What year was Led Zeppelin formed?

Led Zeppelin was formed in 1968. The English rock band took shape in London after guitarist Jimmy Page assembled a new lineup following the breakup of the Yardbirds.

Page recruited vocalist Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham and bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones. The four musicians first played together in August 1968 in a room beneath a record store on Gerrard Street in London. Their initial performances were connected to remaining Yardbirds commitments, so they were briefly billed as the New Yardbirds.

The group performed its first concert under the name Led Zeppelin on October 25, 1968, at the University of Surrey in Guildford. Their debut album followed in early 1969, which is why some people mistakenly give 1969 as the band’s formation year. Formation, first public performance under the new name and debut-album release are separate milestones.

Led Zeppelin’s blend of heavy blues, powerful guitar riffs, folk influences and dynamic drumming helped shape hard rock and heavy metal. The band remained active until 1980, ending after Bonham’s death.