Led Zeppelin - Jättiläisten Aika (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
From about 1974 to 1980 or so, Led Zeppelin was one of my favorite bands. Like most teenage boys at that time, I wore the grooves out of Led Zeppelin IV (side one -- I didn't even know that there was a side two until I read about it years later) and was fortunate enough to see them perform live in 1977 (just got my hearing back in 2003). They put on a great show and I can still remember many aspects of it today with crystal clear recall. But, I realized that I don't really know that much about the band.After reading this book, I feel like I got a very intimate look inside the Led Zeppelin mystique. While some people don't like the first person, italicized narrative, it didn't really bother me. Instead, I liked how the book covered Zeppelin's career from so many aspects. For example, it did an excellent job covering the chronology of their formation, rise, and ultimate fall. But, I also appreciated that it went into detail not only about the creative process behind their music but also the thought that went into their album art. Admittedly, I would have liked to have read a little more about each song, but at 468 pages, I felt that I got the primer version that I wanted. And, if you want dirt and tales of debauchery, they're here, too. OK. This is Rock History. My era. - - - Led Zeppelin!You REALLY have to be a Zeppelin fan to appreciate and enjoy this book. I am. (“I know it's only rock 'n roll but I like it.” – Mick Jagger, circa 1974)For me, the book contains a lot of interesting stuff. I kind-of knew that Jimmy Page was a prominent sessions musician. But I didn’t know he played on “Baby Please Don’t Go” by Them – and the theme from the music “Goldfinger”…OMG! I knew that Led Zeppelin started out as the Yardbirds. But I didn’t know it was Keith Moon of the Who came up with their name.It appears that all the famous musicians of today, knew each other (not surprisingly) and were in groups together i.e. Yardbirds, Who, Band of Joy, Steve Winwood, Faces. The book is about the band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones, as well as their manager, Peter Grant. (Image, in the late 60’s, Page offered Plant 30 Pounds a week or a %. Plant took the % thank gosh.) There’s also a discussion of Page’s “borrowing” material i.e. plagiarism, as well as his purported occultism. I just enjoyed reading about how the music was made.
What do You think about Led Zeppelin - Jättiläisten Aika (2008)?
Loved it, Found the chapter on Crowley brilliant indepth and a great addition to the book.
—Sasha
Led Zeppelin...rock...occult...debauchery...decline...I liked it
—genlin
Pretty annoying to read...... 1st and 3rd person, not needed.
—heathe
I was not a fan of the narrative gimmick employed.
—Bri
