What made Led Zeppelin philosophically the biggest rock band to ever exist?

Question

Musical talent, from which there was plenty, aside, philosophically, how and why did Led Zeppelin raise to be the biggest rock band to ever exist?

My theory is that the world was screaming for a change. Robert Plant’s voice and Jimmy Pages’ guitar gave the world the change it so desperately needed.

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

personally, i think this is the most extremely awesome question i have found in yahoo answers. good for u.

About your question, i think you´re correct. The world desperately needed a change, since the beatles ´times were over and "something new" and with "fresh air" was needed.

Answer 2

I would agree with you. Still, many people wouldn't; this is obviously up for debate.

Because I agree with you, I can answer your question;)

It didn't hurt that Page played a mean guitar and that Plant had a unique voice. Still, I think that many people missed the real beauty of this band. These guys weren't all interested in the same things and they didn't share identical musical backgrounds. You listen to a Zeppelin song and it is unique - undefinable actually. You hear sounds from many genres, not just from song to song, but within one song. A Zeppelin song can be bluesy and country and ethnic and exotic. The diversity of the band members and the fact that they were all musical geniuses made Zeppelin one of the greatest. Yes, the world probably was looking for something fresh, but the world is always looking for something fresh and wanting change. Zeppelin is still played today and still named as one of the greatest bands by great bands around today. That has to count for something. Another thing that was unique about Zeppelin is they made poetry cool. Yeah...Dylan was doing it and there are a few great lyricists (Lou Reed, Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Joplin), but no one, except besides Floyd, were as instrumental in making symbolic lyrics/poetry a mainstream tool bands used to create songs - at least, not to this extent. Zeppelin created songs that sounded strong, rough and raw, like Black Dog, but they could also put out a song like Thank You that spoke of undying love and had a certain quiet strength. I don't think anyone can deny the influence they have had in music.

To the guy who said they haven't sold nearly enough records. Let me just remind you that we consume far more today than we did in the past. That is why the Britney Spears and N'Syncs of the world sell so many records. Buying records isn't something everyone could do the way they do today - yes, even in the 70's. And remember, the Zeppelin box set is still one of the most sold out packages today - take a look in any HMV - and how many years later?

Cheers

Answer 3

I feel Led Zeppelin had a larger impact, on account that they have been the primary truly difficult rock band, the Rolling Stones are not relatively difficult rock. Even regardless that the Rolling Stones had been round considering the 60's and feature had many hits, Led Zeppelin was once the largest band of the 70s and their affect on rock tune is larger than the Rolling Stones.

Answer 4

Your's is an overly broad assumption> Led Zeppelin was not the "philosophically biggest rock band" ever. Pink Floyd's music was far more philosophical and thought-provoking than Led Zeppelin, ever Uriah Heep was better on those terms. Still, Zeppelin did rock!

Answer 5

I think it isn't fair to elevate any one band so much over others, I love Led Zeppelin but I think people have lifted the genre of classic rock to a way too high of a level, classic rock is classic rock but it comes down to the individual's preference, there are some pretty good bands that came after but people are too iffy to compare them to the 'rock legends'

like someone else said, there have been recent artists who have sold more records, like Green Day (I hate Green Day) but it's just popularity

I like Led Zeppelin for the music, it's just amazing, but I also like Modest Mouse, my life would be incomplete without their music

philosophically, I don't think any band can be the ultimate best, that would be the achievement of perfection and how music makes you feel or think is more abstract than something like that to be 'defined' as the best

Answer 6

Yeah, I doubt the philosophical impact of any rock band, with the possible exception perhaps of the Beatles and Stones.

Personally, I always thought Led Zeppelin was pretty dirivative.

Answer 7

Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath... Every band in the 70's was philosophical in that they did drugs. It all started with the Beatles; have you thought about them? If you really want a trippy band, check out RX Bandits. Read their lyrics first, then listen to their songs. They argue a lot of good points and the lead singer (Matt Embry) has a moving voice. but don't check out his new songs because he's been doing a lot of heroin lately and it's influencing him retroactively; i'm afraid he's done for. but to answer your question: Drugs.

Answer 8

I fail to see how this is a "philosophical" question. Is Led Zeppelin the "biggest rock band to ever exist?" This is debatable. At any rate, the only thing Led Zeppelin has contributed to the world is the comical, yet at the same time, depressing assortment of "hair rock" bands by which our ears were assaulted in the late 70s and 80s. Oh yes, and minimalst punk rock and post punk bands also arose in aesthetic defiance of the heavy-handed, pseudo-epic, pompous, self-indulgent drivel that "Led Zep" called "music."

Answer 9

Why philosophical?

I love Led Zep and philosophy but can't see how the two are related ("Squeeze my lemon" is NOT a deep lyric).

BTW everyone, the BEST stuff is the live stuff. Listen to a good bootleg (24th May 1975 is the very best). Four blokes on stage playing music - and they really could play.

Answer 10

It's not Led Zeppelin the biggest group ever existed; Beattles are.
Some other claim the same about ; Scorpions, Rolling Stones, Queen....etc..