The enigma surrounding the identity of the “Stick Man” on the cover of Led Zeppelin’s 1971 album has been unveiled. This revelation connects a Victorian thatcher to the legendary English rock band’s iconic imagery, and it comes as a fascinating discovery for music and history enthusiasts alike.
For decades, the identity of the elderly, stick-carrying figure on the album “Led Zeppelin IV” has intrigued fans. The mystery was recently unravelled by Brian Edwards, a research fellow at the University of the West of England, who stumbled upon a Victorian photo album containing the original black and white photograph labelled “A Wiltshire Thatcher” with a distinctive thumbprint. The image is believed to depict Lot Long, a thatcher from Mere, Wiltshire, who lived from 1823 to 1893. Once a quiet testament to a rural worker’s life, this photograph gained international fame as the emblematic feature of an album that sold over 37 million copies.
The discovery, detailed by the Wiltshire Museum, has solved a long-standing music mystery and highlighted the deep roots of artistic inspiration that transcend time and genre. David Dawson, the museum’s director, remarked on the stark contrast between the rural figure and the urban music legends, noting the powerful thematic resonance from this juxtaposition. The original photograph, set to be displayed at Wiltshire Museum, bridges the gap between the past and present, offering a tangible link to a bygone era.
The story behind the image is a testament to the enduring nature of art and the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate worlds. As the photograph finds its place in history, it also immortalizes the life of Lot Long, whose visage, unbeknownst to him, would one day represent a cultural milestone.
