Dread Zeppelin

A reggae-rock group which performed Led Zeppelin covers. Formed in California in 1989.

Following the breakup of artist, Joseph "Severs" Ramsey (aka Jah Paul Jo) thought of creating Dread Zeppelin, as his former band performed Elvis covers and he knew Led Zeppelin dabbled in reggae. Jah Paul Jo (guitar), with fellow former bandmates Gary "Put-Mon" Putmon (bass) and Curt "Cheese" Lichter (drums), brought in Greg "Tortelvis" Tortell (lead vocals) and Bryant "Ed Zeppelin" Fernandez (percussion) to round out the group.

Released on Ramsey & Manning's own label Birdcage Records, their debut was a 45 single covering the well known hit 'Immigrant Song'. Having sold so well it was soon reissued as a 7". Their second single, a reworking of 'Whole Lotta Love' came soon after by popular demand, and by 1990 the group had been signed by I.R.S. Records.

Their debut album '97745' was recorded at label and saw their original drummer be replaced by Paul "Fresh Cheese" Maselli upon its completion, as well as their percussionist, who was replaced by his identical twin brother Bruce Fernandez. After the success of 'Un-Led-Ed', the group wasted no time in recording their sophomore record '97742', wherein the group would expand their repertoire by including a cover of Bob Marley's 'Stir It Up' and 3 original songs.

Upon returning to the studio a planned rock opera had been theorised for the 3rd album, but then was soon dropped and in its place stood '461670', which saw the band covering a collection of well known disco songs. This didn't sit well with Burke, Maselli and Tortell, as they left in the middle of rehearsals, which meant it was up to bassist Put-Mon to provide vocals. This also didn't sit well with the fans or I.R.S. Records, leading to poor sales and the group being dropped from the label. Deflated, D.Z. went on indefinite hiatus.

Unbeknownst to the band Australian rock group INXS were huge fans and sought them out to support the US leg of their 1993 World Tour. With this information Dread Zeppelin were able to get Tortell to return - albeit for only one of the dates - and the group found new energy in performing together again, recording and releasing '165102' on Birdcage Records that same year. In 1994 the band appeared in the movie 'National Lampoon's Last Resort', providing music for the credit sequence. It was after that where the second Ed Zeppelin and original guitarist Carl "Carl Jah" Haasis would leave the group.

With Putmon moving from bass to lead guitar and the addition of David Raven on drums, Freddie "Derf Nosna Haj" Johnson on bass and Pete "Fernandez" Burke on Conga, Dread Zeppelin recorded '2770084' in 1995. This would be the band's final record on Birdcage as Ramsey left the group shortly after its release.
The remaining members of Dread Zeppelin signed onto Imago (3) and released '533494'. It was the first all non-Led Zeppelin cover recording with the exception of "BBWAGS (Butt-Boy's Wearin' a Girls' Shirt)" written by Putman. This would be Johnson and Burke's last recording with the band, however Ramsey and Ed Zeppelin would return.

Towards the late 90's Dread Zeppelin were signed to Cleopatra where they released their compilation CD '463460' (which would later be reissued under the name '4430935'.
Between 1995 and 1999 the band also released music via their production company label. This included the live album '3807935' and an album of original recordings titled '1197497'. This tradition continued into the new Millennium with the 2002 full length Christmas album '1763917', followed by '11526345' in 2004. Other releases on the label include the live DVDs 'Jah-La-Palooza' & 'Live in Minne-Jah-Polis' as well as the 2007 album '4270390' and 2011's '13279672'.

In 2005 Tortelvis sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Bank One Ballpark, now known as Chase Field, in Phoenix, Arizona on May 27, 2005. He had been scheduled to sing the song at a Minnesota Twins game in 1990, but Roseanne Barr's notorious version quashed that opportunity.

In 2014 founding member of the band Joseph "Severs" Ramsey passed away following years of poor health. Dread Zeppelin still perform live and tour to this day.

There is also a Dread Zeppelin fan club, providing its members with exclusive releases, such as the 1992 cassette '24599294', 1994's 3807696 EP and 2011's '2787555', which features a collection of b-sides and unreleased rarities.