“It was life-changing”: When Bob Dylan comically roasted Led Zeppelin
Bob Dylan’s influence on modern music is undeniable. In fact, he’s pretty much the Rosetta Stone of modern art.
All great movements have a stirring beginning. The golden age of Russian literature abided by the apocryphal phrase of “we all came out from under Gogol’s Overcoat”. When it comes to modern alternative music, it’s not much of a stretch to say it all came out from under Dylan’s brown suede jacket.
This importance has never been lost on him. The folk icon once famously declared, “The highest purpose of art is to inspire,” and few artists have embodied that sentiment more than he has. Yet, as with all great creative forces, inspiration is a double-edged sword. While Dylan’s seismic impact on songwriting has shaped countless artists, he hasn’t always been enthused by the results.
Jimmy Page, for one, has been effusive in his praise for Dylan’s artistry. Reflecting on an early encounter with his work, the Led Zeppelin guitarist shared an experience that left an indelible mark. “In May 1965, I experienced the genius of Bob at the Albert Hall,” Page reminisced in an Instagram post. “He accompanied himself on acoustic guitar and cascaded images and words from such songs as ‘It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)’ and ‘She Belongs To Me’ to a mesmerised audience. It was life-changing.”
However, Dylan’s feelings towards Page’s later musical exploits with Led Zeppelin were notably less reverent. The now-legendary encounter between Dylan and Led Zeppelin’s formidable manager, Peter Grant, has become the stuff of rock folklore. Backstage at a Los Angeles show in 1974, Grant strode up to Dylan, extended his hand, and introduced himself: “Hello Bob, I’m Peter Grant, I manage Led Zeppelin.” Dylan, in his typically dry and cutting manner, responded without missing a beat: “Do I come to you with my problems?”
Joke or not, it’s no secret that at the time, Dylan seemingly preferred the more stripped-back approach of The Rolling Stones to Zeppelin’s grandiose soundscapes. His admiration for Mick Jagger and company was unambiguous: “They are the greatest rock and roll band in the world and always will be. Everything that came after them – metal, rap, punk, new wave, pop-rock, you name it – you can trace it all back to The Rolling Stones.”
Yet, despite Dylan’s apparent indifference towards Zeppelin’s brand of rock, he has remained on good terms with its members. Robert Plant, for one, still holds the folk legend in the highest regard. Recalling a recent interaction with Dylan, he shared an anecdote with Classic Rock: “I recently did a gig in Roskilde, Denmark, and Bob Dylan wanted to talk to me about touring.”
It’s a subject Dylan knows well. Even in his 80s, Dylan has still played 345 shows in the last six years – and that’s factoring in a bloody lockdown. “So I met him where all the buses are parked, at this big festival, and we eyeballed each other and smiled in the darkness,” Plant recalled.
Dylan’s enthusiasm for the road was still very clear. As Plant concludes, “It was pissing with rain, two hooded creatures in a blacked-out car park, and I said to him: ‘Hey, man, you never stop!’ He looked at me, smiled and said: ‘What’s to stop for?’”
Despite his deep admiration for Dylan, Plant admits that discussing music with him remains a daunting task. “I couldn’t ask him about his songs, because as much as I’ve been affected by his work, you can’t talk about it. My work is not anywhere near as profound in what it’s trying to do. At the same time, you can get to know the motive and circumstances behind a particular song, without it being ‘Masters Of War.’”
Dylan’s tastes remain as inscrutable as ever, but whether or not Led Zeppelin fit into his personal pantheon, their impact on rock music is indisputable. In many ways, they have fulfilled the very artistic mission Dylan once outlined: to inspire a new generation.
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