NationStates Jolt Archive

Yeah, I know what your thinking. "This guy is stupid! Zeppelin is the greatest band ever!" Well, I don't think so. Now, I think that Zeppelin is a group of talented musicians. However, I don't think they should get all of the credit they get. They only have a few songs, in my opinion, that are excellent. Those are Kashmir, Achilles Last Stand, Communication Breakdown, and Stairway to Heaven. Even those songs, mostly "Stairway", are overblown by most people.

I'm going to get in my bunker now, so I don't die. But, I've said my peace, and I'm cool with what happens.

Yeah, I know what your thinking. "This guy is stupid! Zeppelin is the greatest band ever!" Well, I don't think so. Now, I think that Zeppelin is a group of talented musicians. However, I don't think they should get all of the credit they get. They only have a few songs, in my opinion, that are excellent. Those are Kashmir, Achilles Last Stand, Communication Breakdown, and Stairway to Heaven. Even those songs, mostly "Stairway", are overblown by most people.

I'm going to get in my bunker now, so I don't die. But, I've said my peace, and I'm cool with what happens.

Not really.

Nirvana. Now they're overrated.

I don't even know them, so meh.

Yeah, they're overrated, but not as much as some bands are. Nearly all commercially successful music acts are overrated to some extent, so to pick on Led Zep is a bit silly.

Not really.

Nirvana. Now they're overrated.

Does anyone else find it ironic that in every thread that overrated bands are mentioned, Nirvana comes up? That would kind of void them being overrated, no?

That would kind of void them being overrated, no?

No, just means people are finally catching on :p

Yeah, I know what your thinking. "This guy is stupid! Zeppelin is the greatest band ever!" Well, I don't think so. Now, I think that Zeppelin is a group of talented musicians. However, I don't think they should get all of the credit they get. They only have a few songs, in my opinion, that are excellent. Those are Kashmir, Achilles Last Stand, Communication Breakdown, and Stairway to Heaven. Even those songs, mostly "Stairway", are overblown by most people.

I'm going to get in my bunker now, so I don't die. But, I've said my peace, and I'm cool with what happens.
You're absolutely correct. They're highly overrated. Also they're so overplayed on radio that I can't even stand to listen to them anymore.

Does anyone else find it ironic that in every thread that overrated bands are mentioned, Nirvana comes up? That would kind of void them being overrated, no?

I agree. And to I V Stalin, I don't hink all commercially successful bands are overrated. My favorite three bands are Pink Floyd, Green Day, and Metallica(pre load era), all of which have had much success. All I'm trying to say is lot's of people say Zeppelin is the best, and I'm just posting my thoughts on why I disagree.

I agree. And to I V Stalin, I don't hink all commercially successful bands are overrated. My favorite three bands are Pink Floyd, Green Day, and Metallica(pre load era), all of which have had much success. All I'm trying to say is lot's of people say Zeppelin is the best, and I'm just posting my thoughts on why I disagree.
Pink Floyd, Green Day and Metallica are all overrated as well, to different extents. That's coming from someone who's a fan of the first two.

Yeah, some people say LZ are the best, but music is subjective. If they appreciate their music more than any other music, then LZ are indeed 'the best' to them. Similarly, if I appreciate the music of, say, 65daysofstatic more than any other music (and I do), then they are 'the best' to me.

The term overrated in itself is subjective. You don't think Metallica are overrated - I do. Their last good album was released over 15 years ago, and even then there are far better albums that have been released in the same genre .

No, just means people are finally catching on :p

Heh. They weren't untouchable Gods of music. But they were a great band with some brilliant songs, and were responsible for getting me into music in the first place. I don't think anyone goes around claiming otherwise anymore (or ever did, with the possible exception of 12 year old girls with their "KURT IS HAWT" attitude - It was mostly just a media thing. )

And I love Zeppelin too. They may be overplayed, but I don't listen to the radio anyway, so...and actually, I find that some of their less popular songs are better anyway.

The problem is that music is a completely subjective thing. There never will be a "best band ever" that doesn't have its share of detractors crying out about how they're overrated and that their bands of choice are SO much better. You either get the music, or you don't.

Deep Purple were always better.

But you're still forgetting a few classics - Whole Lotta Love, Heartbreaker, Immigrant Song, Black Dog, Dazed And Confused.

And don't forget all the bands they influnenced.

Personally, I think pretty much all popular music is overrated, but that's just me.

Yeah, I know what your thinking. "This guy is stupid! Zeppelin is the greatest band ever!" Well, I don't think so. Now, I think that Zeppelin is a group of talented musicians. However, I don't think they should get all of the credit they get. They only have a few songs, in my opinion, that are excellent. Those are Kashmir, Achilles Last Stand, Communication Breakdown, and Stairway to Heaven. Even those songs, mostly "Stairway", are overblown by most people.

I'm going to get in my bunker now, so I don't die. But, I've said my peace, and I'm cool with what happens.

/agree I personally think Zeplin along with Pink Floyd, the Stones, Bob Dylan and many others are over rated. Like you said a few good songs but over all no greatness worth the worship they receive. And I simply hate Stairway to Heaven above all other songs. Hmmm, ok and Meatloafs Two Outta Three Ain't Bad. *runs to yack chunks*

No, Zeppelin is not overrated.

Zep's one of my favorite bands, but my local rock station rarely plays any. So, I only have to listen when I put in my own albums, which is often. They make me feel groovy.

AC fucking DC, on the other hand, is constantly offending my ears. It's like I died and went to some wretched, nightmarish hell with awful, repetitive shit blaring, all day and night.

I love led zeppelin, in fact, i am wearing one of their shirts right now, but you have a point. Many bands are overrated. In fact, pretty much all bands that have ever gotten popular get overrated. However, led zeppelin, even if they are overrated, is a great musical group. People call them the greatest hard rock band ever because they are indeed one of the greates hard rock bands ever. even if they are overrated, that much is true.

And I love Zeppelin too. They may be overplayed, but I don't listen to the radio anyway, so...and actually, I find that some of their less popular songs are better anyway.
That is how I measure whether a band is good or not. If their best stuff, in my opinion, is on the radio then they are overrated. Then again, I almost never listen to the radio nowadays ( I prefer to chat instead ), so I am never really in the know. But when I did, oh how I was on top of things...

/agree I personally think Zeplin along with Pink Floyd, the Stones, Bob Dylan and many others are over rated. Like you said a few good songs but over all no greatness worth the worship they receive. And I simply hate Stairway to Heaven above all other songs. Hmmm, ok and Meatloafs Two Outta Three Ain't Bad. *runs to yack chunks*

What the hell you say! If the above is true, music is overrated. I say a little kids banging on pots and pans and screaming their lungs out is the only true music.:p

Here is my theory on why your calling them overrated, and why I would disagree that they aren't overrated (even though their not my favorite band).

Many people are starting to believe they are overrated because music has generally evolved past them (Zeppelin). The generation that loved Zeppelin has aged and generally fallen out of "pop" culture and young culture all together. Todays young culture is filled with bands that got their influence from zeppelin but play a distinctivley different type of music. Zeppelin made modern rock today. Without Zeppelin I don't think we would have rock as it is today, thats why I would have to say Zeppelin is the greatest rock band ever, and why their not overrated. If it wasn't for the Led, todays rock would still be the Elvis type.

I think they're overrated, but that doesn't mean they suck.

Rush are a better band all around, and they don't even get a tenth the radio play Zeppelin do. The only song of theirs I've heard on the radio is "Tom Sawyer", and that was once... In Wal-Mart, at 12:45 AM.

As for Zep, I hear "Stairway To Heaven" and "Rock 'n' Roll" just about every time I turn on the radio. Songs like "Red Barchetta" and "Limelight" are far more deserving of radio play, though they really don't get any airtime because of their dynamic time signatures and Neil's drumming.

Many people are starting to believe they are overrated because music has generally evolved past them (Zeppelin). The generation that loved Zeppelin has aged and generally fallen out of "pop" culture and young culture all together.

Hmmm, I disagree...a lot of people in the younger generation are discovering bands from that era and Zep is pretty much foremost among them.

If you hear too much of any band they will eventaually wear thin on you.
Led Zep are highly influential and as such deserve to be highly rated, as they are. That there are other bands that were just as influential but that are now almost never mentioned does not mean that LZ is overrated, just that bands like John Mayal's Bluesbreakers are underrated.

Geez... 22 posts and not one flame. Do I have to do everything?

To those that think Led Zeppelin is overrated, I say :upyours:

Now that's done away with (and to the pleasure of the OP who expected some flames) I'd say that there are some great points in this thread. I, too, feel that Led Zep is getting some praises and airplay that they don't deserve. However, they are still my favorite band.

One thing I'd like to come back to:
Does anyone else find it ironic that in every thread that overrated bands are mentioned, Nirvana comes up? That would kind of void them being overrated, no?
No. I just prooves that they were WAY overrated, I think. If everyone agrees, then it must be true.

Rush are a better band all around, and they don't even get a tenth the radio play Zeppelin do.

I think you may be a little biased (remembers the bassist thread :p )

I think you may be a little biased (remembers the bassist thread :p )

Then again, I'm not. Geddy blows John Paul Jones out of the water.

Shall I upload a clip of YYZ?

That there are other bands that were just as influential but that are now almost never mentioned does not mean that LZ is overrated, just that bands like John Mayal's Bluesbreakers are underrated.

Not so much underrated, as underexposed, in my experience those familiar with the Bluesbreakers/Clapton period all rate them very highly, but such people are few and far between these days.

Led Zeppelin- overrated? No. Not by a long way. It depends where you are, really. In the UK, Led Zep hardly get played on most major stations anymore. And besides, being a Zeppelin fan, I have to defend them. They certainly weren't overrated in the press; the press hated them!
Zeppelin are brilliant because they're different. It wasn't just cock-out, screaming (well, with the exception of Immigrant Song and several others :) )
it was groovy stuff; every Zepp song you play is different.

But, I digress... Led Zepp may be overrated in the USA (I'm taking a guess that most of you are- no offence to people who aren't :P ) but Led Zeppelin is a name hardly heard in the UK anymore.

Then again, I'm not. Geddy blows John Paul Jones out of the water.

Shall I upload a clip of YYZ?

Enough. You have your opinion, I have mine.

The one argument I would make against Rush, though, is that they are not highly influential. When you read interviews or talk to musicians today, LZ, the Beatles, Hendrix, even Metallica get frequent mentions as influences. For I love early Rush (up to Grace Under Pressure) I can not remember anyone citing them as being either an influence or an inspiration. (This is not to say that no one ever has, simply that I don't remember it happening.)

Led Zeppelin- overrated? No. Not by a long way. It depends where you are, really. In the UK, Led Zep hardly get played on most major stations anymore. And besides, being a Zeppelin fan, I have to defend them. They certainly weren't overrated in the press; the press hated them!
Zeppelin are brilliant because they're different. It wasn't just cock-out, screaming (well, with the exception of Immigrant Song and several others :) )
it was groovy stuff; every Zepp song you play is different.

But, I digress... Led Zepp may be overrated in the USA (I'm taking a guess that most of you are- no offence to people who aren't :P ) but Led Zeppelin is a name hardly heard in the UK anymore.

Hardly any airplay in the U.K.? Nice. They get played multiple times a day over here in the states, every single fucking day. It's really annoying.

No. I just prooves that they were WAY overrated, I think. If everyone agrees, then it must be true.

No, opinions alone are never objective truth, especially with regard to music.

Enough. You have your opinion, I have mine.

The one argument I would make against Rush, though, is that they are not highly influential. When you read interviews or talk to musicians today, LZ, the Beatles, Hendrix, even Metallica get frequent mentions as influences. For I love early Rush (up to Grace Under Pressure) I can not remember anyone citing them as being either an influence or an inspiration. (This is not to say that no one ever has, simply that I don't remember it happening.)

Well, that probably has to do with the bands that cite them as an influence aren't very popular (Well, besides Tool, but they're not superfuckinghuge).

And it's not opinion about Geddy's musical ability. Seriously.

But, I digress... Led Zepp may be overrated in the USA (I'm taking a guess that most of you are- no offence to people who aren't :P ) but Led Zeppelin is a name hardly heard in the UK anymore.
Muh? Where are you living, under a rock? They sell Led Zep t-shirts in HMV and Virgin! Hardly heard, my arse...

No, opinions alone are never objective truth, especially with regard to music.

Two phrases that simply do not belong in the same sentence (except disjunctive ones).

And it's not opinion about Geddy's musical ability. Seriously.

Unless you can put it in numbers, it is opinion.

Unless you can put it in numbers, it is opinion.

Look at any number of bass tabs for Rush songs.

Then again, I'm not. Geddy blows John Paul Jones out of the water.

Shall I upload a clip of YYZ?
I want to see that clip. Can you TG a link?

Two phrases that simply do not belong in the same sentence (except disjunctive ones).

That was my point; I stated earlier that music is a completely subjective thing.

Hardly heard, my arse...
That's because your rump doesn't play the fiddle.

I have the answer to the bassist aruement. Roger Waters is the greatest :D. Seriously thoug, this thread surprised me. I thought people were going to crucify me for saying Zep is overrated. And that dosen't mean I don't like them. I just like a lot of bands more.

I dont think Nirvana is overrated - not because I like their music that much because i dont - but think about the time (early 90s) when they made it big.

At that time bands like Metallica and GnR were dominating the scene - these bands had complicated riffs, solos(well, compared to Nirvana) and their songs lasted about 6 minutes.

And now a band that can barely play blasts through their 2 minute songs, fills stadiums and becomes the voice of a generation - great!!!

Same thing that had happended with 70ies rock and late 70ies punk rock.

That's because your rump doesn't play the fiddle.
I'll assume you deliberately ignored the comma but believe me, my arse can be heard far and wide.

I have the answer to the bassist aruement. Roger Waters is the greatest :D. Seriously thoug, this thread surprised me. I thought people were going to crucify me for saying Zep is overrated. And that dosen't mean I don't like them. I just like a lot of bands more.
Sorry to disappoint.

*crucifies Breitenburg*

Sorry to disappoint.

*crucifies Breitenburg*

crap.

And now a band that can barely play blasts through their 2 minute songs, fills stadiums and becomes the voice of a generation - great!!!


That's another thing I dispute. They were on par with most of their contemporaries in technical skill (not to mention most of their songs being a lot longer than 2 minutes).

Here's a minute-plus clip of YYZ, ripped from my near-mint condition Moving Pictures LP.


http://media.putfile.com/YYZ-Clip


And AB --- I'm just messing with you, man. Like Kan said, music is a subjective thing, though Geddy's bass skill is insane (as is JPJ's).

Personally, I think pretty much all popular music is overrated, but that's just me.

Personally, I think all music, even music that isn't well-known, is overrated, because there will always be someone who likes the group and someone who doesn't like the group.

Then again, you can take this same statement and say no musical group is truly overrated, because there will always be someone who likes it and someone who doesn't.
Take your pick.

And AB --- I'm just messing with you, man. Like Kan said, music is a subjective thing, though Geddy's bass skill is insane (as is JPJ's).

Good to know, I was close to writing you off as dangerously Rush obsessed.

(I agree that technically Geddy is probably the best of all time, just I do not judge by technical ability alone.)

Some over-rated bands: Guns and Roses, Led Zeppelin and Nirvana

That's another thing I dispute. They were on par with most of their contemporaries in technical skill (not to mention most of their songs being a lot longer than 2 minutes).

Maybe their songs were bit longer - it's just a saying like we are a three chord garage band even if you play a couple more chords and maybe Kurt was the best guitar player in the world but it definetley does not show in his music, writings, whatever.

Dunno if you play guitar but the first songs everyone learns are nirvana tunes - so the technical skill argument...

Cheers

No, Led Zeppelin is not overrated.

Said it best.

... my arse can be heard far and wide.
What do you use to cut the cheese? A guillotine?

I think Led Zeppelin was fine for its day. They had a voice and style that spoke to the generation for whom they were recording and filling stadiums.

Someone born in 1980 won't get Zeppelin. They just won't.

Same with Nirvana. Nirvana spoke to people in my generation (I was born in '72, went out into the "real world" around '89). There was a certain anger to my generation that didn't exist before us or in the current batch. Our anger was born of indignation and isolation, while the generation before us was politics and apathy and the generation after us is blind fury and rage.

Nirvana spoke to us. "All alone is all we know, all alone is all we are". Powerful stuff if you're part of it.

Is either overrated? No. Apples and Oranges. Each just spoke to the intended audience.

As for technical skill comparison ...

Technical skill is not what makes a person a "voice of a generation". Look at Bob Dylan. Man couldn't sing his way out of a paper-bag and except for harmonica, he was and remains a sub-par talent on any instrument. Yet, throughout the Beat/Folk era, he was the one everyone looked to.

The first song all guitars players learn is "Smoke On The Water". Not the whole song, but just the intro riff

By the way join the Republic of Reeferseed in Hungry Hustler land.

www.myspace.com/johnnyreeferseed420

The first song all guitars players learn is "Smoke On The Water". Not the whole song, but just the intro riff

By the way join the Republic of Reeferseed in Hungry Hustler land.

www.myspace.com/johnnyreeferseed420

ummm... and your point is?

Yeah, I know what your thinking. "This guy is stupid! Zeppelin is the greatest band ever!" Well, I don't think so. Now, I think that Zeppelin is a group of talented musicians. However, I don't think they should get all of the credit they get. They only have a few songs, in my opinion, that are excellent. Those are Kashmir, Achilles Last Stand, Communication Breakdown, and Stairway to Heaven. Even those songs, mostly "Stairway", are overblown by most people.

I'm going to get in my bunker now, so I don't die. But, I've said my peace, and I'm cool with what happens.

*prepares bunker-buster missile*

While I agree with you that people tend to take fandom to rediculous extents at times, Led Zeppelin has to be one of the few bands that might be worthy of worship. Of course, a lot of the problem is generational. Some people just have their heads stuck in the 70's and refuse to acknowledge that good music is still being made.

*prepares bunker-buster missile*

While I agree with you that people tend to take fandom to rediculous extents at times, Led Zeppelin has to be one of the few bands that might be worthy of worship. Of course, a lot of the problem is generational. Some people just have their heads stuck in the 70's and refuse to acknowledge that good music is still being made.

*prepares anti-missle satillite*

I agree, Led Zep ARE overrated.

And greenday, dont get me started. They SUCK!!! Theyre sooooo terribly overrated.

*prepares anti-missle satillite*

*prepares rabid zeppelin fans armed with 'dirty bombs' in guitar cases*

*prepares mustard to put on sandwich. plans to eat it when fireworks go off*

*prepares rabid zeppelin fans armed with 'dirty bombs' in guitar cases*

*prepares mustard to put on sandwich. plans to eat it when fireworks go off*

*prepares the rabbid pink floyd fans, gives them some hammers*

IT'S WAR!!!!

Is it just me or are english classic rock bands a lot more popular in the states then in England itself.

Maybe their songs were bit longer - it's just a saying like we are a three chord garage band even if you play a couple more chords and maybe Kurt was the best guitar player in the world but it definetley does not show in his music, writings, whatever.

Dunno if you play guitar but the first songs everyone learns are nirvana tunes - so the technical skill argument...

Cheers

Yeah, i'm a guitarist. Yeah, Nirvana were the band that made me pick up a guitar. Yeah, there's more complicated music out there. There is a technical disrepancy with their Bleach-era stuff and their Nevermind-era stuff, however. (and observe their cover of Led Zep's "Heartbreaker" available on their boxed set collection...)

Not really an issue anyway. As has been said numerous times, technicality does not necessarily equal good music.

all this talk about overrated bands and no one has yet to mentoin wham!

No, Zeppelin is not overrated.

COUNTERPOINT: Yes they are.

COUNTERPOINT: Yes they are.

COUNTERPOINT apparantly not overated by you.

COUNTERPOINT apparantly not overated by you.

?

COUNTERPOINT: Yes they are.

PWNED ZOMG U R TEH L33Tst! :sniper: :gundge: :gundge: :mp5:........:rolleyes:

PWNED ZOMG U R TEH L33Tst!

INTERNET FIGHT :mp5: :sniper: :sniper: :upyours: :upyours: :eek: :eek:

:confused:

I always preferred Genesis. Same era, very similar style but they were a lot more english about it.

None of this screaming and pretending to be vikings business.

Far less airplay though, at least of the good stuff :(

*prepares the rabbid pink floyd fans, gives them some hammers*

IT'S WAR!!!!

Pshaw! "The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!"

BRING IT ON! I'll take the Pepsi challenge with my fans vs. your Floyd fans any day!

Any band that has 2 or more fans is overrated. I only listen to music so obscure I am the only one who knows about it. This proves my uber-coolness.

Have a nice day.
;)

None of this screaming and pretending to be vikings business.

Aye, because as any fule kno no Viking blood flows through English veins.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1689955.stm

Led Zeppelin is not overrated, JUST overplayed. But even that depends on where you live- I've lived in New York, Wyoming, and now Washington. In New York, you heard them every nine seconds and it could wear you down. In Wyoming, you heard tumbleweeds and the sounds of loneliness. In Washington, I get to listen to shitty new bands from Seattle that sound like a Vietnamesse prostitute getting her intestines pulled out through her mouth.

Aye, because as any fule kno no Viking blood flows through English veins.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1689955.stm

Nice referencing Molesworth.

And while it is true we pretty much got ruled by the vikings we've come at least a short way since then. If they were norwegian it might work.

Nice referencing Molesworth.

And while it is true we pretty much got ruled by the vikings we've come at least a short way since then. If they were norwegian it might work.

Led Zeppelin to the Vikings (Immigrant Song) is a much shorter distance than Genesis to the Ancient Greeks (The Fountain Of Salmacis), no?

I think they're overrated, but that doesn't mean they suck.

Rush are a better band all around, and they don't even get a tenth the radio play Zeppelin do. The only song of theirs I've heard on the radio is "Tom Sawyer", and that was once... In Wal-Mart, at 12:45 AM.

As for Zep, I hear "Stairway To Heaven" and "Rock 'n' Roll" just about every time I turn on the radio. Songs like "Red Barchetta" and "Limelight" are far more deserving of radio play, though they really don't get any airtime because of their dynamic time signatures and Neil's drumming. Oh my god, another Rush Fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know, they should get on the radio more often, here in the UK hardly anyone has heard of them, only a few people in thier 40s. they rock, also The Spirit Of Radio should be played more as well...

Led Zeppelin to the Vikings (Immigrant Song) is a much shorter distance than Genesis to the Ancient Greeks (The Fountain Of Salmacis), no?

True. But I just forget those ones along with shite like Get 'Em Out By Friday.

Immigrant Song is famous and played semi-regularly, the only early Genesis song I've heard on radio was Firth of Fifth.

You're absolutely correct. They're highly overrated. Also they're so overplayed on radio that I can't even stand to listen to them anymore.
Lucky (i think). Classic rock never gets on the radio here.

Led Zeppelin aren't overrated generally, but Stairway to Heaven and most songs of their first album certainly are.

Well, that probably has to do with the bands that cite them as an influence aren't very popular (Well, besides Tool, but they're not superfuckinghuge).

Dream Theater are probably the contemporary band that is most influenced by Rush. Funny, Rush were probably the band in the 70s that was most influenced by Led Zeppelin.

Oh my god, another Rush Fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know, they should get on the radio more often, here in the UK hardly anyone has heard of them, only a few people in thier 40s. they rock, also The Spirit Of Radio should be played more as well...

I love 'em. I also love Zep, yeah, but for me, they don't come close to Rush. I thought I wouldn't be into their mid-late 80's stuff, but I am. "Marathon" is fantastic. Hell, the entirety of Power Windows is a blast.

I'm 18, by the way. I don't know many people my age who like Rush, or who have even heard of them. :p

Massively overrated, massively overplayed. Maybe it's different when you aren't exposed to the band via 70s-era high-rotation airplay, but whatever charm they might once have had has been absent for the last 30 years as far as I'm concerned.

I'm 18, by the way. I don't know many people my age who like Rush, or who have even heard of them. :p well im 15 and its still fun going around seeing the older people's reactions when they see that I like all the bands they like when they were teenagers:cool:

well im 15 and its still fun going around seeing the older people's reactions when they see that I like all the bands they like when they were teenagers:cool:

Yeah.

You should've seen my dad's reaction when he saw the Rush albums I bought for my birthday (March 14th). I got a strange look and some very rude, snide remarks.

He's an ABBA fan, by the way.

Not really.

Nirvana. Now they're overrated.


I agree with both posters. Nirvana is music's answer to James Dean--a marginally talented group whose "untimely demise" greatly improved their stock.

As to Led Zeppelin, I'd be hard-pressed to put them in the top five. Comparing their Magnum Opus, "Stairway to Heaven" to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," ELP's "Karnevil 9," or Yes's "Roundabout" exposes Stairway as formulaic and very vanilla. While Zeppelin's influences show a broader range than The Who and the Stones, most appears to be imitation, not inspiration.

For longevity, I admit I will change the station when any of THE five Zeppelin songs in circulation come on the radio. I'll repeatedly get U2's Joshua Tree or anything Pink Floyd up to and including "Delicate Sound of Thunder" out of mothballs, but I'm pretty sure my Led Zeppelin CD's have melded with the plastic sleeves with the inactivity.

For the individual members, John Bonham was a good drummer, but on par with Carl Palmer, Keith Moon, or Neal Peart? Heck, I'd be willing to put Bill Bruford ahead of Bonham, but that's a matter of personal taste. (I may well be a Yes-Man).

John Paul Jones...well, I'd be willing to put John Entwistle and Geddy Lee ahead so The Who and Rush are already two ahead of Zeppelin. Chris Squire could probably put Jones to the mat, so tally another for Yes.

I'd prove myself an idiot to say Jimmy Page wasn't a good guitarist. He was a fantastic guitarist. So, too, is Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Duane Allman, Keith Richards (no foolin'), Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eddie Van Halen, and a bevy of others. Technically I'd give the nod to Knopfler, but more for what he's done on his own than with Dire Straits. Clapton survives the milquetoast Mtv Unplugged session to get my overall. Page is strong, but not enough to overcome the others.

Finally, Robert Plant. Listening to him sing is like putting Ann Coulter and Al Franken in a room together. He and Steven Tyler inspired a high school term we used to use..."squawk rawk."

Overall, Led Zeppelin was a good band, might even have been a great band. Best band ever, not remotely.