Incredible mix of songs

The greatest (unnamed) rock album of all time? Led Zeppelin IV turns 40

Instead of a title, the album featured four hand-drawn symbols on the inner sleeve and record label, each one chosen by the band member it represents.

It was on this day in 1971 Led Zeppelin released its fourth album. The eight-song album came unnamed, but soon became known as Led Zeppelin IV, ZOSO, or Zep IV.

If you were growing up in the early '70s, the importance of this album cannot be understated. It would be hard to argue against "Stairway to Heaven" being the greatest rock song of all time. You would also be hard pressed to find an album with the incredible mix of songs. From the hard driving "Rock n' Roll" to the mystical "Battle of Evermore," Led Zeppelin IV captures the brilliance and diversity of one of the all-time great bands.

If you were growing up in the early '70s, the importance of this album cannot be understated. It would be hard to argue against "Stairway to Heaven" being the greatest rock song of all time.

Did radio overplay many of the songs found on the album? You bet, but don't blame the band for that. It was more a result of radio researching songs to death and then shoving the most popular down the consumer's throat. It should not diminish or take away from the greatness of what Led Zeppelin IV was — and still is.

The album was released at a time when FM radio was just taking off and many stations went to a rock format. Imagine DJs picking the songs they wanted to play. What an amazing rush it must have been for DJs to cue up "Stairway to Heaven" for the first time!

Some records are called great because record labels market them as such while others are called great because they stand the test of time. ZOSO falls into the later category.

See the video of "Stairway to Heaven":

Led Zeppelin IV album cover; the album actually had no name

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Under the big top

Ringling Bros. circus swings back into Houston for summer 2026 shows

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey The Greatest Show On Earth

Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, which returned with a reimagined circus in 2024, will come back to Houston once again for new dates at NRG Stadium on August 6-9, 2026.

The tour's 2026 dates for "The Greatest Show On Earth" will start on April 9 in Worcester, Massachusetts, with stops scheduled in every month for the rest of the year.

The month of August is reserved for Texas, as it will go to Houston (August 6-9), San Antonio (August 13-16), Fort Worth (August 20-23), and Dallas (August 27-30). There will be a final Texas stop in Edinburg on September 3-6 (sorry, Austin and El Paso!).

"The Greatest Show On Earth," which no longer features live animals, is a two-hour live talent show featuring some of the world’s best acts.

The action-packed modern circus is filled with stunts and immersive moments featuring events like the high-flying trapeze, gravity-defying acrobatics, and more. Set to a high-energy soundtrack, the show includes elements like the Double Wheel of Destiny, a high-speed bicycle troupe, acrobats from Mongolia, and a Latin dance group.

Moments of humor, surprise, and audience interaction are sprinkled throughout the show, while fan-favorite characters like Bailey the Robo Pup bring heart, personality, and fun for younger fans.

Before the show begins, families are invited to enjoy the interactive pre-show, where the Ringling Hype Crew brings the arena to life with music, movement, and crowd engagement.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, April 14 via Ticketmaster.com.

Fans can purchase early with unlock code W2LV26 on Thursday, April 9 at 10 am through Monday, April 13 at 11:59 pm. Fans can also sign up to become Ringling Insiders for exclusive early access to tickets, which can be purchased now at Ringling.com.

Finally, there is a special pre-sale savings for adults by using code PR26RB for up to 25 percent off tickets. That offer ends on April 13, and restrictions apply.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's "The Greatest Show On Earth" 2026 tour dates:

Apr 9 - 12, 2026: Worcester, MA - DCU Center
Apr 16 - 19, 2026: Bridgeport, CT - Total Mortgage Arena
Apr 23 - 26, 2026: Hartford, CT - PeoplesBank Arena
Apr 30 - May 3, 2026: Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center
May 7 - 10, 2026: Charleston, WV - Charleston Coliseum
May 15 - 17, 2026: Louisville, KY - KFC Yum! Center
May 21 - 24, 2026: Allentown, PA - PPL Center
May 29 - 31, 2026: Providence, RI - Amica Mutual Pavilion
Jun 4 - 7, 2026: Norfolk, VA - Scope Arena
Jul 2 - 5, 2026: Fresno, CA - Save Mart Center
Jul 10 - 19, 2026: Anaheim, CA - Honda Center
Jul 23 - 26, 2026: Phoenix, AZ - Mortgage Matchup Center
Aug 6 - 9, 2026: Houston, TX - NRG Stadium
Aug 13 - 16, 2026: San Antonio, TX - Alamodome
Aug 20 - 23, 2026: Fort Worth, TX - Dickies Arena
Aug 27 - 30, 2026: Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
Sep 3 - 6, 2026: Edinburg, TX - Bert Ogden Arena
Sep 10 - 13, 2026: San Diego, CA - Pechanga Arena San Diego
Sep 17 - 20, 2026: Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center
Sep 24 - 27, 2026: Wichita, KS - INTRUST Bank Arena
Oct 1 - 4, 2026: Des Moines, IA - Casey's Center
Oct 8 - 11, 2026: Cleveland, OH - Wolstein Center
Oct 16 - 18, 2026: Pittsburgh, PA - PPG Paints Arena
Oct 22 - 25, 2026: St. Paul, MN - Grand Casino Arena
Oct 29 - Nov 1, 2026: Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
Nov 6 - 8, 2026: Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena
Nov 12 - 15, 2026: Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena
Nov 20 - 22, 2026: Indianapolis, IN - Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Nov 27 - 29, 2026: Kansas City, MO - T-Mobile Center
Dec 3 - 6, 2026: Cincinnati, OH - Heritage Bank Center

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