Led Zeppelin is one of the best bands of all time. I’d even go out on a limb and say they are better than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Led Zeppelin had it all from the songs, live show, musicianship, mystique and then some. You’d be hard pressed to find a catalog of a band with the amount of greatness, that Led Zeppelin put out. Below is the definitive album rank of all nine Led Zeppelin studio albums.
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I’ve been on a bit of a Led Zeppelin kick as of late. I found myself the other night putting all their albums on and just letting it all take me on a quite the musical trip. When I got to Physical Graffiti, there was one song in particular that hit at the right moment, and that song was “Ten Years Gone.” This song is an absolute gem in the Zeppelin catalog. It’s dark and sultry and full of great melody. “Ten Years Gone” is one of Jimmy Page’s epics. Interestingly, originally the song was meant to be an instrumental song. This song live goes to a whole other level. The alternate version that I have always dug comes from their 1979 concert at Knebworth. This would be one of the bands final concerts before the passing of the one and only John Bonham. This version particularly is quite simply superb.
Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (Live At Knebworth- 1979):
Jimmy Page is a master of his craft without a doubt. Led Zeppelin is for sure one of the best bands ever and beyond inspirational and influential. Their album Presence, is one of the most overlooked albums in rock history. That is something I never will understand. Over the years, I’ve really come to love that album and all that it has to offer. “Achilles Last Stand” is truly one of the best songs the band ever wrote and I’d even go as far to say that it’s better than “Stairway To Heaven.” When you listen to this song, you truly get swept away by the sheer force and magnitude of it’s rock. Plus, the solo’s that are featured on this song are astounding.
Led Zeppelin- Achilles Last Stand (Live in Los Angeles 1977):
I have a strange and somewhat cruel, yet comical thing that I love to do. When I’m out and about and I’m at a place with a jukebox, before I leave I like to leave a couple songs playing. What I do is pay the extra money and pick really long versions of songs and then leave. I know it’s silly but it’s also awesome and funny at the same time. One of my go to picks for years now has been this version of Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused.” Clocking in at 25 minutes (yes that is correct, twenty five minutes), it’s one of the most epic versions of this track. Found on the live album How The West Was Won, this version was recorded in 1972 from a concert at the Forum in Los Angeles, this version also features parts of the songs “Walter’s Walk” and “The Crunge.” Needless to say, when you gotta get the Led out, this is one hell of a way to lay it on thick! Take a few minutes to enjoy this awesome alternate version.
Led Zeppelin- Dazed and Confused:
Some of the all time best end of album songs have come from Led Zeppelin. They really knew how to pick best song to end their records. Each and everyone they picked has this perfect element of everything they just gave your from the start of the album. I have my favorites like “How Many More Times,” “When The Levee Breaks,” “The Ocean,” and “Tea For One.” Led Zeppelin were masters of their craft and these songs help to show that.
How Many More Times (from Led Zeppelin I):
Bring It On Home (from Led Zeppelin II):
Hats Off To Roy Harper (from Led Zeppelin III):
When The Levee Breaks (from Led Zeppelin IV):
The Ocean (from Houses Of The Holy):
Sick Again (from Physical Graffiti):
Tea For One (from Presence):
I’m Gonna Crawl (from In Through The Out Door):
Wearing and Tearing (from Coda):
It’s been too long and the fans want it. The guys aren’t getting any younger, and there are so many people that want it. So how about Led Zeppelin gets back together. I’m not asking for new music, just play some shows. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones are one hell of a trifecta. Their legacy and influence is spread over multitudes of generations. And there are people like myself that would love to see the three of them play on stage. I do have one request that if they do decide to play some shows, don’t use Jason Bonham as the drummer. Dave Grohl needs to be behind the kit. Jason was good for the “Celebration Day” reunion they did a few years back but, it really needs to be Dave Grohl.
What do you all think? A Led Zeppelin reunion with Dave Grohl playing drums?!
Since Jimmy Page is overseeing the new remasters of all their albums, I thought now is a good time to rank all the Zeppelin albums. So here it is in order of not the best to the best. This list is also just my opinion.
Coda:
In Through The Out Door:
Presence:
Houses Of The Holy:
Led Zeppelin III:
Physical Graffiti:
Led Zeppelin I:
Led Zeppelin IV:
Led Zeppelin II:
This isn’t the best quality but it puts a different feel to a classic! Plus Down is awesome!!!
