I was listening to In through the out door today, Led Zep's last album, hearing keyboards and stuff on all of my love, the country hoe down of Hot Dog, looks like they were already heading into different directions when Bonham died.
I guess we will always wonder what kind of albums and continuing massive success they would have had. I like some of Plant's solo stuff in the 80's, but the chemistry of the four would have eclipsed it all.
Posted by Sam 'The Made Man' Hain (Member # 3150) on :
I think they were reaching the end of their creative peak. Their last albums weren't nearly as good as the few that preceded them. Physical Graffiti was definitely their best work. However I feel they were all talented enough where they could have bounced back and recreated themselves. Just like the Beatles Led Zeppelin didn't follow trends they were the trendsetters. Too bad they weren't able to end things on their own terms.
Posted by StevenHW (Member # 509) on :
Led Zep actually did play a few one-shot charity-fundraiser reunion shows during the 80's. Live Aid and, Atlantic Records' 40th Anniversary Show.
And that is why I'm kinda glad the group split up on a full-time basis after Bonham died. It just wouldn't be the same. And besides, the group was going to go into different ways. IIRC, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were in a recording studio with two guys from the group Yes (bassist Chris Squire and drummer Tony White) under the name of The XYZ Band. But nothing came of that afterwards. Also, Page's drugs use was getting bad for him at the time, so I doubt that Led Zep would've carried on anyway.
If Led Zep stuck around with another drummer in the 1980's, it's likely the group would've released an entire album of cover songs, which is a sure sign that a group is getting old and past its prime. How else do you explain The Honeydrippers?
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