Led Zeppelin didn't take a backseat when the punk movement emerged – the band chose to respond in kind.
In the late 1970s, the lines were being drawn as a new wave of bands dismantled the excesses of the progressive era, returning rock music to small venues in the process. Loud, energetic, and confrontational, punk was conceived as a Year Zero moment, tearing down everything in its path.
However, Led Zeppelin remained unfazed. Upon their arrival in the late 60s, they were already the biggest, loudest, and most daring phenomenon around, so vocalist Robert Plant decided to match punk bands in terms of volume.
"Wearing And Tearing" was his response to the punk movement. Written during the sessions for the keyboard-focused album "In Through The Out Door," it harkened back to Led Zeppelin’s heavier roots, featuring Jimmy Page's powerful crunching guitar riffs backed by one of John Bonham’s most primal drumming performances.
Plant adored the song – he wanted it released as a single before their monumental 1979 concert at Knebworth, but Jimmy Page had reservations.
The frontman once remarked: “I love ‘Wearing and Tearing,’ which Page and I created together. We were really frustrated with the whole punk scene, thinking, ‘What do those wealthy bastards know?’ First off, we understood that we weren’t that rich. Secondly, we had a better grasp of psychobilly than they did.”
Eventually included in the ‘Coda’ compilation – released after Bonham’s passing and the band's breakup – ‘Wearing And Tearing’ has become cherished by Led Zeppelin fans.
When Robert Plant and Jimmy Page performed at Knebworth in 1990, the singer finally got his wish – ‘Wearing And Tearing’ was included proudly in the set list.
You can revisit the moment of the song's first live performance below.
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Led Zeppelin didn't take a passive approach when the punk movement emerged; instead, the band chose to stand up and respond decisively. In the late 1970s, divisions were being drawn.