It’s the 40th anniversary of  the release of Led Zeppelin’s seminal album, “Led Zeppelin IV” (on 8th November 1971 ). Upon its release, “Led Zeppelin IV” was an immediate commercial and critical success. It is one of the best-selling albums of all time, with global sales in excess of 32 million units, 23 million of those sales being in the United States.

“Led Zeppelin IV” began life at Island Records’ Basing Street Studios in London, at the same time as Jethro Tull were recording “Aqualung” in December 1970.The band then moved to Headley Grange, a remote Victorian house in Hampshire, to complete the recording. Legend has it that the band members set up their equipment in separate rooms in this rambling old house – and thus in effect recorded as solo entities rather than a group. The author has always imagined Headley Grange to have an impressive  cascading staircase, that became the inspiration for “Stairway to Heaven” – in truth I’m not sure whether that’s a figment of my imagination, an urban myth or fact!!

For me the real significance of this anniversary is that with the release of the “Led Zeppelin IV” album, Led Zeppelin set an impossible benchmark for all rock bands that followed and such is the stature of the album, that in the intervening 40 years it has never been bettered!! I defy any rocker to contradict this statement!! The reality is that Led Zeppelin were the original rock band and have never been surpassed. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but such is the combined talent of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer John Bonham, Led Zeppelin were too good to be imitated and impossible to match. Simply Led Zeppelin are the best of the very best!!

“Black Dog”, “Rock and Roll” and “Stairway to Heaven” make up three of the four tracks on Side 1 of “Led Zeppelin IV” and inevitably would appear in any Led Zep fans’ Top 10. On that subject here is my Top 10 Led Zeppelin tracks –

TOP 10 LED ZEPPELIN SONGS

1)  Whole Lotta Love

2)  Dazed and Confused

3)  Communication Breakdown

4)  Rock and Roll

5)  Black Dog

6)  Ramble On

7)  Stairway to Heaven

8 )  Immigrant Song

9)  The Song Remains The Same

10)  All My Love

Which are your favourite Led Zeppelin songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

You can immortalise Led Zeppelin in your own home, by ordering your favourite Led Zeppelin vinyl record or CD, single or album, framed and mounted as a picture disc. ORDER NOW by clicking on…….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Alternatively this would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration  ie a Wedding, 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th Birthday, a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

For all other merchandise and memorabilia go to the Official Led Zeppelin website….. http://www.ledzeppelin.com/