Biography
Dread Zeppelin fused the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley, and Bob Marley into irreverent novelty rock that earned a stamp of approval from Robert Plant. Fronting the act was Tortelvis, the 300-pound Elvis impersonator born Greg Tortell, alongside guitarists Jah Paul Jo (Joe Ramsey) and Carl Jah (Carl Haasis), bassist Butt-Boy (Gary Putman), percussionist Ed Zeppelin (Bryant Fernandez), and drummer Fresh Cheese (Paul Masselli). The Pasadena, CA-based ensemble played its first show on January 8, 1989—the 54th anniversary of Presley’s birth—delivering reggae-tinged versions of Led Zeppelin classics fronted by Presley-style vocals, a formula typified by hybrid tracks such as “Heartbreaker (At the End of Lonely Street).” Local momentum quickly secured a contract with IRS Records, leading to the 1990 release of debut album Un-led-Ed; the LP moved briskly and its take on “Your Time Is Gonna Come” drew praise from Plant, who said he favored the new version over the original.
The follow-up, 5,000,000*, appeared in 1991, yet the concept had begun to wear thin. By the next summer Tortelvis, Ed Zeppelin, and Fresh Cheese had exited; Butt-Boy adopted the name Gary B.I.B.B. and took over vocals for the 1992 disco album It’s Not Unusual, which distanced longtime listeners and prompted IRS to drop the band. Tortelvis and Ed Zeppelin rejoined for 1993’s Hot & Spicy Beanburger, issued on Jah Paul Jo’s Birdcage label as a return to earlier form. The group appeared briefly in the 1994 comedy National Lampoon’s Last Resort; soon afterward Carl Jah and Ed Zeppelin departed, replaced by Ed’s brother Bruce and bassist Derf Nasna-Haj for 1995’s No Quarter Pounder. Jah Paul Jo’s exit led to 1996’s The Fun Sessions on Imago, followed by the live set The Song Remains Insane and the rarities collection Ruins. Deja Voodoo arrived in late 2000, refocusing on Led Zeppelin material that remained the group’s mainstay. Dread Zeppelin subsequently launched its own label and website to sell recordings directly, supplementing catalog releases with live DVDs and CDs plus the first collection of originals, Spam Bake. The 2005 hybrid CD Chicken and Ribs featured the band’s version of “Kung Fu Fighting.”
The follow-up, 5,000,000*, appeared in 1991, yet the concept had begun to wear thin. By the next summer Tortelvis, Ed Zeppelin, and Fresh Cheese had exited; Butt-Boy adopted the name Gary B.I.B.B. and took over vocals for the 1992 disco album It’s Not Unusual, which distanced longtime listeners and prompted IRS to drop the band. Tortelvis and Ed Zeppelin rejoined for 1993’s Hot & Spicy Beanburger, issued on Jah Paul Jo’s Birdcage label as a return to earlier form. The group appeared briefly in the 1994 comedy National Lampoon’s Last Resort; soon afterward Carl Jah and Ed Zeppelin departed, replaced by Ed’s brother Bruce and bassist Derf Nasna-Haj for 1995’s No Quarter Pounder. Jah Paul Jo’s exit led to 1996’s The Fun Sessions on Imago, followed by the live set The Song Remains Insane and the rarities collection Ruins. Deja Voodoo arrived in late 2000, refocusing on Led Zeppelin material that remained the group’s mainstay. Dread Zeppelin subsequently launched its own label and website to sell recordings directly, supplementing catalog releases with live DVDs and CDs plus the first collection of originals, Spam Bake. The 2005 hybrid CD Chicken and Ribs featured the band’s version of “Kung Fu Fighting.”
Albums
