Led Zeppelin, I think, was the first band that I listened to independently of my parents. What I mean by that is even though this record was around, I found it and played it myself.
I didn't know who Led Zeppelin was, I had no context about them, but I can remember very clearly loving the noise that was coming out of my headphones.
When my sister went to college, I "stole" her record player and I played this record over and over and over and over.
I didn't have Internet access so I didn't have a way to find out more about Led Zeppelin until one day, after school at the library I randomly wanted to look up some information on them. Where they came from, why they made music etc.
I asked the librarian if there was any information about bands, and she led me to a biography section, but nothing specifically about Led Zeppelin. Feeling defeated I went to the young adult section, and looked through some of the magazines. Mostly these were teen girl magazines, but there was a section for Guitar World, and while I didn't play guitar, music was a big part of my life. I picked up one at random and in the back they had the music for a Led Zeppelin song ("Ramble On" if I remember correctly).
I think that day had a direct effect on me. I learned to play the guitar later and though I haven't listened to this album in a while ( I am now though!) I will remember it being one of my favorites.