Why Led Zeppelin is so criticized?

[BrxZEP]

I was wondering why Led Zeppelin is criticized by many people in the musical sector.

I'm going to take this article as a reference. (Yeah, I could post many articles about this topic/people shitting all over Zep's musical carrer, but I'm a little bit lazy.) Let's focus on this :)...

*Before answering, you should read the whole article (including comments). Just saying...

May 15, 2013 at 8:18 PM

Sweet Funky Freedom bka. Jon of the Shred (Scythe) in soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/jonoftheshred

Music is absolutely something you can grade. There are innumerable elements that make up music, many of which you can use to judge it by; technicality, originality, virtuosity, dexterity, instrument-by-instrument break down, innovation, band chemistry, live performance, composition, use of musical dynamics, precision, etc. Art is subjective, sure, but most music "plays by the rules" in many ways. In other words, most musicians at least need to know the fundamental basics of music theory to compose songs - it's what differentiates MUSIC from NOISE. Ambient sound design and atonal music are something else entirely.

I can't say with confidence that I'm a better guitarist than Jimmy Page, simply because it is impossible to judge oneself without a biased opinion. Especially when its putting yourself up against someone whos work you absolutely loath and despise. I will say this, however:

 1) I am more original than Jimmy Page in that I don't intentionally plagiarize other musicians compositions and take credit for them.

2) Due to recording technologies, I have been able to create a FAR more impressive and vast body of work than Jimmy Page likely had at 24 years old.

3) From a technical standpoint, my guitar playing is far more dexterous than Jimmy Pages stumbled ramblings. I have more precision and don't mess up every 3rd bar of music.

 Opinions are received...
BTW you can find the entire article here: http://sweetfunkyfreedom.blogspot.pe/2012/04/led-zeppelin-sucks.html

[NealKenneth]

I'm not going to address the guy who wrote this directly beyond saying it's obvious he just wants attention.

As for the premise of this thread, I disagree strongly. 

I was wondering why Led Zeppelin is criticized by many people in the musical sector.

What are you talking about?  Your link is to some blog no one's ever heard of!  Led Zeppelin is praised pretty much universally when it comes to English/Western music publications.

[Flares]

I think early on they were viewed as derivative and not melodic enough.

I think some reviewers couldn't get that image out of their head, no matter what they did.

[Disco Duck]

I was wondering why Led Zeppelin is criticized by many people in the musical sector.

 

I'm going to take this article as a reference. (Yeah, I could post many articles about this topic/people shitting all over Zep's musical carrer, but I'm a little bit lazy.) Let's focus on this :)...

 

*Before answering, you should read the whole article (including comments). Just saying...

 Opinions are received...
BTW you can find the entire article here: http://sweetfunkyfreedom.blogspot.pe/2012/04/led-zeppelin-sucks.html

I suppose you could chalk this up to "Different strokes for different folks".  Several of my friends raved about the TV series Breaking Bad, but I couldn't get into it.  I can't honestly say the writing or acting were bad; both were pretty good.  I just didn't like it.  However, Jon of the Shred comes across as very vehement in his dislike of Led Zeppelin. It almost as if he is personally affronted that so many people revere the band and its music.  Why does this matter to him?  

Two things he wrote really bugged me.  I'm going to try to explain why.

Annoying comment #1:  He is more original than Jimmy Page.  I doubt it.  I've never listened to any of his music so I can't speak to his musical talent or skill.  However, rock-and-roll has been around for over sixty years.  The musical "firsts" in this genre have already occurred.  Jon maybe performing and recording songs he composed themselves but do any of these songs approach greatness?  That's the real test, imo.  

Annoying comment #2:  Deep Purple was a better band than Led Zeppelin.  Maybe they were; maybe they weren't.  However, DP were never able to transfer the excitement of their live performances onto their albums. Listen to the Child in Time track from their In Rock album, then listen to their live performance of this song that is floating about YouTube.  The live version (performed at a Leeds school in 1970) gives me goose bumps.  By contrast, the In Rock version is flat.  Led Zeppelin's albums sounded better then and now because they had the better producer.  You don't have to be a Jimmy Page fan to acknowledge his skill as a producer.  

[Charles J. White]

Pure jealousy, they set the standard that so many wish they could achieve.  Led Zeppelin music is like staring at a perfect painting or walking through a museum of history, very emotional.

[geekfreak]

Pure jealousy, the set the standard that so many wish they could achieve.  Led Zeppelin music is like staring at a perfect painting or walking through a museum of history, very emotional.

you`ve always been spot on with your posts about Led Zeppelin

[Strider]

Jon of the Shred...that's all I needed to read to know it was going to be a piece of shite. Not worthy of a further second's thought or another word in reaction. 

[Kiwi_Zep_Fan87]

Egad! What a joke! While trying to express your opinion on a legendary band like Led Zeppelin, at least try to spell and construct your sentences correctly and not sound like a total twit! Also, make some legit and coherent arguments Mr. 'Jon of the Shred' and stop wasting people's time with your ridiculously immature drivel!

[nick2632]

This dude is in so much denial from his jealousy of Jimmy Page that it's actually really funny.

Unless this dude happens to be Jimi Hendrix, then he is absolutely f***ed up in the head.

[sk8rat]

To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable! - Ludwig van Beethoven

jimmy played with passion and attitude, something that cant be ripped off.

I don't know who the guy is but his music sounds like processes garbage you would hear in an 80's porno.

[Mithril46]

This thread starts okay with the music theory, etc.. Also actually believe or not Zep was still not really

universally praised till the first box sets came out, 1990, no kidding. Of course since the end in 80'

their status as possibly the best rock band ever kept growing, but I was "around" then and they

were slowly turning into the mythical Greek gods they are seen as today. Especially early on

they were criticized more than other bands for their studio/live work, but this notion IMO was

caused in some part by Page's over sensitivity to bad or mixed reviews. In reality the critics averaged

out mixed. And of course if Jon is so awesome, then let's hear it !! Through all my years of playing

Iv'e played some Page-level solos, but song after song, night after night ?? You need to back serious

claims with serious evidence.

[KellyGirl]

Oh my this person making these declarations on how his talent is far superior then Jimmy Page?!?
Well it's obvious he must have ridden the trolley to Mister Roger's Neighborhood of Make-Believe
and he got stuck there. I am sure unicorns are real in his world too. 

He needs to sit down.

[Mithril46]

Although the probability is small, perhaps these outrageous claims are being made intentionally to see

what kind of outrage will occur. Then again, there's too much weirdness present. I remember on one

site a Zep fan had been to a Zep convention and there was a Page outfit(no dragon suit, something else).

Now over a long time or mishandling the suit must have shrunk because the fan said by the size of the

suit Page couldn't have been more than 5'3 or 5'4 !!!!! WTF !!! I'm not sure Iv'e ever heard something so

ludicrous about Page. Page is/was 5'11, give or take a bit. Maybe the fan wanted some laughs, false 

controversy ???

[kingzoso]

It is my opinion that Led Zeppelin were strongly criticized by the music press and music critics because Led Zeppelin pretty much shot to the top of the music(al) pyramid very early and very fast on the strength of their live shows and the word of mouth that spread from fan to fan and city to city (especially in America).  In doing so, Led Zeppelin became the target of most press and critics.  There were exceptions of course.  Ritchie Yorke, Chris Welch, Dave Lewis and Lisa Robinson to name a few who strongly and staunchly supported and reported positive comments and reviews of Led Zeppelin albums and tours. 

[babysquid]

I don't agree with his comment about music being something you can grade absolutely. Technical prowess isn't everything, in fact it can become a huge millstone if it's all you rely on. He says most musicians play by the rules, which may be true but I've an idea that it's the ones that bend and break the rules that really count and having listened to some of his music (tinny rubber band bass, 80's hair metal guitar, stupid production and silly titles) I doubt he's one of them.

 

[KellyGirl]

Mithril46, I agree with you on the comment about getting a reaction by saying outlandish statements.
The height comment is bit errr...haha

I don't care what height any of the band members are, but saying Page is 5' 3" is not even a logical
statement. Jimmy Page please is ALL legs. Robert is over 6' and every picture of Jimmy beside him 
they are basically separated by a whisper of hair. Not to mention Page is a musician not an athlete.
There isn't a need to "fudge" his height for the roster so he appears more impressive to the scouts. 
There's an interview of Jimmy in regards to the R A R H O F in Cleveland and Led Zeppelin's display.
Jimmy mentions he's 6' and his stage gear is not a good representation - as it looks like it belongs
on a 5' 4" person. Obviously the display cases for many of artists are of a smaller nature in order to get
as many exhibits as possible. John Phillips who was very tall would appear 'shorter' too. 

He sounds like he has a complex with Jimmy Page.

[BrxZEP]

I'm not going to address the guy who wrote this directly beyond saying it's obvious he just wants attention.

As for the premise of this thread, I disagree strongly. 

What are you talking about?  Your link is to some blog no one's ever heard of!  Led Zeppelin is praised pretty much universally when it comes to English/Western music publications.

Egad! What a joke! While trying to express your opinion on a legendary band like Led Zeppelin, at least try to spell and construct your sentences correctly and not sound like a total twit! Also, make some legit and coherent arguments Mr. 'Jon of the Shred' and stop wasting people's time with your ridiculously immature drivel!

I want to make some clarifications about my thread.
 

1. I don't want attention. I just wanted to know the opinion of other fans like me about this situation (I'm a huge fan of Led Zeppelin, I love and appreciate their music).
2. I was searching about interesting facts about LZ when I found that blog, you can search on the internet and certainly you'll find too many web articles against LZ.
4. I chose that article for its aggressive content.
3. I'M NOT JON OF THE SHRED,  that guy is out of control.

I apologize if this thread is annoying or disturbing to some people in the forum. That was not my intention.

[NealKenneth]

Not a problem, BrxZEP, when I said "the guy who wrote this"  I meant Jon of the Shred, not you.  It's fine to link to something like this, I just don't think it's very relevant when we're discussing general opinions of Led Zeppelin.

[the chase]

The kid has an enormous ego. I listened to his song and it was pretty interesting. But his conceit is ridiculous. A great musician doesn't need to badmouth another to boost their own ego.  The best in their fields usually have a quiet confidence and don't go around saying they're better than this one or that one.. That's usually the boast of an average talent with an overinflated opinion of their own abilities.

Jimmy Page, by the time he was 24 had played on hundreds of studio sessions. Songs he can't even remember. So this kids claim is silly. Some of Page's most technical and quickest guitar playing was on Little Games .. At the age of 23. There's some amazing guitar work on this album.

As far as grading and judging musical talent like you would an Olympic diver, I suppose you can. But I think you're missing the point if you do. I can enjoy simple driving punk like The Ramones as much as some of the most technical virtuosos out there. 

[Kiwi_Zep_Fan87]

I want to make some clarifications about my thread.
 

1. I don't want attention. I just wanted to know the opinion of other fans like me about this situation (I'm a huge fan of Led Zeppelin, I love and appreciate their music).
2. I was searching about interesting facts about LZ when I found that blog, you can search on the internet and certainly you'll find too many web articles against LZ.
4. I chose that article for its aggressive content.
3. I'M NOT JON OF THE SHRED,  that guy is out of control.

I apologize if this thread is annoying or disturbing to some people in the forum. That was not my intention.

Hello BrxZEP!

My irritation was in no way directed at you. I did not even for a second, think that you were this 'Jon of the Shred' person. The fact that someone can harbour such hatred towards a music band, is what baffled me and I believe that this guy should focus all his negative energy on something more constructive. He strikes me as incredibly attention seeking with a foul mouth and his foul vocabulary made me laugh!

Anyway, I see that you are new to this forum and all I can say at this point is 'welcome aboard' and I hope to see you posting for a very long time! Cheers to you!  

[Mithril46]

There are still some ridiculous things to iron out. Hendix, Page, EVH,Floyd, Prince, both

Becks, blah, blah follow the RULES !?!?!?? Mediocre and most wedding band musicians

follow the rules of music. Just about all of the greatest jazz musicians in fact did master

the "rules", but then promptly fed them into a shredding machine. Also the mention of

ambient or atonal music as being separate from "real music" , shows a very limited

understanding of the fact that the most creative musicians never really saw this dividing

line. Page's bow solo in D&C certainly stands out from the rest of the song,  but in these

realms particularly there never was or could be any rules, apart from is the "soundscape"

intriguing the listener, or enhancing the film, etc..

[Stairway is NOT stolen]

The kid has an enormous ego. I listened to his song and it was pretty interesting. But his conceit is ridiculous. A great musician doesn't need to badmouth another to boost their own ego.  The best in their fields usually have a quiet confidence and don't go around saying they're better than this one or that one.. That's usually the boast of an average talent with an overinflated opinion of their own abilities.

Jimmy Page, by the time he was 24 had played on hundreds of studio sessions. Songs he can't even remember. So this kids claim is silly. Some of Page's most technical and quickest guitar playing was on Little Games .. At the age of 23. There's some amazing guitar work on this album.

As far as grading and judging musical talent like you would an Olympic diver, I suppose you can. But I think you're missing the point if you do. I can enjoy simple driving punk like The Ramones as much as some of the most technical virtuosos out there. 

The solo on 'Smile on me' is one of Page's bests, IMO.

[NealKenneth]

Yeah, I agree that just about the only way you could argue that Led Zeppelin is popularly criticized is by those who say they stole music.  This blog isn't really saying that, though, and I've never seen anyone of note seriously insist that Led Zeppelin was bad.