Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV

Following mixed reviews for their previous album, the band decided to release their fourth album with absolutely no title, band name, or label information printed on the cover. This was a deliberate rebellious move by guitarist Jimmy Page against the music press. It forced fans and radio DJs to refer to the record by its iconic symbols or simply 'Led Zeppelin IV'.

Each member of Led Zeppelin chose a custom symbol to represent them on the album's inner sleeve, as they could not agree on a band name for the cover. Jimmy Page designed his own intricate 'Zoso' symbol, while John Paul Jones and John Bonham chose existing runes. Robert Plant chose a symbol representing the feather of Ma'at, the Egyptian goddess of justice.

The iconic album cover features an old portrait of an elderly man carrying a heavy bundle of sticks on his back. This painting was found by Robert Plant in an antique shop in Reading, England. The picture was hung on the crumbling, papered wall of a partially demolished house, creating a stark contrast between rural and urban life.

Despite being one of the most famous and frequently played rock songs in history, 'Stairway to Heaven' was never officially released as a single in the UK or the US. Led Zeppelin and their manager, Peter Grant, refused to release it as a single to force fans to buy the entire album. This strategy contributed significantly to the album's massive commercial success.