Led Zeppelin Fandom

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Victoria Ruth

May 2nd, 2023

Led Zeppelin the Boom of the Seventies 

Figure 1 - A famous photo of Led zeppelin 

Led Zeppelin is a English rock'in roll band formed in the 1968, consisting of four band members. First appearing on stage 1968 September 7th with lead singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page,  John Paul Jones the bassist, and finally John Boham the drummer of the band. The band most popular song being Stairway to Heaven was released in 1971 on the self titled album Led Zeppelin IV. The song to be described as spending to much of your life collecting materialistic things are only superficial at the end of the day because you can't bring them to Heaven. Rolling stones ranking them 61 out of 500 for the greatest songs of all time. Jimmy page would write majority of their songs towards the beginning of their careers while Robert Plant would write lyrics. Stairway to Heaven was a fan favorite 

The Led Zeppelin Fandom 

Fans of Led Zeppelin were called led heads. Rolling stones describing them as the "heaviest band of all time." or "the biggest band of the Seventies" and lastly " unquestionably one the most enduring rock bands of all times. Ohio State describing them as an innovative rock band that really gave the seventies a true taste of heavy metal and hard rock but using folk, rock, the blues and acoustic sounds. 

Figure 2 - A photo of Led Zeppelin after a show with a group of groupies

Groupies 

Groups are defined as according to Wikipedia as, "a fan of a particular musical group who follows the band around while they are on tour, or who attends as many of their public appearances as possible, with the hope of meeting them. Also according to Groovy History "Rock n' roll and the seventies was the era of groupies, and Led Zeppelin had a lot of them. The ones who targeted Led Zeppelin were called the GTOs which stood for "girls together outrageously." The GTOs were also led by the most mused groupie named Pamala des Barres. These women would do anything to get to the band members, and led to the band members to having to lock themselves in their hotel rooms after shows. These girls were usually younger and were very in love with the band members and usually did whatever they say. Which in conclusion made up for very interesting experiences for the band.

Concerts 

1971 Berkeley California September 14, 1971 where fans got to listen to unreleased songs by Led Zeppelin and the songs would be later added to their biggest hits album Led Zeppelin IV. In 1979 in Copenhagen, Denmark Led Zeppelin performed one of their most incredible performances in front of 2,000 fans at the Knebworth Festival. 

Figure 3- This photo was taken at the Knebworth Festival when Led Zeppelin performed in Denmark 1979

Fan Created Websites 

They're fan created websites that talk about what Led Zeppelin fans should be called. Other ones speaking about their personal experiences at shows. Ranking their music from their 108 song catalog. Stores selling clothing and knick knacks. Displaying the rarest photos of the band. Even stories of being blamed for using satanic messages within their music and after show horror stories. Lastly cover bands who perform their music since the bands last performance in 2007. 

Figure 4 - Led Zeppelin best performances including the most popular songs 

Fans Favorite Songs

Led zeppelins most played songs conclude. In first place Stairway to Heaven. Second place being Rock n' Roll a song about the past year of rock n' roll with John Boham's drum solo with a hint of mood blues. Third being Ramble on a unique sound for the time and a song about self discovery and figuring your path in life. Fourthly we have Communication Breakdown, known Jimmy Pages crazy riffs and a story of having so much to say and nothing coming out. Fifthly, Babe I'm Gonna Leave You is an emotional song showing off Robert Plant's talent of cords. The song is about the band lifestyle and always on the move from one place to another and not having the choice to stay. Sixthly is Over the Hills and Far Away,  known for one of its most recognizable guitar riffs its a song about finding love and the meaning to life. In seventh place is Kashmir, a song composed of instruments and high vocals delivered by Robert Plant and a song about temporary state through the euphoric feeling of drugs.

References

Barres, PD (2018) Independent: Led Zeppelin at 50 legendary groupie Pamala des Barres hangs out with Jimmy Page in 1969

Hubber, C (2022) The meaning of Led Zeppelin's "stairway to heaven"

Morenz, E (2021) Groovy history: Led Zeppelin groupies stories, truth, myths, & proof about groupie life

O'Cull, M (2022) Rock and blues muse: Top ten Led Zeppelin songs

Roseville, T (2022) Roseville Today: 7 electrifying Led Zeppelin performances

Stone, R (2021) The 500 greatest songs of all time: For the first time in 17 years, we’ve completely remade our list of the best songs ever. More than 250 artists, writers, and industry figures helped us choose a brand-new list full of historic favorites, world-changing anthems, and new classics