Which band is better?
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Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin formed in 1968 in London with members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones. They were one of the most influential rock groups of the 1970’s, laying the foundation for hard rock, heavy metal and Album Oriented Rock (AOR). Every one of their albums achieved commercial success and they were one of the biggest touring groups of the time.
Their first album was released in 1969 named Led Zeppelin and was a top 10 album in several countries. It featured such classics as “Dazed and Confused”, “Communication Breakdown” and “Good Times Bad Times”. Their initial sound drew heavily on blues and folk music influences. Their follow-up album, Led Zeppelin II, was their first #1 album and featured “Ramble On” and “Whole Lotta Love”. Led Zeppelin III was followed by Led Zeppelin IV, released in 1971, which would become one of the best selling albums ever, reaching over 37 million units sold. It features “Stairway to Heaven”, which many consider the greatest rock song ever.
They continued to release major albums such as House of the Holy and Physical Graffiti, a double album masterpiece. Into the late 1970’s, their output slowed and they released what would be their final two albums, In Through the Out Door and Presence. John Bonham died in 1980 and the band disbanded after that. The band and individual members are often considered the best in rock history. Their success is unparalleled, with total album sales estimated between 200-300 million worldwide, They had 6 US Billboard #1 albums, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Grammy award.
Their first album was released in 1969 named Led Zeppelin and was a top 10 album in several countries. It featured such classics as “Dazed and Confused”, “Communication Breakdown” and “Good Times Bad Times”. Their initial sound drew heavily on blues and folk music influences. Their follow-up album, Led Zeppelin II, was their first #1 album and featured “Ramble On” and “Whole Lotta Love”. Led Zeppelin III was followed by Led Zeppelin IV, released in 1971, which would become one of the best selling albums ever, reaching over 37 million units sold. It features “Stairway to Heaven”, which many consider the greatest rock song ever.
They continued to release major albums such as House of the Holy and Physical Graffiti, a double album masterpiece. Into the late 1970’s, their output slowed and they released what would be their final two albums, In Through the Out Door and Presence. John Bonham died in 1980 and the band disbanded after that. The band and individual members are often considered the best in rock history. Their success is unparalleled, with total album sales estimated between 200-300 million worldwide, They had 6 US Billboard #1 albums, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Grammy award.
Beach BoysThe Beach Boys are a beloved American band from California and considered the face of the “California sound” and “surf music”, reflecting the southern California lifestyle of cars, surfing and romance. The original lineup contained brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, cousin Mike Love and Al Jardine. Their first big hit was in 1963 with “Surfin’ USA” followed by a series of top ten hits, including “Surfin’ Safari”, “I Get Around”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “Help Me Rhonda” and “California Girls”. While they survived and thrived during the British Invasion of the mid 1960’s, they saw their popularity falter later in the decade.
Starting in 1965, they abandoned the California sound and beach themes for more lyrical and complex themes. In 1966, they released the ambitious and innovative Pet Sounds album, considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, named as #2 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 greatest albums. Orchestrated by Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds was complex and utilized advanced studio techniques. It garnered several of their most well known songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows” and “Sloop John B.”.
During their career, there was controversy when their publishing rights were sold for $700,000 ($5.7 million today); the catalog has generated over $100 million in royalties, none of which went to the band members. The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million units worldwide, had 36 songs in the Top-40, which is the most by an American band, four #1 songs, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and were named #12 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest artists of all time.
Starting in 1965, they abandoned the California sound and beach themes for more lyrical and complex themes. In 1966, they released the ambitious and innovative Pet Sounds album, considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, named as #2 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 greatest albums. Orchestrated by Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds was complex and utilized advanced studio techniques. It garnered several of their most well known songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows” and “Sloop John B.”.
During their career, there was controversy when their publishing rights were sold for $700,000 ($5.7 million today); the catalog has generated over $100 million in royalties, none of which went to the band members. The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million units worldwide, had 36 songs in the Top-40, which is the most by an American band, four #1 songs, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and were named #12 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest artists of all time.
