Why Dave Mustaine Thought Led Zeppelin “Weren’t Playing Well Anymore”

led zeppelin

Towards the end of the 1970s, rock music began to evolve into a heavier, more intense genre. Led Zeppelin, a band known for blending different styles, played a significant role in shaping this hard rock sound. Their influence was so vast that many emerging rock bands were inspired to mimic their heavier tones.

While the music industry wasn’t overwhelmed with Led Zeppelin clones, rock as a whole leaned towards distortion and a more intense sound, setting the stage for the rise of heavy metal. By the mid-1980s, bands like Megadeth had taken the torch and pushed rock into new, heavier territory, creating their own subgenre in the process.

Led Zeppelin’s powerful live performances were especially influential. Each member brought something extraordinary: Robert Plant’s captivating vocals, John Paul Jones’ commanding bass, Jimmy Page’s electrifying guitar solos, and John Bonham’s iconic drumming.

Their concerts were legendary, drawing sold-out crowds eager to experience their thunderous sound. However, all good things eventually come to an end. The band’s official breakup followed the tragic death of John Bonham.

“When we lost John, we agreed unanimously that that was that,” Robert Plant recalled. “I had to go and find out if I really wanted to continue. Did I want to do it, or just sit back and rake in the money? I wanted to strip everything back because I’d lost my best mate.”

While many continued to celebrate the band’s legacy, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine had a different take. He believed Led Zeppelin had lost some of their magic before Bonham’s death. One album, in particular, made him lose interest in attending their concerts.

“I remember when Led Zeppelin toured for the last time while John Bonham was alive,” Mustaine said. “I heard The Song Remains the Same live album and thought, ‘These guys aren’t playing well anymore.’”

Despite his early criticism, Mustaine admitted his own inexperience at the time. “Who am I to say anything? I was just a young, inexperienced guitar player, and Jimmy Page was the Dark Prince. But in my opinion, he wasn’t playing well, so I didn’t go [to the concerts].”

Mustaine also shared his personal struggles with connecting with Page. “We’ve talked several times, and I know he’s a friendly person, but I’ve never really been able to connect with him.”

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