UK Politicians Groove to Led Zep II

Britain's politicians know how to rock. In a survey by the British Library of the musical tastes of Members of Parliament it was classic seventies rock that came out on top. The MPs were asked to name their favourite number one album.

And the winner was?

Led Zeppelin's 1969 album Led Zeppelin II, the one that crashes in with one of the best album openers ever, Whole Lotta Love. Other progressive rock bands from the seventies were rather popular too, including Pink Floyd and Deep Purple.

"Led Zeppelin II is the ultimate album for teenage boys - metal as art," said Tory shadow immigration minister Damian Green. "No-one ever topped it. The opening riff is straightforward perfection".

"Zeppelin made a new kind of music," said Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik. "They created a genre many have copied but no-one has equalled. And Whole Lotta Love is the greatest rock song ever."

Labour MP Alison Seabeck said, "Led Zeppelin simply blew me away."

Here are some other politician favourites:

The Beatles Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell

Human League Dare
Lib Dem MP Mark Oaten

The Beatles Revolver
Education Secretary Alan Johnson
Labour MP Peter Kilfoyle

The Beatles The White Album
Former Tory leader Michael Howard

Bob Dylan Blood On The Tracks
Respect MP (and dickhead) George Galloway

Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever
Labour MP Rosemary McKenna

Manic Street Preachers This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain

Oasis (What's The Story) Morning Glory
Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson

Pulp Different Class
Schools Minister Jim Knight
Labour MP Ian Pearson

Swing Out Sister It's Better to Travel
Tory MP Mark Field

Albums by David Bowie, Elvis, Blondie, U2, Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye and Lionel Richie also appeared on the list.

Let's have some more Led Zeppelin. This is the band performing Achilles Last Stand at Knebworth in 1979. Both videos from this post are featured on the epic DVD release Led Zeppelin which I reviewed here.

[youtube]DbQz14Jr7L0[/youtube]

Epic drumming by Bonzo!

This entry was posted on July 26th, 2006 at 23:54 by Harry and is filed under Listening.

3 comments

Comment from: Jimbo [Member]

Any links to the survey mate?

27/07/06 @ 12:05

Comment from: Harry [Member]

I tried to find one when I wrote the blog post because I wanted to see the Pink Floyd and Deep Purple information. Alas all I could find was the BBC Online feature.

27/07/06 @ 12:07

Comment from: Harry [Member]

There's a small post on the British Library website about the exhibition related to the music, but that's as much as I can find.

27/07/06 @ 12:12

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