In 1966, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck recorded a song with John Paul Jones. Two years later, Led Zeppelin formed

The Yardbirds’ 1966 single ‘Happenings Ten Years Time Ago’ captured British rock shifting from rhythm and blues towards psychedelia and heavier guitar music. Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck played together on the track, with session musician John Paul Jones on bass, bringing three future Led Zeppelin members into the same recording.

Recorded at De Lane Lea studios in London, the song combined distorted, feedback-heavy guitars with chants, sirens and spoken sounds. Its lyrics reflected contemporary interest in spirituality and existential questions, while its broader sound anticipated elements of hard rock and progressive music. Page and Jones later joined forces again when Led Zeppelin formed in 1968.