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Jimmy Page and the Yardbirds
In June of 1966, young Jimmy Page debuts in the band, The Yardbirds, as a bassist. This would be Page's first major band. -
John Paul Jones joins Jimmy Page
After The Yardbirds fizzled out, Page decides to form a new supergroup and acquires session bassist, John Paul Jones. Afterwards, he began to look for a singer and drummer. -
Robert Plant and John Bonham Join
In the summer of 1968, singer Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham rehearse with Page and Jones in England. The four musicians become The New Yardbirds. -
The Band Becomes Led Zeppelin
In the fall of 1968, the band changes their name due to copyright issues. Their new name is now Led Zeppelin. They changed the spelling of "lead" to "led" so fans wouldn't mispronounce the name. -
Led Zeppelin Records Their First Album
Led Zeppelin begins writing and recording their first album. It is self titled and includes nine tracks. After it was released the next year, the album received radio play and got positive reviews from the music industry. -
Led Zeppelin Signs to Atlantic Records
In November of 1968, Led Zeppelin signs to Atlantic Records, which was the band's first record deal. Their popularity begins to grow in America, despite the fact that they originated in England. -
First American Tour
Led Zeppelin starts their first American tour in December of 1968. The tour started in Denver and ended in January of 1969 in New York. -
Led Zeppelin II is Released
Led Zeppelin releases their second album, Led Zeppelin II. It again includes nine tracks. Fans call it the "Brown Bomber" because of its album cover, which features all four band members. The album sat at number two on the music charts in America for a month, but before the end of the year, it became number one. At the time, Abbey Road, by The Beatles was the number one album in America. -
Fourth Album is Released
After gaining success, Led Zeppelin releases their fourth album in November of 1971. Once released, Led Zeppelin IV was considered the band's best album. The album quickly jumped to number two on the American charts and even stayed on the charts for years. The album would later change the history of rock music and its feature song, "Stairway to Heaven," would be considered the best rock song of all time. -
Led Zeppelin Breaks a Historic Record
On their 1973 American tour, Led Zeppelin plays a concert in Tampa, Florida. This concert breaks the largest attendance record ever by a single act. That night, they played for an audience of 56,000 people. The record was previously held by The Beatles. -
Robert Plant's Car Crash
In the summer of 1975, while driving in Rhodes, Greece, Robert Plant and his family experience a car crash. His wife had been driving him and his children when she lost control and skidded off the island road. Robert's family suffered major injuries, but no one was killed. He would be stuck in a wheelchair for at least six months, but he still went on with recording the band's seventh album later that year. -
Movie Premiere
In late October of 1976, Led Zeppelin attends New York for the premiere of their movie, The Song Remains the Same. It is comprised of concert footage in addition to facts about their personal lives and their families back home. While the film doesn't receive praiseworthy reviews, fans still flock to the theaters to see it. The film is named after a song off of their fifth album, Houses of the Holy. -
Led Zeppelin's Last Tour
The band begins their last tour in Dortmund, Germany in 1980. The tour would be exclusively in Europe, featuring in cities such as Cologne and Brussels. In contrast to their previous tours, this one is scaled down with minimal lighting and effects. While the band doesn't know it yet, this will be their last tour. On July 7, they played their last concert in Berlin. -
Drummer John Bonham Dies
On September 24, the band met up at Jimmy's house for a party, which would be the last day they would see John Bonham, the drummer. The next morning he is found dead after passing out the night before. His death is ruled as an accidental suicide. The band and its fans are devastated. He was 32 years old. -
Led Zeppelin Breaks Up
After 12 years together, Led Zeppelin breaks up. The three remaining band members release a statement saying that they can't continue as they were, which marks the end of the band. In the years after, there were a few reunions, but nothing was ever the same without Bonham.
