Preview: Music to Your Ears – Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy
In the early to mid 1970s, Led Zeppelin reigned supreme in the world of rock. Rising from the ashes of seminal ‘60s band the Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin drew upon classic American blues for its sound, but added levels of power, sophistication, nuance and (sometimes) malevolence to create something remarkable and new. Every one of their studio albums – eight released between 1969 and 1979 – went multi-platinum, often many times over. Led Zeppelin concert tours were emblematic of the era, with the band playing to packed arenas across the globe. The excess of that era was on full display: the group traveled in its own branded jet, and tales of backstage and hotel room mayhem were legion.
But at the center of it all was the music. And While most all of Led Zeppelin’s music enjoys critical acclaim commensurate with its commercial appeal, the band was arguably at the pinnacle of its creativity on 1973’s Houses of the Holy. The music effectively melded the subtlety and grace of Jimmy Page’s acoustic guitar with the crushing roar of his electric work, and it all worked closely with Robert Plant’s distinctive vocals, John Paul Jones’ underrated bass and keyboard playing, and the thunderous, commanding percussion of John Bonham.
Houses of the Holy features several hit album tracks including “No Quarter,” “The Rain Song, “D’yer Maker” and “Over the Hills and Far Away.” And the record holds together as a cohesive, complete work as well. We’ll chat about the background, creation and legacy of key tracks, dig into some of the lesser-known gems on the LP, and maybe even listen to some unreleased music from the period.
The October 4 event at Asheville Guitar Bar will feature a discussion of Houses of the Holy, led by author, speaker and music journalist Bill Kopp (that’s me), joined by special guest Christopher Everett, lead guitarist with Hustle Souls. The Music to Your Ears series is sponsored by AshevilleFM. Don’t miss this special opportunity to convene with your fellow rock fans for this interactive evening.
WHAT: Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy
WHO: Discussion led by music journalist/author Bill Kopp with special guest Chris Everett
WHERE: Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr., Suite D, Asheville
WHEN: Wednesday Oct. 4 @ 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (doors open 6:30) $10 at the door / SEATING IS LIMITED
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.