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Pb I hear jumped on the dirigible? ( 3,8 )

Led Zeppelin. Pb = the chemical symbol for Lead, from the Latin Plumbum, so sounds like Lead ( Led ) to Dirigible - a kind of air balloon. Led Zeppelin is probably the most influential rock band of all time. From the U.K. Zeppelin became instant stars in America, selling some 100 million albums there alone.

Retreating Editor clings to first half of sword then goes a kind of bluey red? ( 4,6 )

Deep Purple. Retreating editor = Ed backwards - De + half of sword ( ep ) from epee - fencing sword gives DEEP. Deep Purple, from England, became a massive rock band through the 1970's, with hits like 'Black Night' and 'Strange Kind Of Woman'.

Down in the mouth Gastropod joins group of worshipping obsessives? ( 4,6,4 )

Blue Oyster Cult. Down in mouth = blue. Gastropod - genus name of oysters. Blue Oyster Cult from the U.S.A. scored a massive world-wide hit in 1978 with 'Don't Fear The Reaper'.

Confused fop kindly wishes you were here? ( 4,5 )

Pink Floyd. Anagram of fop kindly. 'Wish You Were Here' was the follow-up album to the mother of all concept albums, 'Dark Side Of The Moon'.

Is between Kenneth Smith Initially? ( 4 )

Kiss. Is between K and S = Kiss. During the 1970's Kiss was one of the few bands to rival Led Zeppelin in America, clocking up a million-selling single 'Beth', sung by their drummer Peter Criss.

These birds took it to the limit when they booked into a state hotel? ( 3,6 )

The Eagles. Play on two classic Eagles songs 'Take It To The Limit' and 'Hotel California'. In the year 2001 the Eagles' 'Greatest Hits' album became the biggest selling album of all time up to that date, with sales of 50 million plus.

Gratis said by the English? ( 4 )

Free. Gratis is Latin for free. Free were from the U.K. In 1970 they had a worldwide hit with 'Alright Now'. Singer Paul Rodgers went on to front Bad Company in 1975.

Bird of prey flies into the sou'wester? ( 8 )

Hawkwind. Sou'wester is a nautical term for a south wind and a seaman's waterproof hat. Hawkwind, a psychedelic band from England, had a massive hit in 1972 with 'Silver Machine'.

She gambled on the board game? ( 5 )

Queen. Clue relates to the chess move known as the 'Queen's gambit'. Queen was one of the most successful bands of the 1970's and 80's, selling some 120 million albums worldwide. Sadly their lead singer, Freddie Mercury, died of AIDS in 1991.

Affirmative you say? ( 3 )

Yes. Yes, prog rockers from the U.K., dominated the market of keyboard laden semi-classical rock during the 1970's and 80's. Keyboard player Rick Wakeman can now be seen on British television doing quiz shows and daytime TV fodder.