Search the Community

Led Zeppelin Widely regarded as the first heavy-metal band, Led Zeppelin was called the heaviest band of all times and the biggest band of the 70s by Rolling Stone Magazine. Led Zeppelin has had over 300 million records sales worldwide and all of their albums have made it to Billboard magazine's Top Ten. They are ranked number one on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. Led Zeppelin formed out of the dissolution of the old super-group the Yardbirds. Jimmy Page had been playing bass for them since 1966. The Yardbirds gradually disintegrated due to burnout but they still had contractual obligations to tour. Jimmy Page formed the New Yardbirds around himself and the old Yardbirds drummer. Robert Plant was eventually tapped as lead singer, John Bonham replaced the old Yardbirds drummer and John Paul Jones tried out and became the interim groups bassist. The New Yardbirds were formed and finished off the required touring schedule. Everyone could see that this was no mere scratch band and a special chemistry was evolving. The origin of the band's naming, has become almost legendary. Keith Moon and John Entwistle suggested that a possible supergroup containing themselves, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck would go down like a lead zeppelin, a term Entwistle used to describe a bad gig. The group deliberately dropped the 'a' in Lead at the suggestion of their manager, Peter Grant, to prevent "thick Americans" from pronouncing it as "leed". 1 Their manager Peter Grant signed a $200K deal with Atlantic Records sight unseen in Oct. 1968 and Led Zeppelin was born. They began touring almost immediately in the US and the UK befor their first album had even been pressed. Released in Jan. 1969, their first self titled album Led Zeppelin became a pivitol album in the creation of heavy metal. Good Times Bad Times Dazed and Confused Led Zeppelin II established Led Zeppelin as no mere flash in the pan and as a genuine super-group. It was even more successful than their first album hittin #1 in both the US and the UK. Whole Lotta of Love Led Zeppelin III was a departure from the hard driving metal sound of their first two albums. The electric was replaced by acoustic and the blues influence was replaced by folk. Only in this case Led Zeppeling pulled it off beautifully with another trans-Atlantic #1 hit. Immigrant Song Since I've Been Loving You Led Zeppelin IV or "the Runes Album" is a classic album by anyones definition. Black Dog Stairway To Heaven ____________________________________________________________________________ 1- Wikipedia, Led Zeppelin

In August 1966 Revolver which debuted at #1 and stayed there for 7 weeks. Eleanor Rigby Good Day Sunshine In June 1966 the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band which debuted at #1 for 27 weeks. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band/With A Little Help From My Friends When I'm 64 The White Album was released in Nov. 1968 and marked the start of the Beatles psychedelic phase with tracks like Helter-Skelter and Revolution #9 and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Back in the USSR Dear Prudence While My Guitar Gently Weeps Helter-Skelter Revolution #1 Yellow Submarine was released in Jan. 1969 but only made it to #3 on the charts. Yellow Submarine All You Need is Love Abbey Road was released in Sep. 1969 and was #1 for 17 weeks. Come Together Here Comes the Sun She Came in Through the Bathroom Window The last of the Beatles albums was Let It Be released in April 1970. Let It Be Get Back ____________________________________________________________________ The Beatles have numerous compilations but two of the Best are the so often called the Red and Blue Albums. The "Red" Album was a compilation of the biggest hits from 1963-66. The "Blue" Album is a compilation of the biggest hits from 1967-70.

The Beatles The Beatles first formed in Liverpool, England ~1957 by a quartet of school chums. At first they were the Quarrymen, then the Johnny and the Moondogs" and finally the Beatles in honor of Buddy Holley and the Crickets. Primarily consisting of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals) throughout their career, The Beatles are recognized for leading the mid-1960s musical "British Invasion" into the United States. The Beatles played clubs in England and on the continent from 1960-62 when they finally got a record contract. Their first two singles were Love Me Do and Please, Please Me- both of which blew up into number one hits in both the UK and the US. From there, thier career went into afterburners and everthing they touched went triple platinum. The Beatles first full length album was released in March 1963: Please, Please Me went to 1 for 30 weeks in the US and the UK. I Saw Her Standing There Please Please Me Twist and Shout Their second album was With the Beatles released in Nov. 1963. Please, Please Me was number 1 on the US/UK charts for 21 weeks. All My Loving Please Mr. Postman In 1974 the Beatles released A Hard Days Night which went #1 on the UK/US charts for 21 weeks. A Hard Days Night Can't Buy Me Love Beatles for Sale was released in Dec. 1964 and hit #1 for 11 weeks. Eight Days A Week I'm a Loser Help! was released in Aug. 1965 and went to #1 for 11 weeks. Ticket to Ride Rubber Soul was released in Dec. 1965 and went to #1 for 8 weeks. Baby You Can Drive My Car Norwegian Wood Michelle

A long time ago on a beach far away, Jim Morrison and Ray Mansarek met. What followed was one of those spontaneous reactions that is only possible when the chemistry and times are right. The Doors are Jim Morrison(singer), Ray Mansarek(keyboards), Robbie Kreiger(guitar) and John Densmore(drums). The Doors emerged from the LA club scene with their breakout album the Doors in 1967. Their debut album had two number ones, was the #2 album of the year and is listed on everyones list of Classic albums. it took the country by storm. Touch Me Riding the wave, the Doors released their Second album Strange Days in late 1967. It became a gold album and contained a number of now classic and often covered Doors tracks. People are Strange When the Musics Over Waiting for the Sun was their third album released in 1968. While it was a critical success, Jim magnum opus the Celebration of the Lizard just didn't come off right. Don't tell the fans that. With hits like Hello, I love you, and Five to One the Doors only solidified their position as some writers said, "the only band worth listening too." The Doors 4th album the Soft Parade met with controversy among fans and critics due to its inclusion of brass and string instrument arrangements, as opposed to the more rock and blues roots. Most of the songs on the Soft Parade were written by Robbie Kreiger as Morrison was busy putting the finishing touches on two books of poetry. Many people missed the Doors parody of Camp Meetings and/or Evangelical Christianity in this album but it's funny as hell. Tell All the People the Soft Parade The 1970 release of Morrison Hotel marked a return to blues/acid-rock sound that Doors fans had come to love. The strategy worked though none of the singles on the album were a big hits, the album established the band as a favorite of critics. Roadhouse Blues Indian Summer LA Woman was the last Doors album released with Jim Morrison before his death in July 1971. The album's style is arguably the most hard rock blues-like of the band's albums- and arguably their best album. Been Down So Long LA Woman ____________________________________________________________________________ Jim Morrison 1943 - 1971 If you liked this profile of the Doors, let me know and I'll do more profiles on classic bands. Now I'm gonna go drive fast, smoke and listen to some loud, angry rock. Peace y'all.

A few notes about the profiles: I will take each band and present its original albums in chronological order. I will list the year of the album release and show its most common album cover. Each album will link to Google Music to show a list of tracks on the album and independent reviews. Where possible, I will use U-tube or other video provider to show classic tracks from the albums. Hot links to U-tube or Google Music appear in red. I suggest opening them in a new tab in Firefox or IE6+. Typical format: Descriptive blurb about the album with link to google music album year and critical reception. track 1 link track 2 link __________________________________________________________________________ I hope you enjoy these as much as I did putting them together. It has turned out to be a labor of love.

Modern Classics Profile Series The Doors The Beatles 63-66 The Beatles 67-70 Upcoming Profiles Led Zeppelin The Cars The Police The Eagles Pink Floyd Yes Rush You know that you like a classic band- you've heard them on an FM station but buying their albums (CDs) can be tricky. Which ones have which tracks? Which ones are pure gold and which ones are pure mold? With CD prices at $15+, its a mistake you would like to avoid. Here I offer profiles of classic rock bands and their original albums, track listings and samples of their music. It is my hope that you can enjoy it and get the perfect albums for your tastes. Let me know who you would like to see profiled. If you see something cool, please comment! __________________________________________________________ Sources: Google Music- Albums, track listings Wikipedia- Band and Album Histories Utube- Music Videos Official and Fan websites