Robert Plant’s voice has echoed through decades of rock history, and he’s never been shy about sharing his thoughts. When it comes to bands like Greta Van Fleet and Aerosmith, Plant has plenty to say.
For years, fans and critics have drawn comparisons between Led Zeppelin and these bands. While Greta Van Fleet might be the newer name in the mix, Aerosmith has long been seen as a Zeppelin contemporary.
In a recent conversation, Plant didn’t hold back. He gave his take on the Zeppelin-like sound of Greta Van Fleet, and he threw in a sharp jab at Steven Tyler and his Aerosmith crew.
Robert Plant’s Take on Greta Van Fleet and Aerosmith
Greta Van Fleet’s similarity to Led Zeppelin has divided rock fans. Some see it as imitation, while others say nothing in music is original. Robert Plant clearly sees the resemblance.
In a 2018 interview, Plant discussed the Detroit band. “They are Led Zeppelin I,” he said. He praised Josh Kiszka as a “beautiful little singer” but joked, “I hate him. He borrowed [his voice] from somebody I know very well.”
Plant also commented on Kiszka’s influences. “At least he’s got a bit of stuff,” Plant said. He then rolled his eyes and pretended to snore, mocking Steven Tyler’s Aerosmith.
Greta Van Fleet’s Inspiration is Still a Source of Debate
Greta Van Fleet has often been asked about their musical inspirations, likely due to their undeniable sonic resemblance to Led Zeppelin. Despite the comparisons, the band insists their influences span a wide range, from big bands and blues to classic rock.
Robert Plant’s 2018 interview didn’t shed much light on why he pretended to snooze when mentioning Aerosmith. But it’s easy to speculate. Plant’s jab could stem from knowing his own impact on Josh Kiszka’s vocals, whether intentional or not.
Though Plant didn’t go into detail, his reaction seemed to hint at some frustration. Perhaps the comparisons, especially with Aerosmith, hit a nerve for the legendary Zeppelin frontman.
Plant’s View on “Legacy Bands” Like Aerosmith
Robert Plant might have strong opinions about legacy bands, a category Aerosmith falls into. Unlike Led Zeppelin, which never officially reunited after their 1980 split, Plant has managed to avoid being lumped into this group, despite his band’s monumental influence.
In a 2021 interview with MOJO, Plant expressed his thoughts on bands that keep going for decades. “Most musicians form a band, then they stay in the band until it’s over—20 years, 30 years, 50 years,” he said. “It starts to look sadly decrepit… like people hanging onto a life raft.”
Interestingly, Jimmy Page once considered Steven Tyler as a lead vocalist for some Led Zeppelin shows in the late 2000s. Tyler turned it down—perhaps that wasn’t the “life raft” for him.