Interview: Bob Spitz on Led Zeppelin

The early 1970’s was a transitional period from the first wave rockers (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks). one band that set out to destroy the earlier generation was Led Zeppelin. They succeeded by selling more records than the Stones, inaugurating the arena rock era, and becoming the archetype of the decadent rock band so mercilessly parodied in Spinal Tap.

Bob Spitz’s carefully researched biography covers it all: Led Zep’s music, how band members repeatedly committed statutory rape but have never had their MeToo moment; how it seems every British rock musician of the early ’70s knew one another; the incredibly violent, drug and Alistair Crowley influenced decadence that eventually led to the band’s demise. Note to listeners: Spitz refers to drummer John Bonham by his nickname Bonzo.