Rainard Jalen

The folk pieces might show off their diversity, but the fact is that those songs just aren't anywhere near as good as their rockers.

They took the blues and made it harder, louder, heavier, and more manic than it'd ever been before. Their sound inspired literally thousands of other bands to do the same thing or at least to play on the hard/heavy ideas that they had put out. So much music owes its existence to Led Zep, and you can say that even if you hate every song they ever did.

lucifer_sam

Are you kidding me? Folk pieces not as good as the rockers? Going to California? Black Mountain Side? The Swan Song? Bron-Yr-Aur? Jesus Christ! Robert Plant has always denied the existence of Led Zeppelin as a heavy metal band strictly because of those songs. About a third of their music is acoustic, and there are tons of pieces out there like OTHAFA, The Rain Song, hell even Stairway that show how Page incorporated all of their talents effectively. Just because they were remembered best for their hard rock n' roll doesn't mean that's the only thing they were good at. I honestly think that Jimmy Page was one of the best acoustic songwriters (and most weren't trite and simple like Tangerine).

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first.am

Son of JayJamJah

Zeppelin's folk pieces are pretty awesome, Bron-y-aur Stomp, Thank you, That's the Way are some more very good acoustic pieces. And I like Tangerine too, the old adage, it's doesn't have to be complex to be great.

These are two dynamite bands people why debate...celebrate.

Rainard Jalen

Yeah.

The folk pieces are APPALLING compared to anybody else's who actually specialized in that sort of music. One should NEVER, EVER argue for Zep being a good or important band and then cite the folk pieces as evidence. Zep are good/important for what they themselves pioneered, which is the sound of songs like Out On The Tiles...

Son of JayJamJah

I completely disagree. The reaction to the folk pieces at concerts was just as boisterous as it was for Dazed and confused or Immigrant Song or any of there classic rock guitar riff songs.

Part of what makes Zeppelin a consensus choice as a top 5 band ever is their ability to from style to style and pluck influence from genres and still have a distinct unmistakable sound that only they produced.

Songs like "What is and what should never be" "Ramble On", "Over the Hills and far Away" and their most famous track "Stairway to Heaven" all feature them ranging from a mellow often times acoustic verse or introduction into a breakneck rock and roll guitar solo laden consummation.

You're right to say that Zeppelin will be looked upon as pioneers solely in the realm of Hard Rock but their folk, jazz, blues and world music tendencies often times led to the compelling songs that make their discography so consistent and prolific.

Regardless of personal taste, the fans of Zeppelin are fans of the entire catalog in the vast majority of cases.

lucifer_sam

Exactly.

EDIT: Is it just me or do the two percentages (66.67% and 34.92%, respectively, as of this post) NOT add up to 100%? By my calculations, it's about 101.59%...

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first.am

Son of JayJamJah

Good catch - How does that even happen?

The Monkey

Because it's a multiple choise poll, some people voted for both options.

Urban Hat€monger ?

No it's because people who are banned have their vote automatically removed but the percentage stays the same. Then when someone else votes it adds to the percentage as it normally would , the result being it bumps it over 100%.

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Son of JayJamJah

I see two people who voted Zeppelin were banned so the poll is taking 44 out of 66 not 42 out 64.

Thanks Urb.