The 1976 Led Zeppelin Song That John Paul Jones Thought Would Flop

Led Zeppelin is responsible for some of the most important songs in rock history. However, not even its members could predict which compositions would become classics. A curious example involves a track released in 1976 that John Paul Jones believed had little chance of winning over the public. During the process of creating the album "Presence", the band was going through a challenging period. Robert Plant was recovering from a serious car accident, the group was facing pressure from the music industry and the future seemed uncertain. It was in this context that "Nobody's Fault But Mine" emerged, a song inspired by an old composition by Blind Willie Johnson. Despite the track's potential, John Paul Jones was not convinced that it would have much of an impact on fans. According to reports, the bassist believed that the song had uncommercial characteristics when compared to the band's other hits. However, time showed that his assessment was wrong. The song ended up becoming one of the most celebrated tracks on "Presence" and began to occupy a prominent position among Led Zeppelin's admirers. Its combination of blues, heaviness and musical virtuosity helped make it one of the most memorable moments in the group's catalog. The story demonstrates how even experienced musicians can be surprised by how the public receives a work. What seemed risky at first ended up making rock history.