Fifty years ago this week, four young British lads came together to rehearse for the first time as Led Zeppelin, not knowing their lives were about to change forever.
It was around 12 August 1968 that Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham arrived at a small room on Gerrard Street in what is now known as Londons Chinatown, to prepare for a Scandinavian tour after three members of Pages band quit suddenly.
With the dates booked, Page and his tour manager Peter Grant quickly found three other musicians – bassist and session musician Jones, singer Plant and drummer Bonham – but as Jones revealed, when they first met they had no idea what to do next.
Literally, it was everyone looking at each other – “what shall we play?” Me doing more sessions, didnt know anything at all, he said.
Advertisement Advertisement
But what happened next was an explosion as they decided to jam to a Yardbirds number called Train Kept A Rollin. (Page began his career with The Yardbirds.)
I remember the little room, all I can remember it was hot and it sounded good – very exciting and very challenging really, because I could feel that something was happening to myself and to everyone else in the room, added Plant, speaking in a 1990 interview.
It felt like wed found something that we had to be very careful with because we might lose it, but it was remarkable: the power.
Bonham who passed away in 1980, said in 1972: We had good play that day and it went quite well. Even the first time wed played together, theres a feeling when youre playing whether its going to be any good, and it was good – very good indeed.
But at that time I had no idea it would achieve what it has.
Page though couldnt believe his luck, after bringing the band together: At the end, we knew that it was really happening, really electrifying.
Exciting is the word. We went from there to start rehearsals for the album.
The group toured for 22 years until the death of Bonham but they became famous around the globe for their powerful rock music was drew on other genres including blues, psychedelia, and jazz.
Advertisement Advertisement
They achieved eight consecutive UK number-one albums and are the second best-selling band in the US of all time.
However in recent years Plant has refused to return to the stage, partly because it is thought that Plant does not enjoy being on stage without the late Bonham.
However now the remaining three stars are allegedly considering a celebration of their work for their 50th anniversary, although Metro.co.uk understand that there wont be a reunion gig.
More: Music
Bonham is likely to be represented by his son Jason, who joined the band in 2007 for their last performance as a group.
One idea that has been floated would see the three remaining members of the band attending a celebration of their work, which would include famous artists covering their hit tunes.
MORE: Is there a Led Zeppelin musical in the works?
Advertisement Advertisement
[contf] [contfnew] 
METRO
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
