Hammer of the Gods

Stephen Davis's *Hammer of the Gods* is a loud, messy, and entertaining retelling of Led Zeppelin's meteoric rise, mythic reputation, and tragic collapse. From their explosive formation to their chaotic disbandment in 1980 after the death of John Bonham, the book delivers the energy and excess that defined Zeppelin. Yes, the infamous shark story is in there. So are the TVs flying from hotel windows. But here's what you need to know: all three surviving members have cast doubts on its accuracy. John Paul Jones called it "a very sad little book. It made us out to be sad little people." The *Chicago Tribune* called it "one of the most notorious rock biographies ever written." Some roadies were reportedly paid to sensationalize stories. Many accounts have since been discredited. Jimmy Page is the centerpiece, as he should be: the architect of the Zeppelin sound and vision, already semi-famous before the band even existed due to his session playing and stint with the Yardbirds. But Davis doesn't skimp on the rest—Peter Grant's bulldozer management style, Richard Cole's road madness, Robert Plant's charisma, John Paul Jones's behind-the-scenes brilliance, and Bonham's brute-force drumming all get their due. By 1975, the party was beginning to end. Critics had never loved them, but by now, the band was also unraveling from within. Page and Cole spiraled into heroin addiction. Plant suffered personal tragedy. Bonham, exhausted and drinking heavily, died after consuming an estimated 40 units of vodka in 24 hours. This marked the end of the band and the end of an era. For a more honest musician memoir, try Flea's *Acid for the Children*—same era, same excess, but written by the subject himself with genuine reflection.