Led Zeppelin – “Rock and Roll” (Jennel Garcia Cover)

It’s Been A Long Time Since I Rock And Rolled

“Rock and Roll” is based on the 12 bar blues progression. It was released on February 21, 1972 as the second track from their album “Led Zeppelin IV.” It featured the guest appearance of Ian Stewart, pianist of The Rolling Stone. For their live shows, the band often used this as an opening or encore. Unsurprisingly, this is one of their most popular songs.

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has said that this song came to be written as a spontaneous jam session, whilst the band were trying (and failing) to finish the track “Four Sticks”, at the Headley Grange mansion they had rented in Hampshire, England to record the track. Drummer John Bonham played the introduction in triplets and Page added a guitar riff. The tapes were rolling and fifteen minutes later the basis of the song was down.

Notice the distinctive guitar sound. Instead of the usual setup, Jimmy Page plugged the guitar (no mic setup and amplifier) directly into the mixing console. The entire structure of the track was completed in just 30 minutes! In 1985, they played this at Live Aid.

Besides Live Aid, the remaining members of Led Zeppelin played this on two other occasions. When Robert Plant’s daughter Carmen turned 21 in 1989, they played it at her birthday party. They also played it at Jason Bonham’s wedding in 1990. Jason is John Bonham’s son, and he sat in on drums on both performances.

In this cover, Jennel Garcia pays tribute to Led Zeppelin by rocking out to this classic tune. She slayed this one. Gotta love her voice and energy!