There’s no denying that Led Zeppelin, despite being a very British rock group, had some roots in folk, blues, and Appalachian music. While still part of The Yardbirds, Jimmy Page was quite invested in the heavy blues sound. On Led Zeppelin’s debut album, you can hear that blues influence coupled with elements of English folk music. The whole of Zeppelin’s discography is clearly inspired by the country blues stylings of Howlin’ Wolf. They were also inspired by the folk stylings of American revivalists in the 1970s.
The country roots have always been there. While the band might be best known for the hard and heavy drumming stylings of John Bonham, they did release some songs with notable country influences as early as the 1970s.
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Country Really Came Out in Some of Led Zeppelin’s Music
One album from Led Zeppelin that featured pretty obvious country music influences is the 1979 hit record In Through The Out Door. While this album is a very hard rock-leaning record, one song stands out for its very country vibe. That song is the memorable “Hot Dog”.
This track was a direct result of the band messing around with Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson covers during rehearsals. It’s been called a “rockabilly country how-down” with a notable Texas flair. That says a lot, considering the song came from a band that was born in London, England.
“Hot Dog” wouldn’t be the only country-leaning song that Led Zeppelin would release. “Tangerine” from the 1970 record Led Zeppelin III is an unabashed folk-country rock song, complete with a pedal steel guitar and that sad, country-leaning ballad vibe.
Likewise, “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp” from that same album also featured quite a few folk rock and country blues elements. Some consider it a “skiffle” song, which refers to a blended genre of bluegrass, blues, country, folk, and jazz that originated in the southern United States.
There’s also “Black Country Woman”, “Down By The Seaside”, “Gallows Pole” (which featured the only instance Jimmy Page played the banjo in Led Zeppelin), and “Hey Hey, What Can I Do”. The list goes on.
In 2007, Robert Plant would go on to form a duo of sorts with country and bluegrass crooner Alison Krauss. Raising Sand would later win a Grammy Award, and the two still tour extensively today. The country roots were always there, and they never really went away, it seems.
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