When Giants Walked the Earth

When Giants Walked the Earth

This week I have been reading When Giants Walked the Earth by Mick Wall. It is a biography of the iconic band Led Zeppelin. This is the best book on Led Zeppelin that I have read. It is probably one of the best rock biographies that I have read period. Many rock biographies degenerate into tales of substance abuse and not much else. When Giants Walked the Earth reads more like a novel. The story certainly has some fascinating characters including Led Zeppelin manager, Peter Grant, Jimmy Page and John Bonham. Jimmy Page’s extreme interest in Aleister Crowley is explored in great detail. Peter Grant is portrayed as a larger than life character who was notorious for intimidating any business associates who Grant felt did not have the best interests of his act in mind. John Bonham’s Jeckyl and Hyde personality is also discussed in great detail. In addition to being probably the heaviest drummer of all time Bonzo was also known as The Beast when he was on tour with the band. Led Zeppelin’s drummer was also a man who missed his family terribly when his band was on tour. He would sometimes be in tears when he confided to others how much he hated being away from his wife and kids.

Three one shot reunion concerts are also analyzed. This is one heavy book and is a must for any hard rock or heavy metal fan.