Immigrant Song

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins the epic "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin from their iconic album Led Zeppelin III. This track, with its pounding riff and Norse mythology vibes, was born out of a wild trip to Reykjavik, Iceland, in June 1970. Robert Plant, the band’s frontman, was struck by the snowy landscapes and the crowd’s electric energy during a cultural mission gig at Laugardalshöll sports hall. He later told journalist Chris Welch, “We weren’t being pompous … We did come from the land of the ice and snow,” reflecting how the Icelandic experience fueled the song’s Viking-inspired lyrics. The band debuted it live just six days later at the Bath Festival in England, setting stages ablaze as their set opener until 1972.

Here’s a juicy tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: "Immigrant Song" wasn’t just a studio banger. When played live, Jimmy Page unleashed a blistering guitar solo that never made it onto the Led Zeppelin III recording, giving fans a raw, extended experience. The song’s cultural impact is massive—it inspired the title of Stephen Davis’ band biography, Hammer of the Gods, and its Viking imagery influenced heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden and Amon Amarth. Fun fact: the band initially refused to let "Immigrant Song" be used in the 2003 movie School of Rock, but Jack Black won them over with a video of himself rocking out to the song with thousands of fans, begging for permission. Oh, and those early U.S. vinyl singles? They had an Aleister Crowley quote, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” etched into the dead wax, adding a touch of mystic flair.

Now, let’s rewind to how Led Zeppelin became the rock gods we know today. Formed in London in 1968, the band rose from the ashes of The Yardbirds, where Jimmy Page was a guitarist. Initially called the New Yardbirds, the lineup solidified with Robert Plant on vocals, John Paul Jones on bass and keyboards, and John Bonham on drums. They inked a deal with Atlantic Records, giving them serious creative freedom, and dropped their debut album, Led Zeppelin, in 1969. Tracks like “Good Times Bad Times” and “Dazed and Confused” blended blues, folk, and heavy guitar riffs, laying the groundwork for hard rock and heavy metal. Their second album, Led Zeppelin II, with hits like “Whole Lotta Love,” cemented their fame, and by the time Led Zeppelin III hit in 1970, they were topping charts worldwide, selling over 13 million copies of that album alone.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Led Zeppelin on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share updates like the 50th-anniversary reissue of "Immigrant Song" announced in 2020. For fan communities, check out the r/ledzeppelin subreddit, buzzing with 97K members sharing trivia and memes, or join the Led Zeppelin Fans Facebook group for discussions and rare photos. Fan sites like Led Zep News offer unofficial scoops, including unseen 1973 concert photos, while Classic Rock Fandom dives deep into their legacy. Stay tuned to THE ZOO for more classic cuts, and keep rocking, Zoo Freaks!