How Robert Plant contributed to creating the 'rock god' archetype
Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," "Stairway to Heaven" and "Kashmir" are indelibly anchored in the collective consciousness. As Robert Plant turns 70, here's a glance back at the iconic rock band's story.
Robert Plant at 70
What's a rock star to do at the age of 70? Keep on touring, of course! Former Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant, who signed classics such as "Stairway to Heaven," "Immigrant Song" and "Kashmir," is not ready to retire yet. "I sing better than ever... and I still have so many songs in me," he told Spiegel magazine in 2017.
Grizzled gods of rock
Coolness has nothing to do with age — and the surviving Led Zeppelin boys are the best proof of that. Here we see John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page (from left to right) at the presentation of their concert film "Celebration Day" in 2012 in London.
Four young men
This is how they looked in 1969 at the Blues Festival in Bath. The band was then still complete with drummer John Bonham (Number 77). The four young men got together to bring rock to the masses: "Most of all we wanted to show that old hands like Sinatra and his gang were no longer cool! They were the enemy," Plant later said.
Lots of skin, too much alcohol
They thoroughly succeeded. Long hair and bare chests became sexy. Robert Plant's was even named "Chest of the Year" in 1970. But Led Zeppelin's rock'n'roll lifestyle led to tragedy: After excessive alcohol consumption in 1980, drummer John Bonham choked on his vomit during his sleep. That was the end of the band.
The heritage
What forever remains is the music that inspired and influenced generations of rock bands. Most of all the classics "Whole Lotta Love," "Stairway to Heaven" and the majestic "Kashmir," which Robert Plant considers the best Zeppelin song.
The aftermath
When the band broke up, Plant and Page got together a few times, recorded two albums and stood together onstage — here in 1995 in Schwalmstadt at "Rock over Germany." But the momentum was gone, especially with Robert Plant. A much-hailed Led Zeppelin Reunion in 2007 remained a one-time-only event.
Prize-winning collaboration
Robert Plant pours his real energy into solo projects — and albums like "Raising Sand," recorded in tandem with bluegrass musician Alison Krauss. The yield: five trophies at the 2009 Grammy Awards.
Plant in 2018
Currently The Sensational Space Shifters are Plant's band of choice. His latest album from 2017, "Carry Fire" has been well received by critics and fans. Still touring at 70, here he is at an appearance in Milan in July 2018. The long hair is now pulled together into a ponytail, but that's about it: "Every hairdresser and barber has refused to cut my hair, so it stays," says Plant.
And the journey continues
"I really don't know what I'll be doing in five years," Plant recently said. The coming two months are booked out though, with concerts in the US, Great Britain and Ireland.