Led Zeppelin- Greatest Band?

gogetaz9 · Post by **gogetaz9** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 9:41 am

Hello to all,

Me and a few friends were talking about music and who noticed that Led Zeppelin have never released a track that has been bad in any way. So we want to see if anyone can give an opinion to this.
Does anyone feel they are the greatest band or if there is any other band that could lay claim to releasing tracks that are above par ?

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:31 am

King Crimson.

I've heard 90 hours of their music and not one second that I didn't enjoy. It's the only group that stayed consistently good for over 34 years.

I'm a firm believer in them being the greatest band in the universe, however great props to Led Zep for being a truly worthy and near-unassailable group. I'm sure there's people that'll disagree with my view, which is fine. It is, of course, not music for everyone...

Flint the Dwarf · Post by **Flint the Dwarf** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 1:05 pm

Opinions, opinions.

I will say, however, that both are great bands because of the huge influence they've had on the music that I listen to. Not Zeppelin so much, but definitely Crimson.

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 1:38 pm

Hehe... right on there Flint.

On the other hand, while Zeppelin was a consistent single group, King Crimson was (depending on who you ask) a constantly-changing series that included at least 6 line-ups. No line-up of King Crimson has lasted longer that 3 years, and Zeppelin continued putting out over a decade. So, props to them for sustaining the performance.

ithaqua · Post by **ithaqua** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 9:27 pm

King Crimson also benefits from not having the overexposure Zep does. I like some of Led Zeppelin's stuff, but not as much as the people who run the radio stations in town apparently do.

As for being the greatest band of all time - there isn't one. No matter how good they are, there will always be people who simply don't like the genre they are in as a whole. This is why bands in popular genres, like rock, can become legends, while bands in more obscure genres, say ambient, merely become classics.

Don't believe me? Well, have you heard of the Legendary Pink Dots? (yes, I'm aware of the irony in the name)
How about Throbbing Gristle or Einsteurzende Neubauten?

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 9:45 pm

Yes, you're right there too - genres are too widespread to declare a single winner in all categories. It's really the greatest band from my perspective, not to say universally. I've done a lot of searching, and nothing quite does it for me as well as good ol' KC. Also, the sheer volume and quality of their work add up... but on the whole - trust me, as much as I know about what Fripp can play, I can just as easily tell you what he can't... So, unless the definition of 'greatest' is the 'consistently challenging for longest time', then ithaqua is definitely right.

Tom the Fish · Post by **Tom the Fish** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:06 pm

[quote="ithaqua"]Well, have you heard of the Legendary Pink Dots? [\quote]

I used to beat up Ed Ka'Spell for his lunch money. Che Banana indeed...

Tom

Propyro · Post by **Propyro** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:11 pm

hmm led zepplin ? the greatest band ever? no. Don't get me wrong, i like them, and think all of them were great musicians. But they aren't the best band ever. In my opinion ... wlel i ahve no idea who i think the best band ever is ... hmm the legendary pink dots ... i'll have to give them a shot. It sounds interesting. But you guys are right, no one can claim the title of the greatest band in existance ... anyone foolish enough to try is just too vain for their own good.

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 9:53 am

Actually, the only reason me (and most other King Crimson fans) tend to toss the title "The Greatest Band in the Universe" is a little story which happened when the band was just starting out in 1969. (and not because we're elitist assholes who think everything else sucks)

***

1969, London. A young man came to a club to check out a new up-and-coming local band - King Crimson. The band launches into an hour of their stellar early material. The man is absolutely extatic - throughout the show, he is jumping up and down at his table and shouting "This is the greatest band in the universe!!!!". And, when the set ends - he rushes backstage, finds the band's young guitarist Robert Fripp, and to his surprise says the following: "Shake my left hand, man! Cause it's closer to my heart!"

***

See if you can guess who the man was

Cause if he's not an authority on great music, I don't know who is 8)

But, again, it's not that I say there's a universally greatest band that will work for everyone.

The man's name was Jimi Hendrix

Propyro · Post by **Propyro** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 7:06 pm

i have no clue who that guy was ... or is.