This song was improvised in the studio. John Bonham was warming up to record another track, and he played the introduction to Little Richard's "Keep A'Knockin" with the tape running. Jimmy Page grabbed his guitar and started playing the riff spontaneously.....and after a few bars of playing they realized they had the beginnings of a song. 15 minutes later, Rock and Roll was recorded. History.
As @W. Geoffrey Spaulding commented, it's called "Rock and Roll" because it harkens back to late 50s style rock and roll (yes, there is a difference between rock and rock and roll). A couple of the things Robert mentions are the "Stroll", which was a popular dance and the "Book of Love" by The Monotones. Ian Stewart throws a great boogie-woogie style piano on this that really makes it jump. A fantastic, fun song.
Ian Stewart was an original member of the Rolling Stones and often plays on Stones recordings. This song was recorded using the Rolling Stones' mobile studio. Another song from this session (Boogie with Stu) appears on Physical Graffiti.
Danced like crazy to this very loud song - with a beautiful girl named Sara - with a whole bunch of dancing teenagers - in a cabin in the woods 1974. Led Zeppelin fuelled the whole night !
The Mothership is a compilation album. There's also a great live version of Rock and Roll from MSG in 1973. LZ didn't compose or release singles. Their record companies released some songs as singles in the US but none were ever released in the UK.
i saw Zep in LA 4 times and if I remember correctly, no matter which album they were touring, they opened with rock and roll out of a pitch black stage and on Bonzo's drum intro the lights came on then hours of pure magic
If I could I would subscribe twice, it's lame that people continue to watch but don't subscribe to help you out. I enjoy taking the journey with you. Great videos. 👍
This is one of their more ‘commercialized’ sounding songs and got lots of radio time. Same as with Black Dog. Coming up is one with much more of the Led Zeppelin feel!!!
Another great song in their long list of great songs. Great live performance as their opening number for the '73 MSG concert. They played it as either their opening or closing number for a number of years. You'll love watching them perform it live. Rock on! :) Edit: Page said in an interview that this song was created pretty much on the spot. "We were recording something else when John Bonham started playing the drum intro to 'Keep a Knockin' by Little Richard and I immediately started playing the riff for 'Rock And Roll.' Instead of laughing it off and going back to the previous song, we kept going. 'Rock And Roll' was written in minutes and recorded within an hour." What can one say about musical genius other than "Just wow!" ;)
@@Scoobydcs I agree about Plant but I liked Page's performance better in the '73 MSG concert. And I don't think the sound quality of the '72 Sydney video is all that good, but maybe I just haven't found the right video.
@@jmar7631 its a bootleg but a good 1. jimmies great in both tbh. i LOVE the tone of binhams drums from sydney, they sound absolutely HUGE! even more so than normal
Another interesting tidbit. If you look at the front and back covers of the Zeppelin IV album the band name is nowhere to be found. The only clue that it might be Led Zeppelin is on the bottom of the back cover it says Produced by Jimmy Page. Atlantic Records gave in to the band's wishes and released it as the band wanted it. That was their rebuttle to the harsh criticism the 3rd album got.
Jimmy Page was pissed that the critics said they weren’t a rock band after the third album. He decided they would not put their name on the album, and each member chose a symbol to represent them. The record company wrapped it in cellophane and put their name on it, or it would have remained untitled. The first two songs were a f*ck you to the critics.
Yeah…..In a recording session for this album Bonham was getting frustrated that his drumming wasn’t coming out the way he wanted on Four Sticks (you’ll hear that a bit later on the album) and so the band took a break and stated just jamming…….And this song came together in literally a few minutes……There are allot of references in the lyrics to fifties rock and roll which you would have no reason to know….but back in 1971 when this was released, we all knew the references and knew this was a harking back to that old-time rock and roll of the late fifties…..
*Morning Amigo* I know you loved this one as I do *BUT* to *REALLY* see the power in this, yet again, ya gotta react to this version LIVE at MSG 1973.! Opening song I believe.! Jimmy rips it up.! HONESTLY, as good as their studio version songs are, their one of the very few where without exception, their LIVE renditions are BETTER.! You'll see....:) Have a significant day bro.... *David* !
Nice, one of the greatest flat out rock and roll songs ever, see it live when you can. Try their live How Many More Times from 1970 at Royal Albert Hall, like Dazed and Confused, it is one of their signature great live jams with incredible guitar. Enjoy! 🎸
I seriously hope you get into RUSH, the most intellectual rock band . If you have not heard them, I would suggest "Tom Sawyer" and "Spirit of Radio" In my humble opinion, RUSH is one of the greatest bands ever.
Zep 4 is an iconic album. It is often considered one of the best rock albums ever. One reason is because Stairway, which is over 50 years old, is still often voted best rock song ever. I however think it is far from their best song. I easily can come up with 10-15 songs by them I like better. SNL and the Wayne's World movie actually did short skits of how you are not allowed to play the FORBIDDEN song (Stairway) in record stores out of respect. This is actually a thing but not a serious thing. ruclips.net/user/results?search_query=the+forbidden+song
At the bottom of the Wikipedia page you were using is this link to the cover versions of Led Zeppelin songs, I guess you may have looked yourself but I just thought I would draw your attention to the link any way just in case. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cover_versions_of_Led_Zeppelin_songs
This song was improvised in the studio. John Bonham was warming up to record another track, and he played the introduction to Little Richard's "Keep A'Knockin" with the tape running. Jimmy Page grabbed his guitar and started playing the riff spontaneously.....and after a few bars of playing they realized they had the beginnings of a song. 15 minutes later, Rock and Roll was recorded. History.
Bro - your instant smirk said it all...1985, radio blasting, driving with the windows down!!!
I knew rightttt away!
This cut is off the Led Zeppelin IV album released in 1971. Pushing 53-years-old this year
The epitome of rock and roll
Phenomenal concert opener
Always incredible! It is a great live one at MSG! You'd love it! The word is...magnificent!
As @W. Geoffrey Spaulding commented, it's called "Rock and Roll" because it harkens back to late 50s style rock and roll (yes, there is a difference between rock and rock and roll). A couple of the things Robert mentions are the "Stroll", which was a popular dance and the "Book of Love" by The Monotones. Ian Stewart throws a great boogie-woogie style piano on this that really makes it jump. A fantastic, fun song.
Always an AMAZING show opener !!!!
Ian Stewart was an original member of the Rolling Stones and often plays on Stones recordings. This song was recorded using the Rolling Stones' mobile studio. Another song from this session (Boogie with Stu) appears on Physical Graffiti.
straight up rock n roll, does exactly what it says on the tin
Danced like crazy to this very loud song - with a beautiful girl named Sara - with a whole bunch of dancing teenagers - in a cabin in the woods 1974. Led Zeppelin fuelled the whole night !
The Mothership is a compilation album. There's also a great live version of Rock and Roll from MSG in 1973. LZ didn't compose or release singles. Their record companies released some songs as singles in the US but none were ever released in the UK.
i saw Zep in LA 4 times and if I remember correctly, no matter which album they were touring, they opened with rock and roll out of a pitch black stage and on Bonzo's drum intro the lights came on then hours of pure magic
Got to see this live! The GOATS!
If I could I would subscribe twice, it's lame that people continue to watch but don't subscribe to help you out. I enjoy taking the journey with you. Great videos. 👍
Love the way Jimmy Page dances to this in concert. He just looks so cool! 🔥
One of my favorites.
The live version that I prefer is from the 1972 "How The West Was Won". Plant was on fire! Much better than the 1973 MSG version.
The word you’re looking for is “BANGER” ….
This is one of their more ‘commercialized’ sounding songs and got lots of radio time. Same as with Black Dog. Coming up is one with much more of the Led Zeppelin feel!!!
Another great song in their long list of great songs. Great live performance as their opening number for the '73 MSG concert. They played it as either their opening or closing number for a number of years. You'll love watching them perform it live. Rock on! :)
Edit: Page said in an interview that this song was created pretty much on the spot. "We were recording something else when John Bonham started playing the drum intro to 'Keep a Knockin' by Little Richard and I immediately started playing the riff for 'Rock And Roll.' Instead of laughing it off and going back to the previous song, we kept going. 'Rock And Roll' was written in minutes and recorded within an hour." What can one say about musical genius other than "Just wow!" ;)
best live version is from sydney in 72, roberts voice is INCREDIBLE there!
@@Scoobydcs I agree about Plant but I liked Page's performance better in the '73 MSG concert. And I don't think the sound quality of the '72 Sydney video is all that good, but maybe I just haven't found the right video.
@@jmar7631 its a bootleg but a good 1. jimmies great in both tbh. i LOVE the tone of binhams drums from sydney, they sound absolutely HUGE! even more so than normal
Never ceases to amaze me that somebody has never heard the song it's almost like saying I haven't heard the American national anthem ever
I’ve been loving your awesome journey with the 🐐’s of rock n roll bro! Thx man. Rock on!!¡ it’s a hard rock banger!
In my top 5 for sure. It goes off!
When I saw Heart in 1977, they closed the show with this.
It was August 16th the day Elvis died and they dedicated it to the King, of Rock 'n Roll.
The word is just Rock n Roll
SalvoG - now you know where so called modern music originated! LOL
The word is Anthem... also, one thought is that the pushed out Zepp III fast, and while I love it NOW, it was not my favorite at first.
LZ IV is my most favorite of their albums with Physical Graffiti and their first album. Just put them on and play...
YAASSSSS!
next 1 is a BIG switchup, the only time they ever had a guest vocalist too, sandy denee
Another interesting tidbit. If you look at the front and back covers of the Zeppelin IV album the band name is nowhere to be found. The only clue that it might be Led Zeppelin is on the bottom of the back cover it says Produced by Jimmy Page. Atlantic Records gave in to the band's wishes and released it as the band wanted it. That was their rebuttle to the harsh criticism the 3rd album got.
I first learned to Air Guitar to this song.
Jimmy Page was pissed that the critics said they weren’t a rock band after the third album. He decided they would not put their name on the album, and each member chose a symbol to represent them. The record company wrapped it in cellophane and put their name on it, or it would have remained untitled. The first two songs were a f*ck you to the critics.
Yeah…..In a recording session for this album Bonham was getting frustrated that his drumming wasn’t coming out the way he wanted on Four Sticks (you’ll hear that a bit later on the album) and so the band took a break and stated just jamming…….And this song came together in literally a few minutes……There are allot of references in the lyrics to fifties rock and roll which you would have no reason to know….but back in 1971 when this was released, we all knew the references and knew this was a harking back to that old-time rock and roll of the late fifties…..
*Morning Amigo* I know you loved this one as I do *BUT* to *REALLY* see the power in this, yet again, ya gotta react to this version LIVE at MSG 1973.! Opening song I believe.! Jimmy rips it up.! HONESTLY, as good as their studio version songs are, their one of the very few where without exception, their LIVE renditions are BETTER.! You'll see....:) Have a significant day bro.... *David* !
This song is Rock nRoll
It's a hard rock blues, it's a twelve bar blues pattern.
workin my way through some zep reaction \m/
Nice, one of the greatest flat out rock and roll songs ever, see it live when you can. Try their live How Many More Times from 1970 at Royal Albert Hall, like Dazed and Confused, it is one of their signature great live jams with incredible guitar. Enjoy! 🎸
I seriously hope you get into RUSH, the most intellectual rock band . If you have not heard them, I would suggest "Tom Sawyer" and "Spirit of Radio" In my humble opinion, RUSH is one of the greatest bands ever.
If you’re to ever check this out live, i’d recommend the Knebworth 1979 version over the more popular MSG 1973 performance. The ‘79 one slaps hard👊🏻.
❤❤❤Robert ❤❤❤
They opened up with this song at Madison Square Gardens, it's funny how they sound even better live!
Anthem?
Zep 4 is an iconic album. It is often considered one of the best rock albums ever. One reason is because Stairway, which is over 50 years old, is still often voted best rock song ever. I however think it is far from their best song. I easily can come up with 10-15 songs by them I like better. SNL and the Wayne's World movie actually did short skits of how you are not allowed to play the FORBIDDEN song (Stairway) in record stores out of respect. This is actually a thing but not a serious thing.
ruclips.net/user/results?search_query=the+forbidden+song
I like what you say except you say 'sick' all the time. I thought you liked it!
Doesn't matter, as long as there's an extra nickel to be drained by exploiting Led Zeppelin.
At the bottom of the Wikipedia page you were using is this link to the cover versions of Led Zeppelin songs, I guess you may have looked yourself but I just thought I would draw your attention to the link any way just in case.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cover_versions_of_Led_Zeppelin_songs