Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven Turns 40 Years Old
SSG Music ^ | November 11, 2011 | Rob Hedberg

Posted on 11/12/2011 8:23:42 AM PST by FatherofFive

Forty years ago an incredible classic rock band hit their creative peak when they released Led Zeppelin lV. I remember at age fourteen being handed this record for the first time, and being awe struck by stunning song-craftsmanship and lyrical prowess. The album itself which was released November 8th 1971 was a major success and sold 23 million copies alone in the United States, but only peaked at number 2 on the charts.

Many Zeppelin Fans know this album as the one that contains Stairway to Heaven, but among rock critics and fanatics of Zeppelin the whole album is a masterpiece. Led Zeppelin was never known for creating phenomenal singles, but created a name for themselves as a record band. They saw that every song recorded for the album should be done masterfully, and should compliment other tracks on the album. It’s not easy to convince the novice Zeppelin fan that Stairway to Heaven is not the best song on Led Zeppelin lV, but give them a few years and they will be hailing Zeppelin IV for songs such as “Black Dog,” “Rock and Roll,” and “When The Levee breaks.” This album is a must for an classic rock enthusiast, and should be apart of any album collection.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: chat; classicrock; ledzeplin; music
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180181-182 next last
To: FatherofFive

Over 100 posts in a thread about “Stairway” and not one mention of backward masking. Until now.


141 posted on 11/12/2011 11:04:52 AM PST by hoagy62 (The United States of America. Great idea...while it lasted.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
Rory Gallagher and Jack Bruce

Are You Ready?

142 posted on 11/12/2011 11:07:17 AM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 139 | View Replies]

To: Repeal The 17th

Gallows Pole is my all time fav and this live version with wind-up hurley-gurley keyboard is THE absolute best version ever done!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utCbO_xxHMI


143 posted on 11/12/2011 11:12:07 AM PST by newfreep (I am a "terrorist". I am Sarah Palin!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

I saw Zappa at UCSD during the Hot Rats era. He performed the entire concert with his back to the audience. Then, after the last song, he turned around to face the audience and flip the bird with both hands.


144 posted on 11/12/2011 11:19:15 AM PST by lonevoice (Klepto Baracka Marxo, impeach we much. We will much about that be committed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 105 | View Replies]

To: FatherofFive
I'll never forget the day I was in a supermarket and heard Blind Faith's "Can't find my way home" in Muzak.

I can't blame you for never forgetting that. I would have dropped all my grocery's and left in utter disbelief.

FMCDH(BITS)

145 posted on 11/12/2011 11:19:18 AM PST by nothingnew (I fear for my Republic due to marxist influence in our government. Open eyes/see)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: wardaddy

“and btw...I am hardly cool..I’m old...you can’t be old and cool”

The absolute truth. My 17 yr old niece once opined that I thought I was cool and I replied That I wouldn’t bother trying to be cool since no one over twenty CAN be cool PERIOD (and twentyfive is pushing it).


146 posted on 11/12/2011 11:24:08 AM PST by TalBlack ( Evil doesn't have a day job.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 123 | View Replies]

To: mylife

Yep, I’m a Kashmir kinda gal. It’s still my all time favorite.


147 posted on 11/12/2011 11:31:58 AM PST by Marie Antoinette (Proud Clinton-hater since 1998.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: wardaddy

A short inside note on Jethro Tull’s Aqualung....

A friend of mine is a mastering engineer in LA and was contracted to re-master “Aqualung”. However, he could not locate the true original master tapes but kept searching.

His phone rang one morning at an early 4AM with Ian Anderson on the other end saying (in his best English accent)...”I found the master tapes in my garage and will send them to you straightaway.”

Well, it was funny when my friend told me and how a section of “Aqualung” master tape had stretched and required a splice from a 2nd gen tape.


148 posted on 11/12/2011 11:34:02 AM PST by newfreep (I am a "terrorist". I am Sarah Palin!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 123 | View Replies]

To: FatherofFive
Their best album was their first. It changed the heavy metal band approach forever. Granted some of the songs were ripped off old blues songs, but it did change everything.

This from a 60 year old guitar player since I was nine.

FMCDH(BITS)

149 posted on 11/12/2011 11:37:43 AM PST by nothingnew (I fear for my Republic due to marxist influence in our government. Open eyes/see)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: newfreep
Cat's Squirrel
150 posted on 11/12/2011 11:39:38 AM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 148 | View Replies]

To: FatherofFive
Zeppelin made only two REALLY good albums.

The first and Physical Graffiti.

151 posted on 11/12/2011 11:54:52 AM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Para-Ord.45
"Black Sabbath original line up to release a new one and tour too."

But Sabbath was as good as everyone here seems to think Zeppelin was.

They were the best hard rock band of the 20th century.

152 posted on 11/12/2011 11:58:01 AM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Big Giant Head

Thought a non-political diversion would be nice. :)


153 posted on 11/12/2011 12:00:55 PM PST by Marie Antoinette (Proud Clinton-hater since 1998.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 150 | View Replies]

To: JNRoberts

Same here. “Rock and Roll” is superior to “Stairway” in my mind, but they’re both great songs.

I remember hearing “When the Levee Breaks” for the first time on the radio when I was in college—it stopped me in my tracks, and I sat there listening with rapt attention until it was done. Not many songs can make me do that.


154 posted on 11/12/2011 12:08:58 PM PST by Future Snake Eater (Don't stop. Keep moving!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: FatherofFive

Most shameless thieves in rock and roll history.


155 posted on 11/12/2011 12:46:31 PM PST by Huck (TAX TEA NOW==SUPPORT 9-9-9)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wardaddy
Zeppelin's best album was their last one when they went country :-)

(ducking)

156 posted on 11/12/2011 12:49:07 PM PST by Tribune7 (If you demand perfection you will wind up with leftist Democrats)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 133 | View Replies]

To: Drumbo

I gotta remember to return to this thread when I have faster access...


157 posted on 11/12/2011 1:21:04 PM PST by Titan Magroyne (What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FatherofFive
Forty years old?!

Heck, the ORIGINAL version is more than FIFTY years old!

The ORIGINAL Stairway to Heaven
158 posted on 11/12/2011 1:41:50 PM PST by Dr. Sivana (May Mitt Romney be the Mo Udall of 2012.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Drumbo; MCH

Joe Bonamassa is part of a band now?

Drummie, any chance you could find some of that for the Canteen, FRiend?


159 posted on 11/12/2011 1:43:53 PM PST by Titan Magroyne (What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: FatherofFive
I have been a fan of Led Zepplin music since their first album, but a couple of decades ago I became aware of all the back-masked messages. I was amazed at how many references I could find related to Satan by playing their 33rpm records backwards. Stairway to heaven was loaded as well as one of my other favorites, "The Battle of Evermore." Hard to do now with CDs. Led Zepplin was reported to also have connections with Satanist Aleister Crowley.

Whether these back-masked messages were coincidence or not, it was eye opening. Kind of like Obama’s chant “yes we can” when played backwards, becomes “Thank you satin”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqALdkTArqs

160 posted on 11/12/2011 2:07:42 PM PST by Swirl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180181-182 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson