[QUOTE=What Exit?]
Battle of Evermore comes to mind quickly.
[/QUOTE]
Weren’t all those voices from Plant?
[QUOTE=squeegee]
Weren’t all those voices from Plant?
[/QUOTE]
No. Sandy Denny sang it on the album, and JPJ sang it live with Plant.
[QUOTE=astorian]
Biggest difference between the two bands: Led Zeppelin had the integrity and good sense to call it quits instantly when an irreplaceable member died.
Can anyone think of another band that broke up at the height of its commercial popularity when they were all still on friendly terms JUST because it seemed like the right thing to do?
How many bands ever walked away from more money than Led Zeppelin did?
[/QUOTE]
You do realize that Led Zeppelin is on tour right now, right?
[QUOTE=WreckingCrew]
You do realize that Led Zeppelin is on tour right now, right?
[/QUOTE]
EVERYBODY knows that, and it doesn’t change a thing I said.
The Who replaced Keith Moon without a second’s hesitation. Led Zeppelin walked away from a fortune, performing together only on a handful of special occasions (like Live Aid).
I don’t begrudge them the right to play together nearly 30 years later.
[QUOTE=GargoyleWB]
Well said, I agree. This follows as well for Led Zep as a whole when compared to the Who on the basis of production values. Who album production and engineering is crisp, deep, bright and all of those other audiophile buzzwords. Pete’s guitar and Roger’s vocals have a life and energy that is just stripped out of Led Zep’s poor production values. My brain, when listening to Led Zep, is forced to fill in the fidelity it wishes was there.
[/QUOTE]
A similar drum thing happened with one of my favorite metal bands. On their debut album, I really loved the sound of the drums - the drummer’s fills were downright melodic as he skipped from one tom to the next. The second album brought in a new drummer, and he was arguably a better drummer … but it sounded like he was pounding on cardboard boxes. I don’t know if it was just because it was a different drum kit, or if it was production. Aside from the drum sound, the production on the second album sounded much like the first album.
But I agree completely about production value. I’ve always loved the way I can listen to an album from my favorite band, Rush, and even with everything that’s going on, and the complexity, I can still distinctly hear each individual instrument/part. (The Vapor Trails album being a sad exception.)
I actually think it’s kind of strange that I’ve got this ear for drums even though I’m not a drummer. I’ve never been enough of a Van Halen fan to buy an album, so the classic rock station will occasionally play a VH song I’ve never heard before. And despite the fact that Eddie has one of the most distinctive guitar sounds in the world, it’s always the sound of Alex’s drums that immediately tells me it’s Van Halen.
It’s a good point, although I’m sure both decisions were more complex than just who had more integrity. Also, it doesn’t affect the way I think of their music. For me, the Who’s catalog ended with Moonie, so I think of both bands’ output stopping circa 1980.
One thing this thread is reinforcing for me is how many similarities existed between the bands, even though their music was quite different.
[QUOTE=GargoyleWB]
My brain, when listening to Led Zep, is forced to fill in the fidelity it wishes was there.
However in another universe, where Led Zep had a proper engineer in their studio that could do more than twiddle a balance knob back and forth, Led Zep would have been transendantly beyond any other band…
[/QUOTE]
Really? I love the sound of most Zeppelin albums. I mean, how could you possibly produce something like “When the Levee Breaks” any better? The sound of the albums, to me, sound exactly appropriate for the type of music they were playing. Moody, swampy, raw, lots of natural reverb and studio “space” in the mix.
[QUOTE=astorian]
EVERYBODY knows that, and it doesn’t change a thing I said.
The Who replaced Keith Moon without a second’s hesitation. Led Zeppelin walked away from a fortune, performing together only on a handful of special occasions (like Live Aid).
I don’t begrudge them the right to play together nearly 30 years later.
[/QUOTE]
There was a bit of hesitation before Kenny Jones was brought in. The really concerning one was when Pete and Roger were on stage just a few days after Entwhistle died. Which by the way, has to be one of the greatest rock deaths ever.
I don’t bugrudge either band for continuing to play concerts. They are professional musicians, it is what they do. It is only in the rock era that the notion of a band staying together as the same musicians forever has become expected. Sidemen cycled in and out of Jazz bands all of the time - it was just the way of the game, and led to some interesting changes in how songs were presented.
As for the band that left the most money on the table - well the Beatles had a firm offer of $3,200 from SNL that they walked away from.
Oh, I pick the Who hands down across the board. Led Zeppelin just doesn’t interest me very much. Yes, I have heard it all, own some of it and I understand what they are doing, and the skill involved. It just doesn’t push my buttons for the most part. Of course a lot of that has to do with the fact that the whole hippie/ Celtic myth stuff just makes my teeth ache.
[QUOTE=Rysdad]
I believe this is the definitive description. Except backwards. Sorta 
Zep made me sort of want to lay on the couch, pleasantly stoned, and wander around inside my head.
The Who made me want to drink hard liquor, go outside, and cause disturbances.
[/QUOTE]
Ahhh, that’s it. There’s much to the thread that I haven’t read yet, but this, plus WordMan’s comments about inwardly focused (The Who), vs Externally Focused. (Led Zep) I came late to Led Zep appreciation, but I had posters of The Who on my wall in 1989. So, The Who. but if you put ‘The Immigrant Song’ up against ‘Bellboy’, I think Bellboy would look pale. Still, The Who. I’d take "The Real Me’ over Black Dog, anyday.
Oh, I read most of the rest of thread on ‘preview’, looking for WordMan’s comments.
In a fair fight, I think The Who would come out on top. Moon v Bonham would be likely be a wash. Jones might have an edge on Entwistle. Townshend would surely be able to take Page, and Daltrey could beat up almost anyone, including Plant.
[QUOTE=Southern Yankee]
Keith Moon vs. John Bonham
[/QUOTE]
Well, I have to support cousin John here.
But overall, I prefer Who albums to Led Zeppelin.
Just today I was at a lackluster Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert, nearing the end when… ROGER DALTREY COMES OUT OF FUCKING NOWHERE. I never imaged I’d get to hear Behind Blue Eyes, Tommy, and See Me, Feel Me, live. He still sounds great. It completely made the night for my family.
[QUOTE=gazpacho]
When I read things like this I think that I don’t have the correct who albums. I own Who’s Next, Quadrophenia and Tommy. What else should I get?
[/QUOTE]
I can’t explain…
I think it’s love…
It’s not a matter of having the right albums. It’s just that The Who really really speaks to some people. Others, not so much. I think you’ll soon see in which category I fall…
Moon vs. Bonham: Moon wins. No contest. No question.
Entwistle vs. Jones: Entwistle wins. I guess it’s a matter of preference. I do like what someone said above about The Who playing “against” each other…that’s definitely apparent in Entwistle’s playing. Plus the songs that he wrote are some of my favorites.
Townshend vs. Page: Townshend wins. His songwriting and vision blows Page out of the water. (And I admit that I’m quite influenced here by his solo work.) Plus, like the way he sings.
Daltrey vs. Plant: Daltrey wins. Roger! I love you! Call me!!
The Who vs. Led Zeppelin: The Who, of course.
What can I say? The Who is my favorite band of all time. Led Zeppelin is merely one of my favorite bands of all time.
[QUOTE=astorian]
Biggest difference between the two bands: Led Zeppelin had the integrity and good sense to call it quits instantly when an irreplaceable member died.
[/QUOTE]
Well, since we’ve entered the realm of moral judgments, the words “integrity” and “Led Zeppelin” probably should never be used in the same sentence. It’s oxymoronic, given their serial plagiarism problem.
And the implication that the surviving members of The Who lacked “integrity and good sense” because they didn’t quit when Moon died is, ummm, far from obvious.
[QUOTE=The Sonoran Lizard King]
Ahhh, that’s it. There’s much to the thread that I haven’t read yet, but this, plus WordMan’s comments about inwardly focused (The Who), vs Externally Focused. (Led Zep) I came late to Led Zep appreciation, but I had posters of The Who on my wall in 1989. So, The Who. but if you put ‘The Immigrant Song’ up against ‘Bellboy’, I think Bellboy would look pale. Still, The Who. I’d take "The Real Me’ over Black Dog, anyday.
Oh, I read most of the rest of thread on ‘preview’, looking for WordMan’s comments.
[/QUOTE]
Well jeez, dude, I can’t disagree - it all depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re asking yourself hard questions, then The Who. If you wanna strut…
Both are valid.
And stereotyping Led Zeppelin as “strut” doesn’t even remotely do them justice. But they never tried to grab you by the shoulders and give you a shake the way Pete did.
[QUOTE=WordMan]
Well jeez, dude, I can’t disagree - it all depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re asking yourself hard questions, then The Who. If you wanna strut…
Both are valid.
And stereotyping Led Zeppelin as “strut” doesn’t even remotely do them justice. But they never tried to grab you by the shoulders and give you a shake the way Pete did.
[/QUOTE]
Wow - upon review, that comes across as flip. Not my intent. Sorry.
I don’t know if you’re talking about a fist fight, but can you imagine them squaring off in a Battle of the Bands? I love Zep, but I think the Who would blow them off the stage head-to-head. Zeppelin was more theatrical, but the Who were more “in your face” loud and fast, which translates to a better stage show, IMO.
I was thinking more along the lines of a UFC style cage match.
Well, Daltrey was well known for his willingness to fight, and Moonie was scrappy, but they wouldn’t stand a chance in a cage against a drunken Bonzo…
I think a winning strategy when up against Moonie or Bonzo would be just to stay out of reach until they pass out.