The Beatles and Led Zeppelin are two of the most well-known and influential acts in music history. Led Zeppelin’s effect can be found in the development of hard rock and heavy metal, whereas the Beatles’ influence can be seen in their impact on the rock and roll genre.
Being in the top game in the 60s, the two bands were oftentimes compared. Despite having very different musical styles and legacies, their impact on the music business cannot be denied. Two of the most well-known and vital bands in music history are The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. While the Beatles’ influence can be seen in their impact on the rock and roll genre, Led Zeppelin’s influence can be seen in the growth of hard rock and heavy metal.
Both the bands were similar in many approaches too. Both have significantly influenced the growth of rock and roll and have produced timeless music that will endure for centuries. Both Led Zeppelin and The Beatles began as blues-based rock bands, but as they developed, they added aspects of folk, jazz, and country to their music. Both The Beatles and Led Zeppelin were renowned for their incredible live shows. While The Beatles were famous for their precise, upbeat performances, Led Zeppelin was known for their lengthy improvisations.
But according to Bonham, there were different things that differentiated the two bands. According to him, Different things attracted the two distinct groups of fans. Fans of The Beatles were following the band for their image, as opposed to Led Zeppelin supporters, who were fans of the band’s incredible music and championed it above all else. This information was made public on the day of the Melody Maker Award as the BBC raced to the defense of the newly crowned global supergroup.
When the broadcaster asked, “One thinks of a song of theirs, ‘Yesterday,’ which had all sorts of variations played upon it, The thing about being able to whistle a tune I don’t know if I can hum any of your stuff?” Bonham replied, “No, but I think it’s changing, That’s why the awards are changing. Because the kids are changing, for a start, and so is the music. And, well, there’s a single out of ‘Whole Lotta Love,’ an orchestra playing it. Which is quite interesting.”
He then went on to describe the differences between Led Zeppelin and the Beatles. He said, “That’s why the awards are changing. Because the kids are changing, for a start, and so is the music. And, well, there’s a single out of ‘Whole Lotta Love,’ an orchestra playing it. Which is quite interesting.” He continued, “Let’s go back a few years, I remember when I went to see The Beatles. It was to look at them, you know. You didn’t really bother with what you were listening to. Now, it’s not what you are; it’s what you’re playing.”
The success of Led Zeppelin would almost surpass that of The Beatles. Both bands had much shorter lives than they were capable of. While The Beatles demonstrated their value both together and apart, Led Zeppelin disbanded after Bonham’s sad death and made sure the band would live on in legend.
Watch the interview down below.
