Led Zeppelin's "Presence" (12" Vinyl LP, German release 1976) emerges as a sonic and visual marvel. Produced by Jimmy Page and Peter Grant, its unique cover design by Hipgnosis, featuring "The Object," signifies the band's enigmatic aura. With the album title strategically placed, this version stands as a testament to Led Zeppelin's musical prowess and artistic ingenuity during the musical landscape of 1976 Germany.
Led Zeppelin's "Presence," released as a 12" Vinyl LP album in Germany in 1976, stands as a significant musical relic, both in terms of its auditory impact and the visual symbolism encapsulated in its cover design. This version of the album, distinguished by having the title printed near the top right corner of the front cover, contributes to the unique narrative of the band's presence during its release period.
Produced under the careful guidance of Jimmy Page and Peter Grant, the album is a testament to Led Zeppelin's enduring musical prowess. The collaborative efforts of the band members are palpable throughout the tracks, creating a sonic landscape that resonated with the listeners of its time. The immersive experience provided by the vinyl format further enriched the connection between the audience and the music, capturing the essence of the era's music consumption.
The album cover, designed by the renowned Hipgnosis, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the overall package. The use of a black obelisk, simply known as "The Object," dominates both the front and back covers. This obelisk, a symbol of strength and mystery, encapsulates the band's ethos and leaves an indelible mark on the visual representation of the album.
In the context of the 1976 German release, the distinctive features of this version, such as the placement of the album title and the use of "The Object," contribute to the album's unique identity within the Led Zeppelin discography. The German release serves as a snapshot of the cultural and artistic milieu of the time, reflecting the attention to detail and creativity that characterized the music industry during that period.
Furthermore, the catalog number SSK 59 402 (59402) / ST-SS 763 559 (763559) under Swan Song Records adds historical significance, marking its place in the label's catalog and contributing to the broader narrative of Led Zeppelin's discography.
Trivia;The black object on Led Zeppelin's "Presence" cover is simply called "The Object." It's an obelisk symbolizing the band's powerful and mysterious presence. The band is absent, leaving the object to represent their force and influence. Its meaning is open to interpretation, but it's intended to be a powerful visual metaphor for Led Zeppelin's impact.
Collector Notes: This version of Presence has the album title printed near the top right corner of the front cover (Other versions of this album have the album titled pressed/embossed without visible ink, or a sticker on the cover).
Music Genre: Hard Rock, Early Heavy Metal Music
Album Production:
Produced by Jimmy Page and Peter Grant
Album Cover Design: Hipgnosis
Hipgnosis, the legendary British art design group, revolutionized album cover art for rock music. Explore their iconic visual creations on our website, featuring a vast collection of their innovative designs for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and many more.
Here is the web-page with a gallery of album covers created by Hipgnosis
Record Label & Catalognr:
Swan Song Records SSK 59 402 (59402) / ST-SS 763 559 (763559)
This record catalogue numbers were (US) Swan Song SS 8416
(UK) Swan Song SSK59402 before being changed to 92439-2 for when the remaster was released.
Media Format:
12" Vinyl LP Record
Year & Country:
1976 Made in Germany
Complete Track Listing of: Led Zeppelin Presence
Side One:
Achilles Last Stand
For Your Life
New Orleans
Side Two:
Nobody's fault but mine
Candy Store Rock
Hots on for Nowhere
Tea for One
Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Led Zeppelin Presence
High Resolution Photo Album Front Cover
Front cover of Led Zeppelin’s 1976 album “Presence” (German release). The artwork presents a surreal photo-realistic image framed in white. A clean-cut family of four—father, mother, daughter, and son—sits around a white-clothed table on a marina-side restaurant terrace.
The father, dressed in a gray checkered suit and tie, smiles as he faces his wife. She wears a vivid pink dress with pearls and holds her hands gracefully folded on the table. The daughter, in a yellow frilly dress with a pink bow, sits to the left. The boy, in a brown suit, sits on the right, facing slightly away from the viewer.
At the center of the table is a stark, abstract black object shaped like a tall, angled obelisk—an ominous, unexplained presence that all family members are intently gazing at. Behind them is a tranquil harbor scene with moored sailboats and waterfront buildings, rendered in soft natural colors, creating a sharp contrast to the central object.
In the upper right corner of the album cover, the words “LED ZEPPELIN PRESENCE” are printed in black uppercase letters, spaced and boxed individually, creating a minimalist modernist effect. This German pressing uniquely displays the album title visibly in print, unlike other international versions that may have embossed or stickered titles.
High Resolution Photo Album Back Cover
Back cover of Led Zeppelin’s 1976 album “Presence” (German release). The image depicts a stylized classroom scene set within a wide cream-colored frame. At center is a color photograph of a teacher and two students—one boy seated at a desk, and a girl standing beside him—engaged in an eerie lesson.
The elderly female teacher, with gray styled hair and dressed in a white blouse, is holding her hands mid-air in a dramatic gesture, directing attention toward a solid black obelisk—“The Object”—resting on the school desk. The boy, in a striped shirt with suspenders, raises both hands, as if responding to the object with curiosity or reverence. The girl, wearing a plaid dress and hair ribbons, leans in attentively from the right.
Behind them is a blackboard featuring chalked numbers: "33240", "712400", and "2506000", as well as a sketch of The Object pinned to the bulletin board. A map of Europe can be seen on the wall behind the boy, suggesting a geography or history setting.
In the top right corner of the album sleeve, the catalog number SSK 59 402 and distribution code France: WE 321 are printed, along with a yellow “CODE 43 MV” sticker. The iconic Swan Song Records logo of a winged figure appears faintly in the lower left corner, with full manufacturing and copyright text along the bottom edge.
Enlarged High Resolution Photo of the Record's label
Side One label of Led Zeppelin’s 1976 German LP “Presence.” The label is printed on a vivid background depicting a winged, muscular, angelic male figure soaring against a dreamy orange-pink sunset sky. This iconic artwork is the Swan Song Records logo, a hallmark of the label founded by Led Zeppelin.
At the top, “SWAN SONG” is printed in stylized gradient text. Just below, on the left, appear the licensing codes “GEMA / BIEM” and “STEREO.” On the right is the catalog number: SSK 59 402 with matrix: (ST-SS 763 559). The side designation is listed as Side 1.
The central text block lists the album title LED ZEPPELIN – PRESENCE, followed by the track listing for Side One:
1. Achilles Last Stand (Page/Plant) – 10:26
2. For Your Life (Page/Plant) – 6:21
3. Royal Orleans (Bonham/Jones/Page/Plant) – 2:58
Around the edge in small type are copyright warnings in German and English prohibiting unauthorized use. A circular icon marks the record as 33 RPM. The label is notable for its bold, mythological visual aesthetic and meticulous typesetting.
Another influential British rock band, featuring Eric Clapton on guitar. Cream explored a wider range of styles than Led Zeppelin, but their blues-rock foundation and improvisational jams share some similarities.
Cream
Deep Purple
Pioneered hard rock and heavy metal, with influences from blues and psychedelia. Known for their powerful vocals, driving riffs, and complex instrumentals.
Deep Purple
Jimi Hendrix
A legendary guitarist known for his innovative playing style and use of effects pedals. While not strictly a band, Hendrix's influence on rock guitar is undeniable, and his music shares some elements of blues and psychedelia with Led Zeppelin.
Jimi Hendrix
The Who
Pioneered power pop and mod rock, known for their energetic live performances and Pete Townshend's distinctive guitar work. The Who's music is often heavier and more aggressive than Led Zeppelin's, but both bands share a love for extended jams and powerful vocals.
The Who
