At the forefront of rock music during the 1970s was Led Zeppelin, a British group known for its "heavy metal" sound derived from the blues. The group was formed in 1968 by Jimmy Page, was born January 9, 1945, a former lead guitarist for the 1960s rock group The Yardbirds; Robert Plant, was born August 20, 1947, who became Led Zeppelin's lead singer; bassist and pianist John Paul Jones was born January 3, 1946; and drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham, was born May 31, 1947, and he died September 25, 1980. During the next 12 years the group recorded such FM-radio hits as "Stairway to Heaven," "Whole Lotta Love," and "Kashmir"; broke concert attendance records; sold more than 40 million albums worldwide; and released the concert film The Song Remains the Same (1976). Led Zeppelin dissolved after Bonham's death, although the remaining members reunited to perform at the Live Aid concert (1985) and at Atlantic Records' 25th Anniversary celebration (1988).

Plant and Page have pursued solo careers. Plant's solo efforts have explored other areas of rock music as well as a return to his blues roots. Records include Pictures at Eleven (1982), Now and Zen (1986), and Fate of Nations (1993). In 1984, Plant, Page, Jeff Beck (a former Yardbird), and Nile Rogers created The Honeydrippers, Vol. I, a popular five-song record featuring their version of "Sea of Love." Page has issued the solo record Outrider (1988), and collaborated with hard rock singer David Coverdale on Coverdale/Page (1993).