10 Most Iconic Music Albums Turning 50 In 2023

Having achieved critical and commercial acclaim worldwide as hard rock gods, Houses of the Holy reveals Led Zeppelin's huge shift in style and demonstrates their experimental venture into genres ranging from reggae to folk to blues. Recorded from home studios built by the band using a mobile studio provided by The Rolling Stones, Led Zep released this fifth studio album in March 1973. Despite the mixed response from critics upon its release, Houses of the Holy later received a diamond certification, and for five decades has remained a fan favourite.

Tracks like D’yer Mak’er clearly display Zeppelin's experimentation into reggae grooves, and opener The Song Remains the Same presents the diverse range in this record, propelling listeners out of their hard rock comfort zone and into new territory, as any great band must do. Jimmy Page weaves in his guitar mastery, as always, and John Bonham never fails to delivery soulful drum performances to last the ages.

Much to the fans delight, to mark the 50th anniversary, Page shared an early demo of The Rain Song, initially titled The Seasons – an intriguing listen for any Led Zeppelin connoisseur.