“Kashmir” is a song by the English band Led Zeppelin. Included on their sixth album Physical Graffiti (1975), it was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant with contributions from John Bonham over a period of three years with lyrics dating to 1973. The song became a concert staple, performed by the band at almost every concert after its release. It has been described as one of Led Zeppelin’s two most overtly progressive epics (the other being “Stairway to Heaven”).
Page uses a guitar tuning of D-A-D-G-A-D, which he had used for the instrumentals “White Summer” and “Black Mountain Side”. The song combines different rhythmic meters: the guitar riff is in triple meter, while the vocal is in quadruple meter. Plant felt that the drumming was an important component of the song and that Bonham did not overplay his part.
Page recorded a demo version with drummer Bonham late in 1973, when John Paul Jones was late for the recording sessions. Plant later added lyrics and a middle section; in early 1974, Jones added orchestration. Session players were brought in for the string and horn sections and Jones added a Mellotron. The lyrics were written by Plant in 1973 immediately after Led Zeppelin’s 1973 US tour. None of the group members had visited Kashmir. Instead, Plant was inspired during a drive through a desolate desert area of southern Morocco.
“Kashmir” was played live at almost every Led Zeppelin concert after its debut in 1975. Led Zeppelin, with John Bonham’s son Jason on drums, performed “Kashmir” at Led Zeppelin’s reunion show at The O2, London in December 2007. That rendition – released on Celebration Day in 2012 – was nominated in 2014 for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance at the 56th Grammys. “‘Kashmir’ actually isn’t that difficult”, Page remarked during rehearsals for the show. “But it helps to have a drummer who understands the part and a bass player who can play bass with his feet. Sometimes it sounds like John’s got three feet. It’s intense.”
All four members of Led Zeppelin have agreed that “Kashmir” is one of their best musical achievements. John Paul Jones suggested that it showcases all of the elements that made up the Led Zeppelin sound. Led Zeppelin archivist Dave Lewis comments: Unquestionably the most startling and impressive track on Physical Graffiti, and arguably the most progressive and original track that Led Zeppelin ever recorded. “Kashmir” went a long way towards establishing their credibility with otherwise skeptical rock critics. Many would regard this track as the finest example of the sheer majesty of Zeppelin’s special chemistry.
