Led Zeppelin I “Hindenburg Disaster” Album Cover

Led Zeppelin I “Hindenburg Disaster” Album Cover

Led Zeppelin released their self-titled debut album Led Zeppelin on January 12, 1969 (US) and March 31, 1969 (UK) with the image of an airship exploding on the cover.

The photo used on the album cover is of the “Hindenburg Disaster” that occurred on May 6, 1937, at the end of the Hindenburg first North American transatlantic journey of its second season of service. Here is the actual photo used and where it was cropped for the Led Zeppelin cover.

Thirty-six people died in the famous accident, which occurred while the Hindenburg was landing at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Manchester Township, New Jersey, United States. Here’s a photo of the Hindenburg on approach right before the explosion.

This album cover and the name Led Zeppelin later caused drama for the band as Countess Frau Eva von Zeppelin felt the band’s use of Zeppelin was insulting and dishonoured her family name.