Impact of Led Zeppelin and the Hollies on Rock Music Scene

Rock and Roll music is arguable one of the most famous music not only in the United States but also in the whole world.  Rock and roll music developed in the United States in the 1940s and the 1950s and can be traced to rhythm and blues, country music, folk and gospel music, and jazz music. From the United States, this music spread to the rest of the world leading to emergence of rock music.

Led Zeppelin and the Hollies are some of the most famous bands in rock music.  They have made various contributions to the development of the rock and roll music. Led Zeppelin is remembered in the books of history as one of the most famous rock and roll band. Led Zeppelin was an English band that was formed by Jimmy Page who was a guitarist, Robert Plant a vocalist, Paul Jones who was a bass guitarist and keyboardist, and John Bonham who is remembered as a leading drummer. Led Zeppelin was the first heavy metal band. The band is also remembered for introduction fusion of different rock genres including blues, folk genres, rock, reggae, soul, funk, Indian, country, Latin, and many others (MSNBC, 2008).  Unlike other bands, Led Zeppelin did not release singles but preferred releasing a whole album. Although the band was disbanded in 1980 following the death of Bonham, it is still highly regarded for its achievement in music. The band sold more than 300 million albums in the world.  It was the biggest band of the 1970s. Led Zeppelin is charted among the 10 best bands in the world history.

On the other hand, The Hollies was also an English pop band which came from Manchester and formed in 1960s.  The band has been known for their vocal harmony style which was to be copied by other groups as well. Unlike Zeppelin, The Hollies is one of the few English bands of 1960s that has remained together and continue to record new songs. The band was originally formed by Allan Clarke who led vocals, guitar and harmonica, Graham Nash leading guitar and vocals, Jeremy Levine a guitarist, Erick Haydock who led bass and Don Rathbone who was a drummer. However, the band has attracted other new members in the course of time. Some of their best songs like talking ‘bout you, Mr. Moonlight, You better move on, and others are listed to by many fans today (Rock and Roll Biographies, 2000).

Comparing Steve Miller and the Eagles

Steve Miller band was is one of the most adored American rock bands. It was formed in 1967 in San Francisco under the leadership of Steve Miller who is a leading guitarist and vocalist. The band members included Steve miller, Norton Buffalo, Gordy Knutson, Billy Peterson, Kenny Lee Lewis, Joseph Wooten and Sonny Charles. Other members of the and including James Cooke, Tim Davis, Les Dudek, Lonnie Turner, Jim Smith, Jim Perterson, Lance Haas, Craymore Stevens, Boz Scaggs, Glyn John, Jesse Davis, Jim Keltner, and many others. The band has produced a number of single hits The Joker, Rock ‘n Me, and Abracadabra which all made to number 1 US hot 100 songs. Other hits including Take the money and run, Fly like an Eagle, Jet airliner, Jungle love, and many others. The band has also won several awards including ASCAP Golden Note Award in 2008. (Steve Miller Band, 2009)

On the other hand, Eagles is also an American rock band which was formed in Los Angles in the 1970s. The band has had five songs which has reached number 1 in US hot 1000 and six albums which have also reached the number 1 mark. The eagles have also been ranked as leading recording artist of the 20th century. The band was formed when John Boylan who was the manager to Linder Ronstadt recruited Glenn Frey, Bennie Leadon, and Randy Meisener as musicians to back up Ronstadt. After a tour with Ronstadt through which they met drummer Don Henley, they formed their own band. The band was therefore formed by Glenn Frey leading vocals, guitars, keyboard, synthesizer, and harmonica; Bernie Leadon leading vocals, guitars, banjo, and mandolin; Don Henley leading vocals, drums, percussion, guitar, synthesizer; and Randy Meisner leading vocals, bass and guitar. Some of their best know singles including Take it easy, Witchy women, Peaceful easy feeling, Tequila sunrise, and many others. They broke up in 1980 but reunited back in 1994 and in 2003 they released The Very Best of the Eagles which is their greatest hits album. The band has won six Grammy awards including 2009 Pop Instrument Performance. In 1998, the group was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2009).