Twelve years, eight albums and the biggest tours of the 1970s — Led Zeppelin from the New Yardbirds to John Bonham's death.
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Led Zeppelin: Stairway to Heaven 24
1968Jimmy Page forms the New YardbirdsPlant, Jones and BonhamPage recruits singer Robert Plant, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham.
1968Led Zeppelin play their first concertGladsaxe, DenmarkTheir first show, still billed as the New Yardbirds.
1968The New Yardbirds become Led ZeppelinNew nameA name taken from Keith Moon's joke that they would go down like a lead balloon.
1968Led Zeppelin sign with Atlantic RecordsRecord advanceA record advance for a new band, with full artistic control.
1969Led Zeppelin Release Debut AlbumThe band's first record helps define hard rockLed Zeppelin released their self-titled debut album on 12 January 1969. The record fused blues, folk, and heavy guitar riffs and became a foundational influence on hard rock and heavy metal.
1969Led Zeppelin release Led Zeppelin IIWhole Lotta LoveKnocks Abbey Road off the top of the US charts.
1970Led Zeppelin release Led Zeppelin IIIImmigrant SongAn acoustic, folk-inspired turn written in a Welsh cottage.
1971Led Zeppelin release Led Zeppelin IVStairway to HeavenThe untitled fourth album — one of the best-selling albums of all time.
1973Led Zeppelin release Houses of the HolyFirst album with a titleWith The Song Remains the Same and The Rain Song.
1973Led Zeppelin break the Beatles' attendance recordTampa StadiumPlay to about 56,800 people, beating the Beatles at Shea Stadium.
1974Led Zeppelin launch Swan Song RecordsOwn labelTheir own record label, also home to Bad Company.
1975Led Zeppelin release Physical GraffitiKashmirA double album with Kashmir.
1975Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant badly hurt in car crashRhodes, GreeceThe crash cancels the rest of the year's touring.
1976Led Zeppelin release The Song Remains the SameConcert filmFilm and live album of their 1973 Madison Square Garden shows.
1977Led Zeppelin's last US concertFinal North American tour endsLed Zeppelin played their final North American concert in Oakland, California on July 24, 1977, ending their 11th and last North American tour due to Robert Plant's family emergency.
1977Led Zeppelin cancel their US tourDeath of Robert Plant's sonPlant's five-year-old son Karac dies, ending the tour.
1979Led Zeppelin play KnebworthLast British showsTwo huge shows, their last in Britain with Bonham.
1979Led Zeppelin release In Through the Out DoorLast studio albumTheir final album recorded with John Bonham.
1980Led Zeppelin's John Bonham diesAged 32The drummer dies at Jimmy Page's house during rehearsals.
1980Led Zeppelin break upStatementThey announce they cannot continue without Bonham.
1985Led Zeppelin reunite at Live AidPhiladelphiaA shaky reunion with Phil Collins and Tony Thompson on drums.
1995Led Zeppelin inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of FameHall of FameInducted with Jason Bonham at the drums.
2007Led Zeppelin reunite at the O2 ArenaAhmet Ertegun tributeA full concert with Jason Bonham, with 20 million ticket requests.
2020Led Zeppelin win the Stairway to Heaven copyright caseAppeals courtA US appeals court rules Stairway did not copy Spirit's Taurus.