Howard’s usually stellar research team messed up. He was not well prepared. He didn’t know the Led Zep back story. It was not Mick and Keith two kids meeting at a train station. It was a seasoned studio pro scouting for a green front man. Howard didn’t know the blues antecedents to so many Led Zep songs ....so came off sycophantic especially quoting copped stuff as original....
Michael Fremer
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Impenetrable yes. Incredibly charming through. I learned more than you did I guess because I liked it!
Michael McCarty
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Yes, it was a frustrating interview. We wanted him to take us back; to regale us.
But, Plant won. The new songs Howard eventually sampled sounded damn good. I investigated and the album is surprisingly strong.
And, I bet he comes back to do the show again.
Mat Orefic
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As a longtime HS listener, this interview couldn't have been more disappointing. Howard sounded amateur, unprepared, and only relied on being a Led Zeppelin superfan. Had he done some real homework - as opposed to only reading research notes from Will and Jason - he would've gotten much more. Listen to Robert's SXM townhall style interview with DJ Bill Flanagan - Plant is far more interesting, informative and engaged than he was with SiriusXM's $500M man.
blog.siriusxm.com/robert-plant-tells-bill-flanagan-that-he-considered-becoming-a-teacher-post-zeppelin/ George Roskos
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Didn’t hear it that way. It wasn’t a hologram at all. By refusing to play in Howard’s sand box, he revealed exactly who he was.
The story of Terry Reed suggesting him as a singer to Jimmy, the first meeting with Jimmy where they had identical record collections, the love of Joan, how Bonham introduced himself, him admitting to struggling to record some of the vocals in Zep records, what his tears were at the kennedy center, all solid gold stories.
But the biggest thing he left me with was something like “if you are only thinking about money, you will never be successful,” how he followed his muse through most everything he’s done, and continues to do so. The no shenanigans thing you mention is it’s own statement. He never went negative on anyone in the interview, which indicates that he doesn’t in his real life. It is very clear that he doesn’t pay attention to or participate in bullshit. This keeps your muse pure.
He left me with a lot out of that interview. I felt like I knew him.
Kim Bullard
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...still rambling on and showing that if he's not screaming at the top of his lungs, then he isn't really making any music that's very interesting! Rock Star? how about "Also Ran"...
Tom Principato
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He didn’t trust Howard and trust is everything. It really boiled down to that.
Justin Bartek
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i have read your writings for several years, decades - whatever. your blog (is that what it’s called) has a voice and place.
this business did have a moment before they fucked it all up thinking and believing you can simply manufacture anything close to another Plant or Zep. yet they tried. he’s the summit on the mountain is he not? the man who fronted, creatively there as well, Zepplin. he made that gig look easy. he’s the king of being the king and actually has, wears and shows off those chops on the biggest radio show around. nothing new to Plant other than the tu
re and the people. he does what he wants and can care less about all this noisy bullshit. he’s used to brilliant noise, he stood along the Page cranked up 100 watt Marshall’s for years. Plant knows creativity in others as well...
even Howard, who i love, seemed lost. Plant worked him as if he were just another radio guy.
it’s Robert Plant Folks! everything he has done is "all about the music." it appears perhaps some of us have forgotten its all about the music, past and present, but for Robert Plant there is only the musical now. he has a hunger to create. songs, sounds, and the great bands he puts together to perform along with -
great one Bob!
cheers!
frankie s
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I met Robert a few years back at legendary British DJ Bob Harris' 60th birthday party with 100 people in Cambridge in a tiny social hall. Not only did he mingle and freely converse but got onstage with the band including Whitesnake's Bernie Marsden and sang three Northern soul hits. His version of Robert Parker's "Barefootin'" was spot on he was very friendly and stayed about 3 hours. No airs whatsoever. A great memory.
Larry LeBlanc
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Bob....I've listened to that interview at least three times now and could do it three more times. Howard had to push, but he got the reluctant Plant (what a great rock name) to open up, as Howard does so we'll.
No, Robert wasn't ready for Stern. And that's wonderful.
And as I recall, someone I read often was on the wrap-up show!
Dan Kelley
Handcrafted Radio
Lansing, MI
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Maybe he just thought that Howard Stern was a vulgar, self-aggrandizing idiot, but that he'd get through the interview chore because it might be helpful to business.
Curtis Roberts
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I love Plant as much as anyone. He changed my life. And continues to be a great envelope pusher. But I also call bullshit on not doing a series of Zep shows like Cream did.
At this late in the game classic rockers can't rest on the laurels of being "an artist focusing on the now". That is utter nonsense. I know his new band is great and the Krauss record was a game changer. But still - he's a classic rocker and his best years are behind him. Think of it this way - when he tours with the Sensational Space Shifters do you think the audience is there for the new material? Come on. That's insane. They are there for the 7 Zep songs he trots out every night. So let me get this straight - he will play those 7 to 8 songs with that band on a 50 date tour every night but not play 20 songs for 8 shows with the original band? That doesn't make any sense.
The amount of happiness it would bring to fans who never saw them outweighs the effort it would take to do what...6 shows? 8? Let's face it, his life would be no different after and tens of thousands of people would be changed forever. If he doesn't need the money - great - give it to charity.
U2 sucked it up and toured the Joshua Tree, he can suck it up and do 6-8 shows in NY and London. He will be just fine. I think it's selfish.
-zach leary sent from under his blanket
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Was f&&^%ing so disappointing!
Not even the great Stern could open him up or loosen him up.
May as well have not even been there.
Could have been so great but was a complete dud. His PR people should have briefed him that he'd have 20 million listeners in rapt attention if he just went with it. I don't even want to listen to his new stuff even though the song they played was pretty damned cool, because I'm so disappointed by that lame interview. He dodged everything, was noticeably irked by the whole thing. Just could have been so wonderful to finally get him to open up in a long form setting.
We learned nothing that we didn't already know, except he was tearing up at the Kennedy Center Honors thinking about Bonzo.
Oh well. He'll never be back.
Dan Millen
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Good to hear. As for “Zep” not having an opening band, I guess that was once they got REALLY big: when I saw them at the Rose Palace in ‘69 Brian Augur and the Trinity (with Julie Driscoll) opened and the Elvin Bishop Group was second on the bill. Page played with a violin bow and Bonham played a drum solo with his hands, a la bongos. Plant introduced “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” as a song first heard by Joan Baez, and dropped a huge compliment on Baez. He backed off of the big high note (“I CAN HEAR YOU CALLIN’ ME BACK HO-OME”), which was a bit disappointing.
I guess things have changed a bit. It would be nice to think one of the things that didn’t change was Robert Plant. So, again, good to hear.
Berton Averre
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Right on.
Plant is is living in the NOW, and always about moving forward, and musical progression.
Great summary.
Josh Saunders
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A mate of mine did PR for Robert here in the UK, and one time during the Raising Sand LP with Alison Krauss, my friend was trying to get him to do TV and radio to promote the LP. RP was not really keen and one one day turned round and said.
"Stuart, I really don’t care about all this stuff, I’m really rich.."
Sean Tracey
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Fucking fantastic piece on Planty...I know more from this than I did before about him...and yeah, Howard is the king of radio, but it was refreshing for someone to stand their ground and attempt to keep the focus on the here-and-now (I missed the Henley appearance), even if Howard was fan-boying (who wouldn’t) and trying to coax a perhaps never heard history nugget from Plant...would have been a coup, but he was out-dueled by the reclusive rock star :-)
Todd A. Miller
President, CEO/Program Director
Listen UP! Talk Radio
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Robert still has something damn near everyone else has sold: Class.
Slowhandkev
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I met Plant one day in 1989 when I was working at Tower Records on Sunset. He was friendly. In fact, exceedingly so. As if he was working really hard to be just one of us music fans. It didn’t really matter tho, because we were so blown away. I met the biggest of the big working there from 87 to 90, from Prince, Bowie, Elton, and MJ to Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Ringo and more…but Plant hit us in the sweet spot. We gave him a pass when slipped up trying to impress us with his knowledge of Mitch Easter (right after the quote that he said he would be glad to mow his lawn) and accidentally said how much he loves Mitch Ryder. He talked to us for about an hour, gave us autographs and split. One of my favorite encounters working at Tower.
That said, what a boring interview. If he doesn't feel like he wants to talk about “Zep” or reveal anything, then he should've stayed home. Also, what was up with that weird lisp or speech impediment? Dentures? Did he have oral surgery? Did I miss him mentioning it? I couldn't find anything on the internet either. I know everyone heard it…you did, didn’t you, Bob? Anyway, Plant is one of the last giants, I wish he came to play. It was one of the most boring guest appearances of the past 5 years..it’s sad when even Madonna’s interview was a thousand times better.
Gary Helsinger
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Howard’s gonna need months of therapy just on how poorly his Plant interview went. Clearly no one told Plant who he was and what to expect, and Howard oddly didn’t read the cues and start with new album stuff, which was all Plant was there for.
Sean Salo
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Plant was and is one of the most unredeemed type of rock stars. Who cares about Robert Plant? Seriously?
Brad Durham
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If you hurry
you might find some plant pubes
still on the toliet seat
Kyke Bonson
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That interview was terrible on so many levels, in good part because Stern dropped the ball as an interviewer.
Plant talked about recording with Alison Krauss….but he didn’t just do that….he married Patty Griffin and spent years hanging out at alt-rock fests, like Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco and playing with some of the country’s best musicians in that genre. How could Howard pass on asking about that a marriage? The old Howard would have known and asked. Maybe if Howard has asked knowledgeable questions, he would have gotten better answers.
Then, there’s the guy Howard’s had on who has the website showing that Zep stole so much of their music. Sure would have liked to have heard a bit of that dispute. When Howard had that guy on, he was sure much of the music was copped. The evidence was strong. But no pressing Plant on that.
There are no boring interviews, just boring interviewers and that one was a flop. Sounded like Farley fawning over Paul McCartney on SNL.
Brad Kava
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The best part of the Robert Plant interview is that we got 15 year old Howard, rather than the master interviewer that kid grew up to be.
I’m not generally keen on when Howard goes all doting fanboy, but for whatever reason, this was utterly charming. Plant seemed to get it about halfway through and loosened up, but that 15 year kid kept butting in.
It may not have been Stern’s best interview, but for us long time Stern súper fans, it was hysterical.
Lois Aronow
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After reading your review, I listened to the show, and feel like we heard two different programs. I thought Plant was funny, talkative, and a good sport putting up with Stern’s dumb comments and questions.
He’d barely get a sentence out and Stern would jump in with some comment out of left field.
My first time hearing Stern. Not sure there’ll be a second.
Thanks!
-Peter Williams
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Thank you for writing truth
Steven Machat
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Disagree. I saw insight to Robert Plant that was new. And I’ve never heard Howard in such awe. It was a spectacular interview.
Lizzz Kritzer
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This was one of those interviews that I sat parked in my car on 51st,for 30 min after I got to work.
Howard fawns,of course,but I loved Robert in the interview.
Clearly puzzled and semi-amused.
Steve Martin
APA
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Howard got schooled on this interview. It was borderline embarrassing. Howard is the best interviewer, for sure, but in this case he allowed Plant to get the best of him, out of pure respect….I guess….
Also - this for the first time - got me to question Howard’s consistent music interview approach - it’s getting old…..”You remember this song….etc…” - the formula is too predictable.
Billy Corgan was a great interview the day before, no one is mentioning that.
Chris Friday
Tour Manager
Mike Gordon of Phish
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Thanks Bob for being honest!!! I also thought it was a terrible interview. Plant was obviously very annoyed with Howard’s line of questioning right from the beginning. Plant calling him Dad and where did you get this guy from were clear signs how clueless he is of Howard’s ability to make him seem human and relatable in a way that a Zep fan might actually go out and purchase his new record….Not Howard’s fault
Nick DeStefano
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Sounds like he's just a proper Brit.
Becka Boss
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i'm so glad you wrote about this interview.
i've been listening to howard all these years, and this was the worst interview he ever conducted.
howard never realized it wasn't going well. he kept hitting brick walls and then hit them again. definition of insanity, etc.
well, even babe ruth struck out a few times....
tom sturges
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R. Plant is above praying at the church of a shock-jock. Next week he wont remember which archetype schtick Howard, Herman or Harold he was interviewed by.. .
He showed his real-deal values when he eschewed turning Led Z. into a hyper managed money success after Bonham died.
Thank God he has enough wealth to skip the media maelstrom that the fakes need.
best, Dale Flanigan / Cleveland OH
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"When gods walked the earth"...or so they appeared to us at the time-
Young Hutchison
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Sounds like Robert bested Stern by just not caring and not rising to Stern’s shenanigans. Stern can be pedantic and quite unknowledgeable of his interviewee at times.
And nothing more boring or stupid than asking about the band re-union – when anybody who knows anything has long understood, since the O2 show, that is not ever a possibility.
Peter Moon
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Thanks Bob,
I needed to hear your take on that. I love it when you are on the Wrap-Up show by the way. It's so funny hearing your academic, deep, insightful takes on the characters in the absurd Stern Universe.
That was one of the most uncomfortable interviews I have ever heard. I kept wanting to pause it and take a break. When I went back and listened a second time, I saw I had over-reacted somewhat. At times he sounded more playful than defiant.
And yet in the end rather than liking him less for not playing along with my King's interview formula like he was supposed to, it only deepened the majesty, magic and reverence I feel for Plant and Zep. He's exactly the mystical, amazing, soulful, larger than life legend I always hoped he would be.
They don't fucking make them like that anymore.
Nathan Taylor
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I’m 63 and I wish I never would of heard Howard’s disappointing interview! It wasn’t Howard’s problem it was Robert Plant! I have listened to his music these days and the boredom of growing old. The music sounds bland! The King has died but oh was he a God in his time.
Wayne Landry
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I recently saw a Robert Plant interview, conducted at his home, by a women. He was pretty much as you describe him. Polite. Witty when he wanted to be. The interviewer was someone he'd known for a long time, I believe. But she didn't pierce the bubble.
Cheers - Tom Quinn
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@EABowers: @Lefsetz , thanks for the GREAT piece in my email just now about Robert Plant on @HowardStern @sternshow . My exact sentiments.
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I agree with Plant..Why whore yourself out with a lousy cash grab? He's got INTEGRITY! Who has THAT anymore?
I DIG BOTH of his new bands..(Band 0' Joy, and Shape Shifters)..He's experimenting..Breaking new ground..It doesn't always work, but it's inspired and unique..He plays smallish venues, just to be able to follow his muse..When he does do a Zep song, it's a total reworking..
I find his approach to creativity VERY refreshing, and will support his various endeavors..Kudos to you, Robert!
James Spencer
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Bob - you nailed it. Stern thinks he got a lot but Plant bested him. I worked with Plant on his Raising Sand and Band of Joy albums. On both occasions he played the press like a master conductor - pulled the room to where he wanted to go. Made them feel good, but basically gave nothing away. On the second occasion, he hung back after they left and invited me and the head of Publicity to share some of the wine that had been laid out. The three of us sat around for two hours and discussed our favourite music. We never mentioned Zeppelin, just shot the shit about tunes like music nerds do. Wonderful guy. And not at all interested in talking about "Robert Plant".
Iain Taylor
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Spot on Bob..... as u have shared Bobby D’s lyric/line before..... ‘He who is not busy being born, is busy dying!’
The consistency and class of Robert Plant is not lost on us who expect rebellion!
Thank you.
Leon Rutkowski
Marblehead, MA
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And the music’s still GOOD. Not Zepp good. But good.
Justin Richmond
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Wow. I’m 2/3’s of the way through (need get some sleep) and I didn’t get most of what you got at all. Yes, it’s gotta be tough having a conversation with Stern, who is a dominating, impulsive conversationalist. But I liked Howard’s perspective. He’s a true fan, and a huge fan. As a Zep fan (e.g. yes, they are the greatest band in the world), there are levels of devotion (sorry, with all bands/artists). Stern is right up there. Stern. Right now, the world’s most successful talk radio host. A rather successful bloke himself. I thought he pulled a lot of interesting things out of Robert – long ago filed memories and feelings and reactions. And quite frankly, how lovely a man he is. Yeah, Robert sounded a little irritated here and there, but he was entirely gracious and he probably had no idea that the interview would be so Zep-centric. So all in all…I love this interview. And I’m grateful to Stern for it. (And, of course, grateful that those four boys got together to make music.) Favourite line thus far? To paraphrase Robert, “wealth is a state of mind.” Nailed it.
Skidget 17
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So nice that we can always count on you for an honest appraisal. All the Stern ass-kissers (Kimmel and Baba Booey et al) were going on about what a ‘great interview’ it was, but you’re dead on that it wasn’t. Howard misread him, or didn’t know how to work him, and unlike most others Plant didn’t walk in thinking Howard was his equal and therefore due something different than the rest of the microphone’s get. Howard missed cues throughout, and sounded like a silly fanboy who’d cornered Plant backstage somewhere when Plant just wanted to get back on the bus. (Stern's affection was clearly genuine so nothing against him for that, and sometimes his heart-on-the-sleeve thing works, but here it needed to be pulled back.)
We learned about Plant from watching the train wreck. It was cool that he was living in the moment when all Howard wanted was 40 years ago. Stern can take the hit, given how many masterful and revealing interviews he's hosted. But this wasn’t a career highlight or memorable for anyone.
But great to see you call it straight.
- Craig Danuloff
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But was he interested? He’s a very good interview if he’s interested in the subject.
I saw an interview with he and (I think) Timothy White where he talked aboiut other wordly cultural influences on the band and in their music. He can be out there as well so you never know which Plant is going to show up! Lol Tim
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How can Howard Stern grind into Robert Plant that way and not be ashamed? C'mon!!! :-/
Alain Pernot
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Bob,
Brilliant piece on Robert.
Harvey Goldsmith
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Couldn’t agree with you more...I can only imagine what was going through Howard’s mind as he tried repeatedly (unsuccessfully) to find a path in. It was uncomfortable to listen to but no so much as to turn it off...this was Robert Plant. At times I felt for Howard and then I was angry with him for not trying another approach - although not sure what would’ve worked. I hope we get some thoughts from Howard on the interview as I’m sure he was frustrated. The problem is he won’t ever have a second chance...that was a one and done. Can’t win em all!!
Best,
Steven Roy
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Bravo Bob -
No greedy erosion - the musical integrity remains the same...
Cheers,
Shamus Gillen
Charleston, SC
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"Although when he mentioned the "Misty Mountains," an actual location, your hair stood up on your arm."
I listened to the interview will hiking the Phoenix Mountain Preserve early in the morning Arizona time in the dark and it did make the hair on my arms stand on end. I rely it again reading your quote above and thinking back to that morning.
Stern is better when he is not interviewing his heroes. While Plant was a reluctant interviewee, when he didn’t have an instant response to a question, instead of letting Plant say whatever came to mind, Howard kept talking and asking question after question.
Sometimes it is better not to meet our heroes…
Neal H. Bookspan
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Howard Stern is overrated as an interviewer. He interrupts too much and instead of asking a question and letting the guest give his own answer, Howard builds in his own speculative and off-base answer into the question. This often exasperates, frustrates and derails the guest, not to mention the listener. During the Robert Plant interview even Robin shouted “Let him talk!’ But Howard didn’t and so lost out on a great opportunity.
Nice wordplay on the lyrics, Bob, and you are right that there should not be a Led Zeppelin reunion. There is no dignity for Robert Plant singing Stairway to Heaven in arenas. His solo shows are much more interesting and you even get very hip arrangements of Zep covers along with his otherworldly new music.
Thanks for what you do.
Mike Wilson
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Pretty funny, actually. Sterngot the Led Zep 2 Rolling Stone review completely wrong. There was no "apology." It actually doubled down on the criticism of the first, sarcastically. The great John Mendelssohn strikes again!
www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/led-zeppelin-ii-19691213 Also, surprised that with Stern's deep research he wasn't aware of Plant and Page's plagiarism of the tunes he asked Plant about "writing."
Funny stuff.
best,
Richard Pachter
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Yeah, Plant is a guy smart enough to record with Alison Krauss...
Bob Stevens
Toronto
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Pardon my French but F That S#*T...I know you love Howard and I'm neither here nor there on him but you want to hear a FANTASTIC Plant interview then check this out!!!
Steve Jones + Robert Plant:
audioboom.com/posts/4104412-robert-plant-on-jonesy-s-jukebox-1-25-2016 Scroll in to 16:20 when the interview begins...The king of "Dinosaur" rock and a guy from the band who's job it was to destroy "Dinosaur" rock...Amazing how similar they really are considering how different their bands were...Make sure you listen to the end for the in studio performance!
Leigh Lust
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Yeah I found this interview rather uncomfortable many times.
Thomas Meyer
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I felt like he was annoyed that nobody offered him coffe or anything. Very cheap of Howard and short-sighted!
Suzanne Bianqui
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I don't think I listened to the same interview...I was never a huge Led Zepp fan (less so after all the plagiarism allegations) and always thought Robert Plant would be a bit pompous. However, I thought he was charming, intelligent, very funny and seemed like he was having a good time on the show. Maybe Gary and Jon told you otherwise, but that was my opinion having listened to the interview twice. I did find it odd that there wasn't a mention of John Paul Jones. He was such a critical component of the band whose work went on to influence so many bassists after him.
Andy MacIntyre
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Thanks for the ROCK STAR defenition reminder...
Carlos Duron
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Good for Robert Plant. Howard was a failed disc flipper who turned to raunchy low brow humor to pay his bills. It is time for the era of the gatekeepers to be over. There were none in the 1960’d except for the righteous role of the a & r staffs at record companies and real disc jockeys on AM radio. Why should what HS and his ilk bestow as an imprimatur on genuine artists have anything to do with their exposure to the public. This is why it is so hard to find the outstanding new music that is out there waiting to be discovered.
Steve Boone
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During one of my interviews with Robert Plant, he said to me, "An old pal of mine said, 'Hey, Robert, why do you keep turning your back on the obvious?' Because I really love music. I don't like repetition and tedium."
Howard Stern is accustomed to interviewing old rockers who revel in their own lore and glory. What Howard failed to understand about Robert is that fame and money aren't the currencies he trades in very often. It's the joy and magic and music that he most treasures.
At age 69, Robert Plant's graying locks of hair may no longer be worthy of their own L'Oreal ad. But he is the most adventurous artist of his generation. A lot of artists talk about changing up every album but few do so to the extent of Robert—every one of his records is distinctly different from the last (an ethos that began with Led Zeppelin). Credit his innate curiosity and childlike sense of wonder. Robert's new album, Carry Fire exemplifies his innate musical curiosity and pioneer spirit. Who else would think to fuse the disparate sounds of Americana roots music, Saharan desert blues, Celtic folk music, West Coast psychedelic music and Bristol trip-hop electronica and rhythms into a cohesive rock album? Check out the title track of his new album or the mysterious track "Keep it Hid," for example, tracks that Radiohead or Grizzly Bear would have killed to have written.
As you noted in your piece, Robert didn't divulge much about his personal life to Howard. Refreshingly, Robert is the rare rock star who is adamant that he will never write an autobiography. He doesn't need to—it's all there in the grooves of his records. The emotionally expressive singer has sung about the pain of missing his kids after divorce ("Sixes and Sevens"), losing John Bonham ("Trouble Your Money"), the death of his child Karac ("I Believe"), why he won't reunite Led Zeppelin ("Liar's Dance," "Memory Song"), his thoughts on legacy ("Even This Shall Pass Away") and the transcendence of falling in love ("Come Into My Life"). Carry Fire brims with Robert's sage reflections on age and mortality.
The other thing to know about Robert? It's not that he doesn't have an ego; it's that he knows to keep it in check. Robert's old friend and former guitarist Francis Dunnery once told me, “If you hang around Robert for five or six days, you’ll see how insane his life is. Everywhere he goes, he gets mobbed. But he’s managed to retain his fundamental character throughout it all.”
Robert isn't just one of the last great rock stars, he's one of the last true artists. On the 2005 song "Tin Pan Valley," Robert sang, “My peers may flirt with cabaret, some fake that rebel yell /Me—I'm moving up to higher ground..."
Best wishes,
Stephen Humphries
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But of course, isn’t that the glory? Isn’t the mystery of “Zep” and artists like Tool, Prince, Radiohead, et al all part of the experience that the fans actually want? I can only speak on it personally, but that is why all of the aforementioned are some of my greatest musical loves.
Not in order of priority by any means, but if you have...
Musicianship? Check
Disciplined in your craft? Check
Excellent singing voice? Check
Song? Check (most important part)
Being yourself? Check
Then stay the course.
I would not reckon these artists the way that I do if they were prancing around all the time, affording insight to an otherwise mysterious existence. The music (all of the things listed above) should transport you regardless, if is truly great. The escape should be intrinsic in the product. So, if you are a socialite, flaunt it. But, if you’re a private pontificator, continue to tell everyone to screw their way out of your life.
I read a very excellent interview with Matt Damon in GQ when I was in college… summer circa 2008 I believe. He highlighted the importance of these concepts to sustaining a career by referencing himself, Clooney (who he said shares this philosophy), and Affleck (who, he said, was a prime example of losing your way by giving away too much).
Thank you for your writing. I respond, maybe once a quarter on average, but I read a lot of your musings.
Regards,
- Brandon Watson
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In a world where the "oldsters" – if they want to maintain a career – mostly go out and play the hits for the nostalgia or "bucket list" set, seeing Plant disregard this and continue to make innovative or at lest new music has been so gratifying.
It is true: Distance and mystery and circumspection are considered quaint in an era where the attention economy and Social Web rule. But I still believe that, in this open-book world, a little bit of mystery or, certainly, integrity resonates with younger audiences.
What does Robert Plant have to prove to anyone? HE IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF WHAT A ROCK STAR IS.
You don't know his music? What does he care? That's your fucking loss! If you don't know Led Zeppelin then ... you just don't really care about music.
In this world where "content" is an evanescent thing, Robert Plant's philosophy is right on time.
The obvious thing? "Oh yeah, every few years I get together with Jimmy and John Paul and Jason and we go out and do all the hits and we make a fucking mint."
He has no interest in that.
He wants to LIVE! And to keep thinking about what is possible. Bluegrasss .... world music .... unlikely collaborations ... whatever.
Whatever we think of it isn't the point.
Here is one of the greatest rock stars of our lifetimes and – in 2017, well into his 60s – he is doing what he wants to do.
On just the most basic, human level – notwithstanding Rock Star status – that is how you define success.
Feelr Media
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Hey Bob,
Robert Plant lived within 3.176 miles of my domicile for his all-too-brief romp in Austin. Keep it weird; fug it all to shite.
Too many Robert Plant second-hand stories to count... First hand is reality.
My own personal experiences:
I personally welcomed Robert for his premiere visit to my second place - a music venue of unparalleled heights. The absolute finest music venue in Texas History. Without Parallel in this universe IMHO (what Chrissy’s Hynde just called "The Perfect Venue"; corroborated by David Chapelle - who happened to record his comeback special in 2011 sold to Netflix for 50% of his $60 million for 2 hrs of work, The Funky Meters, Robert Plant, Jay Z, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Donald MF Doom Trump, Barack Hussein Obama, Nick Cave, Louis Messina, etc etc etc). I don’t believe we’ve yet had the chance to welcome you, but Ive mentioned your name a time or ten thousand to those who sign my check (including part-owner Willie Nelson).
Whilst welcoming & escorting Robert & Patty (his future ex wife according to an obscure Mississippi blues interview), I couldn’t help but treat him the same way I treated everyone in our VIP mezz section. "Welcome to ________! Have you been here before?") "It’s my first visit," was his response. I began to preach the Gospel of South Austin while talking about our most intimate venue (every seat within 75 feet), our absolute pinnacle sound system thanks to David Hough, state of the art lighting from High End Systems, and immaculate lines of sight from every single of the 2,750 seats in the house.
Mind you this was dispensed within 69 seconds with the trademark softest sell in Austin, falling in line with Willie’s lazy, behind the beat delivery on his sui generis recordings for Jerry.
"Hey mate, before you show us to our seats, can you point me towards the loo?...
"When you get to be my age, incontinence can happen at a moment’s notice."
I stopped walking and locked eyes with the greatest front person in modern music. “Are you fuggin with me?” was the expression clearly & silently conveyed on my countenance.
Thank the maker that my old acquaintance Patty Griffin jumped in saying, "Robert, stop messing around."
"I’m quite serious," was Robert’s bone dry-witted reply.
I told him I could show him & his lovely companion to their seats while pointing him towards our facilities.
The best part was that our venue enacted a strict, no walk-across rule for guests without VIP credentials in the Suite Section. That is, those guests without tickets in the VIP Suites needed to take the long walk around to cater to those so-called VIP patrons paying 6 figures annually to disassociate from the common guests.
Well, Robert & Patty were not VIP Suite Guests this night.
I was supposed to tell Robert MF Plant to take the long walk around the VIP section through the photo gallery (featuring his own personal photo from a 2002 taping no less).
Instead I said: FUGGIT
"If Robert Plant wants to go anywhere in this venue, he clearly is welcome. If it wasn’t for him, this place would not exist." I told myself.
We walked with a calm, confident swagger that we both knew were exactly where the Universe wanted us to be for that potent moment. We walked across the no-pass section while the VIP wannabes stared with open mouthed fascination saying, "is that Him???"
When I showed Robert & Patty to their seats, they both reached for the tickets and fumbled like a couple of teenagers on their first date. It was an incredibly sweet and intimate moment, one which i continue to consider and ponder in my lingering mind.
Elusive and self-effacing are two terms I would use to describe him. Watching his subsequent two live performances and second taping are considered among the pinnacles of my musical life. I thank the maker than he demurrers each multi-million guarantee to reunite for those folks whose names are not Armut.
Last story:
When Robert & Patty we’re in D.C. for the Kennedy Center Awards, Bill Clinton gave Robert his hardest sell close for Zep to reunite for the 12-12-12 Hurricane Sandy Benefit at Madison. "I’m terribly sorry mate, but I’m already booked," was Robert’s sincere reply.
He was playing a secret show at Continental Club, Austin’s orignal burlesque club turned world class venue, to benefit Michael Fracasso, an uninsured local stalwart injured in a car accident while touring.
Big hugs from ATX!
___________________________________
I was wondering if you were going to write about this interview, and I'm glad you did. And my massive respect for your opinion rose when you acknowledged that this was not a good interview, (despite the usual post-interview parade of calls came in "Hey now! Just wanted to say that was an great interview with XXXX.")
But I don't blame this all on Plant. Howard, once a master interviewer, has become predictable, formulaic, and clawing when celebs sit on the couch. He assumes all his interviewees are like him, and he often answers questions for the subject, projecting, and waits for them to agree or disagree (usually the later).
How many times have we heard, on parents:
Howard: "By now, you parents must have been saying, 'look asshole, you need to give up this singing bullshit and get a job.'"
Guest: "No, actually they were really supportive and great."
Howard: "So, your dad was away all the time at work, that must have been incredibly painful, and you really sought his approval, and I think that's why you xxx."
Guest: "Ha. No, I knew he had to work. He was great."
Howard: "No, but seriously, you must have been..."
He may as well pick up the megaphone and bust into his Ben impersonation.
And, my god, the obsession with money and what people are getting paid (which is what finally got Plant to get up and attempt to leave, when Howard wanted to engage him on the money left on the table by not touring with Page). I was so happy to hear Robin finally speak up and call him out, "There you go again with the money..." No one escapes. He expects every celeb to be as comfortable and proud to talk about the dollars involved as Amy Schumer. It's incredibly hard to listen to him press ("no, but I'm serious") someone not as obsessed with dollars as Howard is (though he himself would never talk about his own finances).
"So, when your show becomes a hit, you must have been really pissed you were making so little an episode."
"Then you have a hit album, and suddenly you're filling stadiums, you must have been out of your mind making millions of dollars. How much did you make that year?"
And it's the same thing every interview: Dig around for dirt/causation from childhood. Theories on their creativity and massive pressures that come with it, how much are you making.
Though his show is as great and funny as ever (especially with the brilliant new crop of minds in the back, in particular former prank caller, Chris Wilding), his interviews used to hit 'em with the hein, but they've now jumped the shark. I know they are very different shows, but the best, most revealing interviews are happening on WTF, and I don't think it's a coincidence that Maron is getting everyone, where Howard is left saying, "I want to interview Bruce Springstein..."
Andy Beach
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