The New Yardbirds

Today is one for the record books. Today, back in 1969 Led Zeppelin released their debut album. Many of you probably don't even know who The New Yardbirds where or why I am talking about them with Led Zeppelin. If you don't, that's fine, you will gain a little Rock 'N' Roll knowledge right now and if you do, you still might learn something fun. They Yardbirds, with member Jimmy Page, was on tour when they broke up in '68. Page felt committed to the tour so he called on Robert Plant, who wasn't Page's first choice for vocals, John Paul Jones for bass and John Bonham on drums which Page continued to play the guitar. Page remained the band from The Yardbirds to The New Yardbirds. Once the tour ended, they signed with Atlantic Records   who said their music would go over like a lead zeppelin (remember, this is the same time as The Beatles were hitting it big and a year before they would split, and The Rolling Stones). Page and the gang liked the name and recorded their debut album in less than 30 hours!
Led Zeppelin's biggest selling album (Led Zeppelin IV) never reached #1 in the U.S. but that never stopped Led Zeppelin doing what they did best, which was looking for new way to make music. Most notably was Jimmy Page who wanted mastered the double neck guitar, play mind blowing solos and using a violin bow instead of strumming with a traditional pick.
If it wasn't for Jimmy Page wanting to keep the tour contract, we would never have such great albums from Led Zeppelin that inspired new musicians to come up with their own form of rock. Thank you Jimmy Page.