Notes on Led Zeppelin's Influence
Led Zeppelin's Influence on Rock Music
Classification of the Band
- In the 1970s, Led Zeppelin did not label themselves as a hard rock band.
- The label of hard rock was applied retroactively.
- Despite this, their music is a clear representation of hard rock aesthetics through:
- Riff-based music.
- Deep roots in American blues tradition.
- Notable characteristics of weighty drumming and heavy bass.
- Some critics have described Led Zeppelin as the first heavy metal band.
- Band members publicly disagree with being labeled as heavy metal.
- Led Zeppelin codified a formal structure that influenced rock music norms from the 1970s onward.
- An example of their structural influence is the song "Whole Lotta Love."
- Many rock songs adopted a verse-chorus structure.
- The instrumental section often separates a verse and chorus in the middle of the song.
- This structure can be described as AABA, with:
- Each A containing a verse and a chorus.
- The B containing the instrumental interlude.
Influence on Stadium Rock
- Led Zeppelin is a key influence on the development of stadium rock.
- Stadium rock refers to:
- Music suited for large arena performances.
- Concert series or tours designed for large audiences.
- Throughout the 1970s, the band:
- Sold out enormous venues consistently.
- Successfully performed for crowds of thousands.
Shift to Album Oriented Rock (AOR)
- Critics and fans argue that Led Zeppelin set the standard for Album Oriented Rock (AOR).
- AOR is characterized by:
- Music conceived to be experienced in the context of an entire album, rather than as isolated singles.
- Led Zeppelin's disinterest in releasing singles:
- Demonstrated their focus on album sales over single releases.
- Contributed to their ability to sell millions of albums without releasing any singles.
- This established Led Zeppelin as prominent figures in the transition from singles-oriented rock to album-oriented rock.