Led Zeppelin Photography

Formed in London in 1968, Led Zeppelin painted a smoldering picture of hard rock’s future while maintaining reverence for its Delta blues and British folk past. Much of their mystical power came from the uncanny chemistry of the blue-eyed soul wailer Robert Plant, guitar great Jimmy Page, whip-smart bassist John Paul Jones, and heavy-hitter John Bonham.

Together, this legendary troupe amassed an estimated 200-300 million albums sold worldwide, thanks in part to raucous rockers like “Stairway to Heaven,” “Whole Lotta Love,” “Kashmir,” and “Black Dog.” Their reign as the world’s biggest rock band ended all too soon, however, as drummer Bonham succumbed to a tragic alcohol-related death in 1980.

Reunions of the remaining members have been few, mainly a 1985 Live Aid performance and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony a decade later. Their final performance was a headlining slot at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute benefit in 2007 (with John Bonham’s son, Jason, boldly keeping the beat) as chronicled in the extraordinary concert film Celebration Day.