This pivotal quartet was formed in October 1968 by British guitarist Jimmy Page following the demise of his former band, the Yardbirds. John Paul Jones , a respected arranger and session musician, replaced original member Chris Dreja, but hopes to incorporate vocalist Terry Reid floundered on a contractual impasse. The singer unselfishly recommended Robert Plant, then frontman of  struggling Midlands act Hobbstweedle, who in turn introduced drummer John Bonham , when first
choice B.J. Wilson opted to remain with Procol Harum. The quartet gelled immediately and having completed  outstanding commitments under the name 'New  Yardbirds', became Led Zeppelin following a quip by the
 Who 's Keith Moon, who, when assessing their prospects,  remarked that they would probably 'go down like a lead Zeppelin'. Armed with a prestigious contract with Atlantic Records, the group toured the USA supporting Vanilla Fudge prior to the release of their explosive debut,
 Led Zeppelin, which included several exceptional original songs, including 'Good Times, Bad Times', 'Communication Breakdown', 'Dazed And Confused' - a hangover from the  Yardbirds' era - and skilled interpretations of R&B standards 'How Many More Times?' and 'You Shook Me'.  The set vied with Jeff Beck 's Truth as the definitive statement of English heavy blues/rock, but Page's  meticulous production showed a greater grasp of basic  pop dynamics, resulting in a clarity redolent of 50s rock 'n'  roll. His staggering dexterity was matched by Plant's expressive, beseeching voice, a combination that flourished on Led Zeppelin II. The group was already a headline act, drawing sell-out crowds across the USA, when this propulsive collection confirmed an almost peerless position. The introductory track, 'Whole Lotta Love', a thinly veiled rewrite of Willie Dixon 's 'You Need  Love', has since become a classic, while 'Livin' Lovin' Maid (She's Just A Woman)' and 'Moby Dick', Bonham's  exhibition piece, were a staple part of the quartet's early repertoire. Elsewhere, 'Thank You' and 'What Is And What Should Never Be' revealed a greater subtlety, a factor  emphasized more fully on Led Zeppelin III. Preparation
for this set had been undertaken at Bron-Y-Aur cottage in Snowdonia (immortalized in 'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp'), and a resultant pastoral atmosphere permeated the acoustic-based selections 'That's The Way' and 'Tangerine'.  'The Immigrant Song' and 'Gallows Pole' reasserted the
 group's traditional fire and the album's release confirmed Led Zeppelin's position as one of the world's leading  attractions. In concert, Plant's sexuality and Adonis-like persona provided the perfect foil to Page's more
mercurial character, yet both individuals took full command of the stage, the guitarist's versatility matched  by his singer's unfettered roar.

       Confirmation of the group's ever-burgeoning strengths appeared on Led Zeppelin IV, also known as 'Four Symbols', the 'Runes Album' or 'Zoso', in deference to the  fact that the set bore no official title. It included
 'Stairway To Heaven', a group tour de force. Arguably the definitive heavy-rock song, it continues to win polls, and the memorable introduction remains every guitar novice's  first hurdle. The approbation granted this ambitious piece initially obscured other tracks, but the energetic  'When The Levee Breaks' is now also lauded as a masterpiece, particularly for Bonham's drumming. ' Zoso was certified as having sold 16 million copies in the USA by March 1996. However, the effusive praise this album generated was  notably more muted for Houses Of The Holy. Critics
queried its musically diverse selection - the set embraced  folk ballads, reggae and soul - yet when the accustomed  power was unleashed, notably on 'No Quarter', the effect was inspiring.

    Sell-out appearances in the UK the release, but rehearsals for a projected world tour were abandoned in August 1975 when Plant sustained  multiple injuries in a car crash. A new album was  prepared during his period of convalescence, although problems over artwork delayed its release. Advance orders alone assured Presence platinum status, yet the set was regarded as a disappointment and UK sales were
noticeably weaker. The 10-minute maelstrom 'Achilles Last Stand' was indeed a remarkable performance, but the  remaining tracks were competent rather than fiery and  lacked the accustomed sense of grandeur. In 1977 Led  Zeppelin began its rescheduled US tour, but on 26 July  news reached Robert Plant that his six-year-old son,  Karac, had died of a viral infection. The remaining dates were cancelled amid speculation that the group would break up.

         Rehearsals were then undertaken for another US tour, but in September 1980, Bonham was found dead following a lengthy drinking bout. On 4 December, Swansong announced that the group had officially retired,  although a collection of archive material, Coda, was  subsequently issued. Jones later became a successful  producer, notably with the Mission, while Plant embarked on a highly successful solo career, launched with Pictures At Eleven. Page scored the film Death Wish 2 and, after a  brief reunion with Plant and the Honeydrippers project in 1984, he inaugurated the short-lived Firm with Paul  Rogers. He then formed the Jimmy Page Band with John Bonham's son, Jason, who in turn drummed with Led  Zeppelin on their appearance at Atlantic 's 25th  Anniversary Concert in 1988. Despite renewed interest in the group's career, particularly in the wake of the  retrospective Remasters, entreaties to make this a  permanent reunion were resisted. However, in 1994 Page
and Plant went two-thirds of the way to a re-formation with their ironically titled Unledded project, though John  Paul Jones was conspicuous by his absence (for want of an invitation). The duo cemented the relationship with an album of new Page And Plant material in 1998. Although their commercial success is unquestionable, Led Zeppelin are now rightly recognized as one of the most influential bands of the rock era and their catalogue continues to  provide inspiration to successive generations of musicians.