Led Zeppelin II was the eponymous second studio album by Led Zeppelin, released on October 22, 1969 in the U.S. and on October 31, 1969 in the U.K. by Atlantic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at several locations in both the U.K. and North America from January to August 1969. The album’s production was credited to the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter Jimmy Page, and it also served as Led Zeppelin’s first album to utilize the recording techniques of the engineer Eddie Kramer. Incorporating several elements of blues and folk music, Led Zeppelin II exhibited the band’s evolving musical style of blues-derived material and their guitar riff-based sound.
Track listing
1. “Whole Lotta Love”
2. “What Is and What Should Never Be”
3. “The Lemon Song”
4. “Thank You”
5. “Heartbreaker”
6. “Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman)”
7. “Ramble On”
8. “Moby Dick”
9. “Bring It On Home”
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The album cover designer, David Juniper, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package
Recording Sessions Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
Recording sessions for the album took place at several locations in both the United Kingdom and North America from January to August 1969
The Hut Photo By: GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images
Some of the recording studios used by the band were not the most advanced. One studio in Vancouver, described as the “hut,” had an 8-track set up that did not...
1959 Gibson Les Paul Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
Led Zeppelin II is the band’s first album to feature Jimmy Page playing a 1959 Gibson Les Paul, the electric guitar he helped popularize
The Lemon Song Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
The Lemon Song” was inspired by Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor,” which was a song Led Zeppelin briefly incorporated into their live setlist during their first concert tour of the U.S.
Thank You Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
The track “Thank You” was the first Led Zeppelin song where Robert Plant wrote all the lyrics. He wrote this song as a tribute to his then wife Maureen
Ramble On Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
With its mysterious atmospherics, “Ramble On” helped develop hard rock’s association with fantasy themes. They had been partly derived from the psychedelic rock genre of two to three years before,...
Moby Dick Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
The instrumental “Moby Dick” features an extended drum solo by John Bonham, which would be extended further during Led Zeppelin concert performances sometimes for as long as half an hour