Led Zeppelin openly displayed their influences. Often accused of plagiarism, the band's intense blend of blues and powerful sound effectively shaped the rock genre for future artists. Within their records, one can find various clues about the origins of their songs – including a subtle reference to Jimi Hendrix at one point.
The band held the American guitarist in high regard, with Jimmy Page considering his transatlantic counterpart the greatest of all time. The 1969 track ‘Thank You’ can be interpreted as a subtle homage to Hendrix through the inclusion of a few lines.
'If 6 Was 9’ was featured on the second album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, ‘Axis: Bold As Love’. The lyrics, inspired by the spiritual beliefs of the Hopi tribe, felt deeply personal to Hendrix, who often expressed their significance to him.
Chosen later for the soundtrack of the cult film Easy Rider, ‘If 6 Was 9’ has had a lasting impact, particularly on Led Zeppelin.
The British band's second album was released in 1969 and includes ‘Thank You’. This track represents a straightforward, albeit unique, example of their rock sound, featuring Jimmy Page on electric 12-string guitar while John Paul Jones plays the Hammond organ.
Robert Plant's lyrics contain two references to Hendrix's earlier song – “If the sun refused to shine” / “If mountains crumble to the sea” – and can be seen as a thoughtful tribute to the American musician.
But did Jimi Hendrix perceive it in that way? It is unclear whether he recognized the lyrical homage, but he reportedly had issues with Led Zeppelin’s overt displays of their influences.
In 2006, Carmine Appice, the drummer for Vanilla Fudge, recalled a conversation he had with Hendrix regarding Zeppelin and his less than positive views. “Jimi Hendrix personally told me that he didn’t like Zeppelin because they were like excess baggage and that they stole from everybody,” he explained.
Revisit ‘Thank You’ below.
Related: Jimi Hendrix – His 18 Best Songs.
Led Zeppelin always openly displayed their influences. Often criticized for plagiarism, the group's intense blend of blues and loudness essentially
