Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant recently critiqued his historical performances and the band’s discography, identifying specific tracks and albums that marked a shift in his artistic comfort and the group’s creative peak.
Speaking with The Guardian, Plant expressed regret over his early singing style, specifically citing the track “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” from the band’s 1969 debut album as a performance he now finds difficult to listen to.
“Songs like ‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’ … I find my vocals on there horrific now. I really should have shut the fuck up!” stated Plant, Lead Singer.
The vocalist explained that his early approach involved adopting a forced masculine tone which he later abandoned during the sessions for the more experimental Led Zeppelin III.
“realised that tough, manly approach to singing I’d begun on [the 1966 track with former band Listen] ‘You Better Run’ wasn’t really what it was all about at all.” said Plant, Lead Singer.
Plant also provided a candid assessment of the band’s later discography, suggesting that the 1975 double album Physical Graffiti represented the last instance of his total commitment to the group’s direction.
“All I wanna do is make good records. I just think I’ve made the best one since Physical Graffiti and that was the last good record I made, really. So everything in between has been ok. That’s a sweeping statement but it’s what I believe.” noted Plant, Lead Singer.
While Physical Graffiti was a commercial and critical high point, the singer revealed that the recording of the follow-up album, Presence, coincided with a period of personal and professional detachment.
“I wasn’t comfortable in the group at all. We’d gone right through the hoop and, because my hoop was on fire, I didn’t know if it was worth it anymore. … My joy of life had been cudgelled and bashed so hard, I became a time-and-motion man for my own destiny.” claimed Plant, Lead Singer.
These reflections highlight a period of transition for the musician, who eventually pursued a solo career following the death of drummer John Bonham, as reported by Far Out Magazine.
