However, there are passages about what happened at some of those hotel parties that will have the casual fans reading in disbelief.

Now, like most rock 'n' roll biographies, "Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin" is graphic. The sex and drugs are documented in a way that tries to come across as cautionary tales, but there is still has a bit of glorification in the prose.

The language is frank and blunt, but there aren't any graphic photos.

Some readers will come away with a deeper respect for the band. Others may find the book a bit disturbing. But all who read will understand the power the band had over the music scene in the '70s.

When I told Luke I had this book, he asked me if I had one about Pink Floyd.

"I'm going to the Australian Pink Floyd show next month," he said. "I like Pink Floyd, too."

There is hope for the younger generation!

---

E-mail: scott@desnews.com