Led Zeppelin Untitled (Led Zeppelin IV) by Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin, untitled album, commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV, released in 1971.

It is a timeless masterpiece that ranges from punchy, powerful hard rock to softer, acoustic songs influenced by folk and blues-soul, with John Bonham and John Paul Jones offering masterful performances.

The album contains legendary songs, some of the band's most famous masterpieces. Here are some highlights:

- the iconic "Stairway to Heaven," a timeless classic that has never been equaled, featuring a magnificent drum solo by Bonham.

- the heavy, blues-influenced "Black Dog," inspired by a dog wandering around the recording location.

- the psychedelic "Misty Mountain Hop," featuring John Paul Jones's wonderful electric piano.

- the intense, bluesy "When the Levee Breaks," powerful.

- The folk-inspired "The Battle of Evermore," featuring mandolin, and "Misty Mountain Hop," a song in the style of Tolkien.
- The grandiose Rock and Roll born from a jam during recording

The now iconic and long-mysterious cover is a photograph of a man with a bundle of twigs, a roofer, taken in Mere, Wiltshire, a region of southwest England. For a long time, the identity of the person in the photo and his provenance remained a mystery. Recent research has identified the man as Lot Longyear, born in 1823 and disappeared in 1893.

The symbols featured on Led Zeppelin IV represent each member of the band:

- Jimmy Page's "Zoso," inspired by the Roman god Saturn, who rules Capricorn, Page's zodiac sign. Page designed his own symbol and has never publicly revealed its full meaning.

- John Paul Jones's triquetra, a triquetra intertwined in a circle, chosen from Rudolf Koch's Book of Signs, which represents balance, security, and competence.

- John Bonham's three intertwined rings, also known as the Borromean rings, taken from the same Book of Signs, symbolizing the holy trinity of mother, father, and child, representing Bonham's family life and also reminiscent of the Ballantine's beer logo.

- Robert Plant's feather, enclosed in a circle, inspired by the Egyptian goddess Maat, the goddess of truth, justice, and balance, and also symbolizing Plant's role as a writer.

Page chose these symbols for the untitled album, letting the music speak for itself rather than relying on a band name.

A classic, a masterpiece, a cornerstone of any collection, the pinnacle of creativity from the greatest rock band ever. Essential.

Tracklist

1. Black Dog (4:56)
2. Rock and Roll (3:41)
3. The Battle of Evermore (5:52)
4. Stairway to Heaven (8:02)
5. Misty Mountain Hop (4:39)
6. Four Sticks (4:45)
7. Going to California (3:32)
8. When the Levee Breaks (7:08)

Duration 42:35

LineUp

- Robert Plant - lead vocals and backing vocals, acoustic guitar (7), harmonica (8), tambourine
- Jimmy Page - acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin (3), producer
- John Paul Jones - bass, EMS VCS3, Hohner Electra Piano, Mellotron, mandolin (7), acoustic guitar (3), recorders
- John Bonham - drums

Featuring:
- Ian Stewart - piano (2) - uncredited
- Sandy Denny - vocals (3)

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page