I’m Gonna Crawl; Soon To Be A Blues Classic
The original British Invasion of Rock music is remembered largely for the mop top hair cuts and the pop styling of most of the bands who exploded on the scene between 1964 and 1966, but there was also an element that was heavily influenced by the Blues.
The Rolling Stones started their illustrious hit machine career with Willie Dixon's Blues standard, Little Red Rooster.There was also John Mayall and The Blues Breakers and The Animals to serve the Blues side of the British Invasion.
And then there were the Yardbirds.
The Yardbirds had featured, at one time or another, three of the top Rock guitarists of all time. First was Eric Clapton, a Blues purist, who left the band as they began to explore the Rock scene. Clapton did not leave before recommending a talented studio musician as his replacement. Page in return, suggested Jeff Beck.
When the Yardbirds broke up, Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin.
Zep went on to be known as a Heavy Metal band, but I will always see them as a Heavy Blues band as a lot of their published recordings were of Blues standards. Two songs written by Willie Dixon made it to the first album released by the band, and The Gallows Pole, a song popularized by Blues legend and pioneer Leadbelly in the 1930's, was featured on the third offering by Page and crew.
I'm Gonna Crawl
Maybe one of the greatest Blues songs written by a Rock band appeared as the last cut on the last album the band recorded. I'm Gonna Crawl, from the In Through The Out Door sessions, has always been a favorite of mine as it seems to have summed up the band's musical foundations in a way that is unforgettable.
Apparently, I wasn't far from wrong as Jimmy Page notes:
I'm Gonna Crawl exemplifies what Led Zeppelin was.
After giving this great song a listen, why not drop in on Led Zeppelin and see what one of the top Squidoo lensmasters, 24websurf (a.k.a. Holley) has to say about her feelings for the group known as The Hammer Of The Gods?
Alex
Holley
MiMi
mysticmama
Ulla Hennig
Jane Peppler
cleanerlife
Amanda Sage
Richard
I've always loved LZ & their heavy blues infuence is exactly why!
Great post
[...] covers all phases of the music sphere, from the middle ages to present day including Country, Blues, Classical, Classic Rock, Reggae, Dance music and [...]
With one of my uncles having been a blues musician and songwriter who worked with some of the greats, I grew up listening to a lot of blues. It really does reach into the soul.
Thank you for the links and the mention. I do so enjoy a good "sock commercial" every now and then
.-= Holley´s last blog ..A Wonderful Surprise This Weekend! =-.