Incorporating mythology, mysticism, world music, and British folk music into a loud rock interpretation of the blues, Led Zeppelin was the definitive heavy metal band, setting the stage for and influencing future groups. Created from the remnants of The Yardbirds and members from Band of Joy, Led Zeppelin consisted of Robert Plant on vocals, Jimmy Page on guitar, John Paul Jones on bass and keyboards, and John Bonham on drum set and percussion. Recording their debut album in less than thirty hours in October 1968, Led Zeppelin obtained a contract in the United States with Atlantic Records and, with the release of Led Zeppelin, embarked on their first American tour in early 1969 ("Led").

While Led Zeppelin toured constantly during 1969, their debut album reached the top ten of the U.S. charts, and Led Zeppelin II, recorded on tour and released in October 1969, proved the international rock concert appeal of the band. Led Zeppelin released Led Zeppelin III in October 1970, their third album on which their sound was deepening. An apparent fascination of folk music and lore, especially Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings, peaked on their fourth album released in November 1971, which remained untitled but is often referred to as Led Zeppelin IV, Zoso, Four Symbols, or Untitled ("Led").

Eight songs were recorded on the musically diverse Led Zeppelin IV: "Black Dog," "Rock and Roll," "The Battle of Evermore," "Stairway to Heaven," "Misty Mountain Hop," "Four Sticks," "Going to California," and "When the Levee Breaks." Led Zeppelin aimed to sell music and not a popular name and, thus, included no title or mention, except for Jimmy Page listed as producer, of Led Zeppelin on the album. Three decades after the release, Zoso has sold over sixteen million copies worldwide, more than seven million in the United States alone, and is still the most popular Led Zeppelin album ("Led"; Hodge).

Opening with the signature piercing vocals of Plant, "Black Dog" alternates between vocals and guitar in a pseudo call and response style, indication of a jazz and blues background. Page enters with a repetitive flowing riff slightly off the beat. "Black Dog" eventually builds into an entrancing musical mayhem of rhythm guitar, syncopated drumming, and electrifying guitar soloing.

"Rock and Roll" begins with the simple statement sung by Plant, "It's been a long time since we rocked and rolled." Distorted blues guitar riffs and an enhancing rhythm section add to the signature intense, rocking, high-pitched vocals of this Led Zeppelin song. Modelled thereafter by numerous subsequent bands, "Rock and Roll" is not only a fun song to listen to but also a fun song to play by any guitarist.

References to the Queen of Light, the dark Lord, ring wraiths, and golden magic runes riddle the lyrics of "The Battle of Evermore," an obvious allusion to The Lord of the Rings. ("Misty Mountain Hop" is another apparent reference to Tolkien as well.) Vocals not only include the high tones of Plant but also the rugged soprano of featured Sandy Denny, creating a haunting duet over a haunting string track (Hodge). "The Battle of Evermore" was, in fact, the first song to feature Page on the mandolin.

"Going to California" contains an identifiable acoustic guitar masterpiece and vocals topped only by "Stairway to Heaven." Featuring a distorted interpretation of the twelve-bar blues chord progression, "When the Levee Breaks" mixes moaning vocals and mournful harmonica over heavy percussion and distorted guitar in a rock explanation of sorrowful blues. Significant in both key signature and percussion, "Four Sticks" employs an obvious non-Western scale while John Bonham drums using four drumsticks to which the title alludes.

While never released as a single, the eight minute and three second "Stairway to Heaven" is both the most recognizable and radio air played Led Zeppelin song. Beginning with a haunting guitar riff and an introduction of mournful synthesized flutes, delicate lyrics poetically narrate a spiritual quest, a woman buying a stairway to heaven. The song climaxes into a loud guitar solo with an unforgettable sentiment:

                              "There are two paths you can go by, but, in the long run,
                              and, there's still time to change the road you're on."

Exceedingly apparent in "Stairway to Heaven" is the infatuation with mysticism, and perhaps Tolkien, of Led Zeppelin, featuring images of trees and brooks, songbirds singing, looking toward the west, smoke rings, whispering wind, pipers and the May Queen, bustling hedgerows and such. As the end returns to the beginning with a woman buying a stairway to heaven, the song concludes with a sombre major seventh chord in a whisper.

Although Jimmy Page played his Gibson Les Paul with Marshall amplification sloppily, which became his signature sound, he is nonetheless one of the greatest guitarists to ever handle the instrument due to his innovation. Page not only played traditional rock electric and acoustic guitars but also used distorted fuzz guitar, pedal steel guitar, slide guitar, and mandolin. Developed by Page as an alternative to strumming, the bowing technique was frequently heard on albums and in concerts as well.

Together, the pioneering rocking blues guitar of Page, the monumental drumming of Bonham, the dual rock and classical bass and keyboards of Jones, and the high-pitched and piercing vocals of Plant created the prototype for subsequent rock and heavy metal bands. As their pinnacle album, Led Zeppelin IV (Zoso) undeniably warrants a turntable on a desert island.

Hodge, Michael. "Led Zeppelin: ZOSO." 28 Feb. 1990. Desert Island and Top Ten Papers: Samples.

"Led Zeppelin: Biography." VH1. 2004. MTV Networks. 9 Sep. 2004. <http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/led_zeppelin/bio.jhtml>