Led Zeppelin and Their Only Featured Guest Vocal | Sandy Denny and "The Battle of Evermore"

[@TH-nf1eo]

Sandy Denny had one of the best voices ever to come out of England.

[@Neilmoth1]

I think Sandy Denny had the voice of an angel. A great song she wrote is called "No End" Only heard this recently, it's beautiful.

[@mc2mc277]

Pretty good overall synopsis. You are pretty right on with most you stated. I would describe Sandy Denny’s voice as almost haunting. Just an amazing singer, sadly died at just 31.

[@scrimshank1]

I understand that Sandy wrote the song/music for "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" at the age of 18 years. Thanks for posting.

[@manuman27]

You are so right,Fairport Convention have a festival every year, it is a song done by Fairport every year.Richard Thompson's song "meet on the ledge" is always the last number of a 3 day festival the crowd join in. Beautiful

[@jackarcher7495]

I appreciate this focus on the immortal Sandy Denny. Thank you, Woog.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Thank you! Yes, a wonderful talent and musical legacy. Such a tragic backstory / life story.

[@maveric5381]

Sandy Denny had her own Zeppelin-type symbol (3 triangles) on the album too.

[@noelcastle3986]

Their voices melded into a beautiful harmony .

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Yeah, they sounded really good together. Sandy Denny had a pretty tragic personal life story.

[@noelcastle3986]

@@WoogTalksMusic Yes I believe she had some self destructive personality traits unfortunately.

[@boretti1307]

I love your comment. Sandy Denny was a great vocalist and she is on the top of my list of favourite female singers ever. I discovered Fairport Convention in the late 1990, being a Led Zeppelin fan for decades. I still remember hearing her voice and I almost fainted of epicness. When I asked the dj who this was and he told me that the female singer feature on The Battle of Evermore I had a moment of all pieces falling together. This song is one of the songs that decided my ideas of how music should be. Fairport Convention - A Sailor's Life kzbin.info/www/bejne/qavVeKd8rdmKjrc

[@arbonne1805]

A Sailor's Life is a perfect example. It was the song that almost accidentally shaped Fairport's direction and was the launch pad for the seminal Liege & Lief. I suspect it was one of the songs that drew Led Zep to Fairport's music and what Sandy was capable of. Jimmy Page had known Sandy for some time - since she was at art school. And she and Robert Plant were friends.

[@JC19676]

Woog I love your assessment here. Sandy's birthday is coming up on January 6th. Her work solo was also brilliant.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Nice, and thank you! Happy Belated Birthday to Sandy Denny! I actually haven't gotten in to much of her solo work. I should??

[@JC19676]

@@WoogTalksMusic Yes she was tremendous as a solo artist. The Sandy album is a great place to start. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn6QZJuVYsyAaqc

[@andrewhoag6167]

I watch a lot of KZbin TV videos here in my retirement years. I can hardly express the pleasure it gives me to watch one where the host REALLY KNOWS what he's talking about. So few do. Big props, Woog. And, yeah, Denny and Thompson made Fairport something special...

[@jackcade68]

Sandy was the best vocalist ever. 🌹

[@carlosm.devasconcelllos3939]

Sandy Deny is missed. She is the perfect backing vocal. I believe she sounds more like Annie Hasslam. Anyways, Sandy was great

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Interesting. I need to go back and listen to Renaissance. Yeah, I don't love the Joni comparison, the more I think about it.

[@mlebron20]

She’s not really backing. She’s performing a role in a duet. And I agree that Hasslam sounds like Denny. Denny preceded Hasslam.

[@sandiotoole4295]

Just went down a worm hole after seeing Robert Plant and Alison Krause last night. I wanted to hear the original Battle of Evermore. Found you and now I'm hooked. Great job.

[@grahambennett8191]

Best album of all time, featuring Sandy Denny who had the voice of an angel, thanks for bringing this into the open for anyone who hasn’t heard this wonderful album.

[@DonatoDamiano-r2g]

It's really amazing how this lovely young woman wasn't more well known in her lifetime. She had so much to give, so much beauty and honesty in her voice. The words and melodies she created will live on and on, God willing. I've often thought it would be wonderful to hear that pure and lovely voice coming out of a stores music speaker, instead of all this mindless rubbish we hear today when shopping. Sandy Denny is so loved, but still I think, deserves more of the worlds undevided attention.

[@Edward1312]

I dont think any female vocalist could have done a better job than Denny did, her vocals are iconic on that track. Denny couldn't have joined them during the 1977 tour even if they had asked her because by then she had a small child and her mental and physical health was deteriorating badly.

[@liliankuhn4671]

I listen to her albums almost every day. Love her!

[@stephenedmunds207]

Love the passion so well done woog , loved sandy denny and well done for spotlighting her part in the zeppelin story

[@mrobillard7553]

Glad to find this, makes perfect sense. In the 70's I heard rumors of Led Zeppelin occasionally inviting a female performer during their IV album, but did not realize it was Sandy until today. They were a great match of voices. I was just scrolling through her history and music vids and found this vid. Btw in 2023 I thoroughly enjoy Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, another rare occasion of such well matched voices and really enjoying each other too.

[@barrymoore4470]

Very informative clip, much appreciated. I love the group's untitled fourth album, finding it their best LP, with "Stairway to Heaven" an unassailable classic, one of the most iconic songs in the rock canon; despite being overplayed (at least on American radio), it will be revisited and admired as long as rock is cherished. But my favorite track on the album is "Going to California", perhaps the band's single most beautiful song. Led Zeppelin has long been known for their Tolkien references, but as I've never been a Tolkien fan, these elements in themselves don't necessarily enhance the songs' qualities. "The Battle of Evermore" is certainly nice, though, and showcases Denny's evocative voice quite well.

[@ronaldwilliams4954]

My favorite album from Zeppelin definitely Zeppelin ll and houses of the holy was just playing those albums last night LOL

[@AntillesP]

You need to listen to the rerelease from 1994 No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. This version has Najma Akhtar singing and she is truly amazing.......

[@tombryant52jumpscoach]

I became aware of quite a lot from this video. Thanks very much. Great stuff.

[@jaycesimmons7785]

Man, this analysis is very impressive. Well done. Subscribed when you brought up Custard Pie. If all of your content is this good then this channel should be huge.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Thank you! Custard Pie is such a good and under-appreciated one, isn't it? I feel like it hardly gets a mention when people discuss Led Zeppelin.

[@richardw2646]

I’d strongly recommend anyone to listen to Sandy Denny’s cover version of ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ recorded live when she rejoined Fairport Convention after The Battle of Evermore. An absolute masterpiece.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

I've gotta give that a listen. Thanks for the rec!

[@deryckclouter3462]

Sandy a legend ,who left us far too early!!! 44 years next month!!!!Whether with the Strawbs, Solo, Fairport or Fotheringay voice of an angel, and as for Fairport still rolling on!!! Check out the Festival Bell!!!

[@gunnarknutsson5798]

Im from Iceland and i bought tvo albums with Fairport Conversion in the seventies,and Sandy Denny was the main singer of one of the album that was a sample,or the greatest hits from the records of the seventies. She was one best singers in the world. I will miss her forever. God bless her.

[@ronhall9394]

Good summation dude - love both Led Zep and Fairport, Sandy Denny had the voice of an angel. One thing though, JRRT wrote LOTR as an English mythology, so if Page was the LOTR Geek as you mention 'Celtic' would not be on the menu.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Thanks! Yeah, both LZ and Fairport are praiseworthy. Agree on the LOTR - English mythology. I moreso liken some of the "sounds" as leaning Celtic and then the "concepts" leaning British, if that makes sense. But yeah, you're right about that clear distinction. I'll listen back n see if I muddied that. Lol. Got a fav LZ album?

[@wouterdeheus3626]

My fav Led Zep albums are I, II, III, IV, Houses of the Holy and Physical Graffiti, so basically their first 6 albums, and the rest are good too.

[@ronaldwilliams4954]

👍💯🔥 mine's would be Zeppelin ll and houses of the holy!🥁😩🥁

[@piccalillies]

How appropriate that she is the only guest vocalist they featured, as she died so young. Even though I am a big FC fan and owned this album "Zoso" as a kid, I never knew this was Sandy.

[@tanglediver]

You've certainly done your homework! Well done. :)

[@stevehayward1854]

Sandy had the voice of an angel

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Truly. She lived a pretty tragic life though.

[@SuperSuzyg]

I just discovered Sandy Denny when Fotheringay showed up in my feed, after listening to Traffic's John Barleycorn Must Die. Then I find out she sang with Robert Plant on this song--awdsome, !

[@topspin4456]

Love the picture with Robert and Sandy ! 🎈🖤

[@matthewblanchard9301]

So many great songs on this album as well as all their albums. But this song, 'The Battle of Evermore' was just a very special song in their career. And with the foresight to add Sandy Denny's angelic voice to complement Robert Plant's lead vocal was just masterful. Credit to all in the band, but partially to Jimmy Page's talent not only on mandolin, but producing this song as well as all songs in the band category. "Oh...dance in the dark of night, Sing to the morning light" 🧝.....🧙

[@chrisapphillips]

She rejoined Fairport Convention in 1974, 'Rising for The Moon' is my favourite from that album kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4XYpXmsgrCKf7s.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

Sandy had really bad issues with depression it seemed and it got worse when she went to a solo career because the albums were far too ignored .. Now she will be remembered forever and better known as time goes on and she cant even get the chance to appreciate that but that is the typical story of many great artist

[@lizzydripping2862]

“ it seems” is not what’s true she was my mums friend.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

@@lizzydripping2862 OK what is wrong about my comment?

[@ronaldlongendyke3313]

Thanks Woog, you seem to be very knowledgeable about my favorite band, Fairport Convention. Thanks for posting.

[@nancyblake1000]

Sandy Denny was such a legend in British folk circles. A really gifted and formidable musician and composer. Choosing to go on instinct rather than the Ewan MacColl rule book all other folk musicians of her time sought to emulate or serve as their guide.. Like Janis Joplin she left us far too soon. Sandy is a Goddess and a legend.

[@deletethis5489]

Ian Stewart played piano on Rock n Roll . Page said so when talking about Boogie with Stu

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Oh wow. So this would've been well after Andrew Oldman had his removed from Rolling Stones, right? He missed the RS's Beggars Banquet through Exile.. period, right? That's an interesting selection from Led Zeppelin. I thought that it was John Paul Jones. But I guess he would've just been on bass?

[@MaxyG]

Dude knows his shit. Just subscribed.

[@tullochgorum6323]

Can't agree that Sandy and Joni have much in common vocally. OK, they're both brilliant and they're both women and folk-influenced, but that's as far as it goes. Joni has a big vibrato with showy swoops and slides and often a gritty edge. While Sandy's voice is clean and pure, relying on emotional intensity and subtlety. It's like claiming that Titian is similar to Vermeer. You're on hallowed ground here - Sandy's Fairport version of "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" was voted Favourite Folk Track of All Time by listeners of BBC Radio II... To old British folkies like me, Sandy is an absolute legend.

[@merylpelosi1704]

Time for a little honesty here. Who on KZbin ever heard of Sandy Denny before this footnote came out? How many have Fairport Convention albums? I thought so.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Lol I like some of those Fairport songs. Like “Where Does The Time Go.”

[@blindleader42]

"Who on KZbin..."? You're right. KZbin is a culturally impoverished place. Depending on what corner of KZbin you spend your time, you'd think the universe sprang into existence, fully formed on [insert your favorite date, probably your birthday].

[@lindsayheywood7195]

Ann and Nancy Wilson do a fantastic version of the Battle of Evermore. I prefer it to Led Zeppelin’s version, as I always feel Sandy’s voice was too low in the mix and I struggle to hear her when I listen to their version.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Really, I'ma give that a listen tonight. I thought that her vocal coming in low was by design. But yeah, its super thin and almost hidden to where you can't really even tell that its her. But yeah.. Heart's vocalists are sick. Listening now. Its a live version, right?

[@lindsayheywood7195]

@@WoogTalksMusic There are multiple live versions on KZbin, some are not as good as others, but yes it’s a live version that you should listen to.

[@lindsayheywood7195]

Sorry, I don’t know how to embed a video link in here, but the title of the video I would recommend is “Battle of Evermore (Live) Heart HD”

[@mlebron20]

Good synopsis - almost - but after all of that, you didn’t play the song!!! What is incorrect - to the best of my knowledge - is that it wasn’t that Zep and Fairport were friendly, though for the most part they were. It was Plant and Denny that were friendly. After Plant wrote the song, he got the idea to have two vocal parts, and then he got the idea to have Denny sing one of them. Page was very much opposed, wanted Plant to sing both parts. Plant asked that they try it both ways. After hearing both, Page acceded. Ironically, Page’s Black Mountainside is stolen from Bert Jensch’s (Pentangle) rendition of Black Watertide. My two sense, being a fan of both since my teen years in the 1960s, and owning virtually everything by Denny and Zep on vinyl.

[@headbentintoo5278]

Thanks. I learn something new every day. 🤗

[@jimsim3]

The Album Vol 4 has been always known as 4 Symbols, But there are 5 Symbols Plant give sandy her own, of three triangles, also, Alison Krauss sings and looks like Sandy Denny, you could say she is the reincarnation, the Welsh town of Machynlleth stands Bron-Yr-Au (golden hill) The album was written there and is Where was Stairway to Heaven written, kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHXFg59-gdWDrZY

[@MartintheMetalhead]

Plant said that Sandy Denny was his favourite Female Vocalist of all time. She was given the radiation symbol on IV. Sandy left this world too early. She should have became popular than Olivia Newton-John. But people in the 70's had their heads stuck up Disco and Punk.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

True, it seems like her mental health was unsustainable. But yeah, she could've definitely been up there with the greats if she transitioned well into the 70s after her late 60s success. Definitely one of the sad stories in music history. Interesting that she was Plant's fav. I know they were friends, but didn't know that he viewed her vocals in that high of esteem. That's cool.

[@boomer1954ful]

Most of the 70's decade was AWSOME rock. I should know, I was there. That was the early 80's when music went all YUK. There was POP, Disco, and punk. I blame it on the drug cartels. Think about it, it makes sense.

[@kennethhacker1341]

good job champ!your presentation is informative.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Thank you! Love the band and it's history. Definitely want to do some more of these. Recently did one on Creedence's 2 year run.

[@garymensurati1631]

Sandy 💕 LED Zeppelin !

[@azanimanaf4001]

Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Yep! Recently listened to their Who Knows Where the Time Goes song. Love that voice.

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

Sandy Denny was an amazing talent. I remember when Ricky Lee Jones got compared to Joni Mitchell. That didn't go over well either.

[@undercrackers56]

As an old git, I find it oddly amusing that you compare Led Zeppelin (pioneers of heaving music since 1960's) with more recent bands and music genres. Keep in mind that when a lot of their music was recorded, 8-tracks of tape was the height of technology.

[@Yachtaut]

What about Claire Torry?

[@colinmorris2604]

thank you did not know this.

[@michaelfraser5723]

2:00 THERE'S THE HAND SIGN : PAID, BY GOOGLE

[@etm567]

I disagree. Sandy Denny sounds more like Judy Collins - Suite, Judy Blue Eyes, Crosby Stills and Nash.

[@lizzydripping2862]

The battle for evermore is a spell. He’s casting

[@deletethis5489]

i used to think Grace Slick was the girl on Battle of Evermore

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Interesting. Similar style. And it would've fit with the timeline.

[@deletethis5489]

@@WoogTalksMusic very haunting voice too . but especially on the zep song sandy sounds exactly like grace

[@tommclaughlin280]

Like the Rolling Stones only one guest female vocal, Merry Clayton on Gimme Shelter, until 2024's Hackney Diamonds again featured another one female guest vocal, Lady Ga Ga on The Sweet Sounds of Heaven, unlike Led Zeppelin the Stones are still going strong as a group, Led Zeppelin, like the Beatles & the Who were one of the only bands in the same league as Jagger & Richards, the last two members from the bands beginnings 'till the present, not to take anything away from the rest of the current touring band.

[@lizzydripping2862]

My mums friend

[@davidtemple561]

100% man!

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Love me some Zep!

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Thanks

[@Sweet--Richard.4981]

Reminds me of Annie Haslam

[@jamesbond4633]

I got see Led Zeppelin in 1977 at Pontiac Silverdome Stadium in Detroit. They did not disappoint. Unreal energy and musicianship from the band and Robert's singing and stage presence was off the charts. The Song Remains The Same movie had come out the year before I believe so everyone was hyped to see just how good this band was live and if they could match the movie. They exceeded it. The only disappointing part was actually the singing of Sandy Denny's part in the Battle of Evermore. They did an acoustic set that was brilliant but John Paul Jones sang Sandy's part. Even Robert Plant was laughing at him when he sang. Apparently John Bonham had a pretty good voice so might have been better for him to sing it? They had no opening act and played for 3 hours or so. It was amazing. I think Sandy Denny had left Fairport Convention by the time of Led Zeppelin IV. I saw a documentary on her and the drummer for Fotheringay was talking about this period. Fotheringay was a band she started with her boyfriend and then husband right after Fairport Convention. He said Robert ran into Sandy at an awards ceremony and it was from there that he asked her to sing on the track. If you have not seen Fotheringay there are some KZbin videos of them playing live with a number of songs. It is really good. Sandy's voice was just as powerful and strong as Robert's was back then. I like some of Joni Mitchell's songs but sometimes they get way too wordy and disconnected from emotion like Elvis Costello and they lose me. Sandy Denny's singing is much more heartfelt. Every word she sings it just feels like she means it and you can feel it in your body and bones. I get the chills hearing her voice. Much like Karen Carpenter in many of her songs. Since I Have Been Loving you is definitely influenced by Janice Joplin. For the slow blues I'm Going To Crawl has really grown on me. The passion Robert is singing with is real. It is sad that it was the last song on the last album they did with John Bonham. It is sort of fitting though looking back on it now and is a sort of closure on Led Zeppelin's existence from that period. The O2 concert in 2007 was the final closure and fitting that Jason Bonham was on drums honoring the memory of his father and the band in full force giving everyone a taste for one night why they were so good and special. The final musical goodbye. Perfect.

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Great commentary here, man. First of all, that 1977 tour is pretty iconic! That's awesome that you attended that. I've gotta check and see if I can find footage of JPJ singing Sandy's part. Lol. I'll definitely check out Fotheringay, thanks. Interesting comparison on Sandy vs Joni. I see what you're saying there. I like the Karen Carpenter reference too. Terrible, how Sandy's mental stability and life fell apart. Will give "Im Going to Crawl" a listen too. Agree with you on that O2 2007 concert being the perfect curtain call / swan song (that was their label name, wasn't it?).

[@brucesoehngen852]

PLAY THE SONG DUDE!

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Haha. I wish!

[@jorgesuarez7073]

Best three albums for me. Houses of the Holy, Led Zeppelin I and Led Zeppelin II. Never liked Physical Graffiti.

[@douglasbuck8986]

as is Ramble On.......................... t'was in the darkest depths of Mordor I met a girl so fair ...................

[@barrymoore4470]

Right, I think "Ramble On" might contain the group's earliest Tolkien references.

[@thetruth1862]

Sandy reminds me of a little of Carlie Simon

[@murphmurph2124]

They were all drunks😮

[@BicycleJoeTomasello]

Bla Bla Bla

[@WoogTalksMusic]

Bla… Bla Bla…

[@gregrankin8073]

@@WoogTalksMusic . . . That’ll learn him. That’ll learn him good 😆

[@ronaldwilliams4954]

Now this is my number one all-time favorite band the mighty led Zeppelin!!!🤘🥁😩🥁 Physical graffiti is a double album bro lol

[@davesavell7054]

you should have played the song Rambo !