For all their eccentricities, many people adore Led Zeppelin. They’re a band that reached the upper echelon of rock & roll–a kind of prestige so few artists can boast. Nevertheless, there inevitably will be a devil’s advocate. One rock legend who disliked Zeppelin was Keith Richards. Find out why the Rolling Stones guitarist had qualms with the rock outfit, below.
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Here’s Why Keith Richards Says He Dislikes Led Zeppelin
There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to Heaven
No one can deny–not even fans–that Robert Plant’s voice has a piercing quality to it. The uniqueness of it is one of the reasons fans love Plant. It’s also a glowing target for Zeppelin naysayers. Richards counts himself in the latter category. His biggest issue with the band is Plant’s “acrobatic” vocals.
“I played their album quite a few times when I first got it, but then the guy’s voice started to get on my nerves,” Richards once said. “I don’t know why; maybe he’s a little too acrobatic. But Jimmy Page is a great guitar player, and a very respected one.”
Richards has mirrored that statement several times over the years. He continually brags on Page while tearing down his bandmates.
When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for
“I love Jimmy Page, but as a band, no, with John Bonham thundering down the highway in an uncontrolled 18-wheeler,” Richards added elsewhere. “He had cornered the market there. Jimmy is a brilliant player. But I always felt there was something a little hollow about it, you know?”
While we’re sure the compliment was flattering to Page, he once responded defending his bandmates.
“Keith can say what he wants,” Page once said. “He’s Keith Richards. I think he’s done some amazing work. I respect his playing. And he has a solo album out. But if I was promoting a new album, would I be more caustic? The answer is… no. I’m not sure what he means by calling Led Zeppelin hollow. I think he’s got his tongue in his cheek. What we did was really cool.”
What do you think? Do you agree with Richards? Or is Plant’s voice a selling point for the band?
Ooh, ooh, and she’s buying a stairway to Heaven
There’s a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure
‘Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings
(Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Shutterstock)
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