About 20,000 fans crammed into London’s O2 Arena on Monday as rock giants Led Zeppelin took to the stage together for the first time in years, blasting their way through a two-hour set that left fans baying for more.
The rockers had sparked a ticket-buying frenzy when they announced in September that they were reuniting for the one-off gig, having rarely performed together since their split in 1980. A million fans registered for a chance to win a ticket and one man forked out 83,000 pounds for a pair of tickets in a BBC auction for “Children in Need”.
It is the latest sign of their enduring popularity. They have sold 300 million albums and penned classic songs such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love”.
Can we say they are the greatest band in the world ever?
Maybe you were more excited by the return of those other pop legends, the Spice Girls? Tell us who you think is the best ever.
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81 comments so far
Greatest band in the world? Never!
- Posted by JamesThat accolade still has to go to The Beatles.
And, if we are talking about active bands only, then The Who blows Zeppelin out of the water. A great band, definitely. The greatest? Not a chance.
They are absolutely the greatest band ever. You just have to look at the number of albums they have sold and the number of seats they have filled in stadiums across the world. Their music was so full of passion and it’s hard to think of another band whose fans are so passionate about them!
- Posted by RogerGreatest band ever?? Sorry…Nope…best band ever??
- Posted by Jim CushmanWhy,….The Beatles of course! They are untouchable!
The Beatles are alone at the top!!!!
No. They were a good band, but not a great one - they owe a ton to blues musicians and to Jimmi Hendrix. They weren’t terribly innovative or original and their songs all sounded the same (to borrow a phrase).
- Posted by DrewGreat bands would be the Who, Pink Floyd, Joy Division, Radiohead, U2, the Smiths, the Stone Roses, the Rolling Stones, Clapton/Dominos, Rush, the Doors, the Clash, Nirvana, and the FooFighters.
These are bands with originality, purpose, meaning, artistic merit, and their own sound. Zepplin falls short on too many of those criteria to be a truly great band.
Yes. They are the greatest band because they set the bar for what a great band would be. Even today, it seems like the new bands that aspire for “greatness” are simply following the Led Zeppelin recipe and sound and look very much like them.
- Posted by OmarUm, what about the Stones?
- Posted by PatrickThey only ripped their entire first disc off other artists… greatest? haha NO.
- Posted by DTThey are absolutly 100% the greatest band of all time. The album sales, the songs, the concert tickets sold, and the fact that their music created a new genre all add up to them being the best ever.
Whoever says Zeppelin doesn’t have artistic merit does not know what they are talking about. They go from albums as hard rocking as Zeppelin 1 and 2 to an acoustic filled 3rd album. Houses of the Holy continues to follow their trend of each album sounding differently. Presence is one of the most underated guitar albums of all time. Zeppelin will never be touched.
- Posted by MattAs an indie rock musician living in Brooklyn, I can’t deny the impact and influence of Zepplin. It’s like asking yourself where you first heard the bad words you now use regularly. When did you first hear drums played that well? Or a riff so scorching it made you feel like the window was open?
- Posted by MarwanThe best band in the world? Maybe at one time. But now, they are a relic of a time when singers faked being from the southern bowery, when guitar players soloed for hours in over-amped blues chords, and when songs were one dimensional. Think of the internet when it was a dial up. When the phone was rotary. When you had to crank your engine before you got into the car. At the time, it was a miracle. But now, it seems ridiculous. And so it is with Led Zepplin.
Absolutely the greatest. In the mid-sixties, the Beatles stoping being a rock band, and morphed into a pop studio machine bent on exploring & propping up their songs with novelties. Zeppelin became the hard driving high energy arena band that the Beatles could have been—but they were obsessed with being cute, clever, and culturally evolving. With Zeppelin though, it was always more about the music than the image.
- Posted by ThogwummpyThe Beatles must be considered the most “important” band ever, because they picked up rock and roll from the 50’s and Elvis years and turned rock into an art form. But since them, no one has rocked harder, better, or more artistically than Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin picked up where the Beatles left off and turned rock from an art form to an Epic art form. Their music is timeless and holds up 35+ years later. The greatest rock band ever, bar none.
- Posted by Erniewell there should be no doubt as far as the guitaring genius of jimmy page is concerned but…..best band ever, i dont think so and the foremost reason would be lack of purpose and sometimes bad lyrics as well. Pink Floyd surely is the best band of all times
- Posted by AliI’m old enough to have seen most of the ‘greatest bands’ ever - The Beatles, U2, Pink Floyd, Queen, Rolling Stones (even Elvis at Las Vegas in the early 1970s) - and have enjoyed every single one for different reasons. Led Zep are not my favourite band, but in terms of being the greatest live band ever, they walk away with that honour easily. No other act I ever saw could match their live act, not even The Who (who are my favourite band!)
- Posted by Dave WYes. Although with different genre’s, tastes & opinions it’s pretty much impossible to say definitively that any one group is the greatest- but Zeppelin is as close as they come.
For those that say all their songs sound the same- you obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. Not only was every song a masterpiece in it’s own right- but they explored and incorporated so many different musical styles and outlets- reggae, blues, heavy metal, country, rock, folk and so much more.
Their passion is a tangible presence in every song- and you can feel the music live. And each member was a master that added their own genious. Page is obvioulsly a guitar legend. Plant’s vocal range & writing are obvious. Bonham is easily one of the most influential drummers ever and the talent that Jones added was immeasurable. They were an all star cast who produced nothing but magic, and pioneers that influenced almost every aspect of the industry as we know it today.
- Posted by Eric ScottLed Zep was a great ban, but not the greatest. I agree that would have to be the Beatles, then the Stones. Led Zep did write great songs and defined the Heavy Metal genre for decades. They were great musicians and released great albums but the Beatles did more in less time.
But they are loads better than Nirvana or the Foo Fighters.
- Posted by BirdmanA great band can be defined by: how commercially successful the band have been, how influential they have been particularly with regards to inspiring other bands to play a similar type of music and also how successful and inspirational they have been as a live act. Led Zeppelin have been among the top in all the above categories. Yes, the Beatles have sold more albums, but how good were they in concert? The Who were a great live act, but did they sell as many albums as Zeppelin [No] ? The only band who come close to Zeppelin is probably Pink Floyd, but did Floyd spawn as many imitators ? Zep are the greatest !
- Posted by ArnoldIt all depends on what you call “best”. We all have different tastes, so for some Beatles are the best, and for others Zeppelin is the best. For me, Zeppelin is hands down the most incredible band ever. The collaboration of Page alongside the lyrics and melody of Plant and adding the best rythym section ever (Bohnam and Jones) caused a cosmic fusion that has bled into every real musician/rock band there is out there. Period.
- Posted by MikeYes they were the best ever.Every album they made sounded different. Led Zeppelin invented a new kind of music.They were the Beatles of hard rock. “The who” doesn’t even come close to Zeppelin.
- Posted by RobolaThe best band ever. The Beatles plan and simple.
- Posted by alfred snortMore hits on one album than Zep! Although Led Zep
is a great rock band especially with Page on guitar.
As influential and important as the Beatles were to rock n roll, Zeppelin took it to a whole new level when they hit the scene. The Beatles were good but their music for the most part was simple and poppy. It wasn’t until the later years when they started getting creative and more complex with their music. Zeppelin was a force from the get go and were light years ahead of the Beatles in regards to musicianship, creativeness and pure talent both lyrically and musically.
Zeppelin took rock music to another level. Their concerts changed the rock tour landscape. Their music influeneced the masses and changed the face of Rock N Roll. Their attitudes and mystic have come to symbolize what we all imagine Rock stars to be. They Are rock n roll.
- Posted by WesGood band? Without a doubt. the greatest band ever? Ah… no. Yes they influenced other bands, but so did the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, The Who, Rush, ELP, Yes, Genesis, etc
(the list goes on)
Their early stuff (the first three albums) sounds too much the same and frankly in my book wasn’t that good or original (in some cases it wasn’t original at all!)
Everything from IV on is good with my favorite still being their last, In through the Out Door. I really liked the direction the band was heading with that album and I do believe they would have produced even better work had they stayed together, but alas Bonham’s death cut that short.
Again good but the greatest, nope? That title has yet to be anointed on any one particular band in my book and probably never will since the field is so large.
- Posted by Every dog has his day...[…] more […]
- Posted by Led Zeppelin - the greatest band ever? - PlanetsaveNot a chance. They have had to settle more cases in court than any big band in memory. For stealing melodies and lyrics. I put these bands ahead of Zep the Beatles, The Rolling Stones (who just finished the highest grossing tour ever), Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, The Doors etc. Led Zeppelin is a great band but not the greatest. The only reason there is so much interest is because they haven’t played together in years. Imagine the hype around a Pink Floyd reunion would be much larger.
- Posted by AaronHere is the evidence that Led Zeppelin isn’t all it’s cracked up to be:
Gallows Poll – Centuries old English folk song.
Whole Lot of Love – Cover of Willie Dixon song “You Need Love” band was sued settled out of court in 1985
The Lemon Song – The song borrows significantly from Hollin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” – band sued Howlin’ Wolf’s name added to credits.
Black Dog – John Paul Jones got the idea for the riff from after hearing Muddy Waters’ experimental psychedelic-blues album, Electric Mud. The start and stop a cappella verses were inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s 1969 dong “Oh Well”.
Over the Hills and far Away – based on the instrumental Yardbirds track called “White Summer”.
Babe I’m Gonna Rock You – Folk song recorded by Joan Baez in 1962 and written by an American folk singer Anne Bredon.
Your Time is Gonna Come – The lines “One of these days and it won’t be long / You’ll look for me and I’ll be gone” quote Ray Charles song “I Believe to My Soul.
Bring it on Home – A song written by Willie Dixon and made famous by Sonny Boy Williamson II. It appears on the 1959 album “Down Out Blues”.
Black Mountain Side – Jimmy Page was originally credited, but it was discovered that it was actually an instrumental version of a traditional folk song “Blackwater Mountain” previously recorded by singer songwriter Bert Jansch.
When the Levee Breaks – Is a blues song written and recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929.
- Posted by AaronZeppelin’s great but they’re no Beatles or Stones. Since the question didn’t specify “rock” band, somebody has to mention the sextet that Miles Davis put together on “Kind of Blue” or Coltrane’s combos on “Giant Steps.” If you think those albums didn’t have a significant influence on blues-rock bands like Zeppelin, you’re fooling yourself.
- Posted by NotQuiteAnd one more thing. How has an Ehmet Ertegun, possibly the greatest mind in modern music, turned into a Led Zeppelin Reunion concert? I know it’s a big deal the band is getting back together but how about some love for Ehmet.
- Posted by AaronAnd one more thing. How has an Ehmet Ertegun Tribute, possibly the greatest mind in modern music, turned into a Led Zeppelin Reunion concert? I know it’s a big deal the band is getting back together but how about some love for Ehmet.
- Posted by AaronI think greatest rock band absolutley, love Pink Floyd but they were more polished and artsy while Led Zep was more raw, more rock and roll, and don’t forget the beatles were influenced by motown and the funk brothers, so you want to give kudos to the greatest band of all time, check the funk brothers out, Led Zep definelty the heaviest and best in good ol’ rock & roll.
- Posted by AlexThe Beatles Suxxx!!!! Led Zeppelin is the greatest band ever!!!!!!! Rolling Stone sucks big time!!!
- Posted by insecthaterYes! Led Zeppelin is the greatest band of all time! I have been telling my son this for 5 years (he is 10). There are many great rock bands, past and present, but they are the epitome of a rock and roll band!
- Posted by Rocker[…] more […]
- Posted by Led Zeppelin - the greatest band ever? - PlanetsaveZeppelin destroys all competition. The discussion ends.
- Posted by Kal-ElLed Zepplin, “The Worlds Greatest Band”, Yes..Yes…Yes…
- Posted by John DohertyRe. “Zeppelin’s great but they’re no Beatles or Stones.” We are all very thankful for that, thank you. The Beatles were great artists and took popular music in many new directions but they were not really a rock band after they stopped touring. The Stones, well they are just sad. They have been regurgitating the same riffs for decades. Zeppelin is the guitar player’s choice for greatest rock band. The rhythm section of all time, the most inventive rock guitarist of all time, the most unforgetable voice. Like the Beatles, they really cannot be compared to anyone else.
As someone who saw these live acts during the 1970s, there are a few bands in the same league. I would name the Who, Pink Floyd, and very few others. No matter what happens tonight, the music of Zeppelin will endure.
- Posted by canoemanIt all boils obviously to personal tastes,There have been may great rock bands from the past to the present, but in terms of record sales “The Beatles” outshine everyone. With Led Zeppelin their music is so versatile from hard rock, blues folk, pop, and a combined sales of 300 million records they are quite influential in many acts that are around now. having listened to music for over 40 years, depends on the flavour of the month. My favourites at any given time and in no particular order are “The Doors”, “Jethro Tull,”
- Posted by Peter Wolf“Pink Floyd”, “Zeppelin”, “The Eagles” “Black Sabbath”.
Yes, Led Zeppelin, the best! Big music! - Charqueadas - RS - Brazil
- Posted by João GuerreiroLoaded question. Led Zeppelin is BY FAR one of the greatest bands ever to rock this planet. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones have their place in history, but not for the same reason as LZ. NO ONE could ROCK like Plant, Page, Jones and Bonham.
- Posted by MonkeyGreatest band ever? Not sure anyone deserves that title. Most influential classic rock band? Absolutely. On another note: It’s always fun to see the Zeppelin critics come out. The claim that Zeppelin actually “stole” music from old bluesmen and folk musicians is simply untrue. Page addressed this in an interview (Guitar Player?) a few years back, saying that in the early 60s as rock n’ roll was coming into its own and English musicians experimented with various types of music, such as R&B, jazz, and folk, every musician took from these originators. Hendrix, Clapton, Dylan, Richards, Beck, Green (from Fleetwood Mac), Page…they all did it. And the fact is: no one gave these great men proper credit for their contribution to the rock n’ roll of the 60s (and later 70s, etc.) Page was the top session musician in all of England before joining the Yardbirds (as was Jones), so he’d certainly have known whose music was whose. Anyhow, glad to see them back together.
- Posted by Bob ThomasGreatest band ever.
- Posted by Steven la Formled zeppelin the greatest rock band ever also RUSH
- Posted by dave sowdenThe greatest band that have and will ever draw breath on this planet.Some of the greatest bands around would not around to-day if it was’nt for ZEPPELIN.How can anyone say The Beatles are even in the same league, they are pop band for screaming girls.If you know music then you know LED ZEPPELIN are greatest ROCK GODS of all time. LISTEN AND LEARN
- Posted by G SangsterGraham Sangster
In the U.S., we aren’t so impressed with the Beatles. A bit too light, a lot of it, and silly British. But they had some good ones (Eleanor Rigby). Here, we hardly hear the Beatles on the radio anymore, but Led Zepplin is still played quite a bit.
- Posted by KristinLED ZEPPELIN: GREATEST ROCK BAND EVER. PERIOD.
- Posted by SteveOf course they are baby. No offense, but what a dumb question. We’re not talking about the Shagging Pumpkins or someone…You’re talking about Zeppelin baby…Yeah…
- Posted by Austin PAnd to Aaron the well cited critic…well, you really need to squeeze one out and get of the pot…there’s more to life than constipation! Yeah baby Zeppelin will crush you and you will like it! Give in to the power for your own good!
- Posted by Austin PSEX PISTOLS. 12/10/07
- Posted by VINCE THE PUNKNOT THERE MUSICALLY AS ZEPPELIN, BUT ALL THE SAME, AN INNOVATIVE, ORIGINAL BAND WHO PENNED SOME GREAT ORIGINAL CLASSICS…WHERE ARE ZEPPELINS ORIGINAL SONGS?, EARLY STUFF WAS MOSTLY COVERS, OR TRAD ARR.
STILL, THE ZEP!, A GREAT BAND.
Zeppelin is a monster band, but the greatest band in history is the Grateful Dead.
- Posted by RobThere’s nothing so wonderful as the E-Street Band at full tilt. The Clash are far more indispensable than Led Zep…as are The Band.
- Posted by david andersonGreatest Rock & Roll band, YES
- Posted by EvYIt’s always funny to hear people argue about the greatest band. It’s like asking people “What is the best thing to eat for breakfast”, one hundred and one replies and all of them are correct because they are personal opinions. I think a better question would be “Who is the most influential band of all time” or asking musicians
- Posted by Patrick“Who influenced you” and read the replies. The only comment from these posts I would comment on is that all Led Zeppelin songs sound alike. Really? Go out and by another album people beside Led Zep II. How could anyone say three songs such as Black Dog, Thats the Way and Hot Dog
sound alike!
For sure they are! R&R would not be the same without Led Zeppelin music. The Beatles were a big band, but they were mor poppy than rocky.
- Posted by MauroThe Beatles are by far the greatest band ever. Led Zeppelin is by far the second greatest ever. The Beatles stand alone as the best and Led Zeppelin stands alone as second best. All other bands are far behind.
- Posted by JoeWho the hell are Led Zeppelin.
- Posted by rimiRe: The Beatles are by far the greatest band ever. Led Zeppelin is by far the second greatest ever. The Beatles stand alone as the best and Led Zeppelin stands alone as second best. All other bands are far behind.
Young people, at least in the U.S., aren’t picking up on the Beatles. Many don’t know who they are. Zep gets much, much more play here. The Beatles music will die with the generation. Maybe it’s different in the UK.
- Posted by Kristinwow im sorry all you zepplin fans but the # 1 spot has to go to the Beatles they have set so many un touched records to this date , amazing lyrics , and Great instrumental and vocals.
my favorite band ! and the most reconizebale band
I love the Beatles
- Posted by JennRE: Young people, at least in the U.S., aren’t picking up on the Beatles. Many don’t know who they are. Zep gets much, much more play here. The Beatles music will die with the generation. Maybe it’s different in the UK.
It doesnt matter what age , wow more air time doesnt make them better the beatles are 100 times greater then zepplin. im sure the beatles will be around a lot longer then led zepplin.
- Posted by JennRE: It doesnt matter what age , wow more air time doesnt make them better the beatles are 100 times greater then zepplin. im sure the beatles will be around a lot longer then led zepplin.
I never said more air time made them better (although I like Zep more). I said that the Beatles had faded here and people under the age of 45 don’t listen to them, and hardly know them. They’re proving to not have as much staying power here as Led Zep, and will fade into memory. You don’t hear Beatles music much here.
- Posted by KristinNobody that I know under age 45/50 goes gaga for the Beatles here. They’re not listened to much, not mentioned.
- Posted by Kristinsurely everyone is missing the point. from a purely contemporary view, the spice girls must be the greatest band.
- Posted by johnI grew up listening to Zeppelin, the Stones and the Beatles. All three I’m sure make the list of the greatest rock and roll bands ever. If I had to choose one . I would choose Zeppelin. I always have to turn the volume to 10.
- Posted by DuptyWhen I think of better it does mean to me the more popular. Thinking about sucess, The Beatles might easily claim the first place. However, if you want to sit down for a whole afternoon to listen to music, more specifically rock and roll, definetly Led Zeppelin goes far beyond in any concious (or uncouncious) and rational mind than any other band of the 20th century. And I have never been to any of their concerts, and born after they break up.
- Posted by AronLed Zeppelin for the greates band of all times!
I have always totally Led Zeppelin they are one of the worst bands I have ever heard, they along with Queen, and Pink Floyd are the worst bands ever and the only ones I have to get up off of my chair even if I’m very tired and turn off immediately before I shoot the radio! It;s really mind boggling to me how anybody can think Led Zeppelin(and Queen) are even remotely good much less great!!!!
The Who,The Rolling Stones,Jimi Hendrix,are all a million times better,and The Beatles are a *ZILLION* times better!!!!! H*ll even Van Halen sounds much better and I’m not even much of a fan of theirs! You are *SO* wrong about The Beatles,they were extremely creative,innovative,prolific singer song writers and all very good musicians! John Lennon,Paul McCartney and George Harrison wrote so much great diverse critically acclaimed popular songs and albums in such a remarkable short period of time,and nobody else did what they did in such a short period! Their songs had beautiful melodies and harmonies,great singing and voices from John and Paul,and very good musicianship! They never wrote the noisy screaming screaching crap Led Zeppelin did! Eric Clapton says in an online interview,Eric Clapton In His Own Words,that John Lennon was a pretty good guitar player and he would know since he played live in concert with JOhn as a member of his Plastic Ono Band in 1969. And Eric Clapton and George Harrison were very good friends and they respected and admired each others guitar playing,and George even played guitar on Cream’s song Badge.
On an excellent web site called,The Evolution Of Rock Bass Playing By Dennis Alstrand Stanley Clarke,Will Lee,Sting,Billy Sheehan,George Martin,and John Lennon are all quoted saying what a great,melodic influential bass player Paul McCartney has always been. And the 1992 Rolling Stone Album Guide calls Paul a remarkable bass player,and rightfully calls John & Paul the greatest song writers in rock history!
They are the # 1 selling artists on Amazon.com,and The Recording Industry Association Of America lists them as selling more albums than any other artist,and Bilboard lists them as having more # 1 songs and albums than any other artists!Many radio stations around the country still have 2 hour Breakfast With The Beatles shows on every weekend,and there are many teenage and college guys,(and girls) on Rate Your Music,Beatles fan sites,and on Last FM,where The Beatles fan community has over 5,000 members,more guys and average is 22!
- Posted by fanofthefab4Also, The Beatles Anthology CD’s went to # 1 around the world soon after they came out 25 years after The Beatles broke up,and a rock DJ said 40% of the people buying them were teenagers. Then when The Beatles 1 CD came out 30 years after they broke up,it also went to # 1 around the world soon after it came out and half the buyers were also teenagers! The Beatles are the # 1 listened to music artists out of every music artist past -present on Last FM. this month and they also were in November 2006,and June/July 2007!
The Beatles were mostly a *rock* group not a “pop” group,The Beach Boys were more of a pop group,because most of their songs were beach surfing music,The Beatles had a much harder electric guitar sound than them even in their early days and I have never heard The Beach Boys played on any classic rock stations only oldies stations but many classic rock stations still play The Beatles.
The Beatles wrote some songs that were pretty rocking especially for 1964,and 1965,John’s great You Can’t Do That from A Hard Day’s Night where he plays lead guitar,Paul’s great blues rocker She’s A Woman from late 1964,his loud screaming rocker I’m Down from early 1965,which they performed even louder and harder at the August 1965 Shea Stadium concert,etc,and Paul’s Helter Skelter on The great 1968 White Album,was as many have said the first true heavy metal song,and they did other great hard rock songs on The White album,and some on Abbey Road including John’s great I Want You She’s So Heavy which many have also said is one of the first heavy metal songs!
As for The Beatles in concert, they really soundded pretty good especially considering that they only had 100 watt amplifiers,no feedback monitors so they couldn’t even hear themselves play and sing,but they managed to play in tune and in sync anyway,and at Shea Stadium they were plugged into the PA system that they announce baseball games with!In the rrof top concert in The Let It Be Film,they sound great live because by then the sound systems had improved somewhat(though not nearly as good as the 1970’s,1980’s,1990;s and especially today)and they had changed and people had changed so there were no screaming crowds.
I met 3 people who saw The Beatles in concert,2 were teachers and he and she saw them in 1966 and they told me they were great,and my cousin who saw them in 1964 at The Baltimore Coliseum and she too told me they were great! Former Kiss guitarist and gammy winning producer Bob Kulick who made the heavy metal Beatles tribute album last year called,Butchering The Beatles, says in an online interview,Seeing The Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1966 only hearing pieces of songs,because of the screaming,but I recall Baby’s In Black and Paperback Writer as two I could make out and they sounded amazing!
The Beatles are also the most covered music artists ever,with everyone from Motown,classical,jazz,and heavy metal music recording their great diverse music! On Acclaimed Music.net which compiles all the rock music reviews from many different music critics from decades,The Beatles are rightfully # 1 Led Zeppelin is at a puzzling too high # 5. The Beatles are also # 1 Best Rock Band on Rankopedia,# 1 Most Innovative Rock Band,John & Paul are # 1 Greatest Rock Song Writers,they are both also on the best rock singers list.and Paul McCartney is # 2 Best Rock Bass Player John Paul Jones is # 2 and on Digitaldreamdoor, where many musicians post,The Beatles are # 1 Greatest Rock Artists,John & Paul are # 1 Greatest Rock Song Writers & Paul McCartney is # 8 out of 100 Greatest Rock Bass players, John Paul Jones is # 21!
- Posted by fanofthefab4I just noticed I made some typing mistakes,where is an edit button when you need one!
- Posted by fanofthefab4I meant John Paul Jones is # 6 Best Rock Bass Player on Rankopedia.
- Posted by fanofthefab4Trust me: the Beatles will fade with the Baby Boomers. Their music is too quaint.
- Posted by KristinI’m 31, and I say
- Posted by RobThe Beatles are #1
Led Zeppelin is #2 and
Pink Floyd is #3.
the big three all equal
led zeppelin the who pink floyd
the stones suck
- Posted by adamYes, absolutely.
No other band were as consistently awesome both in the studio and live in concert. Led Zeppelin were unique in that respect and THAT is why they were the ‘greatest band of all time’.
The Beatles?? Sorry, up there with their studio stuff of course but live they were certainly not legendary. I mean can you imagine Lennon, McCartney, Starr and Harrison lasting more than 2 minutes on stage with Page, Plant, Jones and Bonham? It would be ridiculously a mismatch. Can you imagine the Beatles having to follow Led Zeppelin on stage?? Zeppelin could have followed the Beatles no problem…..then blow everybody away.
As Robert Plant once claimed back in the early 1970s…..”there’s only one place a band can function, and that’s on the bloody stage”.
So the Beatles….for all their fame, popularity and genius in the studio can NEVER be considered a greater band than Zeppelin because they only excelled in the studio aspect of being a legendary band. Zeppelin managed it in the studio and on stage.
End of argument folks.
- Posted by John CornellRE:It doesnt matter what age , wow more air time doesnt make them better the beatles are 100 times greater then zepplin. im sure the beatles will be around a lot longer then led zepplin.
The Beatles 100 times greater than Led Zeppelin? Pure nonsense.
The Beatles were media whores. Led Zeppelin sold their 300 million records( which were largely albums because they rarely dabbled in the crass pop singles charts, and never did in the U.K)due to being simply fantasic works and not shoved down everyone’s throats due to excessive airplay.
And you are sure that the Beatles will be around a lot longer than Led Zeppelin? Wow, what do you base that rubbish on? The Beatles just have 6 or so years head start. Both bands will be around forever.
25 million fans trying to grab tickets for their comeback gig PROVE that Zeppelin haven’t faded at all.
You are out of line and talking rubbish.
- Posted by John CornellZeppelin is definitely in the top 5 greatest bands of all time, but to say “better than The Beatles”….. No Way. To Say The Beatles were “Cute, Clever, Poppy Band” is absolutely demeaning. Listen to Rubber Soul and after and if you still think that, you don’t know much (If anything at all) about music. Look at SGT Peppers-The first album in rock that incorporated an orchestra or The White Album-The first double disc (Hell, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below and other great double discs may not have come out had it not been for The White Album). The Beatles did it FIRST. They had more number 1 songs and sold more albums than Zeppelin (Worldwide). Also, The Beatles are more talented as individuals (Except for maybe Ringo, even though he is a great drummer when it comes to Beatles music). Look at John Lennon’s solo career. Look at how talented Paul McCartney is-can play just about every instrument with perfection. George Harrison was a great guitarist especially with his Indian style guitar playing skills. Led Zeppelin IV was and is one of the greatest albums of all time, but does not compare to SGT Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band or The White Album and possibly Abbey Road. The bottom line is The Beatles did it FIRST and had a bigger influence on music than ANYONE. Now Thats A FACT.
- Posted by Hawkins# Kristin says:
December 13th, 2007 at 5:40 pm GMT
“Nobody that I know under age 45/50 goes gaga for the Beatles here. They’re not listened to much, not mentioned.”
I’m 24 years old and I own every Beatles album and 12 DVD’s. I Go GAGA for The Beatles and know a ton of people my age that do as well. They sang about love and peace. They made/make people happy. Most songs are Very optimistic. They never sang about wanting to do something bad or said anything nasty or mean to hurt anyone. Yes, the first 3 or 4 albums were “poppy”, but the last 6 or 7 were pure rock (some classical if you call piano classical). And I don’t see Jimmy Page or Robert Plant coming out with any GREAT solo albums like Lennon and McCartney did. Zeppelin is Great, just not as great as THE BEATLES.
- Posted by HawkinsOnce again, I will quote someone else and prove them wrong… In capital letters is where they make the uneducated comment… Remember, I never bash Zeppelin or any other band… I just state facts. Obviously the people who discredit The Beatles have not examined each individual talent of The Beatles on The White Album or SGT Peppers.
# Wes says:
December 10th, 2007 at 6:30 pm GMT
“As influential and important as the Beatles were to rock n roll, zeppelin took it to a whole new level when they hit the scene. The Beatles were good but their music for the MOST PART WERE 2.) SIMPLE AND 1.) POPPY. It wasn’t until the later years when they started getting creative and more complex with their music. Zeppelin was a force from the get go and were LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF THE BEATLES in regards to musicianship, creativeness and 3.) PURE TALENT both 4.)LYRICALLY AND MUSICALLY
1.) After the album HELP, The Beatles were not “poppy”.
2.)Beatles music “simple”…I don’t think so…unless you say songs like “A day in the life”, “I am the Walrus”, “Hey Jude”, Let it Be”, “Across the Universe”, “Here Comes The Sun”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, “Eleanor Rigby”, and “Strawberry Fields Forever” are simple.
3.)Paul McCartney is more talented than any member of Zeppelin… lyrically and musically…. He can pick up any instrument and run with it… Can Plant or Page?
4.) The Greatest songwriters/lyricists are Lennon/McCartney…. That is a fact…. Any credited writer or website will tell you that.
Again, not bashing Zeppelin…. I just cant fathom how anyone cant see how talented The Beatles were… Everyone has different opinions on who the best band is/was, but come on…. Give The Beatles the credit they deserve…. I seriously doubt that Zeppelin would have even made it big had The Beatles not paved the way…. When did the Rock N Roll we know today begin? I’ll tell you….. When The Beatles were halfway through their career.
- Posted by HawkinsGrandiose cock rock! Zeppelin is everything in excess.
- Posted by ChetanI don’t know the greatest band, but Zeppelin are the grandest.
Absolutely bombastic!
Hawkins says:
“”3.)Paul McCartney is more talented than any member of Zeppelin… lyrically and musically…. He can pick up any instrument and run with it… Can Plant or Page?”"
Didn’t need to. John Paul Jones did that. John Paul Jones was the multi talented Zeppelin member and could play just about anything Paul McCartney could. Don’t forget, even before he joined Zeppelin, John Paul Jones was musical arranger for acts like Dusty Springfield and Donovan.
Even today, John Paul Jones is highly in demand as a producer.
“”4.) The Greatest songwriters/lyricists are Lennon/McCartney…. That is a fact…. Any credited writer or website will tell you that.”"
And Led Zeppelin were the greatest live band of all time. That is a fact. Any credited writer or website will tell you that. Their DVD PROVES it.
Bottom line is this…………..did Led Zeppelin excel in the studio as well as live on stage? Yes.
Did the Beatles excel live on stage as well as in the studio? No.
Did the Beatles have every band member at or amongst the very top in their field? Yes. Did the Beatles? No.
- Posted by John CornellLed Zeppelin is/was and will always be, the greatest rock n roll band ever. The Beatles were great but Zeppelin surppased them by a very wide margin. Every rock n roll band today has a Zeppelin influence, not a Beatles influence. That’s the facts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Posted by Greg VarnesIt’s obvious.
Jack Knight, singer/songwriter, from Pittsburgh, has emerged as the find of 2007.
http://myspace.com/jackknightsingersongw riter
- Posted by JamesZeppelin vs. Beatles, eh? Not even comparable. Two completely different eras, and I am old enough to have lived completely through both of them. So, listen up, little children.
The Beatles never had the advantages of the technologically advanced live performance equipment that Zeppelin had from the very start. Saying the Beatles couldn’t hack it live is BS. Place Zeppelin live in Shea stadium in the early ‘60 and see how poorly they would sound; it would’ve been awful.
By the same token, consider the few times The Beatles had anywhere near the equipment available to Zeppelin - probably the live BBC sessions - they were quite formidable …nearly perfect. Further, they had few tricks at their disposal - it was straight instruments and amps …no tape loops as Zeppelin used live. You heard me right, children, they used tape loops - a lot.
Both were great rock bands, but only one had been a rock and roll band. Zeppelin was never a “rock and roll” band.
[Little children, you will have to go find a “boomer” and ask them what “rock and roll” was; there certainly isn’t any these days unless you happen to wander into a venue where some “boomers” are playing music. To help you out a little, that sound you hear if you do wander into such a venue is known as “the blues,” which of course you reject (since it is “boomer” music).]
By the time Zeppelin came onto the scene, The Beatles were long time history. There really isn’t any overlap.
- Posted by Terryyeah they are the greatest band ever,duh. u2??? are you kidding,beatles are in my top 5 but led zeppelin came up with their own use of insturments they were different,watch the top bands countdown and i promise led zeppelin will be #1 every single time. who ever said sex pistols needs to stop talking about music. sex pistols are horriable!!!!!!!!!
- Posted by JacobAs far as I am concerned, Led Zeppelin was the best band ever. Beatles are very good, but I hardly consider them a band. Why? They are too sing-song to create true riffs and songs that people think off when you say best band ever.
Beatles? Incredible GROUP. Led Zeppelin? Easily the BEST band ever.
- Posted by AlecBecause they chose to rather end their streak of perfection instead of taking up a new drummer and risk changing their sound, I’d have to say that they are the greatest band to this date. They had a short, but brilliant go at the music industry and never had time to go wrong. It is this that makes them the hero’s all other bands uphold and aspire to become.
- Posted by Luke