Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin's first album reached number 10 on the charts in 1969, and their popularity continued to grow with each subsequent album. But they were among the most hedonistic of all rock bands, and their indulgences led to a series of tragedies that ultimately broke up the band. However, they rank second only to The Beatles in sales.

The band formed in 1968 with a line-up that included Jimmy Page (guitarist), Robert Plant (vocals), John Paul Jones (bassist) and John Bonham (drummer).

With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin were regarded as one of the first heavy metal bands. Their rock-infused interpretation of the blues also incorporated sounds from other genres such as reggae, soul and folk. Significantly, the band did not release the popular songs from their albums as singles in Britain, as they preferred to develop the concept of album-oriented rock.

The group's self-titled first album was released on 13 January, 1969. Over the next couple of years, they enjoyed further album successes with the release of Led Zeppelin II (1969) and Led Zeppelin III (1970).

The 1970s was a decade of unparalleled success for the band. Their image also changed as members began to wear elaborate, colourful clothing and jewellery similar to other popular performers of the era. In 1971, they released their fourth album - generally referred to as the Fourth Album - without a title. The album featured the song Stairway to Heaven, which attracted controversy due to unsubstantiated but repeated claims of "satanic" back masked messages.

Houses of the Holy (1973) followed, and it featured further experimentation and longer tracks. This album was seen as a stylistic turning point for the group. Guitar riffs became more layered within Jimmy Page's production techniques, signifying a move away from their early blues influences.

Zeppelin went on to release Physical Graffiti (1975), Presence (1976) and In Through the Out Door (1979).

On 24 September, 1980, John Bonham arrived for rehearsals already heavily under the influence of alcohol. He continued to drink heavily and a halt was eventually called to the rehearsals late in the evening and the band retired to Page's house. After midnight, Bonham had fallen asleep and was taken to bed and placed on his side. Benji LeFevre (who had replaced Richard Cole as Led Zeppelin's tour manager) and John Paul Jones found him dead the next morning. He was 32-years-old.

In December that year, the band released a statement confirming that they would not continue without their drummer.

In September 2007, Plant, Page and bassist John Paul Jones announced plans to play a show to remember the late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. The one-off concert will be the trio's first performance for 19 years.

Ertegun, who signed Led Zeppelin in 1968, died last year. The place of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980, will be taken by his son Jason.

The following month, the band revealed plans to finally engage with the digital age by making available for download their extensive back catalogue. The move means classic hits like Stairway to Heaven will available to purchase from all online music retailers.