Any fan of heavy British Blues knew The Yardbirds were on the cutting edge of this raw and original sound. Jeff Beck epitomized the new electric blues guitar style coming out of the UK, and after leaving The Yardbirds, he began working with a hot new singer by the name of Rod Stewart. With a sterling cast of seasoned players, Beck put together an ensemble that was second to none; Nicky Hopkins on piano, Ron Wood on bass, Mick Waller on drums and Beck and Stewart. This band was SMOKIN'!
Unfortunately the group wouldn't last, and very soon after, along came what I thought were the pretenders to the throne of British Blues, Led Zeppelin.
I have never been a huge fan of Zeppelin, partly because of the die-hard adulation from their very narrow-minded audience. The Zep fans just wouldn't listen to other bands. My personal bias was also because I saw both bands live in their early days.
I know it doesn't matter now because Led Zeppelin went on to be a huge success, but back then, The Jeff Beck Group could blow Led Zeppelin off the stage.