Led Zeppelin is often considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Formed in 1968, the English rock band consisted of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham. Led Zeppelin's music was a fusion of blues, rock, folk, and heavy metal, giving them a unique and distinctive sound that captivated audiences around the world. At the heart of Led Zeppelin's appeal was their ability to create a spellbinding atmosphere with their music. The band's songs were characterized by powerful guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and Plant's mesmerizing vocals. Their music had an undeniable energy and intensity that drew listeners in, transporting them to another world.
Mr. DAVIS: So when it was time a few years later to form Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page was in a hurry for material. He didn't have time to write a lot of new material, so they decided to appropriate, as it were, a lot of old blues songs and take credit for them, and that's pretty much the first two Led Zeppelin albums.
CHIDEYA Seventies British band Led Zeppelin laid the foundation for an explosive style of rock and roll called heavy metal, but the rock superstars would ve been nothing without American blues. In 1995 Page and Plant were joined by Jones when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, albeit the three former band-mates did not perform together.
Their music had an undeniable energy and intensity that drew listeners in, transporting them to another world. Led Zeppelin's songs often delved into mystical and mythological themes, adding to the enchantment of their music. They frequently referenced Norse mythology, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and other mystical elements in their lyrics.
This is the reason Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page was cursed by filmmaker Kenneth Anger
We’re digging deep into the Far Out Magazine vault to bring you a very odd story from the opus of legendary Led Zeppelin rock and roll stories, featuring the band’s lead guitarist Jimmy Page.
Led Zeppelin are a band riddled with the kind of rock and roll stories that would make Spinal Tap blush. In fact, in many ways, the band are usually the source of most rock and roll legends and tales. One story grabbed our attention and it takes a darker turn as we revisit the time Jimmy Page was cursed by iconoclastic filmmaker Kenneth Anger.
Page and Anger met when, in 1973, the duo crossed paths at a Sotheby’s auction where they were both bidding on a manuscript from writer Aleister Crowley. Page was a huge fan of Crowley and even went on to own the writer’s previous home known as Boleskine House in the misty hills of Scotland.
At that time Anger was currently working on a short film Lucifer Rising and was desperately in need of some music for the film. Having already worked on the film for nearly seven years the filmmaker was growing weary without a soundtrack. He duly asked his new pal Page, who at the time was one of the biggest recording artists in the world, if he could contribute to the project’s score. Page agreed and, according to some sources, even lent Anger editing equipment to use on the film.
The guitarist would go on to contribute up to 20 minutes of spine-tingling music to the film, the kind of music that makes you pray to Satan for salvation but Anger was left, well, quite angry and apparently disappointed with one of the greatest guitarist of all time.
Anger wanted 40 minutes of music and had a major falling out with Page over the lack of completion on the guitarist’s part. It went one step further when Charlotte Martin, Jimmy’s girlfriend, kicked him out of the basement in Boleskine, a space he’d been occupying with equipment.
Some years later, Anger would recall: “So Jimmy Page did some music instead. He’s a miser, which is a horrible thing. He wouldn’t even pay for lunch. So I said: ‘Isn’t it preposterous that you’re so cheap?’ And that, of course, insulted him. He was on heroin all the time – I hate all those druggies because their eyes get glazed and what they say is meaningless because they don’t follow through.”
“I said: ‘OK, Jimmy, I need exactly 40 minutes.’ But he only gave me 20. I said: ‘What am I supposed to do, play it twice? I need 40 minutes! I need a climax! Like, [the film] is the end and the beginning of the world – you’ve gotta give me that big music!’”
It led to Anger and Page really falling out, and in turn, Anger publicly cursing Page and his girlfriend Charlotte, apparently drawing on his occult leanings.
How successful the curse was on the multi-millionaire, highly regarded, guitar maestro is yet to be seen. Though many do attribute the bad luck which fell on Robert Plant as down to Anger’s curse.
According to Anger: “He’s a multi-millionaire miser. He and Charlotte, that horrible vampire girl… They had so many servants, yet they would never offer me a cup of tea or a sandwich. Which is such a mistake on their part because I put the curse of king Midas on them. If you’re greedy and just amass gold you’ll get an illness. So I did turn her and Jimmy Page into statues of gold because they’ve both lost their minds. He can’t write songs anymore.”
So one of the weirder stories you’ll hear today ends with a director cursing one of the greatest guitarists ever to have walked the earth. Safe to say, he probably can still write a tune or two Kenneth, like this one.
Mr. DAVIS: Well, Led Zeppelin is descended from one of the original London beat groups, the Yardbirds, who formed right after The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
This added an extra layer of intrigue to their songs, creating a sense of wonder and magic. The band's live performances were legendary, with their ability to captivate audiences and hold them spellbound throughout the entire show. Led Zeppelin was known for their improvisational skills, often taking their songs to new and unexpected places during live performances. This created a sense of anticipation and excitement, as fans never knew what to expect. Led Zeppelin's spell also extended to their album artwork and packaging. Their albums were often adorned with intricate designs, mystical symbols, and cryptic messages. This attention to detail added another dimension to their music, making it even more immersive and captivating. The spell of Led Zeppelin continues to endure today. Despite disbanding in 1980 following the tragic death of John Bonham, their music lives on and continues to inspire new generations of fans. Their songs have become timeless classics, still resonating with listeners and maintaining their enchanting allure. In conclusion, Led Zeppelin's music cast a powerful spell on audiences around the world. Their unique blend of rock, blues, folk, and heavy metal created a captivating and immersive experience for listeners. Through their powerful performances, mystical themes, and attention to detail, Led Zeppelin created a musical spell that continues to enchant and fascinate to this day..
Reviews for "The Cinematic Flair of Led Zeppelin's Music Videos"
1. Emily - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Spell of Led Zeppelin." As a big fan of the band, I was hoping for an in-depth exploration of their music and influence. However, the book felt superficial and lacked any meaningful analysis. It read more like a collection of anecdotes and trivia, without delving into the deeper aspects of Led Zeppelin's artistry. I wanted to learn more about their songwriting process, the challenges they faced as a band, and the impact they had on the music industry. Unfortunately, this book failed to provide that level of insight.
2. Ryan - 1/5 - I can't begin to describe how bored I was while reading "The Spell of Led Zeppelin." The writing was dry and lacked any real passion for the subject matter. It felt like a chore to get through each chapter, and I found myself skimming over large sections just to finish the book. The author seemed more interested in listing every concert the band had ever played rather than exploring their musical genius. It's a shame because Led Zeppelin deserves a much better tribute than this lackluster book. I would not recommend it to any true fan of the band.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - "The Spell of Led Zeppelin" was a disappointment for me. I had high hopes that this book would provide a deep dive into Led Zeppelin's lyrics and the meaning behind their songs. However, I found the analysis to be superficial and lacking the depth I was looking for. The author touched on some interesting themes but never fully explored them, leaving me wanting more. Additionally, the writing style was often clunky and repetitive, making it a tedious read. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Led Zeppelin's music and lyrics.
4. Mark - 2/5 - I was underwhelmed by "The Spell of Led Zeppelin." While it promised to uncover the secrets behind the band's success and popularity, it fell short on delivering any groundbreaking insights. The book mostly regurgitated information that was already widely known and lacked any unique perspective. In terms of writing style, it was average at best, failing to engage me as a reader. I was hoping for a fresh take on the band's history, but instead, I found myself skimming through repetitive anecdotes. Overall, I found "The Spell of Led Zeppelin" to be a forgettable read that didn't offer anything new to fans of the band.