Robert Plant

["mike r." <mikey1957@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello all,

Personally, I don't understand Plant.  I try to.  Sometimes I try and give 
him the benefit of the doubt and I think that maybe his reluctance about Led 
Zeppelin reminds him of his troubled past too much to have any positive 
feelings about those 12 years.  Then I think why in the world did he sample 
Zep on "Tall Cool One" or tour with the Jimmy in 1995 and 1998?  Why did he 
go back to Oakland during those tours?  Why, if all was so bad and so 
hurtful?  I've stopped giving him any benefit of the doubt a couple of years 
ago.  I?m sure he got some band memories, we all do about stuff.  But, I'm 
sick and tired of all of his comments.   The answer to all of the question 
above is that the guy is an ego maniac and Led Zeppelin only matters to 
Robert when it is convenient for him.  I've been a Plant defender for a long 
time, but I'm tired of him ripping the band I love formed by the guitarist I 
love.  I've never ever EVER wanted the band to reunite and I still don't.  
Not reuniting or formally reforming keeps them legendary.  It gives them a 
loftier status that other bands that have reunited can no longer claim.  He 
keeps us, wanting more.  That is good.  And Robert is exactly correct; they 
can't bring back what they once had.  Further stating the obvious, 
absolutely no one could replace Bonham anyway.

Listen, I like the guy as a musician (I do not know him personally).  He 
writes and samples great lyrics and his voice at times is tremendous, maybe 
the best voice in rock history at his peak.  The lyrics to "Ten Years Gone" 
for example are masterful.  He's played the part and looked the part better 
than anyone in rock.  And although, many may see Page as a more integral 
part of the band due to his instrumental play and production, I firmly and 
truly believe that Robert was as integral to the band's success.  He was 
Page's equal.  In many facets he made Jimmy better.  Plant for example could 
put eccentric lyrics of power emotion, not just blather, adjacent with 
Jimmy's powerful and emotional riffs.  They were the perfect fit for one 
another.

Having said all of that, for Heaven's sake Robert, would you please SHUT-UP 
about Led Zeppelin.  If you don't care about the past so much why you always 
talk about it and why is it that you always give such a negative emotional 
response or a wise crack as if the past doesn't matter.  Why the effort?  
What are you inner feelings are you protecting or denying, why the defense 
mechanisms all the time?

I firmly believe that one should always respect the past, but look forward 
to the future.  John Paul Jones is a fine example of that.  Jimmy is maybe 
the contradiction of that rule for most of his 80's denial.  Robert is 
completely disrespectful.

Now I respect Plant's efforts.   I think it is great that he has the balls 
to go different directions from time to time, play with different musicians, 
play small clubs, and explore worldly music.  That sure beats the hell out 
of the Motley Crue?s, Def Leppard?s,  or even worse the Loverboy's of the 
world that continually struggle to get back what they once had.  Newsflash: 
It won't happen.

However, what bothers me about Robert is this.  He has continued to use his 
mammoth stamp on Rock history only when it is convenient for him.  Examples: 
 1) Robert agrees to do Live Aid at the approximate time his solo career is 
about to go to a new level. 2) It takes Cloverdale/Page to provoke Robert to 
work with Jimmy again.  Did Robert think he was suddenly replaceable and 
that motivated him to get back with Jimmy?  One could consider the time 
leading up to P&P was definitely a lull in Robert's career.  Once it got 
old, it was bye-bye to Jimmy Page real quick.  3) Taking advantage of 
piggybacking on the massive DVD and HTTWW promotion, Robert is ever the 
choir boy (sans the Matt Lauer interview) and then releases his 
self-compilation '66 for his own benefit.  I remember Robert saying, "I've 
really grown into John Paul Jones again."  Yeah, I bet you have, grown into 
him enough to release '66.  4) And know, it's time for a new release and he 
continues to shun the band as if he's beyond and over it.  He's not, it?s a 
facade.   I could go on and on.

Plant does not owe me a thing.  But he does owe Jimmy, JPJ, and Bonzo and 
his former band his respect.  Yet, as a fan of the band, how can one 
honestly say they appreciate all of his rude and personal attacks on the 
band and its former members over the years.  I don't appreciate it.   They 
obviously don?t.   It's ridiculous and it trivializes the bands work and 
more so Plant?s own contemporary projects.   He's a great singer, great song 
writer and a very crabby old man with problems.

You know what?  This is a Zeppelin mailing group for Zeppelin related 
discussion.  Please remember that.  Led Zeppelin will always be my favorite 
band.  No one else can touch them.  Not even close, well...... maybe Led 
Zepagain!

Sincerely,

Mike