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PHOTOS: Led Zeppelin through the years

One of the most recognizable rock-and-roll groups in history, Led Zeppelin kicked off its world domination in 1968—but they weren't Led Zeppelin at first. The band, originally consisting of John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, John Bonham and Robert Plant, was called The New Yardbirds. By the end of 1968, the members donned their new name and was signed to Atlantic Records with a deal unheard of today: Complete autonomy over creativity and tours. Led Zeppelin went on to release four albums from 1969 to 1971, rocketing through the stratosphere as they reinvented rock and metal music, becoming a worldwide phenomenon. The stardom led to some issues, however. The men were embroiled in shocking stories of their antics, especially while staying in hotels. Led Zeppelin parted ways with Atlantic Records in 1974, where they released five of their eight albums, in favor of their newly minted record label, Swan Song. Despite releasing the album 'Presence' in 1976, the fans received it with a mixed bag of emotions, and their 1977 American tour was riddled with arrests and fans rioting. That tour was cancelled after Plant was alerted that his five-year-old son had died of a stomach virus, and the band went under the radar for awhile. Their last album, 'In Through the Out Door,' was also met with tepid responses from fans and critics, though it hit the music charts at a high mark. After playing some shows in 1979, the band was prepping to make another tour return in 1980, but Bonham's sudden death from vomit-induced asphyxiation on Sept. 25, 1980, cancelled everything. By December of 1980, the remaining members announced Led Zeppelin was officially disbanded. Since then, the men have come together to pay on a few separate occasions, with Bonham's son, Jason, playing in his father's place.