Band of Joy is known to diehard Led Zeppelin fans as the group that served as the legendary group's precursor. Lead singer Robert Plant and future band mate, drummer John Bonham, played together from 1966 to 1968 in a group almost as tumultuous as the Zeppelin. Band of Joy tickets were noted for the all-too-common lineup changes that brought some of the most famous names in 1970s rock into the group momentarily.

The band did have a short comeback with Plant and Bonham. Original guitarist/singer Kevyn Gammond and bassist/guitarist Paul Lockey attempted to recruit Plant and Bonham but were rebuked. Instead they found bassist John Pasternak, drummer Pete Robinson, keyboardist Michael Chetwood and played from 1977 to 1983, recording and releasing two albums as Band of Joy.

Eventually a lack of a recording contract officially ended the existence of the group, but Robert Plant conspired to bring the band back, especially in the trying times following the Led Zeppelin break up. Band of Joy first had a rebirth in 1986 when Plant brought Bonham back to play drums and added John Hill on bass and Mick Strode as the lead guitarist.