 |
Jimmy Page: guitar
b. James Patrick Page, 9 January 1944, Heston, England |
John Paul Jones: bass,
organ
b. John Baldwin, 3 January 1946, Sidcup, England |
Robert Plant: vocals,
harmonica
b. Robert
Anthony Plant, 20 August 1948, Bromwich, England |
John "Bonzo" Bonham:
drums
b. John Henry Bonham, 31 May 1948, Redditch, England
d. 25 September 1980, Windsor, England |
|
| |
| |
| Jimmy Page's
first bands were Neil Christian and the Crusaders and Carter-Lewis
and the Southerners, but he left the band because touring "damaged
his health." He gradually becomes one of London’s most important
session musicians (along with Big Jim Sullivan). |
|
| John Paul Jones,
son of musical family, became a session musician for Decca and musical
arranger for people like Donovan ("Sunshine Superman" and "Hurdy
Gurdy Man"). |
| Robert Plant was
influenced by both by American bluesmen and by fellow Broomie, Steve Winwood.
In Birmingham he works with Bonham in Band of Joy. A demo of the band
impresses Tony Secunda (Procol Harum, the Move) who brings him to London
for auditions. Some of his first gigs are with Alexis Korner. |
| John "Bonzo" Bonham
works with a number of groups, recording with the likes of Screaming Lord
Sutch, and playing with Band of Joy. |
| |
| 1966 |
| Robert Plant
moves to London from Birmingham and records with CBS as a pop artist. |
| October: Robert Plant releases "You Better
Run" / "Everybody's Gonna Say" [UK CBS 202456] |
| |
| 1967 |
| March: Robert Plant releases "Our Song"
/ "Laughin', Cryin', Laughin'" [CBS 202656] |
| September: Robert Plant releases "Long
Time Coming" / "I've Got a Secret" [CBS 202858] |
| These recordings largely fail and Plant returns to
working with his Birmingham ensemble, Band of Joy |
| |
| 1968 |
| Some time in early 1968, Trident Studios in Soho install an American built 8-track recording deck. These multiple tracks allowed musicians to re-record portions of performances (as the Rolling Stones and the Who had been doing in the US for years). Other studios would soon follow suit. Eventually, bands with financial backing could spend more time in the studio perfecting their performances and recordings. |
| At the same time, amplification equipment by companies such as Marshall began to allow musicians to play larger and larger venues, consequently increasing the amount of revenue availble. |
| July.
Jimmy Page and Chris Dreja decide to form the New Yardbirds in order to
satisfy a commitment to a Scandinavian tour after previous ensemble breaks
up; however, Dreja tires of the effort and leaves.
Page recruits John Paul Jones. Someone recommends Plant who brings bandmate
Bonham along to play Scandinavian tour. |
| September: Plant continues to look for work, recording with Alexis Korner. "Operator"
Robert Plant (vocals & harmonica), Alexis Korner (guitar), and Steve
Miller (piano). |
| 18 October.
Marquee Club |
| 19 October.
Liverpool University |
| November.
Take name "Le[a]d Zeppelin" from Keith Moon. Peter Grant, becomes their manager and they decide NOT to release singles in
the UK, but rather to focus their attention on the American market |
| 26 December.
Begin first US tour in Boston |
| |
| 1969 |
| 12 January.
Led Zeppelin released in US (UK at end of March) |
