When Giants Walked the Earth

A Biography of Led Zeppelin

By: Mick Wall

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Led Zeppelin rose to become one of the biggest-selling rock bands of all time. Mick Wall, respected rock writer and former confidant of band members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, unflinchingly tells the story of the band that wrote the rulebook for on-the-road excess and eventually paid the price for it, with disaster, drug addiction, and death.

Wall also recounts, in a series of flashbacks, the life stories of the five individuals that made the dream a reality: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, and their infamous manager, Peter Grant.

Finally, the full, shocking story is told from the inside.

©2009 Mick Wall (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"So this is the big one: a fat, juicy biography of the biggest band ever....Mick Wall, the veteran rock journalist, lays it all bare in a book that can only be described as definitive." ( Daily Telegraph)
"That Wall can add so much fresh detail to the Led Zep story is in itself an extraordinary achievement. That he manages to humanize these planet-striding giants while doing so puts this book into the 'definitive' category." ( Classic Rock magazine)

"Wall painstakingly traces Zeppelin's development and musical pedigree. His access and attention to detail make this a definitive work….an essential source for anyone eager to learn about the era when rock stars ruled the world." ( Publishers Weekly)

If you love zep then you'll likely love this

Well done biography of the band. It flows very well from childhood to the band years and back.

great book

interesting how iconic Rock band for it's start. Who they inspired along the way. The Triumphs and pitfalls of being in a band of this magnitude.

There were indeed giants in those days

An eye-opening account of the rise and fade out of one of the best rock bands of all time, this one had me thoroughly entertained. The book brings to life the oversized personalities and talent of the band members, and their crazy touring life, as well as the oversized personality and aggression of their manager. A window into an era of excess, probably never to be repeated, of rock gods who built a stairway to the heavens before falling back to earth. Chapters in the bands life, like their idyllic songwriting stay in rural Wales are contrasted with the hedonistic escapades of their American tours. The author also explores Jimmy Page's interest in the occult and Aleister Crowley, and how that may have influenced the music and mind of the band's lead songwriter and producer. It certainly became part of the mythology surrounding the band, however much Robert Plant wants to downplay it now. Simon Vance is a fine narrator who capably kept my interest, even in the chapters with the questionable choice of being written in the second person.

Well done!

I loved this. It was like vicariously taking the journey through their career. Narration is fitting and entertaining. I read some negative reviews of how the narrator bothered some folks, maybe just listen to the sample before buying. He grew on me. It has a strange model of switching to occasional alter narration which is great at times and weird at other times. But overall I felt so intimately entrenched in the story I didn’t want it to end. I’ve always looked up to the 4 musicians that made up LZ and this listen both shattered and re-enforced my admiration. Epic story of a by gone era.

Not what I expected

Good narration, but the book isn’t a biography, it’s more like a biopic film where there is a bunch of conjecture and supposition. No thanks.

Music Journalists

As an ex-boss of mine used say, “people who can’t write interviewing people who can’t talk for people who can’t read.” Well, I can read but I do profess to enjoy audio books. That said, this book is a mixed bag. I love Zeppelin’s music. I muse at what it might feel like to have that much money and power. As a sideman who had a few peaks and probably more lows, I think I have an idea. I wouldn’t want it. Oh yeah, but we had grams of blow on the table, not pounds. There were definitely some scintillating sexual situations, but the truth is that all of it was far more sad and regrettable than satisfying. Which brings me back to music journalists who go on to write books. Let’s see, Robert Plant said something in an interview years ago that this author interprets as a mood which Jimmy Page then comments on by grabbing a whammy bar as part of a solo he played on a recording that was made during the same general time period? Nah. I’m not buying it. People who can’t play music, instead positioning themselves as “critics” and write in a sensationalistic manner so as to entice publishers. And don’t get me started on the British Royalty complex. Sheesh. Everybody wants to get into the act. It’s a good book for me, because I love Zeppelin’s music. I admire Page’s production and the band’s musical output, but not the darkness. Would I want to be Zeppelin? Absolutely not. I’d rather be happy. But I liked the book.

Great Listen for Zeppelin Fans

Simon Vance's treatment of the monologues is amazing. The story is very compelling. This is one of those books that made me look forward to my commute. Being a Led Zeppelin fan who only listened to the music, getting the back story was awesome.

when giants walked the earth

Was a bit leery of this book at first listen however it grew on me. lots of information I never realized about the band. Enjoyed the positions the players were in as the various albums and tours were done. Was really taken aback on the amount of interaction the various musicians of the era had with each other. The narratives were sill however enjoyed hearing the english slang from the 60's and 70's. Very well worth the time.

Long

Found difficult to follow who author was talking about. Beginning many stories/anecdotes with the word "You" was not a successful tactic in the telling of this story. Surprised to say the excessive obscenities distracting and long Crowley tangent was unnecessary. On the positive side, so much detail packed in was impressive. In the end, so much sadness for the group. I'm still a lifelong Zeppelin fan but better understand why things happened as they did.

What a great story

What did you love best about When Giants Walked the Earth?

I have been a fan of Led Zeppelin for over thirty years and I thought I knew the whole story there was so much insight into the lives of each member of the band.

What other book might you compare When Giants Walked the Earth to and why?

Iron Man by Toni Iomi these two storys were happing together during the 70s both groups are mentioned in each book

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

John Bonam

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

All that glitters is not gold

Any additional comments?

I hope all fans of Led Zeppelin take the time to enjoy this great book.