Before Led Zeppelin, There Was Band Of Joy.

Photo: Egghead06 at English Wikipedia [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The origins of the group Band Of Joy began in England in the year 1966. The band would host a revolving door of musicians who would become members of the group and some who would just perform with the band. The most noted members would be Robert Plant and his future band mate John Bonham. Other noted members to the band would be Dave Pegg who would go one to work with Jethro Tull, Nick Drake, Fairport Convention and hundred of other musical artists.

The group Band Of Joy recorded a few demos in the 1960’s that featured Robert Plant and John Bonham. The band did not release their first album until 1978 long after Robert Plant and John Bonham had left the group and had become the Rock Gods of Classic Rock History. A pair of the demos that Band Of Joy recorded with Robert Plant and John Bonham were officially released on the Robert Plant song compilation Sixty Six to Timbuktu. The Sixty Six in the title represented his earliest recording work released on the album from the Band of Joy demos.

In 2010, Robert Plant revitalized the name Band of Joy with an entire new group of musicians that had nothing to do with the original 1960’s and 70’s band.  If you have never heard the original Band Of Joy demos, than they will knock you out. Listening to a young Robert Plant sing those songs with his ferocious range and spell bindings blues infused vocals licks is pure heaven for Led Zeppelin fans. It was a moment in time that showcased for the few who were there, the greatness that would soon unfold from the talents of Robert Plant and John Bonham.

Overtime, many musicians performed in the group Band Of Joy. These included Robert Plant, Chris Brown, Lyndon Laney, Vernon Pereira, John Bonham, Paul Lockey, Kevyn Gammond, Dave Pegg, John Hill,John Kelsey, Mick Strode, Michael Chetwood, John Pasternak, Peter Robinson, Marco Giovino, Patty Griffin, Byron House, Buddy Miller and Darrell Scott

Robert Plant:  Band Of Joy – “For What It’s Worth.” 1968

Robert Plant, John Bonham and the 1960’s Band Of Joy – “Hey Joe.”