Led Zeppelin IV has celebrated an anniversary this week (Nov 8, 1971 release date) and some buzz about the cover. Opting out of the band name or title, a simple, rustic colourized photograph appeared, leading to 50+ years of speculation about who it was. It is said that Robert Plant & Jimmy Page found it in a thrift shop.
The mystery has finally been resolved, thanks to Brian Edwards, a research fellow working with the regional history center of the University of the West of England.
The photograph was found as part of an album from the Victorian era titled "Reminiscences of a Visit to Shaftesbury, 1892. A Present to Auntie from Ernest". And under the image, "A Wiltshire thatcher." The man is named Lot Long (or Longyear) and lived from 1823 to 1893. He was a widower at the time the photograph was taken, living alone in a cottage in Shaftesbury Road, Mere.
Brian Edwards gave some insight into why this discovery is so important to him on a personal level, saying (via The Guardian):
"Led Zeppelin created the soundtrack that has accompanied me since my teenage years, so I really hope the discovery of this Victorian photograph pleases and entertains Robert, Jimmy, and John Paul."
#rocknroll #history #UK #LedZeppelin
