December 4^th 1980 was a sad day for rock n’ roll. It was the day legendary rock band Led Zeppelin released a press statement saying that their time as a band together was over.

It was heartbreaking for their fans. For almost 12 years they had released groundbreaking albums, been one of the first stadium-filling acts and had created the template of rock n’ roll debauchery that many aspiring musicians today fantasize about. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham were the gods of thunder and electricity, of earth shattering grooves, spine tingling solos and banshee screams.

What made this band unique was that each of these musicians was so adapt and skilled in their respective role. Plant’s searing high squeals, almost orgasmic on tracks like “A Whole Lotta Love”, and his husky, whiskey and cigarette drenched delivery on softer tracks like “Tangerine” were so unique that it became a benchmark for singers all over the world. Jimmy Page was an amazing guitar player, who not only mastered his instrument, but had the creativity to try new things. His use of a bow in playing the guitar produced a sonic revelation. John Paul Jones was not only a phenomenal bass player, but a talented multi-instrumentalist who played keyboards on many Zeppelin tracks. Finally, the enigmatic John Bonham is considered one of the seminal drummers in rock n’ roll history. His ability to maintain an almost brutal intensity in his playing, while exploring the outer reaches of his instrument’s capabilities, meant that he provided a solid yet fluid foundation on which the other musicians could build on. His untimely death in September of 1980 was what finally finished the band. They could have found another drummer and moved on, but they knew it just wouldn’t be the same. The brotherhood was broken, and it was right to call it quits.

If I were to write of their albums and their live performances, books would not suffice. Instead, it is important to remember them for what they left behind. Their unique version of “heavy blues” led to the start of the genres known today as hard rock and heavy metal. Their compositions still continue to inspire young musicians. They set a high standard when it came to mastery of an instrument and lived the rock n’ roll life hard and fast.

This December, Led Zeppelin is planning a reunion concert with Jason Bonham (John’s son) on the drums. They have had many “partial reunions” over the years, but this is one of the hottest gigs of the year. For many fans who cannot afford the tickets, it’s a missed opportunity. But for fans like me, they’ve provided so much joy and motivation over the years, that I’m just satisfied with their legacy as it is.