We put together the ultimate Led Zeppelin IV covers album

Led Zeppelin IV reimagined by Van Halen, Heart, A Perfect Circle and more

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Whether you call it ‘Led Zep IV’, ‘Zoso’, or ‘that one with Stairway to Heaven on it’, Led Zeppelin’s untitled fourth album is not only an all-time classic, it’s also become part of the cultural landscape. From the pummeling opening

groove of Black Dog through the majesty of Stairway… to John Bonham’s widely sampled opening on their version of When the Levee Breaks, the multi-million selling monster is chock-full of indelible musical moments. It’s no surprise, then, that the songs on this album have been covered by a diverse range of artists. Here are eight of the best and most interesting takes to make the ultimate Led Zeppelin IV covers album…

Beth Hart – Black Dog (A Tribute to Led Zeppelin, 2022)

If you’re going to take on such an iconic part of rock history, you can either radically reinvent it to make it your own or play it straight and make sure you absolutely nail your rendition. Beth Hart takes the latter option, which is arguably more difficult when dealing with Led Zeppelin’s already perfect delivery. Her backing band capture the groove more than adequately but it’s the singer’s power-packed delivery that takes this light years beyond standard cover band territory.

Van Halen – Rock And Roll (Live Without a Net, 1986

From one classic rock band to another, as Van Halen tackle a song “written by some old friends of ours” to close out their 1986 live video album Live Without a Net. Sammy Hagar had just joined and, even if you’re staunchly Team Roth, it’s difficult to deny that their poodle-permed new recruit had a better set of pipes for a song like this. Eddie is clearly having fun ramping up the solo and the result is an enjoyable and exhilarating romp.

Jaz Coleman and the London Philharmonic Orchestra – The Battle of Evermore (Kashmir: Symphonic Led Zeppelin, 1997)

Jaz Coleman had already made Us and Them: Symphonic Pink Floyd in 1995 before turning to the works of Led Zeppelin. The Killing Joke frontman arranged all the music, which was performed in an instrumental format by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The sprawling, Lord of the Rings-inspired The Battle of Evermore was certainly suited to this reworking. It could perhaps stand to be a little less restrained, sounding more mystical than epic and bombastic, but it does make for a uniquely intriguing reworking.

We put together the ultimate Led Zeppelin IV covers album

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