Led Zappelin 

Credited as one of the first heavy metal rock bands, English foursome Led Zeppelin was composed of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham. Forming in late 1968, they had an exceedingly successful run until a band tragedy preceded the breakup in 1980.

The band began with front man Page, who had recently left The Yardbirds. He initially wanted to form a band composed of himself, Jeff Beck, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle, but plans ultimately fell through. Page was on the lookout, however, for a new sound with a new band.

He eventually was recommended to Plant, who in turn suggested John Bonham at drums. Jones was the final member to join after a last minute dropout by Chris Dreja. After changing their name from the New Yardbirds to Led Zeppelin, they earned their first gig October 15, 1968. This was quickly followed by a limited tour of the western United States.

Wasting no time, they released their first album in January of 1969. Heavily influenced by blues and folk, the album is ironically considered by many to be the major forerunner of heavy metal.

The album was a smash success, and it prompted an astounding eight tours and their second album, Led Zeppelin II. All the hard work paid off, though. Their second attempt proved even more successful, peaking at #1 on both the US and the UK charts.

Their third album was the most acoustic to date, and it revealed much of the band’s versatility. Although initial reactions were tentative, it is now generally considered a great work.

Their fourth album, known often as Led Zeppelin IV despite being officially untitled, would go on to sell 23 million copies to date. It is the fourth best selling album in US history. They went on to release Houses of the Holy, Physical Graffiti, Presence, and their last album, In Through the Out Door.

More than any of the music, the band is often remembered for its hard partying ways and general atmosphere of excess. This included everything from drugs to trashing hotel rooms to unusual sexual exploits with groupies.

This lifestyle caught up to them when Bonham’s death in 1980 was caused by a lethal binge on top of chronic alcoholism.

The band would not continue after such a shocking and tragic loss.

The remaining members of the band would only reunite for Live Aid in 1985 and an MTV Unplugged session in 1994.

On January 12, 1995, the band received the ultimate musical validation when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. A decade later, they were honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Although they are notorious for protecting their songs, they can be heard on various soundtracks such as School of Rock, Shrek, Almost Famous, Dogtown, among others.

Most recently, the band announced a reunion show scheduled for November 26, 2007.