Very few artists can match the legendary status of Led Zeppelin in the 70s. They kept soaring with every album they released.
Both Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were on a mission to craft unforgettable rock tunes, like the iconic ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Joe Perry from Aerosmith, deeply influenced by Led Zeppelin, believes some modern musicians are reaching similar epic musical levels.
Aerosmith’s music clearly shows Led Zeppelin’s influence. Initially criticized for resembling The Rolling Stones, Perry’s guitar work carried the essence of Led Zeppelin’s early style, which involved building complex songs from simple riffs.
Perry’s signature guitar lines often remind us of The Yardbirds, the band Page was part of before Led Zeppelin. Page’s time with this English blues band led to some top blues hits. Aerosmith’s powerful rendition of ‘Train Kept A-Rollin” during their prime years is a classic example.
Joe Perry knew well that the heart of rock music is the blues. No matter how flashy the song, its soul often lies in a bluesy rhythm, maybe a shuffle like Bo Diddley’s or a simple but effective three-chord melody like Chuck Berry’s.
In the glory days of rock, blues rock was king. But the genre seemed to lose its essence in the 80s and 90s. However, bands like Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam kept the bluesy undertone in their music. Then came the nu-metal era, which strayed far from blues, focusing instead on creating a distinct, often discordant sound.
In a music scene crowded with complexity, Jack White chose simplicity. Teaming up with Meg White, they formed The White Stripes. Their early albums didn’t catch immediate attention, but by the late 90s, records like White Blood Cells and Elephant caught Joe Perry’s eye.
To Perry, The White Stripes’ fourth album was a masterpiece, comparable to any of Led Zeppelin’s works. He was quoted saying, “This album is like a Led Zeppelin record—you listen, you get lost in it, and you play it again.” He admired their dynamic style and their nod to their blues roots.
Jack White, much like Page and Plant, drew inspiration from classic blues artists, adding his unique Detroit spin to the mix. From the catchy ‘Seven Nation Army’ riff to the intense ‘Ball and Biscuit’, White wasn’t trying to show off.
He was just being true to his musical roots, and in doing so, he created an album that stands shoulder to shoulder with the greats of rock music.
