Comparing Led Zeppelin and Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson was an American blues singer/musician born in Mississippi. His prominent recordings are from 1936-1937. Although he only lived until the age of 27 (died on August 16, 1938), he is a legend for his blues playing and has influenced many musicians, especially Eric Clapton. Robert Johnson is considered a master of blues particularly in the Delta blues style. It is said that Robert Johnson went to the crossroads (also one of his songs) and played the guitar. He met the Devil, then the Devil tuned his guitar and played a few songs. In exchange for his soul, the Devil taught Robert Johnson to play the blues.

One, of many, classic rock groups who had much influence from Robert Johnson was Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin played heavy, guitar-driven blues-rock. Their band consisted of guitar player Jimmy Page, singer, Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham, and bass player/keyboardist John Paul Jones. The band was together from 1968-1980. They disbanded after John Bonham’s death. Led Zeppelin’s music has influenced many musicians and their music remains very popular today.

The song I am choosing to compare and contrast is “Traveling Riverside Blues”, originally done by Robert Johnson and covered by Led Zeppelin. Robert Johnson’s version was recorded in 1937. On the other hand, Led Zeppelin’s version was recorded in 1969 but was not released until 1990. Both versions are unique, yet still hold similar characteristics.

Their are several characteristics of Led Zeppelin’s version of the song that CONTRAST Robert Johnson's original. The three most noticeable traits are the LYRICS, INTENSITY, and SPEED. Right away, you will notice how Led Zeppelin’s version reflects their blues-rock style. Its more in your face, louder, and faster paced. It sounds pretty ballsy and heavy. However, the lyrics are different in Led Zeppelin’s version. Its as though they paid more of a tribute to Robert Johnson. They use different TEXT from several of Johnson’s songs. For example, they use lyrics straight from “Traveling Riverside Blues”, but also incorporate lyrics from another one of his songs, “Kind Hearted Woman Blues”. By doing this, Led Zeppelin completely rearranged the order of his original song, added bits and pieces of other songs, and completely changed itsSUBTEXT to put their own two cents into the song. Which is pretty cool when done right, which Led Zeppelin definitely did.

The AFFINITY of the two songs lies in the ORGANIZATION and RHYTHM. Both songs are in order and well structured. Once the songs start to get going, the rhythm stays consistent throughout the songs. Robert Johnson’s song is only guitar and Led Zeppelin’s version is a full band. However, the pattern of the songs remain the same throughout, other than the time Jimmy Page plays a fairly modest solo.

Overall, I think its interesting how Robert Johnson’s music has influenced other very well-known musicians. Robert Johnson is a legend and has laid down the grounding for blues.