Led Zeppelin pioneered hard rock; perhaps even heavy metal (a term they resented deeply). When The Yardbirds were falling apart, Jimmy Page stepped in to manage things. Despite a failed album, contracts had to be honored. Page formed a new lineup with John Bonham on drums, Robert Plant on vocals, and John Paul Jones on bass.
On September 7, 1968, they debuted as The New Yardbirds, touring Scandinavia. Legend has it that jibes from The Who about the band sinking like a "lead zeppelin" inspired the name change to "Led Zeppelin." In just 36 hours spanned over a few weeks after their tour, Led Zeppelin recorded their eponymous debut album; and the rest is history.