A rare record from Led Zeppelin, which the band famously ordered to be recalled and destroyed, has been unearthed on the popular BBC program Antiques Roadshow. The discovery occurred during a recent episode filmed at Caerphilly Castle in Wales, where a collector presented a seven-inch single to antiques expert Marc Allum.
The item in question is a rare pressing of the band’s classic track, 'Whole Lotta Love'. While the song was certified gold in the US, Atlantic Records produced a limited run of 500 copies as a single. However, Led Zeppelin maintained a strict policy throughout their career against releasing singles, preferring that their music be consumed exclusively as full-length albums. Consequently, their manager, Peter Grant, ordered the immediate recall and destruction of all copies.
Despite the band's efforts, some copies survived, including the one brought to the show. The owner explained that he had acquired the record in the early 1970s while looking for music to start a disco. Allum noted that the vinyl was intended only for the US market and technically "shouldn’t really exist" in the UK, adding that the rarity could potentially fetch around £1,000 at auction.
“I was looking for records to start a disco and out of his bag came a couple of records and he went ‘you can have those’,” the owner recalled.
The owner shared that the record has been in his possession for 55 years, though he noted with a laugh that it was not particularly popular at his disco, often clearing the dance floor when played. He intends to pass the artifact down to his daughters rather than selling it, noting that he does not plan to play it again to preserve its value.
This discovery highlights the enduring fascination with Led Zeppelin rarities. Earlier this year, guitarist Jimmy Page shared an original home demo of 'Ten Years Gone', and in 2023, he released an instrumental demo titled 'The Seasons', which served as the foundation for 'The Rain Song'.