the new yardbirds 

Led Zeppelins original name. The band was originally formed in 1968 by guitarist Jimmy Page under the name The New Yardbirds in order to fulfill some performance commitments booked in Scandinavia before the break up of the original Yardbirds. Vocalist Robert Plant, known from his work with The Band of Joy, was himself on the verge of a record deal when Page saw him perform at West Midlands College of Education with a pickup band of art students and drafted him into the new band. Plant brought with him drummer John Bonham. Bassist John Paul Jones was informed by his wife that Page was forming a group; Jones and Page knew each other well from their days as session musicians and Jones contacted Page who asked him then to join the band.
The band name was later changed to Lead Zeppelin after a comment from Keith Moon (drummer for The Who)

The New Yardbirds started one of the greatest bands of all time.

the new yardbirds by EssPea January 17, 2005