Led Zeppelin IV is no doubt one of the greatest rock albums of all time. But what has been in doubt since Led Zeppelin released the LP exactly 52 years ago today has been the identity of the man on the cover — until now.
As reported by The Guardian, new research has identified the bearded man with a walking stick and a bundle of twigs on his back as a Victorian-era Wiltshire thatcher named Lot Long (also known as Lot Longyear). The discovery was made by Brian Edwards, a visiting research fellow at the University of the West of England.
Edwards stumbled upon the original black & white photo while researching an exhibition he curated with Wiltshire Museum in 2021.
“Led Zeppelin created the soundtrack that has accompanied me since my teenage years, so I really hope the discovery of this Victorian photograph pleases and entertains Robert [Plant], Jimmy [Page] and John Paul [Jones],” Edwards said.
As reported by The Guardian, new research has identified the bearded man with a walking stick and a bundle of twigs on his back as a Victorian-era Wiltshire thatcher named Lot Long (also known as Lot Longyear). The discovery was made by Brian Edwards, a visiting research fellow at the University of the West of England.
Edwards stumbled upon the original black & white photo while researching an exhibition he curated with Wiltshire Museum in 2021.
“Led Zeppelin created the soundtrack that has accompanied me since my teenage years, so I really hope the discovery of this Victorian photograph pleases and entertains Robert [Plant], Jimmy [Page] and John Paul [Jones],” Edwards said.
- 11/8/2023
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
Robert Plant briefly put aside his differences with one of his greatest adversaries — “Stairway to Heaven” — and performed the Led Zeppelin opus for the first time in 16 years at a benefit concert organized by Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor.
The last time Plant played “Stairway to Heaven” on stage was Dec. 10, 2007, when the surviving members of Led Zeppelin — Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones — reunited for a one-night-only set at an Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert in London (the band was joined by John Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums...
The last time Plant played “Stairway to Heaven” on stage was Dec. 10, 2007, when the surviving members of Led Zeppelin — Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones — reunited for a one-night-only set at an Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert in London (the band was joined by John Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums...
- 10/23/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Elisapie, a Canadian Inuk singer-songwriter, plumbs new sadness in one of Metallica’s biggest, most emotional hits on her recording, “Isumagijunnaitaungituq (The Unforgiven).” Where the metal band drew inspiration from Ennio Morricone soundtracks, Spaghetti Westerns, and family trauma for the Black Album hit, Elisapie keeps things quiet, as she sings the lyrics in the indigenous Inuktitut. The instrumentation includes banjo, traditional drums, bass saxophone, throat singing, and saw, in addition to guitar and synth.
A video for the track, which will appear on her upcoming Inuktitut album (out Sept. 15), focuses...
A video for the track, which will appear on her upcoming Inuktitut album (out Sept. 15), focuses...
- 6/20/2023
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
John Bonham’s drumming was essential to Led Zeppelin. He used his bag of tricks to give powerfully stellar performances, but Bonzo also displayed his talent for playing various styles of beats and showing restraint when necessary. Still, the band didn’t employ their drummer on some songs. These are the six Led Zeppelin songs without Bonham’s drums (in chronological order).
John Bonham | Lester Cohen/Getty Images The 1 Led Zeppelin song that might not include John Bonham’s drumming, but we’re not sure
Before diving into the Zep songs we know don’t have Bonham’s playing, we need to discuss one we’re unsure about.
“That’s the Way,” a delicate gem from the back half of Led Zeppelin III, is nearly all acoustic guitar and vocals with steel guitar flourishes. Yet the tambourine that enters the mix toward the end (it’s distinct starting at the 4:44 mark) could be Bonham.
John Bonham | Lester Cohen/Getty Images The 1 Led Zeppelin song that might not include John Bonham’s drumming, but we’re not sure
Before diving into the Zep songs we know don’t have Bonham’s playing, we need to discuss one we’re unsure about.
“That’s the Way,” a delicate gem from the back half of Led Zeppelin III, is nearly all acoustic guitar and vocals with steel guitar flourishes. Yet the tambourine that enters the mix toward the end (it’s distinct starting at the 4:44 mark) could be Bonham.
- 5/19/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Robert Plant has been a successful musician from the early days of Led Zeppelin to his work today, but even he sometimes feels insecure. When reflecting on the singing he did on early Led Zeppelin songs, Plant winced. He said his voice sounded so bad that he would have been better off just keeping his mouth shut. He revealed one song he found particularly painful to hear.
Robert Plant | Art Zelin/Getty Images Robert Plant joined Led Zeppelin after he impressed Jimmy Page
When guitarist Jimmy Page set out to form Led Zeppelin, he initially wanted Terry Reid as the lead singer. Reid turned him down and pointed him to another singer, Plant.
Plant was performing at a small venue for an even smaller crowd. While he might not have seemed promising at first, his vocals amazed Page.
“I went up to see Robert sing with Obs-Tweedle at a college...
Robert Plant | Art Zelin/Getty Images Robert Plant joined Led Zeppelin after he impressed Jimmy Page
When guitarist Jimmy Page set out to form Led Zeppelin, he initially wanted Terry Reid as the lead singer. Reid turned him down and pointed him to another singer, Plant.
Plant was performing at a small venue for an even smaller crowd. While he might not have seemed promising at first, his vocals amazed Page.
“I went up to see Robert sing with Obs-Tweedle at a college...
- 4/22/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Led Zeppelin always sounded so smooth on their albums that it seemed impossible that they struggled to record songs. The titles didn’t always show creativity — Zep put five “song” songs on their albums — but the music did, and it seemed so effortless. Still, several Led Zeppelin songs proved difficult to record. It’s a testament to the band that they overcame the struggles to record classic songs.
(l-r) Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham | Hulton Archive/Getty Images 1. ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’
Led Zeppelin III’s slow blues tune features Jimmy Page’s best guitar solo that isn’t “Stairway to Heaven.” His incendiary playing is a highlight of the song, and the emotional piece is even more impressive when you learn how much Led Zeppelin struggled to record it. “
“Since I’ve Been Loving You” entered Zep’s live set in early 1970, per the band’s website.
(l-r) Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham | Hulton Archive/Getty Images 1. ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’
Led Zeppelin III’s slow blues tune features Jimmy Page’s best guitar solo that isn’t “Stairway to Heaven.” His incendiary playing is a highlight of the song, and the emotional piece is even more impressive when you learn how much Led Zeppelin struggled to record it. “
“Since I’ve Been Loving You” entered Zep’s live set in early 1970, per the band’s website.
- 4/4/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
All four Led Zeppelin members were instrumental to the band’s success. A few musicians hated the band, but fans embraced the songs that came from the chemistry between Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham. The three full-time musicians had plenty of chances to shine, but Plant’s best Led Zeppelin moments show he was an equally bright star.
Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images 1. Plant’s harmonica solo on ‘You Shook Me’
Page’s plan for Led Zeppelin I was to grab listeners’ attention right away. The opening song, “Good Times Bad Times,” set the tone, and the rest of the album followed. That included “You Shook Me.”
The cover of the Willie Dixon-penned Muddy Waters tune featured a unique Page guitar setup. Still, all four band members grab the spotlight during individual solos. Plant proved he was more...
Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images 1. Plant’s harmonica solo on ‘You Shook Me’
Page’s plan for Led Zeppelin I was to grab listeners’ attention right away. The opening song, “Good Times Bad Times,” set the tone, and the rest of the album followed. That included “You Shook Me.”
The cover of the Willie Dixon-penned Muddy Waters tune featured a unique Page guitar setup. Still, all four band members grab the spotlight during individual solos. Plant proved he was more...
- 3/19/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Led Zeppelin stormed onto the music scene in 1969 and soon became classic rock legends. There are some aesthetically similar bands Zep fans should listen to, but nothing comes close to the real thing. Yet the band wasn’t infallible. It’s one of their finest works, but the 1975 double album Physical Graffiti contains some duds. Let’s look at the four worst songs Led Zeppelin put on Physical Graffiti.
(l-r) John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham (background) of Led Zeppelin | Ian Dickson/Redferns Led Zeppelin did some of their finest work on ‘Physical Graffiti’
Before we cover the worst Physical Graffiti songs, we need to mention that the record has some of Led Zeppelin’s best songs.
Side 2 closer “Kashmir” is the band’s definitive song, according to both Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. It might be one of the most diverse Led Zeppelin albums, too.
(l-r) John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham (background) of Led Zeppelin | Ian Dickson/Redferns Led Zeppelin did some of their finest work on ‘Physical Graffiti’
Before we cover the worst Physical Graffiti songs, we need to mention that the record has some of Led Zeppelin’s best songs.
Side 2 closer “Kashmir” is the band’s definitive song, according to both Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. It might be one of the most diverse Led Zeppelin albums, too.
- 3/12/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Led Zeppelin approached its fourth album with a mission — make it all about the music. That’s why the cover doesn’t feature the band’s name, the album title, or the record label information. It was a statement to the critics who said the band was all hype: “Judge the music, not the people making it.” And the music holds up. Guitarist Jimmy Page had to work overtime on Led Zeppelin IV because of a studio lie, and he was up for the challenge. So are we. We’re ranking all eight songs from Led Zeppelin IV from worst* to best.
(* — Worst being a relative term when discussing Led Zeppelin IV songs).
(l-r) Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham | Michael Putland/Getty Images 8. ‘Four Sticks’
We’re letting Led Zeppelin make the first choice on our rankings. The pulsating rhythm, unique time signature,...
(* — Worst being a relative term when discussing Led Zeppelin IV songs).
(l-r) Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham | Michael Putland/Getty Images 8. ‘Four Sticks’
We’re letting Led Zeppelin make the first choice on our rankings. The pulsating rhythm, unique time signature,...
- 3/3/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Bonham went from relative obscurity to international stardom with Led Zeppelin. One musician who hated the band was particularly harsh on Bonham, but fans craved Bonzo’s playing. His drumming was so powerful and revolutionary that you could pick almost any random Zep song and find a mind-blowing beat. Still, some rank above the others. Let’s look at five of Bonham’s best Led Zeppelin beats (in chronological order).
Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham | Richard E. Aaron/Redferns 1. ‘Good Times Bad Times’
Bonham introduced himself to the world on the first song from Led Zeppelin’s first album. And what a first impression.
Bonham always believed drums could be an additional lead instrument next to the guitar. He brought that vision for his drumming to Led Zeppelin and put it on display immediately on “Good Times Bad Times.” He hits the snare in time with Jimmy Page’s guitar,...
Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham | Richard E. Aaron/Redferns 1. ‘Good Times Bad Times’
Bonham introduced himself to the world on the first song from Led Zeppelin’s first album. And what a first impression.
Bonham always believed drums could be an additional lead instrument next to the guitar. He brought that vision for his drumming to Led Zeppelin and put it on display immediately on “Good Times Bad Times.” He hits the snare in time with Jimmy Page’s guitar,...
- 2/27/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Led Zeppelin started as a psychedelic blues band in the last 1960s. It didn’t take long for them to prove they had a soft side with their more delicate work in the folk and country genres. They never shied away from unplugging, and the best acoustic Led Zeppelin songs are some of the finest in their catalog.
(l-r) Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham | Michael Putland/Getty Images Tunes you won’t see on our list of Led Zeppelin’s best acoustic songs
Zep’s reputation as a heavy blues band was so ingrained in their image that George Harrison didn’t realize they had a softer side. Founding guitarist Jimmy Page answered the challenge when the famous Beatle complained to drummer John Bonham that Led Zeppelin never wrote ballads. Page came up with “The Rain Song,” and he subtly referenced the...
(l-r) Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham | Michael Putland/Getty Images Tunes you won’t see on our list of Led Zeppelin’s best acoustic songs
Zep’s reputation as a heavy blues band was so ingrained in their image that George Harrison didn’t realize they had a softer side. Founding guitarist Jimmy Page answered the challenge when the famous Beatle complained to drummer John Bonham that Led Zeppelin never wrote ballads. Page came up with “The Rain Song,” and he subtly referenced the...
- 2/25/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
George Harrison had several great moments with The Beatles. He played guitar skillfully, wrote some of the Fab Four’s prettiest tunes, and saved the Get Back sessions when they were about to derail completely. We’ll give George credit there, but he was 100 wrong about Led Zeppelin and their ability to write ballads.
(l-r) George Harrison; Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and Jimmy Page | Lester Cohen/WireImage; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images George Harrison called out Led Zeppelin for not writing ballads
The Beatles were all but finished when Led Zeppelin burst onto the music scene. Their careers briefly overlapped, but Zep took the torch as the world’s most popular band when the Fab Four split in 1970.
At some point, George crossed paths with Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham and lodged a complaint. The former Beatle called out the newer band for not writing any ballads.
(l-r) George Harrison; Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and Jimmy Page | Lester Cohen/WireImage; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images George Harrison called out Led Zeppelin for not writing ballads
The Beatles were all but finished when Led Zeppelin burst onto the music scene. Their careers briefly overlapped, but Zep took the torch as the world’s most popular band when the Fab Four split in 1970.
At some point, George crossed paths with Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham and lodged a complaint. The former Beatle called out the newer band for not writing any ballads.
- 2/15/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Robert Plant can play guitar, but for a while, he didn’t want to. In his solo career, he has become more comfortable with playing the acoustic guitar. While in Led Zeppelin, though, Plant didn’t even think he should touch the instrument. He explained why even looking at a guitar was stressful.
Robert Plant | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images Robert Plant said Led Zeppelin songs were based around Jimmy Page’s guitar playing
While looking to put together a band, guitarist Jimmy Page recruited Plant as the singer. He saw him performing at a small venue and knew he would be a perfect fit for the group.
“I went up to see Robert sing with Obs-Tweedle at a college to an audience of about 12,” Page said in Legends of Music Spotlight: Led Zeppelin. “His voice was exceptional. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t a big name already.
Robert Plant | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images Robert Plant said Led Zeppelin songs were based around Jimmy Page’s guitar playing
While looking to put together a band, guitarist Jimmy Page recruited Plant as the singer. He saw him performing at a small venue and knew he would be a perfect fit for the group.
“I went up to see Robert sing with Obs-Tweedle at a college to an audience of about 12,” Page said in Legends of Music Spotlight: Led Zeppelin. “His voice was exceptional. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t a big name already.
- 2/15/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Led Zeppelin rose as perhaps the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their mix of blues, psychedelic rock, and folk gave the world one of its first great heavy bands. Yet several Led Zeppelin songs proved the band had a soft side. Singer Robert Plant knew the band might mean something when they won over an American crowd before their debut album hit shelves, and they rocked like no one before, but five Led Zeppelin songs prove they were comfortable showing their delicate side (presented in chronological order).
(l-r) Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham | Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images 1. ‘Thank You’
The second Led Zeppelin album, affectionately known as the Brown Bomber, cemented the band’s heavy blues bonafides. There’s not much respite from the blue-blooded rock ‘n’ roll. “Thank You” is one.
(l-r) Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham | Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images 1. ‘Thank You’
The second Led Zeppelin album, affectionately known as the Brown Bomber, cemented the band’s heavy blues bonafides. There’s not much respite from the blue-blooded rock ‘n’ roll. “Thank You” is one.
- 2/14/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 2012, Matthew Teague found out that his wife, Nicole, was going to die. She’d been diagnosed with ovarian cancer; when the surgeon went in to remove tumors, however, he’d discovered that the disease had spread everywhere. Matthew was a journalist for The Atlantic. Nicole had been an actor when they were living in New Orleans, which is where she had met Dane, a theater-tech guy; after an early, awkward moment in which he’d asked her out, unaware that she was married, the three of them became close friends.
- 1/22/2021
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Robert Plant rolled out dates this morning for his inaugural American tour with his new band Saving Grace. They first played live last year opening for Fairport Convention at tiny venues across England, and this May, they’ll hit U.S. theaters like Town Hall in New York City and Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C.
Fans who show up expecting to hear Led Zeppelin classics will likely be disappointed. At their gigs last year, the group played Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” Moby Grape’s “It’s a Beautiful Day Today,...
Fans who show up expecting to hear Led Zeppelin classics will likely be disappointed. At their gigs last year, the group played Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” Moby Grape’s “It’s a Beautiful Day Today,...
- 3/3/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
D.A. Pennebaker, the master documentary filmmaker who died Thursday at the age of 94, specialized in capturing rock & roll moments on film before they slipped away, from Bob Dylan in Dont Look Back to Depeche Mode in Depeche Mode 101. But if there’s one scene that sums up his legendary career, it’s this perfect moment from Monterey Pop — Mama Cass saying “wow” after seeing Janis Joplin sing “Ball and Chain.”
It’s 1967, the Summer of Love, the Monterey Pop Festival. The flower children have gathered in the California sun to...
It’s 1967, the Summer of Love, the Monterey Pop Festival. The flower children have gathered in the California sun to...
- 8/4/2019
- by Rob Sheffield
- Rollingstone.com
When Robert Plant played Iceland’s Summer Solstice Festival late last month, he wrapped up his set with a truncated rendition of “Immigrant Song,” marking the first time he played any version of the Led Zeppelin classic since a 1996 Page and Plant concert. Plant often plays Zeppelin tunes at his solo shows in completely new arrangements, but as you can see from this fan-shot YouTube video, he sticks pretty close to the original even though he shaved off a few verses.
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant wrote “Immigrant Song” when...
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant wrote “Immigrant Song” when...
- 7/1/2019
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Rosenberg 'Goes' for debut at helm
Screenwriter Scott Rosenberg will make his directorial debut on And So It Goes from a script he wrote. The project, out to financiers and producers, is aiming for a spring start. Although Rosenberg has become known for writing such high-octane scripts as Con Air and Gone in 60 Seconds, his directorial debut will take him back to his earlier material like Beautiful Girls. Goes is set in New England and will carry with it a theme of friendship and the passing of time. The project, described as Beautiful Girls meets The Hours meets About a Boy, is about how the appearance of a couple of children causes an underachiever to revisit his relationship with his best friend -- the kids' father -- who has since passed away. CAA, which reps Rosenberg, is helping to package the project. The scribe is continuing with his writing, having recently signed on to script the animated DreamWorks feature Rex Havoc. He also will be co-writing Columbia Pictures' remake of Let's Get Harry and Universal Pictures' remake of The Sentinel. Rosenberg most recently wrote and executive produced the Showtime drama Going to California and co-wrote this year's Warner Bros. Pictures comedy Kangaroo Jack.
- 8/12/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Columbia, Moritz to rescue 'Harry'
Columbia Pictures will remake the 1986 TriStar actioner Let's Get Harry, which Neal Moritz will produce through his studio-based Original Films. Screenwriter Scott Rosenberg is writing the remake with Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec, who worked together on the Rosenberg-executive-produced Showtime series Going to California. The original Harry stars Mark Harmon as an American engineer taken hostage and held for ransom in the jungles of South America along with an American ambassador. A group of men -- played by Robert Duvall and Gary Busey, among others -- set out to rescue him. The new version will center on a group of men going to rescue their buddy, who has been taken hostage, despite others urging them to forget it because he may not even be alive anymore. Moritz is producing the project, with Original executive Tania Landau overseeing. Columbia's Matt Tolmach and Rachel O'Connor are the executives on the project. Rosenberg, repped by CAA, has written such films as Kangaroo Jack, Con Air, Gone in Sixty Seconds and Beautiful Girls. Appelbaum and Nemec, repped by Endeavor, were most recently writers and producers on television's Fastlane. Other credits include TV's She Spies, The Chronicle and Profiler. All three writers are also repped by Offer Webber and Dern Llp.
- 8/7/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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