The concert that changed Robert Plant’s life
Growing up in a rural part of the Midlands, Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant wasn’t spoilt for choice when attending concerts during his teenage years. Unlike those who grew up in major cities, Plant didn’t have the luxury of having the world’s most notable acts stopping by his doorstep. Nevertheless, the singer was eternally grateful for every opportunity to soak up live music.
Due to geographical problems, Plant wasn’t picky about who played at his local venue, Stourbridge Town Hall, and would attend anything. Although it wasn’t the most reputable music hall in the country and was located in the shadows of Birmingham, the Stourbridge Town Hall successfully punched above its weight, allowing Plant to witness greatness before his own eyes.
It offered Plant a lifeline and made him realise the power of live music. However, he had limited options for discovering new music. Streaming services were still decades away from becoming a reality, and even radio didn’t cater to younger audiences, which left Plant in an awkward position.
During an interview with LongLiveVinyl in 2020, Plant looked back at a series of his earliest memories and the concerts that affirmed his love for live music. While he claimed “radio wasn’t doing us youngsters any favours” and that he “didn’t have a record player as a young kid”, Plant was thankfully put on his journey of musical discovery by some friendly neighbours.
“They introduced me to a wide spread of black music and rock’ n’ roll. This music offered me an escape from the grind of education and in my early teenage years the songs of Dion And The Belmonts or The Cleftones spoke about heartache and the fantasy of young love. The music celebrated the wonder of being a teenager and it was a universal feeling,” he shared.
Hearing those records on a friend’s record player was an illuminating experience, but seeing his favourite acts in the flesh was an even more vital right of passage in his young life. During this chapter, he was fortunate to see The Rolling Stones appear on a bill alongside Bo Diddley and Little Richard in Wolverhampton, which had a formative effect on his character.
Furthermore, seeing Gene Vincent at the height of his powers was another powerful lesson in the art of performance for Plant. He recounted: “Stourbridge Town Hall would attract musicians passing through, and going to a concert there was like stepping into wonderland. I remember seeing Gene Vincent and experiencing a feeling of menace. He represented teen rebellion and it was something I could lock into.”
However, the most important concert was The Walker Brothers. Although they were more of a pop group than a rock act, seeing them live left a lasting impression on Plant and made him believe that one day he could make a crowd go similarly wild.
The trio were American but found success upon moving to the United Kingdom in 1965, and for a short number of years, they were idolised by teenage girls across the country. While Plant didn’t fall into their traditional fanbase, he couldn’t help but admire their showmanship.
The singer recalled: “I also saw The Walker Brothers and remember how you couldn’t hear a word over the hysterical screaming girls, which was a great shame because Scott was a fantastic singer and a real mood merchant. However, the frenzy of it all really had quite an effect on me. It pushed a button and captured my soul. It was around then I started to believe you could do it yourself.”
Although The Walker Brothers aren’t one of Plant’s favourite groups, that night confirmed that he wanted to follow his dreams and enter the music industry. They may not have inspired Plant musically, but they unknowingly played a vital role in his path to creating rock history with Led Zeppelin.
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