As February 21st rolled around fifty-four years ago, music history was about to be made. Led Zeppelin, the iconic rock band, released a 7-inch single featuring “Rock and Roll / Four Sticks” in the United States. While “Rock and Roll” quickly became a fan favorite at their live shows, its counterpart track, “Four Sticks,” went down a different path.
Led Zeppelin only performed “Four Sticks” live once, in a rare and complex display of musicianship. The intricate track, from their 1971 album Led Zeppelin IV, made its only appearance in May 1971 at KB Hallen in Copenhagen, Denmark. The band struggled with the song’s unusual time signatures of 5/8 and 6/8, making it a daunting task to replicate live.
Legendary drummer John Bonham played a crucial role in saving “Four Sticks” from obscurity. Inspired by Ginger Baker’s band Air Force, Bonham’s innovative drumming style gave the song its title and locked the arrangement in place after just two takes in the studio.
Unlike traditional Led Zeppelin hits, “Four Sticks” lacked a typical solo by guitarist Jimmy Page. Instead, the band delved into a hypnotic groove supported by Bonham’s dynamic drumming, John Paul Jones’ bass and synthesizer contributions, and Robert Plant’s mesmerizing vocals with an Eastern flair.
Although the band retired the song from their live sets, it didn’t fade away entirely. Page and Plant revisited “Four Sticks” during recording sessions in India with the Bombay Symphony Orchestra, resulting in an orchestral version named “Four Hands.” The duo also resurrected the track during their 1994 “Unledded” MTV sessions.
For Led Zeppelin purists, “Four Sticks” remains a hidden gem in the band’s extensive catalog—a rare live performance etched into rock history, showcasing their musical prowess and creative experimentation.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.