Led Zeppelin IV: Rock of Ages

There are a lot of interesting things in this book; it's definitely worthwhile. Frankly, this thing is close to a 5, but it falls a tad short of its epic target. There is a good amount of information about the recording: the process, various permutations that occurred in realizing the individual tracks, the various roles the different members played.Of course the typical subjects come up: Page's devil worship, Plant's accident, Bonzo's drinking. Believe it or not, these topics are swiftly, and judiciously dealt with. Big credit on that front.On the whole, very balanced account, full of lots of interesting details, and a good sense of the genius of these characters, and how it melded and held together so long.

About half of this book covers a introductory time-line of Zeppelin, both pre-IV and post-IV. The parts in the middle, concerning the time spent in Bron-Yr-Aur and Headley Grange, contain a great deal of info I've never read anywhere else. However, the other parts are just a re-hash of any basic Zeppelin book that most fans will have already memorized by now.Tragically, the author also includes the obligatory "satanic mischief" stories that, again, fans have already memorized by now. A shorter book may have been a "fresher" experience but I suppose the price would be called to issue in that case.Overall, not a bad read but probably something you could learn about with a little creative web surfing. I would also emphasize that the author should have taken the less traveled high road and let the "crazy" stories stay buried in the past.This might be good for a fan who wants whatever new crumbs they can find(like me) but for casual fans, take a pass.

Excellent, a most enjoyable read. My favorite band! Sure wish I had been older at the time, so I could have seen them in person. Most regretable. I love Led Zeppelin!

Good short book on Zep

Finished a couple more books in December for one of my better reading years in awhile- first was “Rock of Ages - Led Zeppelin IV” - 4/5 stars - a very quick listen (less than 4 hours) but packed with great insights - part capsule biography of the band and part deep dive into the concept, writing, recording, release, and live performance of this iconic album. Brought back so many great memories- for me “IV” was a gateway, when I first listened to it as a teen, to the whole Zeppelin catalog - the album is still one of my faves - all killers, no fillers :-)

If you're like me, and your basement swallowed up your miriad of rock magazines dated from 1970-1980, then you will appreciate the time and effort Barney Hoskyns puts into compliling choice Led Zeppelin interviews for this book from various first-hand sources. The book is a great read- fast, compelling, funny, and smart. The sections on Page and Plant's time at Headley Grange easily transplant you to the English countryside as you, too, experience the damp surroundings of their session stays, made possible with interviews from Jimmy Page, Andy Johns, Richard Cole, and John Paul Jones. I gave this book a 4 instead of a 5 star because it could use some photos, an index, polishing on the time line, and removal of the Jack White interviews altogether. Who needs the opinion of a self-proclaimed Jimmy Page rip-off? Besides that, any hard-core Zeppelin fan will not be unhappy with this book; it will not turn you off like Hammer. Led Zeppelin IV will definitely turn you on in an intimate, up close and (gulp) nostalgic level. Buy it for your Zeppelin library, if only for it's trip back to The Grange.

Interested though I am in the subject, I came to this book with low expectations. As anyone who has suffered through HAMMER OF THE GODS (the seminal work on Led Zeppelin) can attest, the group hasn't attracted the best writing over the years.Thus, author Barney Hoskyns is a pleasant surprise. He has done an excellent job of placing the band in the context of its time and in doing so, is able to show how much they have mattered ever since. And despite the modesty of this volume's size, Hoskyns scrupulously portrays all four band members, not just Page and Plant. This even-handed approach to the material carries over to the book as a whole. So what I'm saying is, this is NOT a tossed-off pamplet about one of the great albums of all time.But it is a well-done biography of the band's history, from inception to interment. While particular attention is paid to the legendary "Zoso" album, one feels that this is done so without slighting most of Led Zeppelin's other accomplishments. Nice job, Hoskyns!

I pretty much buy anything this author writes. He never disappoints me on any level about any subject. This included.Buy it. A nice addition to any music book lovers.