Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused

by Chris Welch

A superbly illustrated, in-depth examination of the stories, events, places and characters that inspired the songs of the greatest hard rock band – ever!

What were the ‘Houses Of The Holy’? Where was the ‘Stairway To Heaven’? Which strange encounters led to such classics as ‘Kashmir’ and ‘Trampled underfoot’?

Dazed And Confused reveals the roots and origins of the songs on all eight of the band’s celebrated studio albums, together with all the stories behind material released after Zeppelin’s break-up in 1980, including Unledded: No Quarter and the BBC Sessions album.

Was it an earthquake that inspired ‘Going To California’ on their untitled fourth album? There was certainly a sonic earthquake: the sound of four brilliant musicians who defined the concept of hard rock, and yet imbued their work with passionate magic and mystery.

That mystery is explained for the first time in Dazed And Confused.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 1985

Reviews

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Led Zeppelin-Dazed and Confused', written by Chris Welch and published by Carlton Books in 1998.
Here are 'The Stories Behind Every Song' as the front cover proclaims, which could easily be subtitled 'The Stories Behind Every Track' as Welch accompanies the reader through the entire back catalogue of Led Zep recordings, album by album. The collection also includes the musical releases post the band's breakup in 1980 which includes 'Unledded' and the excellent 'No Quarter' and 'BBC Sessions'.
Welch, the ex Melody Maker columnist from back in the day, has done quite a good job here. The text is quite informative and free of the usual repetitive Spinal Tapesque rock band biog. The track by track stories are filled with just enough techno to avoid tedium and just enough biography of the band to colour the progression of the musical genius of Plant,Page,Jones and Bonham.
If I may venture into teeny weeny criticism I would have thought that this book would have included the covers of the actual albums themselves. Apart from Led Zep I this is not the case. In it's 160 pages there is no shortage of colour and b/w photographs, (loved the colour pics of Bath Festival 1970...I was there, man!), even so I thought the lack of Hipgnosis album sleeve artwork etc, was one item that left me dazed and confused. To be even more picky Mr. Welch, going back to Led Zep III and 'Hats Off To (Roy) Harper', :"Jimmy Page had met the great Liverpool born folk singer at the Bath Festival".....sorry, Liverpool born folk singer....and you call yourself a music journalist!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book to have when you want to get all the tid bits on every Led Zeppelin track out there. I always find myself going back to it. The book is divided up album by album from first to last and I always find myself refering to it. THAT is the sign of a great book. Some songs got more recognition then others of course and I could have used a bit more insight on some of the more obscure Zep songs, but overall a very nice reference book for the shelf.

[asø · Rating 3 out of 5]

یه جور تحسین و تعریف از موزیک‌ها با کمی اطلاعات ناکامل درباره‌شون.
زپ چندتا موزیک داره که توی آلبوم‌ها منتشر نشدند، امید داشتم توی این کتاب اسمی از اون موزیک‌ها و اطلاعاتی درباره‌شون باشه، اما نبود. انگار کتابه رو نوشته تا غیر مستقیم به رابرت ابراز علاقه کنه.

[Vali Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insider info on every song of one of the greatest bands of all time!

[Paula López Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha sido interesante y he conocido más cosas del grupo.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read a LOT of books about Led Zeppelin, but this one was kind of a disappointment. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but it did fall short.

It would be an excellent book for anybody new to their music, but for me there weren't to many new revelations.

It wasn't a total loss, however, there were some great photos and a few "oh wow" moments, but there are lots of way better Zeppelin books out there.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welch goes through the entire Zeppelin catalog and gives the back story on each song. Interesting information, though much of it I was already aware of. Would make a good introduction to the Zeppelin discography for a Led Zeppelin neophyte.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book although it didn't answer one of my questions: how the song "Tangerine" got its title. At least it explained "Black Dog" though.

The plagiarism was pretty appalling. The Zep versions are great stuff but still, it's not that hard to give credit.

[Mick Maye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disappointing for a fan, some little insights but overall bland and sticks to the headlines.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very detailed and amazing reference book which covers all the albums. It gives reasons and insights to many of the songs.

[Cl7ve · Rating 2 out of 5]

As informative as the cover of Zeppelin IV. The photographs alleviate the monotony of the prose. Minimal detail on studio work.

[Zahid · Rating 3 out of 5]

World favourite big band, world favourite songs and lyrics.