Album of the Day

Led Zeppelin's second album was created, appropriately enough, on the fly – it was written and recorded (in studios of varying quality) during multiple U.S./European tours in 1969. As a singer and lyricist, Robert Plant was growing by leaps and bounds, guitarist Jimmy Page was coming into his own as a producer, and the powerful rhythm section of John Paul Jones and John Bonham helped make LED ZEPPELIN II the band's heaviest album. As on their debut, the blues influence is undeniable on such tracks as “Whole Lotta Love” and “Heartbreaker,” but the acoustic-flavored “Ramble On” was one indication that the U.K. quartet was looking well beyond Willie Dixon and Howlin' Wolf. On original release, the collection became the group's first No.1 album, and LED ZEPPELIN II remains a heavy metal landmark.