Led Zeppelin Vs. The Beatles

Led Zeppelin vs. the Beatles In some way, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles have both shaped the world of music. Each group was a pioneer in the ever-expanding universe of the music industry, and both have set a path for many future musicians to follow. Each band started small, and progressively grew in popularity until they reached the top. The number one spot in music was once held graciously by each of these talented groups of artists.

Any discussion of hard rock or heavy metal would not be complete without the mention of Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin defined what was to become the heavy metal and rock period of music history (RollingStone-Led). Taking the position as one of the greatest bands in history, this group of four people combined heavy guitar and thundering drums with the sound of superb keyboard and wonderfully poetic lyrics (RollingStone-Led). The overall sound was intense, yet majestic, and broke all boundaries set as traditional rock music.

English: The Beatles wave to fans after arriving a...

English: Photograph of The Beatles as they arrive ...

English: Led Zeppelin, January 1975, Chicago

Still holding true their unique sound and ability to give their audiences the show of a lifetime, the band played everything from hard rock to blues to British folk music. Their heavy, free form style of rock paved the way for many bands, and they essentially created heavy metal.

The Beatles, often considered the most influential off all rock groups, reshaped rock 'n' roll in various ways (World, 144). The Beatles altered rock 'n' roll from the previous standard of simple, faceless stars to a style of music based on images and idols (RollingStone-Beatles). The Beatles presented themselves as a collection of four musicians performing as a group, not a single star with a backup band. Their work produced countless hits and a magnificent new standard for rock 'n' roll bands (RollingStone-Beatles). They had a strong sense of self-determination, at times going against record companies and their own management (RollingStone-Beatles). The Beatles have sold more copies of their music than any other band in history, and they are still selling music at a constant rate today.

When Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin's first release, came out in January of 1969, it only took two months for it to catch on like wildfire (RollingStone-Led). The album went strait to the top of the charts, and the band, along with their psychedelic style of rock, began a rise towards god-like status (RollingStone-Led). Their next release was Led Zeppelin II, which took a seven-week standing at number one. After that, the band decided to take a step back from hard rock to focus on the aspects of British folk music. The next two albums released, Led Zeppelin III and IV, truly captured the essence of folk music (RollingStone-Led). All of Led Zeppelin's albums were immediate hits, and were able to amaze the fans with a talented array of musical styles.

In February 1963, the Beatles recorded 10 songs in one day to complete their first album, Please Please Please Me (RollingStone-Beatles). This release held the number one spot of Britain's charts for 30 weeks. This was the start of what was to be known as "Beatlemania" (RollingStone-Beatles). Their second album released was With the Beatles, and after the end of 1963, the Beatles had sold over 2.5 million albums in Britain. In January 1964, The Beatles released Meet the Beatles, their first release in the United States, containing remixed material from their first two British recordings. Their popularity increased with the release of two motion pictures, A Hard Day's Night, and Help, in the years 1964 and 1965 accordingly (World, 144). Later albums released showed a more folk-like character than their previous rock 'n' roll style (World, 144).

The Beatles, like Led Zeppelin, reshaped and redefined an entire era of music. Although Led Zeppelin created an entirely new style of music, the Beatles' new version of rock 'n' roll was unique, and unquestionably more popular than any pervious music style. Both bands, although different, have some very large similarities. The effects they had on their audiences were always booms of enormous popularity. Each group revolutionized their own style of music, breaking the current rules of acceptability in musical styles. Each of them and their new style of music, always have been and always will be considered the best in their field, by music historians and common people alike.

English: Robert Plant (left) and Jimmy Page (right...

A reunited Led Zeppelin in December 2007 at The O ...

Composite photo of the members of English heavy me...