America got its first taste of Led Zeppelin 50 years ago today (Saturday) when their self-titled debut album was released.
The band came together the year before when Yardbirds' guitarist Jimmy Page recruited his old friend from his session days, bassist John Paul Jones, along with drummer John Bonham and singer Robert Plant.
Jimmy Page on the recording in the fall of 1968 of Led Zeppelin's first album. OC:...all the mixing that was done as well:
,quality(10),blur(50))
Jimmy Page on producing Led Zeppelin's first album:
Another thing Jimmy wanted was to record a complete album and not just a few singles surrounded by filler.
Jimmy Page on his goal for the music of Led Zeppelin's first album:
And, since they weren't recording moon-spoon-June type-songs, Robert Plant had his work cut out for him.
Robert Plant on the challenge of recording Led Zeppelin's first album:
Among the nine songs on the album are "Good Times Bad Times," "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You," "Dazed and Confused" and "Communication Breakdown."
Panned by the critics, Led Zeppelin peaked at number-10 on the Billboard 200 and has sold over eight-million copies in the U.S. Not a bad return for the 2,000 pounds it cost to record it.