By 1970, Led Zeppelin had risen in the categories of The Melody Maker Poll.
Melody Maker was the most prestigious of the music papers in the UK at the time. The Melody Maker Poll awards ceremony was hosted at the Savoy Hotel in London. Led Zeppelin were awarded number one Group, number one UK Album and number two International Album with Led Zeppelin II, Robert Plant number one Male Singer. In the guitar category, I was number two, with Eric Clapton number one and Jimi Hendrix number three.
In the late Sixties, there were very few music publications, so we wanted to do whatever we could to spread the word. We did pieces for Melody Maker and Beat Instrumental, which was a musicians’ magazine. Promotion was particularly important in the UK, because we weren’t played on the radio – unlike in America, where the airwaves were full of good contemporary rock music.
Led Zeppelin’s high placings are phenomenal, but not entirely unexpected. There is no doubt that Zeppelin deserve all their kudos. They have magic, ability, and the right attitude in their approach to the business of making music. The worst that people can say about them in the rumour mongering stakes is that they might break up. Whenever artists in any field gain an extraordinary degree of success, there are bound to be dissenting voices.
How does the Zeppelin magic work? First, they are a tight unit, but four distinct personalities, much in the Beatle tradition. They combine the appeal of the traditional pop group format with the excitement, drive and convincing validity of modern rock Jimmy Page Is a great guitarist, John Paul Jones is an invaluable talent as a multi-instrumentalist, John Bonham is one of the most respected and powerful drummers to emerge in recent years and Robert Plant is an heroic figure who emotes more feeling with his singing than the average seller of soul. There is an excitement about their presence and careful management has ensured just the right amount of Led Zeppelin is fed to the hungry fans. They do not release singles. They are never seen on British TV. Yet their two albums have sold enough to win Platinum discs and they can comfortably fill concert halls and festivals the length and breadth of Europe and America.
If they broke up tomorrow, they will have left a legacy of two albums that are perfect as examples of the kind of rock music that turned on a generation. Both albums have highly memorable riffs, and electric moments. They reveal a cunning awareness of the value of timing. “Whole Lotta Love” for example is not just a riff, but a clever build up of ideas. Zeppelin fans wait with bated breath for the moment Bonham batters in with his snare drum and Jimmy swops guitar phrases with him after extended “freak out” passage. There is the moment when the drums, cymbals and bass groove into the swinging feel of “How Many More Times.” Even when the various tracks have been played many times they have the power to surprise and give that small thrill of anticipation.
The group’s placings in this year’s poll speak for themselves. Robert Plant, top British singer, “Led Zeppelin II” top album, Jimmy Page second only to Eric Clapton among the guitarists while the group wins both British and International sections as top group. In addition, “Led Zeppelin II” is second album in the International section, Jimmy Page is sixth top record producer, John Bonham is fifth drummer and John Paul Jones is second to Jack Bruce in the bass section. Plant is third male International singer.
There’s no doubt about it – these lads have got rhythm.
Jimmy Page
Robert Plant
John Paul Jones
