Keith Richards has never been one to sugarcoat his opinions—especially when it comes to music. The Rolling Stones guitarist has praised soul legends like Aretha Franklin and Gregory Isaacs, but when it comes to certain rock icons, he’s been refreshingly blunt. One name that’s raised a few eyebrows over the years? Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin.
Now, most fans would agree that Plant’s soaring vocals helped define Led Zeppelin’s legendary sound. But for Richards, that same voice started to wear thin.
“The guy’s voice started to get on my nerves,” Richards once said. “Maybe he’s a little too acrobatic.”
That sharp take dates back to as early as 1969—before the two ever crossed paths in the studio. Interestingly, despite his initial criticism, Richards and Plant did collaborate in 1974 on the song Scarlet, showing that even musical differences can sometimes lead to iconic moments.
Over time, Richards seemed to shift his focus from Plant to the real draw (in his view) of Led Zeppelin—guitarist Jimmy Page.
“To me, Led Zeppelin is Jimmy Page. If you wanna cut the story short, that’s the guy,” he said.
Still, Richards has never been a full-on Zeppelin fan. In a 2004 interview, he described the band’s music as lacking emotional spark:
“As a band, I felt aptly named—it never took off for me musically.”
That’s not to say he didn’t respect the musicianship. He gave credit where it was due—calling John Bonham a powerhouse drummer and admiring Page’s raw guitar brilliance. But he still found their sound a bit too heavy-handed for his taste:
“Bonham thundered like an out-of-control 18-wheeler,” Richards once joked.
When it comes to singers, Richards has always leaned toward soul and depth over power and range. Artists like Sam Cooke, Mavis Staples, and Gregory Isaacs have long had his admiration—musicians who pour emotion into every note without the flash.
Even as late as 2015, Richards held firm in his views: he liked Page but just couldn’t get into the band’s overall vibe. And as for Plant? He lumped him in with other “loud frontmen” like Roger Daltrey, Rod Stewart, and yes—even his longtime bandmate Mick Jagger.
Yet, despite the critiques, Richards and Plant did find musical common ground in Scarlet—a sultry track that remains a standout for both artists. It’s proof that even two wildly different rock ‘n’ roll giants can come together and create something special.
In the end, love him or not, Keith Richards’ take is always his own—honest, unfiltered, and straight from the heart. That’s what makes his voice in rock history so important. He doesn’t say what’s popular—he says what he really thinks.
And honestly? That’s rock ‘n’ roll.