Zeppelin and the Devil

SpaceYourBass · #1 10-24-2007, 12:02 AM

I'm sure how everyone's heard about Page being a Satanistist and follower of Aleister Crowley. I think all of Zeppelin did this except John Paul Jones, the bassist. Do you guys think Satan helped make Zeppelin (arguably) the no. 1 band of the 70's?
I personally think that some of Crowley's teachings helped members of the group artistically. For example, he teaches followers to "learn to read and write backwards, with both hands" or something like that. Perhaps if a psychologist studied the effects of the attribute of this ability among succesful artists, evidence would support that the before-mentioned skill helps them write hit songs. For example, maybe a large percentage of successful music artists are ambidextrous.
Maybe Page and company learned many skills like this from Crowley that helped them make hits.

There's many articles about this, so you all can have at it, buit do not accuse me of being a Satanist, please. The extent of my knowledge of Crowley and Satanism is no more than what I've already written.

Kurtmon · #2 10-24-2007, 12:09 AM

As the Church Lady would say, MMMM' could it be Satan?

phat daddy · #3 10-24-2007, 12:21 AM

That's a very interesting concept, whether one believes in Satan or not. The religious implications really don't matter at all to me-- the concept of being that mentally AND physically ambidextrious and adept floors me. I can't see how that couldn't have assisted them quite a bit, and if I thought myself of the ability, I might even try it myself. Artistically that could theoretically really marry the mind and body and the results could be astounding.

73jbass · #4 10-24-2007, 12:40 AM

In order for them to have sold as many records as they did,people had to buy them,and buy tickets to concerts. Are they Satan worshopers also? Or were they influenced by Satan? Of course,musical ability,and great songwriting skills had nothing to do with their success,right? Your theory is rediculous.

jerome_oneil · #5 10-24-2007, 12:51 AM

Hard work, phenomenal talent, and perseverance probably had more to do with it, I think.

The devil only exists in your head.

phat daddy · #6 10-24-2007, 12:55 AM

I don't think his point (and I know mine's not) has anything to do with believing in the Devil. I think the concept of encouraging ambidextrities physically as well as mentally could possibly help artists communicate their collective ideas better, and it doesn't sound far fetched at all to me. I've had bass teachers tell me to learn everything backwards and forwards and this just takes that very basic concept to a new level.

bongomania · #7 10-24-2007, 01:07 AM

The OP mentions ambidexterity as one of many possible skills or concepts Crowley might have taught them. The thing is, Crowley borrowed symbolism and concepts from prior schools of thought, and wrapped them up in "Satanic" trappings to make it seem like he was the master of these concepts, when in fact it is clear he barely understood any of it. His only success in life was in convincing others that he had the answers, and riding the coattails of famous rockers and their drug frenzies.

Basically I'm saying IMO Crowley didn't teach them anything worthwhile, and may even have held them back artistically with his egoism, relentless negativity, and encouraging of drug abuse.

Note that I'm not anti drugs per se, or Satanism in any of its forms- just anti Crowley's ability to teach anything useful to Zeppelin.

The BurgerMeister · #8 10-24-2007, 01:11 AM

go bongo go bongo go!!!

phat daddy · #9 10-24-2007, 01:12 AM

Well put. I don't support anyone's teachings unless they're great bass players, but I find that some of the concepts can be interesting.

jomahu · #10 10-24-2007, 04:25 AM

i think they owe more to robert johnson than to satan. heck, they probably owe more to santa than to satan. same red suit....

i dunno about reading backwards and forwards, but being ambidextrous can never be a bad thing for a musician.

bluestarbass · #11 10-24-2007, 06:49 AM

Ive read a ton of books on zeppelin and ive never heard that they wrote with both hands or are ambedexterious (sp). Jimmy page and JPJ were incredible session musicians from the time they were 16. That has more to do with it. None of the other band members were too much into that stuff, its just the press blew it out of proportion. Every time they had downtime Jimmy would travel to some far off land and learn their musical style. He was truely a student of the game. Jimmy page is one of the best guitarist ever, thats why he could do that stuff, it had nothing to do with a pact with the devil IMO.

**DeanT** · #12 10-24-2007, 07:53 AM

No. Page himself has said this is all nonsense.

bassmonkeee · #13 10-24-2007, 08:19 AM

They owe more to the Blues artists whose music they stole and gave new song titles, really.

funbass · #14 10-24-2007, 08:27 AM

The devil would like you to think he helped Led Zep.

misrule · #15 10-24-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

His only success in life was in convincing others that he had the answers, and riding the coattails of famous rockers and their drug frenzies.

I'm not sure if you meant that Zeppelin members actually met Crowley -- but he died in 1947, when Jimmy Page was three.

Cheers

Mark

Folmeister · #16 10-24-2007, 08:51 AM

Way back when I started a thread about a book I read that looked at the connection between great rock artists and this whole Satan thing. Here is my spin: In a world where talented people have waaaay too much time on their hands and an endless procession of amirers that constantly tell them they are special, I think it only natural that they look to mystic/alternative philosophies to try and find some rationalization of this endless reinforcement of their "special" nature since the modern world tells them that they are only a commodity living a lifestyle of meaningless excess. The classic example is Mick Jagger. Through association with some self-deluded "mystics" he became convinced that he WAS the Devil. With the sex, drugs, and celebrity lifestyle, how could you not become uber-narcissistic like that? I think that when the rumors do start to circulate that people like Page and others are "Satanists" their publicists let it happen because it increases their marketability and mysterious nature.

TrooperFarva · #17 10-24-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

They owe more to the Blues artists whose music they stole and gave new song titles, really.

+1

unbasslichkeit · #18 10-24-2007, 09:15 AM

Are there any rock stars who are followers of Staan? He's teh Devil's dyslexic cousin. Lives just across the street at 667.

Nice guy.

sensible68 · #19 10-24-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jomahu

i think they owe more to robert johnson than to satan.

uh-oh, crossroads...

http://www.mudcat.org/rj-dave.cfm

OtterOnBass · #20 10-24-2007, 09:39 AM

I'd heard it was only the drummer, John Bonham, who was into the occult.

I don't understand why anyone would choose to be a follower of something that's supposed to be the most evil, arrogant (in that he's trying to replace the infinite God), and destructive being to exist. My best guess is that they are hoping Satan will 'share' his power with them.