The Power of Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin is widely recognized as one of the most influential rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time, having popularized the Blues-Rock sound and paving the way for generations of musical acts that followed.
The band that formed in 1968 in London, England, consists of four musicians: Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass, keyboard) and John Bonham (drums). With exceptional songwriting, musical virtuosity, charisma, and stage presence, Led Zeppelin achieved unparalleled success during the late 1960s and most of the 1970s, selling over 300 million albums globally.
All of these elements — their electrifying sound, chemistry, and live performances — are why so many artists have tried to recreate some of the band’s greatness; this includes bands that have emerged today in the indie, alternative, and underground scenes, even extending to the westernized rap and pop music that owes a lot to the original Led Zeppelin’s amazing music.
Sound-alikes
As a matter of fact, Led Zeppelin’s influence and timelessness has created a solid foundation for modern day bands, such as Greta Van Fleet, to do justice to the classic Rock sound. This band from Michigan consists of three brothers—Josh Kiszka (vocals, guitar), Jake Kiszka (guitar, keyboards), and Sam Kiszka (bass, keyboards)—and their best friend Danny Wagner (drums). Their live shows and albums have musical elements harking back to Led Zeppelin and the sound of classic rock. This has earned them a broad global audience and the attention of the media.
Similarly, the Nashville, Tennessee rock band Kings of Leon, made up of three brothers and their cousin, have also achieved an industrial Rock sound similar to Led Zeppelin. While their music has heavily leaned on a Southern Rock base, their 2013 album Mechanical Bull has blues-rock elements that invoke memories of Led Zeppelin.
Tribute Bands
Outside of the original copies bands that sound like Led Zeppelin, there are several certified tribute bands that carry on the band’s legacy with much care and dedication. These groups hail from all around the globe, with the purpose of putting on shows that use a variety of Led Zeppelin songs. This is no easy task, considering the complex and technically intricate nature of their music.
One of the most popular tribute acts these days is Get Young. Formed in 2001, this Swiss band performs hundreds of shows each year and follows a completely faithful approach to their original. Every now and then, they’ll also surprise the audience with original songs that are heavily inspired by the musical legacy of Led Zeppelin. Other notable tribute bands include Mothership, from USA, Led Zepagain, from Los Angeles, and Lez Zeppelin, from New York.
Influenced Bands
Some bands that have also been heavily influenced by Led Zeppelin include British rockers Black Sabbath, American country rockers The Eagles, and the American rock group Aerosmith. Black Sabbath’s epic blues rock riffs with throaty vocals clearly draw influence from the sound of Led Zeppelin. Similarly Eagles’ hit single “Hotel California” also bears the mark of Led Zepplin’s influence, with the combination of acoustic and electric guitar creating a tightly arranged rhythm. Aerosmith also pays homage to Led Zeppelin in their 1975 single “Walk this Way”, which features a heavy blues riff inspired by Led Zeppelin.
Artists
Led Zeppelin’s influence has extended to solo artists as well, ranging from hard rockers like Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler, Tony Iommi, and Brian May, to younger solo artists such as Jack White and Femi Kuti.
Hendrix, who some consider the greatest musician of all time drew on the heavy blues sound of Led Zeppelin for his psychedelic nuances. Mark Knopler, the iconic English singer songwriter and guitarist and also known as the former Dire Straits front man, was heavily influenced by the guitar work of the legendary Jimmy Page.
Femi Kuti—the Nigerian afrobeats star, Grammy nominee and the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti—grew up listening to music from Led Zeppelin. He often incorporates rock influences into his songs and is a huge fan of Page in particular.
Modern Music
In modern music, Led Zeppelin’s influence can be felt in bands such as Radiohead. Lead singer Thom Yorke has actually acknowledged the influence of Led Zeppelin on their songwriting, with the band’s vocal melodie and deliberately off-kilter progression being inspired by the pioneering group. The most straightforward example of this infiltration of classic rock into modern music is Muse, whose sound indicates a strong Led Zepplin influence.
The list could truly go on forever, seeming to indicate the impenetrable and persistent influence of Led Zeppelin’s music in the genre today. Although the original lineup has not performed together in decades, the bands that have been inspired by their sound have truly made up for it and continue to pay homage to the revered group.
The Future of Led Zeppelin
In the coming years, with young bands such as Greta Van Fleet already making waves in the music scene, it’s clear Led Zeppelin’s legacy is in good hands. The band that we’ve grown to love and appreciate for decades will no doubt continue being an inexhaustible source of musical inspiration for future musicians.
Although Led Zeppelin’s four original members have retired, and a reunification of the original band is highly unlikely, the impact of the band’s work will continue being felt for many generations to come.
Conclusion
It’s fair to say the impact Led Zeppelin has had on the world of music is one of the most powerful in popular music. Music has been evolving around this rock juggernaut’s lush melodies, raw riffs and blazing solo work for decades and this influence can be seen in new bands emerging today. By sounding like led Zeppelin, artists have been able to reach and please a diverse audience.
