Robert Plant, the leader of Led Zeppelin, is among the best frontmen in history. The West Bromwich native’s unique vocal range and ethereal onstage persona were the ideal counterpoint to the fundamental contributions of his fellow musicians, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham.
Plant has always been transparent about the vibrant tapestry of music that influenced his perspective in addition to his exceptional talent. The frontman of Led Zeppelin has greater taste than most, ranging from the work of rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Elvis Presley and the timeless song “Hound Dog,” which he credits with opening his youthful mind to the possibilities of music, to the alternative metal of California’s Faith No More.
Robert Plant has praised several highly regarded musicians in his time because of this sophisticated quality. The majority of the time, they are thoughtful interpretations that provide light on the position and methods of the individuals in issue as well as on Plant’s thoughts and music-consuming habits.
Folk is one domain with which Plant has always been inextricably linked. He has been thoroughly immersed in this field and its many diverse global variants before Zeppelin, during them, and in the years following their conclusion. Plant has always been a big listener of American folk and country music, with John Prine having a particularly lasting influence on him as the artist who mixed the two genres the best.
Plant is so inspired by the late singer, who passed away in 2020, that he spoke candidly about the essential qualities of Prine’s music and referred to him as an eternal “beacon of light” at his induction into the 2019 Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
Plant stated: “Hello John, I’m sending my congratulations to you from across the sea over here in England on your induction into the esteemed Hall of Fame out there. Your work is extraordinary; it’s a vast, enduring treasury, a beacon of light in these ever-weirder times.”
He added, “You know, sometimes it seems like you’re writing for all of us, which, in fact, you probably are, and today, I’m sure that you wrote this one for me. In fact, I don’t know whether you’ve been following me around, but this is today’s favourite John Prine song for me it’s called ‘Far From Me’. I look forward to seeing you soon. Meanwhile, I’ve got a couple of hobbits I gotta hook up with.”
Below, you can hear Plant’s letter to Prine and “Far From Me.”