Led Zeppelin’s iconic status can be directly attributed to one person: Jimmy Page. While each member contributed to the band’s unparalleled sound, it was Page who was at the helm, shaping the band’s destiny and ensuring its place in rock history.
Initially, Led Zeppelin began their journey as The New Yardbirds after the dissolution of the legendary Yardbirds. Page, who was a member of that band, brought in Robert Plant, followed by John Bonham and eventually John Paul Jones. With this lineup, the foundation for Led Zeppelin was set, but it was Page’s vision and expertise that elevated them to superstardom.
Having already established himself as a session musician and worked with some of the greatest in the industry, Page was ready to take center stage. With Led Zeppelin, he grabbed the opportunity to change the rock landscape and never looked back.
By the time they signed with Atlantic Records, Page was determined to make Led Zeppelin a global force. It wasn’t an accident—they had the raw talent, chemistry, and drive to break barriers. In the years that followed, Led Zeppelin defined the 1970s, making timeless albums and performing groundbreaking tours that solidified their place in rock ‘n’ roll history.
Even years after their dissolution following Bonham’s tragic death in 1980, Page has never been shy about claiming Led Zeppelin’s unrivaled greatness. While the debate about the greatest band of all time continues to rage, Page’s confidence in his band’s supremacy is unwavering.
He shared his thoughts with Uncut magazine, saying, “It’s hard to say something like that and not sound conceited, but over the years, a lot of other musicians have told me they thought we were the best. I’m not talking about record sales or concert attendance, although I think we can hold our own with anyone.”
For Page, being the best band of all time isn’t just about sales or popularity—it’s about being a perfect collaborative unit.
He explained: “When you talk about a band as a collaborative musical unit, we were the best. I’m not talking about one or two genius songwriters, and everyone else tagging along. I’m talking about a collection of musicians who were each at the top of their craft in their own right. In Led Zeppelin, we were exactly that.”
Page believes that Led Zeppelin created a “blueprint” for any aspiring band, showcasing how each member contributed to the whole. “If you are a young musician and want to hear how a band works well together, then we’re a pretty good blueprint,” he said, adding that every combination of band members brought something unique to the table.
Robert Plant, however, wasn’t as eager to boast about their dominance. Reflecting on his bandmate’s confident assertion, Page recalled Plant’s more diplomatic response:
“Robert probably said, ‘Oh, well, there were a lot of great bands,’ to that interviewer because that is the gentlemanly reply. And I agree with him: there’s a lot of absolutely fantastic music out there. But when you are talking about rock ‘n’ roll alchemy, I had to say what I thought. We were the best.”
Page’s view of what defines the greatest band is certainly bold and self-assured. But it highlights the unique synergy that set Led Zeppelin apart—a group of exceptional musicians who, together, created something that transcended ordinary rock music. Whether or not they are the “best” depends on your criteria, but there’s no denying that Led Zeppelin’s impact on music is immeasurable and undeniable.
