The Beatles and Led Zeppelin often find themselves mentioned together, especially since Led Zeppelin dethroned the Fab Four as the most exciting band in the late 1960s. Their monumental success, including breaking The Beatles’ record for the highest concert attendance in 1973, has forever linked the two bands in music history. However, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham believed that the bands were fundamentally different.
Bonham observed that the two groups emerged from different musical landscapes. During The Beatles’ heyday, audiences were more focused on the spectacle of the show rather than the music itself. In contrast, Bonham argued that Led Zeppelin’s fans were drawn to the musicianship over the visual experience.
These insightful comments surfaced during a 1970 appearance alongside Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant on the BBC program Nationwide. The duo had just received several accolades at the Melody Maker poll, where they were recognized as ‘Best UK Group’ and ‘Best International Group,’ with Plant also winning ‘Best UK Singer.’ Their album, Led Zeppelin II, was voted ‘Best UK Album,’ further solidifying their place in music history.
Host Bob Wellings attempted to draw parallels between the two bands but unintentionally belittled the duo. He noted that while he could easily hum the melody of The Beatles’ classic “Yesterday,” he struggled to do the same for any Led Zeppelin song. He then asked if the band believed they would enjoy the same enduring limelight as The Beatles and be considered equally inventive.
In response, Bonham provided a thoughtful rebuttal, emphasizing the evolution of audience expectations. He pointed out that listeners were appreciating Led Zeppelin for their musicianship rather than viewing them merely as a commercial phenomenon.
Bonham remarked, “I think that’s why the awards have changed because the kids are changing for a start, and so is the music. Well, there’s already a single out of ‘Whole Lotta Love’ – an orchestra playing it – which is quite interesting, really. The flute plays what the lead vocal would do.”
When Wellings suggested that Led Zeppelin’s fans didn’t hum their songs because they were more “sophisticated” than The Beatles’ audience, Bonham clarified his stance. He stated that the public’s attitude had shifted; they were now more inclined to focus on the music being played rather than just the performers on stage.
He recounted his early experience of watching The Beatles: “I remember, this is going back a few years, when I first went to see The Beatles – because we’ve mentioned them a few times – it was to look at them. You didn’t really bother with what you were listening to, and today, it’s not what you are; it’s what you’re playing.”
