Led Zeppelin III
Studio album by Led Zeppelin
Released	October 5, 1970
Recorded	January–August 1970 at Ardent Studios, Memphis, Headley Grange, Hampshire, with Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, Island Studios, London and Olympic Studios, London. Mixed at Island Studios, London and Electric Lady Studios, New York
Genre	Folk rock, blues-rock, hard rock, heavy metal
Length	43:04
Label	Atlantic
Producer	Jimmy Page
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Q October 2000 Robert Christgau (B+) link Rolling Stone (mixed) link
Led Zeppelin chronology
Led Zeppelin II (1969) Led Zeppelin III (1970) Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

Led Zeppelin III, the third album by English rock band Led Zeppelin, was released October 5, 1970 by Atlantic Records. It was recorded between January and July 1970 at Olympic Studios, London and Headley Grange, East Hampshire, then mixed at Ardent Studios, Memphis in August 1970 during Led Zeppelin's sixth American concert tour. The album was produced by guitarist Jimmy Page and engineered by Andy Johns. Cover of the Led Zeppelin album Led Zeppelin III. This is an album cover. ... A studio album is a collection of studio-recorded tracks by a recording artist. ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ardent Studios is the Memphis studio where albums released by Ardent Records and many other recording labels are recorded. ... For other uses, see Memphis (disambiguation). ... A house in Headley, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom, which is perhaps most known for the music that was recorded there by bands such as Led Zeppelin and Genesis. ... For other uses, see Hampshire (disambiguation). ... The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio is a mobile recording studio owned by the musical group the Rolling Stones. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Olympic Studios is a commercial recording studio located at 117 Church Road, in the south-western suburb of Barnes in London, England. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Electric Lady Studios, at 52 West 8th Street, in New York Citys Greenwich Village, is a recording studio originally built by Jimi Hendrix and designed by John Storyk in 1970. ... This article is about the state. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Bob Dylans folk-rock album, Blonde on Blonde Folk-rock is a musical genre, combining elements of folk music and rock music. ... Blues Rock or Blues-rock is a fusion genre of music which combines elements of the blues with rock and roll. ... Hard Rock redirects here. ... Heavy metal redirects here. ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... James Patrick Jimmy Page, OBE (born 9 January 1944) is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. ... The All Music Guide (AMG) is a metadata database about music, owned by All Media Guide. ... Image File history File links 5_stars. ... Q is a music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom, with a circulation of 140,282 and a readership of 731,000. ... Image File history File links 5_stars. ... Robert Christgau (born April 18, 1942), is an American essayist, music journalist, and the self-declared Dean of American Rock Critics.[1] In print, his name is sometimes abbreviated as Xgau. ... This article is about the magazine. ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... Led Zeppelin II, also known by the unofficial nickname The Brown Bomber, is the second album released by English rock band Led Zeppelin in 1969. ... The untitled fourth album of English rock band Led Zeppelin was released on November 8, 1971. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Rock music (disambiguation). ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... Olympic Studios is a commercial recording studio located at 117 Church Road, in the south-western suburb of Barnes in London, England. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... A house in Headley, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom, which is perhaps most known for the music that was recorded there by bands such as Led Zeppelin and Genesis. ... East Hampshire is a local government district in Hampshire, England. ... For other uses, see Memphis (disambiguation). ... A concert comprises a performance, usually involving some degree of formality, and particularly a performance featuring music. ... James Patrick Jimmy Page, OBE (born 9 January 1944) is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. ... Andy Johns, younger brother of famous Olympic Studios engineer Glyn Johns and uncle of Kings of Leon and Ryan Adams producer Ethan Johns (son of Glyn Johns) is a prolific engineer and producer. ...

Overview

It has been suggested that Led Zeppelin III was something of a watershed release for the band, as it marked a change from Page's domination of the first two albums towards a more democratic affair in which all four group members offered up their own compositions and ideas - a pattern that would continue in future sessions.^[1] The album added acoustic and folk rock elements to the band's established rock and blues repertoire, which also helped endear the band to progressive rock fans. However, some detractors attacked the heavier tracks as being mindless noise, whilst the acoustic material was criticised by others for imitating the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, mostly because reviewers often overlooked the acoustic songs on previous albums, thinking that the band was trying to bank in on the success of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Page said in an interview with Cameron Crowe that "when the third LP came out and got its reviews, Crosby, Stills and Nash had just formed. That LP had just come out and because acoustic guitars had come to the forefront all of a sudden: LED ZEPPELIN GO ACOUSTIC! I thought, Christ, where are their heads and ears? There were three acoustic songs on the first album and two on the second." ^[2] Although these negative reviews had a slight effect on sales at the time, Led Zeppelin III was still a trans-Atlantic #1 hit. Sales eventually lagged in the wake of Led Zeppelin I and II, but with the passage of time III's reputation has recovered considerably. It has been suggested that Unplugged be merged into this article or section. ... Bob Dylans folk-rock album, Blonde on Blonde Folk-rock is a musical genre, combining elements of folk music and rock music. ... For the Swedish political music movement, see progg. ... Crosby, Stills, & Nash (sometimes known as Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young) is a pioneering folk rock/rock supergroup that formed out of the remnants of three 1960s bands the Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, and the Hollies. ... Crosby, Stills, & Nash (sometimes known as Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young) is a pioneering folk rock/rock supergroup that formed out of the remnants of three 1960s bands the Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, and the Hollies. ... For the similarly named rock band, see TransAtlantic. ...

The album contains two of Led Zeppelin's most well-known songs^{[attribution needed]}: "Immigrant Song" and "Since I've Been Loving You". The first of these, written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, is about the Norse invasions of England and was inspired by the band's recent performances in Iceland. "Since I've Been Loving You" is a classic, original blues in the key C minor featuring heartfelt interplay by all four group members. It would become a performance staple of Led Zeppelin concerts, especially from 1971 through 1973, replacing Willie Dixon's "I Can't Quit You Baby" from the first album as the band's slow blues showcase. Other fan favorites from the album were the rock songs "Celebration Day" and "Out on the Tiles", and the acoustic tracks "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" and "That's the Way", the latter considered by many critics to be a breakthrough for still-developing lyric writer Plant. The song "Gallows Pole" is actually an arrangement of a traditional folk song by that name, also recorded by Lead Belly some thirty years earlier. Immigrant Song is the opening track on English rock band Led Zeppelins third album, Led Zeppelin III, released in 1970. ... Since Ive Been Loving You is a blues rock song by Led Zeppelin, released on the 1970 album Led Zeppelin III. Robert Plant (left) and Jimmy Page performing Since Ive Been Loving You in 1973 at Madison Square Garden The verse portion of this song is heavily influenced... James Patrick Jimmy Page, OBE (born 9 January 1944) is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. ... Robert Anthony Plant (born August 20, 1948, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England) is an English rock singer and songwriter, most famous for his membership in the rock band Led Zeppelin as the lead vocalist, but also for his successful solo career. ... For other uses, see Norway (disambiguation). ... Throughout the 1970s, Led Zeppelin was one of the worlds most popular live music attractions, smashing several attendance records. ... Willie Dixons style of blues was one of the inspirations for a new generation of music, rock and roll. ... I Cant Quit You Baby is a song written by bluesman Willie Dixon. ... Celebration Day is the third track from Led Zeppelins 1970 album Led Zeppelin III. The song starts off with the moog synthesizer sound at the end of their previous song on the album. ... Out on the Tiles is a song from Led Zeppelin III. It was born out of a little ditty that Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham used to sing when the band was going out to play. ... Bron-Y-Aur Stomp is a song on English rock band Led Zeppelins third album, Led Zeppelin III, released in 1970. ... Thats the Way is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their third album, Led Zeppelin III, released in 1970. ... Gallows Pole (also known as Hangman) is a song most famously recorded by Led Zeppelin, but originating in folk music and earlier performed by such folk singers as Leadbelly. ... For the film, see Leadbelly (film). ...

Album sleeve design

Led Zeppelin III's original vinyl edition was packaged in a gatefold sleeve with an innovatory cover, designed by Zacron, (working as a full-time multi-media artist) and a long established friend of Jimmy Page. The cover and interior gatefold art consisted of a surreal collection of seemingly random images on a white background, many of them connected thematically with flight or aviation (as in "Zeppelin"). Behind the front cover was a rotatable card disc, or volvelle, covered with more images, including photos of the band members, which showed through holes in the cover. Moving an image into place behind one hole would usually bring one or two others into place behind other holes. This could not be replicated on a conventional cassette or CD cover, but there have been Japanese and British CDs packaged in miniature versions of the original sleeve. In France this album was released with a different album cover, simply showing a photo of the four band members. A gramophone record, (also phonograph record - often simply record) is an analog sound recording medium: a flat disc rotating at a constant angular velocity, with inscribed spiral grooves in which a stylus or needle rides. ... Zeppelins are a type of rigid airship pioneered by German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century, based in part on an earlier design by aviation pioneer David Schwarz. ... A sixteenth-century wheel chart, a page of Astronomicum Caesareum by Petrus Apianus, 1540 Volvelles, also called wheel charts and circular ephemera are paper constructions with rotating parts. ...

The concept of a volvelle, based on crop rotation charts, was an idea in Jimmy Page's mind but Zacron, who had been working on a series of rotating books and graphics at the Royal Academy from 1966, brought his own experience to the cover 'We had a meeting of minds' Zacron said at the time. The first pressings of the album included the phrases "Do What Thou Wilt" and "So Mote Be It", inscribed on the record itself. This phrase is from the core tenet of Aleister Crowley's philosophy of Thelema: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law, love under will. There is no law beyond do what thou wilt." Page is a scholar of Crowley's work, and owns one of the world's most extensive private collections of Crowley manuscripts, artwork and other ephemera. In the 1970s Page even bought one of Crowley's residences ("Boleskine House"), which was situated on the shores of Loch Ness in Scotland. Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley, (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947; the surname is pronounced // i. ... Thelema is the English transliteration of the Ancient Greek noun : will, from the verb θέλω: to will, wish, purpose. ... This article is about the body of water in Scotland. ... This article is about the country. ...

Success and popularity

Led Zeppelin III was one of the most eagerly awaited album of 1970, and advance orders in the United States alone were close to a million mark. Its release was trailered by a full page advertisement taken out in Melody Maker magazine at the end of September, which simply said "Thank you for making us the world's number one band." Following a lukewarm, if not confused and sometimes dismissive reception from critics, sales lagged after its initial peak. The album spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard chart, while it entered that British chart at number one and remained there for three weeks (returning to the top for a further week on December 12).^[3] Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was (until its closure) the worlds oldest weekly music newspaper. ...

Track listing

1. "Immigrant Song" (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant) – 2:25
2. "Friends" (Page, Plant) – 3:54
3. "Celebration Day" (Page, Plant, John Paul Jones) – 3:29
4. "Since I've Been Loving You" (Page, Plant, Jones) – 7:23
5. "Out on the Tiles" (Page, Plant, John Bonham) – 4:08
6. "Gallows Pole" (trad. arr. Page, Plant) – 4:58
7. "Tangerine" (Page) – 3:12
8. "That's the Way" (Page, Plant) – 5:39
9. "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" (Page, Plant, Jones) – 4:18
10. "Hats Off to (Roy) Harper" (traditional) – 3:42

Immigrant Song is the opening track on English rock band Led Zeppelins third album, Led Zeppelin III, released in 1970. ... James Patrick Jimmy Page, OBE (born 9 January 1944) is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. ... Robert Anthony Plant (born August 20, 1948, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England) is an English rock singer and songwriter, most famous for his membership in the rock band Led Zeppelin as the lead vocalist, but also for his successful solo career. ... Friends is the second track from Led Zeppelin III, the third studio album of English rock band Led Zeppelin. ... Celebration Day is the third track from Led Zeppelins 1970 album Led Zeppelin III. The song starts off with the moog synthesizer sound at the end of their previous song on the album. ... John Paul Jones (born John Baldwin on January 3, 1946 in Sidcup, Kent) is an English multi-instrumentalist musician, and was known for being the bassist, the keyboardist and the mandolinist for rock band Led Zeppelin from its inception until the bands breakup following the death of John Bonham... Since Ive Been Loving You is a blues rock song by Led Zeppelin, released on the 1970 album Led Zeppelin III. Robert Plant (left) and Jimmy Page performing Since Ive Been Loving You in 1973 at Madison Square Garden The verse portion of this song is heavily influenced... Out on the Tiles is a song from Led Zeppelin III. It was born out of a little ditty that Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham used to sing when the band was going out to play. ... John Henry Bonzo Bonham (May 31, 1948 – September 25, 1980) was an English drummer and member of the English rock band Led Zeppelin. ... Gallows Pole (also known as Hangman) is a song most famously recorded by Led Zeppelin, but originating in folk music and earlier performed by such folk singers as Leadbelly. ... Tangerine is a song composed by Jimmy Page and performed by English rock band Led Zeppelin. ... Thats the Way is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their third album, Led Zeppelin III, released in 1970. ... Bron-Y-Aur Stomp is a song on English rock band Led Zeppelins third album, Led Zeppelin III, released in 1970. ... Hats Off to (Roy) Harper a song played by English rock band Led Zeppelin. ...

Personnel

• Jimmy Page – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, backing vocals, banjo
• Robert Plant – vocals, harmonica
• John Paul Jones – bass, organ, synths, mandolin, backing vocals
• John Bonham – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Andy Johns - Engineer
• Terry Manning - Engineer
• Cover artist - Zacron

James Patrick Jimmy Page, OBE (born 9 January 1944) is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. ... A steel string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound. ... An electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses pickups to convert the vibration of its steel-cored strings into electrical current, which is then amplified. ... Pedal steel guitar with two 10-string necks The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal slide to stop the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. ... A backup vocalist or background singer (or, especially in the U.S., backup singer or sometimes background singer) is a singer who sings in harmony with the lead vocalist, other backing vocalists, or alone but not singing the lead. ... For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments. ... Robert Anthony Plant (born August 20, 1948, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England) is an English rock singer and songwriter, most famous for his membership in the rock band Led Zeppelin as the lead vocalist, but also for his successful solo career. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... A harmonica is a free reed wind instrument. ... John Paul Jones (born John Baldwin on January 3, 1946 in Sidcup, Kent) is an English multi-instrumentalist musician, and was known for being the bassist, the keyboardist and the mandolinist for rock band Led Zeppelin from its inception until the bands breakup following the death of John Bonham... A sunburst-colored Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... Organ in Katharinenkirche, Frankfurt am Main, Germany The organ is a keyboard instrument played using one or more manuals and a pedalboard. ... The term synthesiser is also used to mean frequency synthesiser, an electronic system found in communications. ... This article is about the musical instrument. ... John Henry Bonzo Bonham (May 31, 1948 – September 25, 1980) was an English drummer and member of the English rock band Led Zeppelin. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments, such as a cowbell, wood block, chimes or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... Percussion redirects here. ... Andy Johns, younger brother of famous Olympic Studios engineer Glyn Johns and uncle of Kings of Leon and Ryan Adams producer Ethan Johns (son of Glyn Johns) is a prolific engineer and producer. ... Terry Manning is a music producer, songwriter, photographer and recording engineer known for work in rock, rhythm and blues, and pop music genres. ...

Charts

Album

It has been suggested that Billboard be merged into this article or section. ...

Singles

Certifications

is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 232nd day of the year (233rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 123rd day of the year (124th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ...

External links

• Led Zeppelin III at MusicBrainz

MusicBrainz (MusicBrainz. ...

References

v • d • e Led Zeppelin
Jimmy Page · Robert Plant · John Paul Jones · John Bonham
Studio albums	Led Zeppelin · Led Zeppelin II · Led Zeppelin III · (Led Zeppelin IV) · Houses of the Holy · Physical Graffiti · Presence · In Through the Out Door
Live albums	The Song Remains the Same · BBC Sessions · How the West Was Won
Compilations	Coda · Box Set · Profiled · Remasters · Box Set 2 · Complete Studio Recordings · Early Days · Latter Days · Mothership
Films	The Song Remains the Same · Led Zeppelin DVD
Performances	North America Spring 1969 · U.K. Summer 1969 · North America Summer 1969 · Europe Autumn 1969 · North America Autumn 1969 · U.K. 1970 · Europe 1970 · North America Spring 1970 · Iceland, Bath & Germany 1970 · North America Summer 1970 · U.K. Spring 1971 · Europe 1971 · North America 1971 · Japan 1971 · U.K. Winter 1971 · Australasia 1972 · North America 1972 · Japan 1972 · U.K. 1972/1973 · Europe 1973 · North America 1973 · North America 1975 · Earl's Court 1975 · North America 1977 · Knebworth 1979 · Over Europe 1980
Related	Discography · Peter Grant · Richard Cole · Swan Song · The Yardbirds · XYZ · The Firm · Page and Plant · Strange Sensation · Bootlegs · Songs