Led Zeppelin was:

Jimmy Page - Guitar

John Paul Jones - Bass/Keyboards

Robert Plant - Vocals

John Bonham - Drums

Critics hated them, mainstream radio turned a blind eye to them, but their fans stayed loyal to them for the near -12 years they were together. Led Zeppelin undoubtedly changed the landscape of rock and roll music for all-time.

Led Zeppelin arose from the ashes of the Yardbirds, a '60s beat group that young Jimmy Page -- then a fast-rising guitarist drifting between London bands -- joined in 1966 only to have the band break up in 1967. Determined to fulfill the Yardbirds' remaining tour obligations, Page recruited vocalist Robert Plant, bassist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham to continue as the New Yardbirds; the quartet later adopted the name Led Zeppelin, cutting its self-titled debut album in October 1968. Drawing from American blues, British folk, and raw psychedelic rock, Led Zeppelin quickly became the most popular hard rock band in the world, each of their ensuing albums selling millions of copies worldwide. In fact, they are the best selling band ever, behind only the Beatles.

Sadly, this definitive rock 'n' roll band came to a premature end in 1980 when Bonham died unexpectedly only days before the group was to embark on yet another one of its trademark stadium tours. Page and Plant each began solo careers; John Paul Jones remained active in music as a producer and arranger.

The band bought Hammerwood Park in East Grinstead at auction in 1973. They planned a studio and accommodation, but none of this ever came to be, partly due to the poor condition of the house at the time. They filmed the beginning of "The Song remains the Same" at Hammerwood Park (in which Led Zeppelin are shown eliminating Nazis). The house also inspired some of the lyrics of their songs including the world famous "Stairway to Heaven".

www.led-zeppelin.com