Old Man on Led Zeppelin Cover Identified

[Jason76]

This cover seems strange to me. Who else has seen it?

Figure on Led Zeppelin IV cover identified as Victorian Wiltshire thatcher

Fifty-year mystery solved as research suggests picture shows Lot Long, a widower from Mere

www.theguardian.com

 

[zappaDPJ]

I grew up in a rural area and had a part time job for a short while doing groundwork for a thatcher so I always knew it was a photograph of a thatcher carrying a bundle of hazel wood.

If I recall correctly the cover was intended to contrast the new (the tower block on the reverse side) with the old (the old thatcher on the front cover).

 

[Jason76]

I grew up in a rural area and had a part time job for a short while doing groundwork for a thatcher so I always knew it was a photograph of a thatcher carrying a bundle of hazel wood.

If I recall correctly the cover was intended to contrast the new (the tower block on the reverse side) with the old (the old thatcher on the front cover).

He looks like some bad guy on Scooby Doo 😃. Another idea is that he's some sort of medieval pilgrim and that goes well with the album.

 

[zappaDPJ]

Another idea is that he's some sort of medieval pilgrim and that goes well with the album.

One of the elements that made Zeppelin's music so enduring is a lot of their early music was heavily influenced by folk which has it's roots in the medieval so you are spot on there 🙂

 

[Jason76]

Led Zeppelin was into some creepy stuff. In fact, some extreme Christians are convinced Jimmy Page worshipped the devil. Well, I can't really argue with them on that, but we know Robert Plant's son died and other band members got sick of Page's hobby.

 

[Page]

That man has a faggot on his back

 

[Jason76]

That man has a faggot on his back

Is that supposed to be a subliminal message?

 

[zappaDPJ]

Led Zeppelin was into some creepy stuff. In fact, some extreme Christians are convinced Jimmy Page worshipped the devil. Well, I can't really argue with them on that, but we know Robert Plant's son died and other band members got sick of Page's hobby.

I think the truth is rather more boring than that.

Page has always had an interest in the historical aspects of mysticism and the people associated with it. He also has the wealth to pursue another interest which is the acquisition and preservation of historically significant buildings. In the early days he purchased Aleister Crowley's home in the Scottish highlands but rarely stayed there because it made him feel uncomfortable. That purchase became the catalyst for endless speculation.

While he rarely talks about his beliefs, this short video puts some perspective on them and it's also very funny.

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[Jason76]

I think the truth is rather more boring than that.

Page has always had an interest in the historical aspects of mysticism and the people associated with it. He also has the wealth to pursue another interest which is the acquisition and preservation of historically significant buildings. In the early days he purchased Aleister Crowley's home in the Scottish highlands but rarely stayed there because it made him feel uncomfortable. That purchase became the catalyst for endless speculation.

While he rarely talks about his beliefs, this short video puts some perspective on them and it's also very funny.

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

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I don't dwell on conspiracy theories, but I don't delve into spiritism purposely, myself.