Led Zeppelin is one of the biggest rock bands of all time. While the band has been immortalized through their legendary status and iconic image, their discography remains an acclaimed testament to their talent. Since their formation in 1968, Led Zeppelin not only released nine studio albums but also had multiple live albums, greatest hits compilations, and box sets. Therefore, any articles exploring Led Zeppelin necessarily require a dive into their discography.
An assessment of Led Zeppelin’s releases must start with their studio albums. The band’s first album, also known as Led Zeppelin I, was released in January of 1969. It became a commercial success, reaching the top ten album charts in the US and UK. Led Zeppelin followed with Led Zeppelin II in October of 1969, setting a Rolling Stone Record by achieving a Top 10 entry for all of the album’s six singles. The release of Led Zeppelin III later that same year further cemented the band’s reputation and heralded the start of a new progressive rock era.
The subsequent five albums released by Led Zeppelin also received great praise. Led Zeppelin IV included the best selling rock song of all time, Stairway to Heaven. Physical Graffiti was an album with diverse styles and it was a commercial success, selling over eight million copies in the US alone. Presence, their seventh album, was released in 1976 and would be followed by The Song Remains the Same, an album dedicated to a film with the same name and released in 1976.In 1979, the band released In Through the Out Door, their last studio album before disbanding in 1980.
In addition to their studio albums, Led Zeppelin also released 3 live albums. These include The Song Remains The Same, which was produced to accompany the film. The second live album was The BBC sessions, a compilation album released in 1997 with material from 1969 to 1971. Finally, the last album was How The West Was Won, which was released in 2003 and compiled recordings in 1972 at the Los Angelos Forum and Long Beach Arena. This album won the group a 2007 Grammy award in the category of Best Rock Album.
In total, Led Zeppelin released nine studio albums and three live albums alongside several notable compilations and box sets. This quantity is a testament to their success and longevity as one of the greatest rock bands of all times. The albums Led Zeppelin released were diverse in sound and style but always integral to their message of changing rock music and creating a legacy.
Wolfgang’s Vault
One anecdote from Led Zeppelin’s career that adds greater depth to their influence in music is the emergence of Wolfgang’s Vault. Wolfgang’s Vault was an online database of classic concert recordings, film clips, and other music related memorabilia. While it has been closed in recent years, during its time, its collection of Led Zeppelin recordings was unparalleled. Named after the founder and CEO of Wolfgang’s Vault, Bill Sagan, sparked an enthusiasm and appreciation for Led Zeppelin’s music amongst fans, who could now access a wide range of concerts and interviews.
As part of its collection, Wolfgang Vault had various soundboards from multiple Led Zeppelin concerts. Amongst these were concerts during the 1977 United States tour, including a two hour recording from Berkeley, California. Sagan was able to obtain these tapes as the owner of the company originally holding the recordings. It is a testament to the band’s legacy and influence in music that recordings of their live performances over fifty years ago still excite fans today.
Led Zeppelin’s Catalog
Led Zeppelin’s catalog is often a major point of discussion amongst rock music buffs. Consisting of nine studio albums and three live albums, many argue it is much too small for such a prolific band. Yet, over the years Led Zeppelin’s immense influence and reputation has been supported by their product releases. From compilations to box sets, the band has provided fans an endless amount of material to explore and appreciate.
For instance, Zeppelin have released multiple greatest hits albums, including Mothership in 2007 and The Complete BBC Sessions in 2016. These compilations offer listeners looking for the best of Led Zeppelin’s material an easy introduction and more testament to the group’s immense legacy. Similarly, the band has released box sets, including Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II, and Led Zeppelin III.
These releases present die hard fans with hours of bonus interviews and never before heard material, allowing a greater appreciation of the band’s impact on the genre. Led Zeppelin’s fans’ appreciation of their music can also be seen through the success of their extensive world tours. Through their immensely popular concerts, they were able to support their discography and solidify their legacy.
Conclusion of Discography
Led Zeppelin’s discography includes nine studio albums, three live albums, multiple compilations, and box sets. This amount of material is a testament not only to the greatness and technical prowess of the band but also to their lasting influence in music. Whether through their studio albums, live recordings, or reissues, Led Zeppelin’s discography will continue to amaze and inspire rock fans and casual listeners alike.
Top Tracks
The most well-known Led Zeppelin track, Stairway to Heaven, is featured on their fourth studio album, Led Zeppelin IV. However, this is just one of the many hits from the band’s considerable inspirations, making up for their recognizable soundscapes and riffs. Other notable Led Zeppelin tracks include Whole Lotta Love, Immigrant Song, Kashmir, and Communication Breakdown.
Whole Lotta Love was released as a single before the band’s second album released in 1969. The song quickly became a fan favorite and was named by Rolling Stone magazine the sixth greatest song of all time. Immigrant Song, released with the album Led Zeppelin III, was a heavy-hitting driving rocker. Kashmir, released in 1975 on their Physical Graffiti album, also became a top 10 single. And Communication Breakdown, from their debut album released in 1969, was a blues-infused rocker
Influence on Genres
Led Zeppelin’s sound was an integral part of the progressive rock era and their influence was felt in many other genres. Hard rock, heavy metal, and blues-rock are some of the genres which Led Zeppelin had a major impact on. Even today, many metal bands cite Led Zeppelin’s technical prowess and influence as a major factor in influencing their music.
In blues rock, Jimmy Page’s guitar riffs had taken the classic blues sound to a whole new level. In hard rock, Led Zeppelin took the fast-paced sound from classic rock and created their own, more powerful and complex sound. This is best seen with notable tracks such as Rock and Roll, Heartbreaker, and Whole Lotta Love. In heavy metal, Led Zeppelin’s flashy guitar solos and heavy drumming inspired the next generation of metal bands.
Conclusion of Influence
In summary, Led Zeppelin’s influence on the progressive rock genre and other rock subgenres helped define the sound of modern rock music. Their nine studio albums, three live albums, and various compilations and box sets are a testament to their impact on the genre. Even today, their influence is still felt, making them one of the most influential bands in music history.
