotta Love”, “Ramble On” and “Immigrant Song”.
The 1970s saw the pinnacle of both bands’ success and influence. Led Zeppelin IV, released in 1971, catapulted the band into global fame. After a production delay, Spirit’s massive opus, titled Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus, soon followed and became their most successful album. Its experimental production flourishes combined with strong melodies of hits such as “Nature’s Way” and “Animal Zoo” provided an interesting blend of audio and panoramic dioramas.
Legacy
Both bands have left an indelible mark on music and culture, primarily in the following decades after their initial stardom. In recognition of their huge contribution to introducing American rock music to a global audience, Led Zeppelin were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 1995 and Spirit in 2013.
Their innovative approach to music provided the foundation for today’s modern rock scene, influencing up and coming bands such as Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers and Queens of the Stone Age. Their songs, ideas and performances were the seed from which today’s musical revolution has been carefully sewn.
Longevity and Influence
While Led Zeppelin, and its members, have been (unfortunately) absent in recent years, as guitarist Jimmy Page has focused most his energy on recent projects such as re-releasing their album catalog and producing solo material, Spirit has been gradually making a comeback, with their newest album, Nature’s Way, being released in 2017.
Despite the two band not having toured together for over 50 years, both have managed to remain as active and influential as ever. Spirit’s 2017 album “Nature’s Way,” was critically acclaimed, and today Led Zeppelin’s original members continue to be popular, based on enthusiastic participation in various music festivals.
In the face of ever-changing music technology, with its non-traditional creative ideas and production methods, both of these timeless bands still remain relevant. At the very least, their music continues to serve as an inspiration for generations of musicians and fans alike.
Enduring Popularity
Similarly, both bands continue to inspire the younger generations, although for varying reasons; for Led Zeppelin its presence is rooted in a fundamental love for rock n roll and blues, while for Spirit the appreciation is found in the vast range of soundscapes that transport the listener to a far away dreamscape. Together, the two bands have been able to combine those qualities in a powerful way.
In fact, both Led Zeppelin and Spirit remain immensely popular today. Spirit have recently embarked on a world tour and received unanimously positive reviews following their 40th anniversary of the release of their iconic album, “Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus”. Their timeless music continues to captivate new audiences.
Led Zeppelin, on the other hand, stands as a monument in the industry, with millions of adoring fans from all over the world, with each member of the group being quite iconic within their genre, in their own right.
Conclusion
Both Led Zeppelin and Spirit were experts in musical experimentation. While they never achieved the same levels of fame, their ambitious music was undeniably influential. As two bands part of the same musical revolution, tour mates, and label mates, they showed that friendship and collaboration is often a better recipe than competition and rivalry.
