New Yardbirds Formation

Lore & Background

When the original Yardbirds disbanded in mid-1968, Jimmy Page inherited a contractual obligation requiring performances across Scandinavia. Rather than abandon these commitments, he negotiated to continue playing under the band's established billing while restructuring the lineup entirely. This business maneuver provided the necessary time and financial backing to recruit top-tier talent without starting from zero. The recruitment process was swift but deliberate. John Paul Jones, already a respected session musician known to Page, joined early on after his wife suggested he enquire about the vacant bass position. Jimmy Page then sought out Robert Plant for vocals, who in turn recommended his friend John Bonham on drums. Together, they rehearsed intensively while traveling to fulfill the Scandinavian dates. The first time they played together, Jones recalled, 'As soon as I heard John Bonham play... I knew this was going to be great.' They recorded their debut album in just nine days, with Page covering the costs. Once the tour concluded, there was no need to retain the old identity. The group officially rebranded as Led Zeppelin shortly after returning to London, marking the end of the New Yardbirds era. This phase is remembered not just for its business acumen, but for the immediate alchemy that occurred when these four specific musicians first played together.

In Their Own Story

The air in the recording session below a record store on Gerrard Street was electric as the four musicians locked into their first jam. Jimmy Page suggested they attempt 'Train Kept A-Rollin'', originally a jump blues song popularised by Johnny Burnette and covered by the Yardbirds. John Bonham's power immediately convinced John Paul Jones of the group's potential. They moved quickly to Scandinavia, playing together for the first time in front of a live audience at Gladsaxe Teen Club on September 7, 1968. During this period, they recorded their debut album based on their live set, finishing the task in nine days. The name 'New Yardbirds' was purely functional, a legal shield to fulfill contracts signed by Relf and McCarty. Once the Scandinavian dates were done and the album completed, Peter Grant secured a massive $143,000 advance from Atlantic Records. Dreja then issued a cease and desist letter, forcing them to drop the moniker. The group dropped the 'a' in 'lead' at Grant's suggestion and replaced 'balloon' with 'zeppelin', creating a name that brought 'the perfect combination of heavy and light' to Page's mind.

Reader's Guide

The transition began when guitarist Jimmy Page sought to honor a contractual obligation left by the original Yardbirds in Scandinavia. He assembled a fresh lineup, bringing in vocalist Robert Plant and bassist John Paul Jones, followed shortly by drummer John Bonham. They toured under the moniker New Yardbirds to satisfy promoters while secretly preparing for a new identity. Peter Grant managed the logistics, ensuring the group could pivot quickly once obligations were met and securing a record-breaking advance from Atlantic Records. The band performed in Gladsaxe, Denmark, on September 7, 1968, marking their first live show as this specific quartet. By late 1968, the name was officially retired to launch Led Zeppelin during recording sessions for their debut album. This period marked the critical fusion of blues rock and hard power that would define their legacy. The success proved Page's vision viable, establishing a hierarchy that prioritized creative control over commercial branding. Without this interim phase, the contractual debts might have stifled the new group’s formation entirely. It remains a pivotal chapter where business savvy met musical ambition to birth a legendary act.

Did You Know?

• The band recorded their debut album in just nine days, with Jimmy Page covering the costs.
• John Paul Jones joined as bassist after his wife suggested he enquire about the vacant position when Chris Dreja dropped out to become a photographer.
• The name 'New Yardbirds' was used only for Scandinavian dates; a cease and desist from Chris Dreja forced them to change it immediately after the tour.
• Peter Grant secured a $143,000 advance contract from Atlantic Records in November 1968, which was the biggest deal of its kind for a new band at the time.
• The first live show featuring all four members as the New Yardbirds took place at Gladsaxe Teen Club in Denmark on September 7, 1968.