More than a promising debut, recorded in just 30 hours at London's Olympic Studios in October 1968. With this album, the band falls within the British blues movement, along with other groups such as Ten Years After or Cream. However, it also gives clear signs of what his personal style will be: rock and roll infused with blues, with virtuoso riffs, folk and even influences from the American West Coast (some compare Plant's voice to that of Janis Joplin). Most of the songs are signed by Jimmy Page and the other members of the group, except for Plant, who was still under contract with CBS.

On December 26, 1968, Led Zeppelin made its debut in Denver, in what would be the first of its triumphant tours of the United States.

On the album cover, the group photo (taken by Yardbirds bassist Chris Dreja) shows the four musicians and a photo of a burning zeppelin.