There will always be a certain sense of subjectivity when it comes to determining the world's best rock band. The modern era is littered with so many acts, many sounding exceedingly similar and the record companies have such a strong hold on the industry, mainstream air time is not indicative of all the real talent that exists today.
If the question asks which is the world's best rock band, then it seems to me that we need to hark back to an era where rock and bands were in their hey-day, the 60's, 70's and to an extent the 80's. Let's be real, the bands of those era's cut the mustard in terms of our definition and furthermore carved in granite the definition for a successful formula numerous bands continue to model themselves on today. There are few bands doing anything radically new today and few bands which have captured the imagination of legions of fans trying to emulate their playing prowess since. The modern era is an entirely different beast and so it's easy to look back with nostalgia on those heady days full of visceral guitar riffs, outstanding vocalists and outrageous behaviour.
Surprisingly, the best rock band doesn't come from the music power house of the USA, it comes from little old Britain. Like many of the bands of the 1960's and 70's, Britain was mainly their base of origin. They were influenced by American blues and grabbed the more white bread rock and roll of the 50's and melded it together, kicking and screaming, and bringing a new sound people couldn't get enough of. It began with the Beatles and they took America by storm, but the invasion wasn't over. Other bands like Genesis, The Who, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones were also making an impact, all of whom are worthy contenders for best rock band. However, there can only be one, and it has to be Led Zeppelin.
Almost no other bands have generated such musical influence and a strong fan base as Led Zeppelin. When DJ's began "breaking out the Led" they assaulted their audiences with a rich mix of wailing blues, ethereal folk music and good old fashioned rock. Led Zeppelin didn't get stale as the 70's progressed and used all the modern equipment available to them to create this wonderfully eclectic mix of controlled raw energy. They remain one of the most popular and well played bands in the world today.
One of their keys to success was their sheer presence as a stage band. Numerous DVD collections are available today and even their early music is conspicuously lavished with this energy. Robert Plant possesses one of the most powerful voices in rock whilst being able to wear some of the tightest jeans, enthralling his legion of female fans with an aural and visual feast. His counterparts, on drums, base and guitar support this sexual machismo adeptly. Bonham's drum solos on songs like Moby Dick are a highlight and few guitarists have had more of an influence on budding guitarists than Jimmy Page. John Paul Jones' ability on the bass can be heard distinctly in the earlier blues influenced tracks and was one of the first band members to join Jimmy Page's vacant slots with the split of The Yard Bird's.
Tragically the band's longevity in the rock industry was cut short by the untimely death of drummer John Bonham in 1980 who choked on his own vomit following a heavy binge drinking session of around 55 shots. The band decided not to continue on out of respect for Bonham and at no stage was it considered worth while to rope in another drummer. Despite the abrupt end of the bands touring and recording days, the albums already produced lost none of their original appeal to existing and new fans. Led Zeppelin, like one of their songs titles, remained the same and almost every kid who has picked up the guitar since their inception has attempted to play a Jimmy Page lick.
Late in 2007, Led Zeppelin announced they would do a one off reunion concert. Initially it was decided one or two songs, but Plant apparently decided it was worth doing a concert. As a rather special tribute, Jon Bonham's son was invited to play the drums and the 9,000 double tickets were quickly snapped up - one fan apparently paying 83, 000 pounds for his two. If this isn't a measure of the popularity of Led Zeppelin then perhaps the numerous celebrities who also attended the concert is, as it included such fans as Dave Gilmour from Pink Floyd and Joe Elliot from Def Leppard - who admitted in a BBC interview that bands like his really owed their existence to the efforts of Led Zeppelin.
When it comes to rock bands, Led Zeppelin are the kings of the genre even in their advancing years - let the song remain the same.