Led Zeppelin are back in the conversation. The documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin hit cinemas in February 2025 and Netflix that June, a 50th anniversary edition of Physical Graffiti followed in September 2025, and Robert Plant has been touring with his band Saving Grace.
Formed in London in 1968, the four-piece fused blues, folk and thunderous hard rock into one of the best-selling catalogues in history. Explore more legends in our rock music clothing collection.
Led Zeppelin Fact File
| Formed | 1968, London, England |
|---|---|
| Members | Jimmy Page (guitar, producer), Robert Plant (vocals), John Paul Jones (bass, keyboards), John Bonham (drums) |
| Born | Page 9 January 1944 (age 82), Plant 20 August 1948 (age 78), Jones 3 January 1946 (age 80), Bonham 31 May 1948 |
| Disbanded | 4 December 1980, after John Bonham's death on 25 September 1980 |
| Nationality | English |
| Genres | Hard rock, blues rock, folk rock, heavy metal |
| Labels | Atlantic Records, Swan Song Records (from 1974) |
| Studio albums | Eight, plus the outtakes album Coda (1982) |
| Sales | Estimated at over 200 million records worldwide |
| Signature item | Page's double-neck guitar and the four symbols of the untitled fourth album |
Career History
| Years | Label | Key albums |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Atlantic | Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II |
| 1970-1971 | Atlantic | Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin IV |
| 1973 | Atlantic | Houses of the Holy |
| 1975-1976 | Swan Song | Physical Graffiti, Presence |
| 1979 | Swan Song | In Through the Out Door |
| 1982 | Swan Song | Coda (outtakes collection) |
Years show when each studio album was released. Sales totals are industry estimates rather than certified figures.
From the Yardbirds to Zeppelin
Jimmy Page was already a top session guitarist and a member of the Yardbirds when that band split in 1968. He recruited session bassist John Paul Jones, and singer Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham, both from the English Midlands.
Their debut album, recorded in a matter of days, arrived in January 1969, and Led Zeppelin II followed before the year was out.
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The Untitled Fourth Album
After the acoustic-leaning Led Zeppelin III, the band released their fourth album in 1971 with no title on the sleeve, only four symbols. It became their biggest seller and included "Stairway to Heaven" and "Black Dog".
Huge American tours followed, and in 1974 they launched their own label, Swan Song.
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Physical Graffiti and the Final Years
The double album Physical Graffiti (1975), home of "Kashmir", showed the band at full stretch. Presence and In Through the Out Door followed, and in 1979 they headlined Knebworth.
John Bonham died in September 1980, aged 32, and in December the remaining members announced that they could not continue as they were.
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Reunions and Celebration Day
The surviving three reunited briefly for Live Aid in 1985 and Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary in 1988. On 10 December 2007 they played a full show at London's O2 Arena for the Ahmet Ertegun tribute, with Jason Bonham on drums, released in 2012 as Celebration Day.
Honours
Halls of Fame
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1995
Awards
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 2005
- Polar Music Prize, 2006
- Kennedy Center Honors, 2012 (Jones, Page and Plant)
Away From the Spotlight
Jimmy Page oversees the band's archive and reissues, Robert Plant released the album Saving Grace with Suzi Dian in 2025, and John Paul Jones performs in experimental projects. At the 2006 Polar Music Prize, Bonham's daughter Zoë accepted the award on her father's behalf.
FAQs
Who were the members of Led Zeppelin?
Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham.
How many albums did Led Zeppelin release?
Eight studio albums from 1969 to 1979, plus the outtakes collection Coda in 1982.
When did Led Zeppelin split up?
They announced the end of the band on 4 December 1980, following John Bonham's death that September.
Did Led Zeppelin ever reunite?
Yes, for Live Aid in 1985, Atlantic's 40th anniversary in 1988 and a full concert at the O2 Arena in London on 10 December 2007.
How old is Robert Plant?
Robert Plant was born on 20 August 1948, so he is 78.
Where can I watch Becoming Led Zeppelin?
The documentary was released in cinemas in February 2025 and arrived on Netflix in the US in June 2025.
Shop the Led Zeppelin Collection
Each design below is a tribute fan piece, made to order in the UK.
Discover more bands in our Rock Music and Bands collections. Want your own name on the back? Try our Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: The Rolling Stones and Nirvana.
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