Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography

Combines biographies of the members of the British rock group with an account of their rise to stardom, an analysis of their performance style, and the story of how they disbanded after the death of their drummer, John Bonham

Music journalist Yorke's distinction as one of the first critics to recognize the prodigious groundbreaking talent and imminent popular success of 1970s megagroup Led Zeppelin has yielded an ongoing 24-year access to the group's inner sanctum, the culmination of which is this sanctioned biography. As presumptuous and troublesome as the "definitive" tag is, Yorke excells at removing himself from the narrative, relying instead on the insightful perspectives, interviews, and comments of the late John Bonham; surviving members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones; and manager Peter Grant. Focusing on the group's musical diversity and inventiveness, experimentation, and desire to constantly push beyond their limits, Yorke alludes to but does not dwell on the surfeit of chemical and sexual indulgence for which the band is legendary. Diggers for these Led nuggets should mine Richard Cole's recent Stairway to Heaven ( LJ 8/92) and Stephen Davis's Hammer of the Gods ( LJ 6/15/85). From their pre-Led Age beginnings through their post-Zeppelin solo projects, Yorke offers the best account of this band to date. For all music collections.
- Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., Tex.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.