Music Q&A: 'Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love: A People's History'

'Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love' is a people's history of the biggest rock band in the world. And on Thursday 30 April, its author Richard Houghton will be talking all about it, in the Henry Watson Music Library.
This extraordinary book tells Zeppelin's story in the words of over 750 fans, as recounted by concert goers, roadies, promoters and others who encountered the band across their 12-year career.
Led Zeppelin were formed in 1968 by Yardbirds guitarist Jimmy Page, who recruited singer Robert Plant, drummer John ‘Bonzo’ Bonham and John Paul Jones. From there, Led Zeppelin toured North America relentlessly in the early part of the seventies, regularly smashing concert attendance and box office records, playing the legendary songs ‘Whole Lotta Love’, ‘Stairway To Heaven’ and ‘Rock & Roll’ at shows that fans now recall as the best they ever saw.
Packed with memories going back to Robert Plant’s earliest performances, this book charts Zep’s concert career in all its glory and infamy - from the earliest Zeppelin shows, to the five nights at London’s Earls Court in 1975, Knebworth Festival in 1979, and 2007’s epic O2 reunion show.
Richard Houghton is the author of over 20 books about music, specialising in people’s histories that tell the story of an act in the words of fans. He has compiled authorised ‘fanthologies’ on Jethro Tull, Simple Minds, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, The Stranglers, Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays), Fairport Convention, The Wedding Present and The Ukrainians. He lives in Manchester, UK.
Providing a fresh take on the enduring band that has sold over 300 million albums worldwide, hear Richard Houghton in conversation about 'Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love' on Thursday 30 April 2026 at Central Library.

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