Like a Zeppelin full of lead

Led Zeppelin wins prestigious award, commemorate drummers death. The 2006 Polar Music Prize award winners were released on November 7 at The Royal Swedish Academy of Music in Stockholm. Led Zeppelin and composer Valery Gergiev will receive this years award. Both artists will be presented awards by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a gala ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall on May 22 of next year. The Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by the late Stig Anderson, publisher, lyricist, and manager of Swedish rock band ABBA. He donated a large sum of money to The Royal Swedish Academy of Music, and the Polar Music Prize was conceived. The prize is named after Anderson’s famous record label, Polar Records. Each year, the award is given to individuals, groups or institutions “in recognition of exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music” (polarmusicprize.com). John Bonham (drums), Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), and John Paul Jones (bass) of Led Zeppelin have undeniably changed the face of music. Many individuals, both recognized and unrecognized, will agree that the four members of Led Zeppelin may be four of the most talented individuals to ever release an album. By the time the four got together for the first time in 1968, they already had a prestigious reputation individually. When they jammed for the first time to the Joan Baez song Babe I’m Gonna Leave You (which was later recorded for their first, self-titled album), they knew they were on to something. They performed together for the first time at Surrey University on October 15, 1968. They played for the first time under the name they picked up from The Who drummer Keith Moon, who said the band would “go over like a lead zeppelin.” They changed the spelling to ensure it wouldn’t be mispronounced. Moon’s prediction seemed accurate, however. In England, no one was interested. Their first album came out, and few cared. Rolling Stone magazine had nothing good to say, something which would haunt Zeppelin until they went abroad. Their manager, Peter Grant had set them up with a gig in Los Angeles. According to the band’s official website, led-zeppelin.com, Grant told the band that if they didn’t hit it off in the states, they would be done for. And hit it off they did. In the United States, the acid junkies of the late 1960’s were fading away. Young music fans were looking for something new. Led Zeppelin was exactly what they were looking for. Page’s unique guitar and Bonham’s intense drumming style were different than anything Americans were used to. Mix this with Plant’s bluesy, soulful voice, and young Americans ate it up. By the time they got to New York, they were headliners. In 1969 alone, they toured the US three times. By the time they returned home in 1970, they were heroes. They released their fourth disk in 19–. Here, they began using their now famous symbols which appear on many of their albums and posters. Jones’ symbol (three ovals and an interlocking circle), was found in a book of runes. It is said to represent one who is competent and confident. Bonham’s symbol, three interlocking circles, is said to represent the man-woman-child trilogy. Plant’s symbol (a circle around a feather) is said to represent the Egyptian goddess Maat. According to Egyptian legend, the soul of the diseased was weighed against Maat’s feather of truth to determine if one was worthy of eternal life. Page who’s symbol is often referred to as “zoso,” is rumored to represent the alchemic symbol for mercury. To date, they have recorded 9 studio albums, including the 1975double-disk release, Physical Graffiti. There are a few live albums as well, including the acoustic BBC Sessions (1998), and 2003’s How the West Was Won, recorded in Los Angeles. In 1976, they released The Song Remains the Same, the soundtrack to their trippy live movie of the same name. When Physical Graffiti hit shelves, it catapulted the band to a legendary status. Shortly after its release, all five of their previous albums returned to the charts. Led Zeppelin is no stranger to Sweden. They recorded 1979’s In Through the Out Door at Polar Studios in Stockholm. The original album was released in a brown paper bag to conceal one of six bar scene covers. This would be the last album they would record together. The Polar Award comes at a deserving time to Led Zeppelin, who have frequented the news as of late. Mojo Magazine is releasing Led Zepplin: Classic, Rare, and Unseen, a 148-page tribute to the band, which includes over 100 pictures, eyewitness stories, and an introduction by superfan Slash. October 25 marked the 25 year anniversary of John Bonham’s untimely death. Led Zeppelin released only one album, Coda in 1982, since Bonham passed. Many drummers today credit Bonham with being their inspiration- he was famous for lightning fast triplets and his live half hour drum solos that seemed so effortless. John Paul Jones had this to say about his fellow band mate at Septembers commemoration ceremony: “He always looked for a different angle, always came up with the unexpected. You had to pay attention when playing with him, but the ride was exhilarating and for me, as a musician, life-changing.”