Led Zeppelin explains the "Object" from Presence

[MrAMaysn69]

It's about black magik and worshiping satan, that's why jimmy wanted to get the 666th obelisk model. The band also purchased Aleister Crowley's house. I used to love the band but they are satanist and oppose all things that are of the one true God.

[vinnycriss]

This is the dumbest fucking thing I've ever listened to. Great album, but really, guys - shut the fuck up and play. Man, the 70's were so narcissistic it's almost funny....

[playboyhippie]

The object is a BONG!!

[AwesomeBeatles]

Ask Jimmy, not Robert.

[beckabluesband]

This narrator is a buncha hullabaloo.

[miki03soimu]

I don't know what the Zeps intended, but that symbol is present in many cultures. That is the "axis mundi" representing the connection of the earth with the heavens, of the sacred and the profane, of the material and the spiritual world. Yes, it does represent unity and it is omnipresent. It can symbolise "infinity", "the universe" and "life". It's basically a part of the twisted pillar/column that you can see in cathedrals, in temples and on monuments. The DNA looks like that too.

[noodlesmealey]

THIS MONUMENT IS THE MONUMENT ON MARS OR PHOBOS OR THE MOON,

BUZZ ALDRIN MENTIONS IT ON YOU TUBE.

[dwilmer7]

When I was a kid my brother had this album cover on the wall. I was looking at the black obelisk thingh for a long time and I hit on its meaning. I forgot what it means but we had waffles for breakfast that day. mmmmmmmmm

[theguitarcow]

i had a wierd experience in colledge with a poster of the album cover hanging on a friend of mines dorm wall. i was intoxicated admittedly. for a split second i saw a red devil looking creature coming out of the black object like it was attacking the parents at the table then it was gone. true story. anyone else out there have similar experience please let me know.

[Mrbargoose]

I made a copy of the presence object in metalwork at school, about 25 years ago. Heated the square section bar to red hot then put the twist in it!

[nothingbutrock666]

@Mrbargoose I hope you didn't have the same experience as Bonzo's wife

[frankktillery82]

Wow what a trip!! I can see how that can sound evil lol. But what was the sound sounding like?

[TumbrelJockey]

I just dug the visual gag ,of this stylish / "now" kind of family , gathered around this mysterious obelisk with apparent fascination or awe.Give the photo stylist or art director the credit I guess- or was it the band ?.Just cool period.

[kildare97]

@TumbrelJockey jimmy page i think

[TumbrelJockey]

@kildare97 A Rennaisance man ! Cool...and a kick ass guitarist.Dig him more & more.Thanks for setting it straight.

[kildare97]

@TumbrelJockey Yeah thats one of the reasons why led zeppelin set up swan song so no singles would be released and jimmy could have full control over the artwork

[kildare97]

@TumbrelJockey Yeah I think one of the reasons they set up swan song was to let jimmy have total control over the artwork and he did it.

[z3dsdead]

The Object, like the albums title means nothing or even everything. "Presence" or "Presents" or "Presents" (as in: 'now presenting). It was an offering. All the Satanic BS was not a direct intent. Just the wonder of an item without a title or description. No color (black is absence (opposite of presence) of light). The music inside was possibly a gift, or new offering to the fans. They were presents.

The entire record depicts wonder and contemplation. Why are we present? What is this about?

[budgood099]

@z3dsdead Its power is exceeded only by its mystery.

[coltsuperocean10]

@z3dsdead ...the idea was that the object would represent LZ in normal everyday scenarios. If you look at the photos on the Presence album,the object/ obelisk (presence) is shown in everyday situations ie in school, at the park, eating dinner etc etc. The idea was that LZ should be familiar to everyone in everyday walks of life. It had nothing to do with depicting wonder or contemplation i`m afraid. It was a bit more straight forward than that.

[z3dsdead]

@coltsuperocean10 Perhaps it's is nothing about contemplation or wonder. But if you have listened to Jimmy himself offering his conceptualization for the albums art you will find that it isn't anything that was done w/o many ideas to be considered. Artist, Storm Thorgerson himself conjured the idea of this artifact type symbol to inspire wonder and thought. Nothing Jimmy Page creates happens by chance, except that stupid collaboration with the rapper who used Kashmir. Even that was planned.

[MeanrBeanr]

As a teen, I recall spending a lot of time trying to decipher the meaning of "The Object". It was an era where LP cover design artist groups like Hypgnosis made the art as interesting and formidable as the music...and yes, vinyl, the best material for delivering sound.

Long gone days and a time never to be repeated.

Nobody's Fault... one of my TOP 3 LZ songs, it encompasses all they had to offer: lyrics, vocals, tempos, instruments, tight solos, deep blues roots. ALL PERFORMED TO PERFECTION.

[Freenetnow]

It's meaningless.  Might as well be a lamp or a pinecone. Makes no difference - this is just nonsense.

But it does say a lot about mankind. Unfortunately.

[z1inspector]

yea,didnt really sond like bonzo,WAS IT HIM?

R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio

whose favorite band was

*******LED ZEPPELIN*******

[ccdeweese]

@z1inspector I heard Ronnie Dio say his favorite was Black Sabbath.

[z1inspector]

@ccdeweese I Heard about him saying somthing to that "effect" about sabbath . I think it was when he joined the band,HOWEVER its rite here on youtube somewhere / i seen it come rite from his mouthabout ZEPPELIN.

i suppose i could find video interview on here /BUT he said it for sure /during his earlier solo years /aft sabbath

[tendtheflag909]

swan song did actually produce"the object" when presence came out in 1976. it stands about 14 inches tall and has led zeppelin printed on the base. there was only 1000 made and it remains one of the most sought out rock-n-roll collectibles still to this day. i have #224

[goodndite]

Yea, that isn't Bonzo's voice, I agree.

[luvthatzeppelin]

Be sure to listen to "Achilles Last Stand" from this interview.

Cool version from 5/21/1977

[scarfacedan09]

Pretty cool i wonder where i can get one of the obelisks? lol

[luvthatzeppelin]

It would be a cool piece of artwork to have at the house. A full size made out of onyx or something... Hmmm.

[scarfacedan09]

Id love to record it lol

[frankktillery82]

@scarfacedan09 I'm curious too.

[1966MBrooks]

@scarfacedan09 ebay