Incredible mix of songs
The greatest (unnamed) rock album of all time? Led Zeppelin IV turns 40
It was yesterday in 1971 that Led Zeppelin released its fourth album. The eight-song album came unnamed, but soon became known as Led Zeppelin IV, ZOFO, or Zep IV.
If you were growing up in the early 70s, the importance of this album cannot be understated. It would be hard to argue against "Stairway to Heaven" being the greatest rock song of all time. You would also be hard pressed to find an album with the incredible mix of songs. From the hard driving "Rock n' Roll" to the mystical "Battle of Evermore," Led Zeppelin IV captures the brilliance and diversity of one of the all-time great bands.
If you were growing up in the early '70s, the importance of this album cannot be understated. It would be hard to argue against "Stairway to Heaven" being the greatest rock song of all time.
Did radio overplay many of the songs found on the album? You bet, but don't blame the band for that. It was more a result of radio researching songs to death and then shoving the most popular down the consumer's throat. It should not diminish or take away from the greatness of whatLed Zeppelin IV was—and still is.
The album was released at a time when FM radio was just taking off and many stations went to a rock format. Imagine DJs picking the songs they wanted to play. What an amazing rush it must have been for DJs to cue up "Stairway to Heaven" for the first time!
Some records are called great because record labels market them as such while others are called great because they stand the test of time. ZOFO falls into the later category.
See the video of "Stairway to Heaven":
