The Swarm

October 23, 2007

Robert Plant talks Led Zeppelin reunion: 'I’m carrying it around like some kind of kryptonite'

TDS Editors

Robert Plant and bluegrass and folk singer Alison Krauss were on WNYC‘s Soundcheck today, talking about their new album, when the conversation naturally turned to the upcoming Led Zeppelin reunion gig. Plant was initially reluctant to discuss it, but when pressed he really did open up, albeit briefly. And while he didn’t slam the door shut on future gigs, he certainly let on that the pressure to deliver in November is really intense. Worth a listen…

(starts at 24:00)

[Plant fakes a coughing fit when asked about Zeppelin]

John Schaefer, host, Soundcheck, WNYC: …What are you guys hoping for out of this? Is it a one-off, or maybe something further down the road could materialize?

Robert Plant: [singing] ‘When all the other girls pass me on the street, it give me my clue darling because it make me realize I don’t want nobody but you, huh-huh’ that’s right. [talking] I just want to have fun. And if it’s fun, it’s fun. This is fun. This is a big day today. It’s one of the biggest days. And having fun in England is having fun. I just hope we all have fun. Let’s face it. So many people want to go to the thing. How about … how about if it’s fantastic? How about it’s like… It’s been quiet for so long. It’s such an … The anticipation is incredibly overwhelming for me. I’m carrying it around like some kind of kryptonite, you know? And all I want to do is have some fun.

(Thanks to The Daily Swarm reader JM for the tip.)


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Previous comments include

#1 Steve Sauer says:

Robert Plant is so funny. To begin answering that question by quoting from "Nobody but You," a 1962 B-side by the Lafayettes, is hilarious. Also, there's the coughing he did when asked about Led Zeppelin during this interview. On this morning's Today show, he faked hearing and memory loss when he heard himself referred to as a rocker from Led Zeppelin. Laughs all around!

#2 Fred In NOLA says:

nobody rightfully expects them to be what they 'were', but why can't they be what they 'are?'
truth is that when the stones get down to playing some old funky blues, they're still pretty good. can't really say that when they play anything else, just being honest.
the who still know how to throw down, all these years later. i'm pretty happy they didn't die before they got old. they continue to age-and kick ass- with grace and power.
why can't zeppelin do the same? some say that rock n roll is a young man's game. well, this ain't the 70's anymore. we've all grown older and wiser, we've known that some of the foolish views of youth were simply limiting-like alot of the older blues guys in their later years, and rock n roll is a unique musical artform started in the USA and taken to new heights around the world, farther than anyone ever thought it could go.
remember when everyone venerated john lee hooker and muddy waters, to name a few? why can't it be the same for rock and rollers? hell, rock is one of the few musics to still sell tix! please, zeppelin! save us from avril levign, high school musical, and miley cirus! they owe more to the devil than you guys ever did!
plant, relax! sinatra didn't come into his true, rich voice until his middle and later years. springsteen still sells tix and puts on a kickass show, and the stones and jimmy buffet have never been more popular with concert goers!
so what to what anyone negative says! rolling stone has proven itself to be nothing more than a glorified 'us weekly.' zeppelin music is still vital and will sell in the multi-millions on itunes when available. RS has zack from HSM on the cover. you do the math.
like i said, it aint the 70's. its 2007. live in the moment. life is too short to worry about pressure from critics and fans. don't resist, robert. this is YOUR thing. embrace it, enjoy it, OWN it. there's 3 ppl in the world with this music in their DNA. and you cannot run away from you! LZ is a beautiful and powerful thing and you guys can bring it wherever you want it to go.
good luck.


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