The Reason Why Robert Plant Would Fake Illness at Led Zeppelin Rehearsals

While Led Zeppelin disbanded during the 1980s, the rock band continues to entertain fans all over the world with their rich history in music. Throughout their time on stage, the band produced more than a few iconic moments. For Robert Plant, he holds his time with Led Zeppelin close to his heart. Although he went on to have a successful solo career, he recently recalled his time with Led Zeppelin and how he would fake an illness in order to watch football.

Although knowing the importance of studio time, Plant loved the football club Wolverhampton Wanderers. When speaking with Empire magazine, he recalled fond moments of the team. “I was always with it – the whole idea of coming to Molineux on a cloudy, misty Tuesday night, when the South Bank was just an absolute miasma or cigarette smoke with a fantastic atmosphere and chant. It was such a far cry from what I’d been involved with on tour. I could get lost in the euphoria, the pain, or the bliss.”

Sharing a little secret with the magazine, Plant revealed how he faked a sore throat to get to the games. “On a Tuesday afternoon, I would be recording with Led Zeppelin and suddenly get a sore throat to be away for a night game.”

[RELATED: The “Phoenix” Led Zeppelin Album That Robert Plant Sang From a Wheelchair]

Robert Plant Found The Help He Needed Thanks To Football Club

The fake illness eventually turned into reality when he was in a car accident. “In 1975, during those Led Zeppelin days, I had a really bad car wreck and I was in a wheelchair for several months. I had to learn to walk and use my right foot again. It stopped a lot of Led Zeppelin activity, though we did write and cut a new record.”

Needing to get back on his feet, Plant turned to the football club. “I said to Sammy Chung, who was the club’s assistant manager at the time, ‘Look, I’ve put my credibility and reputation on the line a bit, performing like a pantomime pony under the floodlights – can you help me to walk?’ So I started a physiotherapy regime and went to the gym with players of that time, such as Willie Carr and John McAlle.”

Besides getting a chance to rub shoulders with some of the club’s top players, Plant eventually recovered and made his way back to the stage.

(Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association )