Led Zeppelin: The Blues and Beyond

6:00 PM in the Music Department

Join the Music Department and rock music historian Stephen Tow for our second rock 'n' roll history seminar covering the formation and early discography of legendary rock band Led Zeppelin!

Led Zeppelin, one of the biggest bands in rock 'n' roll history, formed by accident. And this accident became a catalyst which would change rock music forever. Beginning with the unceremonious break-up of The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin evolved from hard blues to incorporate acoustic folk, reggae, and Asian music influences, constantly experimenting with musical styles and recording techniques.

After covering the band’s unusual formation, participants will listen to and discuss highlights from Led Zeppelin’s first six albums, noting their musical evolution during this period.

Presenter Biography

Stephen Tow is a retired adjunct professor of history. He taught at Delaware Valley University for 24 years where he created a course on rock 'n' roll history. As part of that, he had a number of prominent musicians talk to the students including members of The Kinks, The Byrds, Nirvana, Talking Heads, Patti Smith Group, Yes, Jethro Tull, The Go-Go’s, Chicago, and many others. In addition, he is the author of two music-related history books: London, Reign Over Me: How England’s Capital Built Classic Rock and The Strangest Tribe: How a Group of Seattle Rock Bands Invented Grunge.

Host or Publisher Music Department