People have been comparing Led Zeppelin to other bands for years, both contemporaries of the British rock group, like Aerosmith, and newer bands, like Greta Van Fleet—Robert Plant has strong opinions about both.
The former Led Zeppelin frontman discussed the apparent sonic similarities between his band and Greta Van Fleet and, in doing so, added a not-so-subtle dig at Aerosmith.
Robert Plant’s Opinion of Aerosmith and Greta Van Fleet
Greta Van Fleet’s uncanny similarities to Led Zeppelin have made them one of the most divisive groups in modern rock history. Classic rock purists argue that they’re merely copying the greats that came before them, while contemporary fans would counter that nothing in music is ever truly original. Despite what the differing camps say about it, Robert Plant certainly sees the likeness.
In a 2018 interview with The Project’s Ryan Fitzgerald, Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant brought up the Detroit band. “They are Led Zeppelin I,” Plant stated, referencing the band’s album from 1969. Speaking of Greta Van Fleet’s frontman, Josh Kiszka, Plant said he is a “beautiful little singer,” adding with a sarcastic smile, “I hate him. He borrowed [his voice] from somebody I know very well. What are you gonna do?”
“At least he’s got a bit of stuff,” Plant continued. “He said he based his whole style on Aerosmith.” The former Led Zeppelin frontman rolled his eyes and pretended to snore, offering a non-verbal but certainly understandable opinion on the band led by fellow rock vocalist icon Steven Tyler.
The Former Frontman’s Take on Legacy Bands
Musical inspiration is a popular talking point when interviewing any artist, but it seems like Greta Van Fleet faces this question even more so due to their sonic and aesthetic similarities to bands like Led Zeppelin and, even if it’s to Robert Plant’s chagrin, Aerosmith. Greta has insisted their music taste and inspirations are eclectic, ranging from big bands to blues legends to classic rock.
Plant didn’t clarify why he pretended to snooze in his 2018 interview when he brought up Aerosmith, although it doesn’t require much in-depth analysis to come up with a few reasons. One possible explanation could be that he’s well aware of his influence on Josh Kiszka’s vocals, regardless of whether that was a conscious decision on Kiszka’s part.
Another possibility is that Plant has strong opinions about “legacy bands” like Aerosmith. (Since Led Zeppelin never officially got back together after their 1980 split, Plant has avoided inclusion in this category, despite the band’s undeniable legacy in their genre.)
“Most musicians form a band, then they stay in the band until it’s over—20 years, 30 years, 50 years, whatever it is—and it starts to look sadly decrepit,” Plant said in a 2021 interview with MOJO (via NME). “It’s like people hanging onto a life raft or staying in a comfortable place.” Interestingly, Jimmy Page considered Steven Tyler for a lead vocalist on a run of Led Zeppelin shows in the late 2000s. Tyler turned the offer down—not the right life raft, we suppose.
Photo by Jeff Moore/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
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