LED ZEPPELIN - IV aka ZOSO 12" Vinyl LP Album

- 1971 French Release with Gatefold Album Cover

Led Zeppelin - IV, also known as "Zoso", is a legendary album that has etched its place in the world of rock and roll history. Released in 1971, this 12" vinyl LP masterpiece encapsulates the raw talent and creative genius of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Produced by Jimmy Page and managed by Peter Grant, the album was recorded at various iconic locations, including Headley Grange in Hampshire, Island Studios in London, and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, California. With its iconic gatefold cover, captivating design by Grapheaks, and photography by Keith Morris, Led Zeppelin - IV remains a quintessential classic.

The Journey Unfolds:
Side One of Led Zeppelin - IV commences with the thunderous opening track, "Black Dog". The song's heavy riffs, intricate guitar work, and Robert Plant's powerful vocals set the stage for the musical odyssey that awaits listeners. It seamlessly transitions into "Rock and Roll", a high-energy anthem that exemplifies the band's prowess in creating infectious melodies.

Next on the journey is "The Battle of Evermore", a mystical folk-infused masterpiece that features the mesmerizing vocals of Robert Plant and the haunting harmonies of Sandy Denny. The pinnacle of Side One arrives with "Stairway to Heaven", a magnum opus that has become synonymous with Led Zeppelin's legacy. This epic composition weaves together ethereal acoustic passages, soaring guitar solos, and introspective lyrics, captivating listeners and elevating the album to unprecedented heights.

Side Two of Led Zeppelin - IV continues the sonic adventure with "Misty Mountain Hop", a dynamic track infused with energetic rhythms and an infectious chorus. "Four Sticks" showcases the band's dexterity, as John Bonham's thunderous drumming takes center stage alongside Page's blistering guitar work. The journey mellows with the enchanting "Going to California", a reflective acoustic ballad that transports listeners to distant landscapes.

Closing out the album is "When The Levee Breaks", a blues-infused powerhouse that showcases Led Zeppelin's ability to create a hauntingly immersive atmosphere. With its mesmerizing drum intro and bluesy guitar licks, the track leaves an indelible mark on the listener, bringing the album to a resounding conclusion.

Impact and Legacy:
Led Zeppelin - IV's impact on rock and roll cannot be overstated. The album demonstrated Led Zeppelin's versatility, fusing a myriad of musical influences, including blues, folk, and hard rock, into a cohesive and groundbreaking sound. The album's iconic tracks, such as "Stairway to Heaven" and "Black Dog", continue to resonate with audiences across generations, solidifying Led Zeppelin's status as pioneers of the genre.

The gatefold cover design by Grapheaks, with its intricate symbols and enigmatic artwork, perfectly captures the album's mystique. Keith Morris's photography adds an authentic touch, visually encapsulating the essence of Led Zeppelin's enigmatic aura.

Led Zeppelin - IV remains a cherished treasure in the world of vinyl records, with collectors and music enthusiasts seeking out the original UK pressing. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the album's timeless appeal and the band's enduring legacy.

Packaging: 

Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design with artwork / photos on the inside cover pages. This album "Led Zeppelin IV" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, and artwork

Music Genre:

Album Production Information:

This album was recorded at: Headley Grange Hampshire, Island Studios London, Sunset Sound, Los Angeles California

Album cover design: Grapheaks

Album cover photography: Keith Morris

Record Label & Catalognr:

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Full-Length Long-Play  Gramophone Record
LP (Record Weight) 165 gram
Total Album weight: 330 gram  

Year & Country:

Band Members and Musicians on: Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV

Band-members, Musicians and Performers
• John Bonham – drums
• John Bonham – Drums

  John Bonham (1948–1980) was Led Zeppelin’s powerhouse drummer, whose thunderous attack and deep groove redefined what rock drumming could sound like in the 1970s. Read more...

  Bonham’s playing combined raw force with surprising finesse, turning tracks like “Moby Dick” and “When the Levee Breaks” into masterclasses in power and feel. He had that rare ability to sound both loose and absolutely locked in, swinging like a jazz drummer while hitting like a demolition crew. His massive bass drum tone and inventive fills became a blueprint for generations of hard rock and metal drummers. When he died in 1980, Led Zeppelin chose to end the band rather than replace him, a decision that says everything about how central he was to their sound. His legacy still echoes every time a drummer dares to hit hard and groove harder.

  John Bonham Wiki
• John Paul Jones – bass guitar, electric piano, mandolin, recorders, EMS VCS 3, acoustic guitar on "The Battle of Evermore"
• John Paul Jones – Bass Guitar

  John Paul Jones, born January 3, 1946, was Led Zeppelin’s quietly brilliant bassist and multi-instrumentalist, the man who added brains, depth, and unexpected color to the band’s colossal sound. Read more...

  While Page, Plant, and Bonham grabbed headlines, Jones built the architecture underneath them. His fluid basslines drove songs like “Ramble On,” while his keyboards and orchestral arrangements transformed tracks such as “No Quarter” into moody epics. Trained, disciplined, and endlessly curious, he brought a session musician’s precision to a band famous for excess. After Led Zeppelin ended in 1980, Jones expanded into production, film scoring, and adventurous collaborations, proving he was never just “the bass player.” His legacy rests in the details—the subtle moves that turned great riffs into fully realized compositions.

  John Paul Jones Wiki
• Jimmy Page – acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, production, mastering, digital remastering
• Jimmy Page – Guitars

  Jimmy Page, born January 9, 1944, is the legendary guitarist and sonic architect behind Led Zeppelin’s groundbreaking sound, famous for riffs that could level buildings and still somehow swing. Read more...

  Jimmy Page became rock royalty as Led Zeppelin’s guitarist, arranger, and studio mastermind, shaping the band’s huge 1970s sound with inventive riffs, layered textures, and a producer’s obsession for detail. His live performances mixed precision with danger, stretching songs into epic improvisations without losing the groove. After Led Zeppelin ended in 1980, Page stayed active through projects like The Firm and a run of high-profile collaborations, keeping his influence all over rock well into the 1980s and beyond. Even when he wasn’t on the radio every five minutes, his fingerprints were still on the genre’s DNA.

  Jimmy Page Wiki
• Robert Plant – lead vocals, harmonica, tambourine
• Robert Plant – Lead Vocals

  Robert Plant, born August 20, 1948, is the iconic English frontman of Led Zeppelin, whose soaring vocals and magnetic stage presence helped define hard rock and heavy metal. Read more...

  Robert Plant rose to global fame as the voice of Led Zeppelin, shaping the sound of 1970s rock with his dynamic range and blues-infused power. After the band disbanded in 1980, he built a remarkably diverse solo career, exploring blues, folk, world music, and Americana. His willingness to evolve artistically rather than repeat past glories has secured his reputation as a restless innovator and enduring rock pioneer.

  Robert Plant Wiki
• Additional musicians
• Sandy Denny – vocals on "The Battle of Evermore"
• Ian Stewart – piano on "Rock and Roll"
• Ian Stewart – Piano

  Kicked out for not being "marketable" in 1963, kept around forever for actually playing. Read more...

  Ian Stewart, Ian Stewart is the Rolling Stones' no-nonsense piano anchor, and I will die on the hill that he kept the boogie honest while everyone else chased the spotlight. From 1961-1962 he worked London's R&B circuit with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated; in 1962 he co-founded the Rolling Stones and, after being pushed out of the "official" lineup in 1963 for image reasons, stayed on as road manager and session pianist right up to 1985. I hear him in the Stones' live roar and studio grooves, and he even guested on early-1970s sessions with Led Zeppelin. In the early 1980s he fronted Rocket 88, built for sweat, not fashion. When a Stones track suddenly swings like a pub jukebox at closing time, I blame Stu.

  Ian Stewart Wiki

Complete Track Listing of: "Led Zeppelin IV"

Side One:
1. Black Dog
2. Rock and Roll
3. The Battle of Evermore
4. Stairway to Heaven

Side Two:
1. Misty Mountain Hop
2. Four Sticks
3. Going to California
4. When The Levee Breaks

Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV

High Resolution Photo Album Front Cover  

High Resolution Photo Album Back Cover  

High Resolution Photo of the Inside Page of the Gatefold Cover Side One  

Enlarged High Resolution Photo of the Record's label