The classic Led Zeppelin song that Jimmy Page and John Bonham disliked: “This doesn’t represent us”
Like any major rock band, Led Zeppelin experienced their share of disagreements. As they rose to prominence, filling the void left by The Beatles and becoming the biggest band in the world, they encountered the inevitable challenges that come with such fame. With a mix of strong egos, immense creativity, and the pressure to generate significant revenue, conflict was almost unavoidable at every hotel or studio they visited.
Despite these tensions, Led Zeppelin, consisting of Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, and Jimmy Page, managed to avoid major rifts and maintain their dominance throughout the 1970s by concentrating on their primary goal: creating great music.
Each member of Led Zeppelin was a master in their field. Page’s virtuoso guitar playing was complemented by Jones’ precise rhythm, while Plant’s powerful and mythical vocals matched Bonham’s thunderous drumming. Together, they were formidable both on stage and in the studio. However, creative differences did arise, with each member pushing to realize their own musical vision.
This occasionally led to the band working on songs that not everyone was fully behind. A prime example is the track ‘All My Love’. Both Page and Bonham expressed their dislike for the song, which showcased a softer side of the band that didn’t sit well with the more powerful members of the group.
While the 1970s marked Led Zeppelin’s peak professionally, it was a challenging decade personally. The death of drummer John Bonham in 1980 marked the end of their 12-year career, as Bonham’s powerful drumming was seen as the glue that held the band’s distinctive sound together. His absence made it impossible for the band to continue.
In 1973, John Paul Jones took a break following an exhausting tour for *Houses of the Holy*. Despite this, the band continued with their self-released and Page-produced *Physical Graffiti* in 1975.
The decade also brought personal tragedy for Robert Plant, who lost his young son in 1977 while the band was touring in the U.S. This led to a two-year hiatus, after which they made a dramatic return with a two-night residency at Knebworth and released their final album, *In Through the Out Door*.
The album included the poignant track ‘All My Love’, a tribute from Plant to his deceased son, Karac. While the song was a heartfelt tribute, Page and Bonham considered it “too soft.” Reflecting on the album in 1993, Page admitted that he and Bonham thought the track didn’t fit the band’s usual sound, with Page worried it might be seen as too commercial.
Despite their reservations, Page chose not to remove the song from the album, acknowledging that it was a sincere expression from Plant. While ‘All My Love’ may not have represented Led Zeppelin’s typical sound, its inclusion in the album reflected the band’s friendship and shared experiences, showing that even amid disagreements, they valued their bond.
