Led Zeppelin was always a unique ensemble, formed from diverse personalities that drove their iconic sound. While they famously rose to challenge The Beatles by the end of the 1960s, the group’s dynamic often split into two camps led by vocalist Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page, each bringing distinct backgrounds and experiences to the band.
After The Yardbirds dissolved, Page was eager to create something new—he envisioned a heavier, darker, and more complex rock sound. He began building a band, initially dubbed ‘The New Yardbirds,’ which would soon morph into Led Zeppelin. Though Page’s first choice for lead singer was Terry Reid, Reid declined, recommending Plant instead. Plant joined, bringing along his friend and fellow Band of Joy drummer, John Bonham. With Page and Bonham onboard, the group still needed a bassist; when former Yardbirds bassist Chris Dreja left the project, session musician John Paul Jones joined as the final member, completing the lineup.
From the start, Led Zeppelin’s members came from two very different worlds. Plant and Bonham, both from the Black Country region, shared a natural camaraderie and raw musical energy that contrasted with the refined session skills of Page and Jones, both seasoned musicians from London’s professional music scene. The differences were clear from their first rehearsal: Jones, known for his extensive session work, seemed somewhat removed from the rock world Plant and Bonham knew, even asking which songs they should play and showing little familiarity with their titles.
Reflecting on these dynamics, Plant later admitted that working with Jones was challenging due to their differing approaches. In a 1982 interview, Plant explained that while he respected Jones’s talent, their collaboration had its difficulties. “It was always difficult to collaborate with Jonesy because he never listened to the lyrics,” Plant recalled, adding that Jones sometimes struggled to remember songs by title, instead identifying them by their musical keys.
Despite these hurdles, Plant missed the camaraderie and musicianship of his former bandmates. He shared that, despite their differences, they had formed close bonds over the years, and he valued their friendship and unique quirks even after the band’s end. Although he firmly stated that Led Zeppelin could not continue without Bonham, Plant’s reflections underscored his enduring connection to his bandmates and their shared legacy.
