Communication Breakdown
Encyclopedia
"Communication Breakdown" is a song by the English
rock
band Led Zeppelin
, from their 1969 debut album Led Zeppelin
.
throughout; and ran his Fender Telecaster
through a fully closed Vox wah pedal to create the "guitar in a shoebox" sound on the lead. "Communication Breakdown" is also one of the few songs on which Page sang a backing vocal.
, and was the only song to be played during every year that the band toured. It usually either opened shows or was played as an encore
.
"Communication Breakdown" was the last song performed in the year of 1975 and 1979 for the band at Earls Court
on 25 May 1975 and Knebworth
on 11 August 1979.
".
On the Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions, released in 1997, this song was featured three times, each with a slightly different improvisation by the musicians. Three live versions taken from performances at the TV program Tous En Scene in Paris
in 1969, at Danmarks Radio in 1969 and at the Royal Albert Hall
in 1970 can also be seen on the Led Zeppelin DVD
. "Communication Breakdown" is also one of the few Zeppelin songs in which the group did a proper lip-sync video for which is also available on the Led Zeppelin DVD.
states that Page's sped up, downstroke guitar riff in "Communication Breakdown" was an inspiration for The Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone
's downstroke guitar style. Ramone stated in the documentary "Ramones: The True Story", he improved at his down-stroke picking style by playing the song over and over again for the bulk of his early career.
The song is noted for its usage in motion pictures, particularly in a military environment. In episode G.I. (Annoyed Grunt)
of The Simpsons
, during a scene which shows military recruitment, a group of soldiers play the guitar riff of "Communication Breakdown". The song was also used on the soundtrack to the film Small Soldiers
.
"Communication Breakdown" was featured on Blender
s 2003 list of "The 1,001 Greatest Songs to Download Right Now!"
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, from their 1969 debut album Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin (album)
Led Zeppelin is the debut album of the English rock band Led Zeppelin. It was recorded in October 1968 at Olympic Studios in London and released on Atlantic Records on 12 January 1969 in the United States and 31 March 1969 in the United Kingdom. The album featured integral contributions from each...
.
Structure
The pounding guitar riff was played by Page through a small, miked Supro amplifierAmplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
throughout; and ran his Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
through a fully closed Vox wah pedal to create the "guitar in a shoebox" sound on the lead. "Communication Breakdown" is also one of the few songs on which Page sang a backing vocal.
Live history
The song was a popular live number at Led Zeppelin concertsLed Zeppelin concerts
From September 1968 through the summer of 1980, English rock group Led Zeppelin were one of the world's most popular live music attractions, performing hundreds of sold-out concerts around the world.-History:...
, and was the only song to be played during every year that the band toured. It usually either opened shows or was played as an encore
Encore (concert)
An encore is an additional performance added to the end of a concert, from the French "encore", which means "again", "some more"; multiple encores are not uncommon. Encores originated spontaneously, when audiences would continue to applaud and demand additional performance from the artist after the...
.
"Communication Breakdown" was the last song performed in the year of 1975 and 1979 for the band at Earls Court
Earls Court 1975
Earls Court 1975 were five concerts performed by the English rock band Led Zeppelin at Earls Court Arena in London in May 1975.-Overview:The concerts were initially booked for three nights on May 23, 24 and 25, but due to unprecedented public demand , two further dates were added for May 17 and 18,...
on 25 May 1975 and Knebworth
Knebworth Festival 1979
The Knebworth Festival 1979 consisted of two concerts performed by the English rock band Led Zeppelin and other artists at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, England, in August 1979.-History:...
on 11 August 1979.
Recordings
In the US, the track was released as the B-side of the single "Good Times Bad TimesGood Times Bad Times
"Good Times Bad Times" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, featured as the opening track on their 1969 debut album Led Zeppelin....
".
On the Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions, released in 1997, this song was featured three times, each with a slightly different improvisation by the musicians. Three live versions taken from performances at the TV program Tous En Scene in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1969, at Danmarks Radio in 1969 and at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in 1970 can also be seen on the Led Zeppelin DVD
Led Zeppelin (DVD)
Led Zeppelin is a double DVD set by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2003 and the United States on May 27, 2003. It contains live concert footage of the band spanning the years 1969 to 1979...
. "Communication Breakdown" is also one of the few Zeppelin songs in which the group did a proper lip-sync video for which is also available on the Led Zeppelin DVD.
Legacy
Dictators bassist Andy ShernoffAndy Shernoff
Andy Shernoff is a musician, songwriter, record producer and oenophile.He is a founding member of The Dictators, one of the original New York punk bands, in which he wrote nearly all of the songs, played bass guitar and keyboards, and sang backing vocals and occasional leads...
states that Page's sped up, downstroke guitar riff in "Communication Breakdown" was an inspiration for The Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone
Johnny Ramone
John William Cummings , better known by his stage name Johnny Ramone, was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known for being the guitarist for the punk rock band the Ramones. He was a founding member of the band, and remained a member throughout the band's entire career...
's downstroke guitar style. Ramone stated in the documentary "Ramones: The True Story", he improved at his down-stroke picking style by playing the song over and over again for the bulk of his early career.
The song is noted for its usage in motion pictures, particularly in a military environment. In episode G.I. (Annoyed Grunt)
G.I. (Annoyed Grunt)
"G.I. ", or "G.I. D'oh!", is the fifth episode of The Simpsons eighteenth season and first aired November 12, 2006. It was written by Daniel Chun and directed by Nancy Kruse, while Kiefer Sutherland makes his first of two guest appearances this season. Maurice LaMarche does additional voices...
of The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, during a scene which shows military recruitment, a group of soldiers play the guitar riff of "Communication Breakdown". The song was also used on the soundtrack to the film Small Soldiers
Small Soldiers
Small Soldiers is a 1998 American action/science fiction film directed by Joe Dante starring Gregory Smith and Kirsten Dunst. The film revolves around two teenagers , who get caught in the middle of a war between two factions of sentient action figures, the Gorgonites and the Commando...
.
"Communication Breakdown" was featured on Blender
Blender (magazine)
Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities....
s 2003 list of "The 1,001 Greatest Songs to Download Right Now!"
Personnel
- Robert PlantRobert PlantRobert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Jimmy PageJimmy PageJames Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, backing vocals - John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones (musician)John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - John BonhamJohn BonhamJohn Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Album versions
- 1980: Inner Sense (Epitaph for a Legend)
- 1981: D.O.A.D.O.A. (band)D.O.A. is a hardcore punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are often referred to as the "founders" of hardcore punk, along with Black Flag, Bad Brains, Teen Idles, and Minor Threat. Their second album Hardcore '81 was thought by many to have been the first actual reference to...
(Hardcore '81Hardcore '81Hardcore '81 is an album by the Canadian hardcore punk band D.O.A.. It is considered by some to be the first reference to the North American punk scene as hardcore.-Track listing:#"D.O.A"#"Unknown"#"Slumlord"#"Musical Interlude"...
) - 1983: The DickiesThe DickiesThe Dickies are an American punk rock group formed in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, U.S. in 1977.-History:The Dickies were among the first punk rock bands to emerge from Los Angeles...
(Stukas Over DisneylandStukas Over DisneylandStukas Over Disneyland is an album by American punk band The Dickies, originally released in 1983. It includes a cover of The Quick's "Pretty Please Me" and Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown"....
) - 1986: The RodsThe RodsThe Rods is an American heavy metal band formed by David "Rock" Feinstein , Garry Bordonaro and Carl Canedy ....
(Heavier Than Thou) - 1990: Iron MaidenIron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
(b-side to "Bring Your Daughter... to the SlaughterBring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter"Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" is the second single from No Prayer for the Dying, Iron Maiden's first full-length album in over two years...
") - 1991: Dread ZeppelinDread ZeppelinDread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
(Rock'n RollRock'n Roll (Dread Zeppelin album)Rock’n Roll is a limited Dread Zeppelin album from 1991 available only in Japan . The album contains both studio recordings and live performances...
) - 1991: Dead MoonDead MoonDead Moon was a United States punk rock band from 1987 to 2006, formed in Portland, Oregon. Fronted by singer/guitarist Fred Cole, the band also included bassist Toody Cole, Fred's wife, and drummer Andrew Loomis. Veterans of Portland's independent rock scene, Dead Moon combined dark and lovelorn...
(Live Evil) - 1992: Michael White & The WhiteMichael White & The WhiteMichael White & The White is an American hard rock combo and occasional Led Zeppelin cover band, formed around singer Michael White.Michael White started his career in 1973...
(White) - 1993: The HungerThe Hunger (band)The Hunger is a rock band from Houston, Texas. Formed by brothers Jeff and Thomas Wilson along with friend Brian Albritton. The Hunger had a hit song in the mid 1990s, "Vanishing Cream", which received heavy airplay on modern rock stations and as a result hit #4 on the Mainstream Rock chart. It was...
(Grip) - 1994: Vicious RumorsVicious RumorsVicious Rumors is an American power metal band founded in 1979 in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.The brainchild of Geoff Thorpe, the band has been active on the metal scene since its inception in 1979...
(The VoiceThe Voice (EP)The Voice is a mini album by heavy metal band Vicious Rumors, released in 1994. It contains two original tracks and two covers. One track, Painter Stranger, did not appear on any full length Vicious Rumors album.-Personnel:* Geoff Thorpe: Guitars...
) - 1995: Jeff HealeyJeff HealeyNorman Jeffrey "Jeff" Healey was a blind Canadian jazz and blues-rock vocalist and guitarist who attained musical and personal popularity, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.-Early life:...
(Cover to Cover) - 1996: Jason BonhamJason BonhamJason John Bonham is an English drummer. Jason's parents are Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham and his wife Pat Phillips. After his father's death in 1980, he has played with Led Zeppelin on different occasions, including the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert at The O2 Arena in London in...
Band (In the Name of My Father - The ZepsetIn the Name of My Father - The ZepsetIn the Name of My Father: The Zepset is a recorded album by Jason Bonham, released in 1997 under than name The Jason Bonham Band. The album consists entirely of cover versions of various songs by English rock group Led Zeppelin, as a tribute to the band's drummer, and Bonham's late father, John...
) - 2000: Glory (Positive Buoyant)
- 2001: Sebastian BachSebastian BachSebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
(Bach 2: BasicsBach 2: BasicsBach 2: Basics is the second solo release by Sebastian Bach former front man of Skid Row. The album was released in 2001. It consists mainly of covers from previously-released tribute albums. Original Skid Row drummer Rob Affuso played drums on Shock Me for this album.-Track listing:...
) - 2001: B-Movie Rats (I-94 Live I-94)
- 2001: Diamonds and Rust (Bitterskin)
- 2002: The Flaming LipsThe Flaming LipsThe Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
(Finally the Punk Rockers Are Taking AcidFinally the Punk Rockers Are Taking Acid-Disc two:This disc contains all of the tracks from Oh My Gawd!!! as well as five bonus tracks.-Disc three:This disc contains all of the tracks from Telepathic Surgery as well as seven bonus tracks....
[recorded 1989])
- 2002: Tierra SantaTierra SantaTierra Santa is a Spanish heavy metal band from La Rioja, Spain. The band was formed in 1997 by Ángel, Arturo, Roberto, Iñaki and Tomy, and the band released their debut album Medieval that same year. Later they began to tour with Avalanch and Mägo de Oz, mainly in Spain...
(The Music Remains the Same: A Tribute to Led ZeppelinThe Music Remains the Same: A Tribute to Led ZeppelinThe Music Remains the Same is a tribute album of Led Zeppelin songs. It was released on 25 November 2002 by American record label Locomotive Music.-Track listing:#"Kashmir" – Angra#"Dazed and Confused" – Blaze...
) - 2002: Disengage (Sucking the 70'sSucking The 70'sSucking the 70s is a two disk collection of 1970s songs covered by modern stoner rock bands. It was put out by Small Stone Records in 2002. A second album, Sucking the 70's – Back in the Saddle Again, was released in 2006....
) - 2003: The FleshtonesThe FleshtonesThe Fleshtones are an American garage rock band from Queens, New York formed in 1976.- 1976-1979 :The Fleshtones were formed in 1976 in Whitestone, New York by Keith Streng and Marek Pakulski The Fleshtones are an American garage rock band from Queens, New York formed in 1976.- 1976-1979 :The...
(Do You Swing?) - 2004: Paul GilbertPaul GilbertPaul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...
with John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones (musician)John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
(Guitar Wars) - 2004: The Golden CupsThe Golden Cupswere one of the top bands performing in Japan's Group Sounds scene in the late 1960s.Featuring singer Dave Hirao, guitarist Eddie Ban, and bassist Masayoshi "Mabo" Kabe, and made a number of hit singles in addition to many re-workings of international songs. A full length documentary film about the...
(The Golden Cups Recital) - 2004: 2 Many DJs (As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt. 7 [remix])
- 2005: Led Zepagain (A Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
- 2006: Gazz (The Covers EP)
- 2006: Studio 99 (Led Zeppelin: A Tribute)
- 2006: The Rockies (The Music of Led Zeppelin)
- 2006: Zepparella (Live at 19 Broadway [recorded 28 October 2005])
- 2007: The YardbirdsThe Yardbirds- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
(Reunion Jam: Greatest Hits Live) - 2008: Pavic (Misty Mountain Hop: A Millenium Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
- 2008: The Yardbirds Experience (British Thunder)
- 2010: SlashSlash (musician)Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
and Myles KennedyMyles KennedyMyles Richard Kennedy is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge, and as the lead vocalist in Slash's current solo project...
(Live in ManchesterLive in Manchester (Slash album)Live in Manchester is a double live album by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash featuring Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy. The album was recorded by Abbey Road Live, during Slash's solo show at the Manchester Academy on July 3, 2010...
)
Live versions
- 1969: IbexIbex (band)Ibex was a short-lived Liverpool-based rock band in 1969. It is primarily known for having Freddie Mercury , later of Queen fame, as a member. The other members of the band were Mike Bersin on guitar, Mick Smith on drums and John 'Tupp' Taylor on bass...
- 1989: Paul StanleyPaul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
; SoundgardenSoundgardenSoundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto... - 2006-2007: WolfmotherWolfmotherWolfmother is an Australian rock band from Erskineville, Sydney. Formed in 2000, the group was originally a trio composed of vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett. Wolfmother released their self-titled debut album in October 2005,...
Sources
- Lewis, Dave (2004) The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9
- Welch, Chris (1998) Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song, ISBN 1-56025-818-7