Led Zeppelin is a world-renowned rock band that has headlined over 2000 concerts since their formation. Combining hard rock riffs with blues elements and creating what is widely considered one of the most influential sounds in modern music. The band played a huge number of shows ranging from the 1960s – when they were still known as The Yardbirds – to the 1980s. To this day, their performances are still being discussed as some of the best in rock history.
Led Zeppelin’s shows saw them mix their own more progressive sounds with crowd pleasers and often playing for hours with very few breaks. Their performances often combined tightness, relaxation and improvisation. John Paul Jones typically chose bass tones from the high-end to add a percussive layer to each song, Bonham kept an incredible driving beat and occasionally added fill-ins and fills throughout the song while Page supplied some of the most iconic riffs in rock music.
The band’s performance in Madison Square Garden in 1973, hold the current record for the longest running show, clocking in at over 4 hours and 30 minutes. This marked their 22nd gig at the venue and received acclaim from both critics and fans claiming it was their greatest performance yet. Led Zeppelin played many legendary shows throughout their short career, often performing over two hours per show and pushing their sound to the limit.
Led Zeppelin’s longest touring period was between 1968-1980, where they performed in cities around the world, sometimes playing several shows in the same night.In those 12 years, the band managed to play an incredible 2200 shows, which is an impressive figure considering the lack of technology in that era and the rigorous rehearsal and performance schedule they had to follow.
Furthermore, in those two decades, Led Zeppelin sold out an incredible amount of shows. The band had a strong cult following in the United States, and they sold out multiple arenas across the country even up to a few days before the performance. On average, Led Zeppelin played around 200 shows a year.
In addition to performing live, the band members separately and together released a number of live and studio albums, along with singles, film soundtracks, and compilations which also earned them many awards.
Led Zeppelin were pioneers in defining the modern rock concert, and the band was constantly innovating their performance styles. As such, their live shows are legendary and have inspired many emerging rock bands ever since. The sheer number of concerts they performed is testament to their success as a band and their influence on the musical world.
The Legendary Concerts
Led Zeppelin’s appearances in 1969 produced some of the most iconic concerts of their career. First up was a gig at the Albert Hall where they opened for none other than Cream. Later in the year, the band made an appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival where they blew away the crowd with their performance. At this point, the band was still relatively unknown but the crowd was instantly mesmerized by their sound.
The band’s concerts in New York City have become the stuff of legend. Following an appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1975, Led Zeppelin were touted as ‘the greatest rock band in the world’, and followed it up with a showstopping performance at Madison Square Garden. From the opening chords of ‘Rock & Roll’ to the final encore of ‘Stairway to Heaven’, the band delivered a performance that solidified their status as icons.
The group’s performance at Knebworth in 1979 was one of the most memorable concerts of their career. Having failed to keep up with punk and new wave, the band decided to return to the stage and wow the audience with a 3 hour long setlist of their greatest hits. The response was overwhelming, selling out Knebworth in record time and creating one of the band’s most memorable performances.
The band’s final performance together was in Berlin in 1980, where the band played a selection of their greatest hits including ‘Immigrant Song’, ‘Kashmir’ and ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Despite the crowd chanting for an encore, the band decided not to return, bringing the curtain down on what would be Led Zeppelin’s final performance.
The Impact of the concerts
The concerts performed by Led Zeppelin have had a lasting impact on the world of music. The band set the standard for live performances, inspiring a new generation of musicians to push boundaries and innovate and experiment. The band’s performances have also been featured on numerous live albums released long after the group disbanded. These live albums illustrate the power of Led Zeppelin’s concerts and the influence they had over audiences.
The band’s influence has transcended genres as well, with artists from different genres channeling some of the same energy that the band had in their concerts. In a February 2019 report on the band’s influence, Robbie Wulfsohn of Music Times noted that “Led Zeppelin’s pulsating energy and pioneering spirit resonate just as strongly today as it did then, with the band cited as a major influence to several modern acts, from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club to The White Stripes.”
The most remarkable thing about Led Zeppelin’s concerts is their lasting impact, even decades after they last performed. Such is the legacy of the band that their influence can still be seen in today’s music scene, continuing to inspire generations of rock musicians.
The Legacy of their Music
Led Zeppelin played an extraordinary amount of concerts in a relatively short period of time and managed to make an indelible mark on the music world. Their influence can still be seen and felt in the current era of rock music, with many modern artists citing the band as a major influence. As the band’s guitarist, Jimmy Page said in a 2016 Rolling Stone interview, “We didn’t really think beyond what we were doing at the time, but it’s obvious that there’s still a lot of people listening to the music that we created.”
The band’s music has had a huge impact on the evolution of rock music, and their influence can be heard on modern records, from classic rock stations to more underground releases. Led Zeppelin have left behind an incredible legacy that few other bands can compare to, and their music has served as an inspiration for countless musicians.
This legacy will continue to live on through the many concerts the band have performed. The sheer number of performances that the band did is a testament to their commitment to their craft, and the power of their music is evident in the many shows that they gave across the globe.
Conclusion
Led Zeppelin has played more than two thousand concerts throughout their time as a band. Their performances resonated powerfully with audiences and set the standard for how live shows should be performed. The band’s influence continues to be felt today, with modern acts still citing them as an influence. The success of their shows highlighted the power of the band’s work and the resonance they had with audiences.
