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25 May 2012
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WOMAD features

Robert Plant

Robert Plant interview

By Linda Serck
We spoke to Robert Plant before his performance at WOMAD 2005. Read the interview below or listen to it through the link on the right hand side of the page.

Interview with Robert Plant >
Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer

When BBC Berkshire espied the legendary singer backstage at WOMAD, we were lucky enough to grab a few minutes with him, even though his car had broken down on site and he was waiting for a vehicle recovery man. He arrived a good few hours before his headlining set on the open air stage, and took time out to pose for photographs and sign autographs. The affable 57-year-old was kind to everyone he spoke to, read our interview with him below.

What are you doing here at WOMAD?

"I haven't got the gift, I just borrow it now and then..."

Robert Plant

The reason I'm here is, I've got new work and I've got an elevated state now. But there will be some Led Zeppelin songs, and they won't be anything like they used to be.

What do you love about WOMAD?

I think it gives so much more of a window on the realities of what music can do. Entertainment isn't just based on the very structured syndrome of European popular music, and it's great that there are so many thousands of people who are of the same opinion. All over the world, the idea of creating an melange of international musics, it's a very healthy thing. I think it's spurred on by the fact that there's so much European popular music that's so very lacking in imagination.

You're also the curator of the WOMEX exhibition this October, what draws you to World Music?

My dear, I was working in India in 1969. If you know anything about Led Zep you'll know we were playing with Indian musicians in '68. I was just 19 years old then. I've travelled through North Africa for the last 33 years. The last thing this can be considered as in terms of my career is something new. It's just that I have a band now that's consolidated a lot of North African musicality into a rock thing. It's great, it couldn't be better!

Last time you were here was Reading Festival 1998, is that right?

Robert Plant on stage at WOMAD 2005

I played the Hexagon, I had a band called the Priory of Brion there. What year was that? 2000?

Jimmy Page used to live in Berkshire, too. We spoke to him for Children in Need!

In Pangbourne, yes. But he's moved several times now. He's a good guy, we both work quite fastidiously with charities, it's a good thing to do.

Tell us about the new album, Mighty Rearranger. What is Mighty Rearranger?

It's what brought us here, destiny, fate. It's all written already, it's just that we didn't know it. I'm not trying to be cosmic, it's just everything's on a roll and that's how it is. The songs within the album discuss that very condition.

Do you still get nervous going on stage?

I still get nervous, and I get a day older! I haven't got the gift, I just borrow it now and then...

last updated: 03/08/05

Have Your Say

nicky
a long time we did nt hear about robert .Anyway we wish him the best for this new year 2009

elva barros
Robert by listening and watching you I started to love rock qnd roll and what is most important you have helped me to find my real voice. You are so natural man...

barbara
watching lz on VH1 in the states...roberts voice is gorgeousbest thing on tvlike having the love of your life

David
Robert your lyrics, your songs have always been awesome keep it up.

free life
robert.i need your music. it's my air.i am sure that led zeppelin is the best band!!!ilove you so much.

viola
hi Robert,tu es magique...for ever et bien au-delà!!!!

nickywhat
what a pity that i cannot see your concert in london .All we hope is that it will come out in a d v d .Jimmy looks great; i m sure that his magic guitarre will bring us to heaven

mic fitter
listen,robert plant is one of the greatest of all time,period.people think its all over for him because zep is no longer,they are wrong.where is pearl jam? they suck. Zep will always be. Live with it!

Krzysztof Chris Jankowski
I just want to say a Big Thank You Robert for your music and amazing vocal ever,and I pray I'll meet you some Day.Al the Vary Best

The Harrison's
Hi Robert,My husband and I have been Led Zeppelin fans for years. Makes me wish I was 17 and could attend your concerts. What a rush! Your music is great. Wish you could come to Memphis. We are watching the DVD's of the Led Zeppelin concerts as I am writing to you. Thank you for years of great music.

argentum natsrum
ehm....while dear Robert does have range and control not to mention resonance...I have to say dear sweet Robert, I am taken aback sometimes when I hear the ego rise up and cloud this enchantment. It almost felt over the years as if u were at times attempting to validate/ not validate an unvalidateable thing. Since u are of the human race...of course u are forgiven. Love.

thierry emmanuel
this man is beauty ,and it comes from the inside;ithink he is in contact with spirits ,he is a marvellius artist

simyhi
hi robert.i was standing next to nicky in brussels in2006.we were really enchanted to see your scenic and listen to your unic voice.we hope that one day you will be back in brussels

nicky tesch belgium
this group can exist only once in a century.each artist is complete. it is a pleasure for meloman people to hear them at least once a day in the belgium radio classic 21

nicky
hello robert.i saw you in brussels on 2006.when you came on stage somebody shouted, robert, you are the best.i was standing at a distance of a few meters and could here you say < i know>

Liz
Hey mother!Yay Met him too... Smiled at him like a chesher cat for about 10 minutes

Jo
I MET HIM!!!he was walking around the stalls and we had a good ole chat for a few minutes. Well i didnt, i was starstruck. But it made my mum's life.

narayana
ROBERT PLANT A GREAT SINGERHIS VOICE SO MUCH ENTHRALLING TO SOUL AND HIS CRYSTAL CLEAR VOICE MAKE A HUMAN BEING TO LIVE TO LISTEN HIS GREAT MYSTICAL VOICE.AND MY SOLUFUL REGARDS TO GREAT SINGER.

Peter Kaufmann
Robert Rules !!!Led Zep is the best band of all time

Decky Corr
THE number 1!Not only did he possess the widest, most powerful range AND the best sounding voice ever to emanate from a white man's mouth;he is the best writer of vocal melodies. Listen closely to the first verse parts of 'gallows pole' and tell me that isn't magic. Plant is amazing, full stop. I can't beleive anybody would be so outrageously audacious to slag him like this. You, Joey Garcia, obviously have a chip on your shoulder; perhaps he stole your girlfriend one night you went to see him play? And Jimmy Page can't play for Toffee? Get out! Just go! You loser! Don't you realise that both of these amazing musicians are respected and revered worldwide for their creative powers as much as, and more than, their technical prowess? Pagey mightve played it scrappy, but he's still the best in my book.

Joey Garcia
Robert Plant is a phoney and a not very good copyist of people whom deserve much better.Unfortunatly in a world full of fakes and pretenders, Robert slipped under the Radar.It just goes to show, how vunerable the majority of people can be when it comes to taste. Hopefully one day, Plant will be exposed for what he really is, a third rate slacker who will never be able to sing as long as he's got a hole in his backside ! I for one will be celebrating on that fine day. Oh ! by the way, Jimmy Page cant play for toffee neither !

Pauline Lucy Bowen
Wonderful interview from the greatest singer in the world.

mary plemons
Plant is the only one for me too. truely love this man and hopefully one day soon I'll be able to be in his company. there isn't another person that really gives me the enjoyment while listening to his voice.

gemma fawcett
He has the most wonderfuly expressive voice, it's foreplay itself. He comes from my neck of the wood's and is a Wolves fan too boot. Pure Class! loved him at the Civic,Wolverhampton. Just gets better and better.

Gayle Fone
Somewhere between orgasmic and divine - see you on the astral plane.

Benjaminn
unbeatable.........the best

anabella
he is all my life...... realy

lil
Still, If only I could put in writing all my smiles, Still the best-kept secret, the one that took me 38 years to discover!

Rolo
Amazing voice. No one can sing like he does. I just wonder if he ever been in Central America, in Costa Rica. He has tons of fans over here. I´ll be nice to have him here some day to have the chance to enjoy his amazing performances...

Rebecca Rodden
Robert Plant is just amazing.. I saw him in Nashville, TN in 2005.He is the reason I want to play music and continues to fascinate and inspire me & musicians everywhere.. don't know if there will be another like him....

pauline lucy bowen
One of the very best rock stars of all time, a great and natural performer.

pauline lucy bowen
a great interview from a great performer.

Julia Binkley
you are always in my dreams and, I really want to meet you some day at one of your shows in Seattle Washington. Please leat me know when you will be back because I miss you. Your looking mighty fine there.

Julia Binkley
I just love Robert Plant. I love Led Zepplin so much! I go way back and, remember listening to Roberts voice. It just relaxed me so much. I am using the music for my rehab. I'v tried everything and, I'm so burnt out. The music is my survival. I sing at this four year college here. This is my fourth quarter! I got your message in Eric Claptons cd. I love you! See you some day, ok?

Jay
Amazing voice, a legend in his own time and a lovely person to boot!

colleen s
i have been listening to led zeppelin my whole life.i need the music like i need food,water,air,sleep i cant live with out it.i am only 13 so i can remember being 4 and knowing all the words to down by the sea side.robert plants voice is like clay taking on any sound he desires.

Stevie
I saw Robert with Zeppelin and solo on many occasions, and with the Honeydrippers in 1981 and he is simple the best. Thanks Robert for making me happy for 43 yrs

Louisiana Girl
Robert Plant is brilliant! He has such a brilliant mind and his voice is incredible, still hot after all these years. I'd love to meet him and cook him a pot of hot steaming gumbo.

RED
stupid person he wasnt even there during the red snapped incident and i think he has a great voice and i still think he can contend with the new generation of rock singers seeing it isnt how well you can sing just your image in some cases...

Maggie Gannon
This man is a legend, and still amazes me with his incredible voice. His last album showed he was still a relevent talent in music. Even so, to say he out sings todays young "rockers" is a bit much. 30 years ago maybe, but I think even he'd agree he's seen his best days. Great show though and I hope to see him again next time.I thought the old fella seemed a bit grumpy in the interview though, poor Linda got put in her place didn't she! She's lucky he didn't have a red snapper with him!good interview !!

Sham
What an insightful interview, the man can still outsing the socks out of all off todays 'rock' acts!

Debbie Holmes
How is it possible that this man keeps getting more beautiful inside and out, over all of these years?

Tess Reeves
We took our daugthers, Jo and Liz to see Robert Plant so they could understand what we have been raving about for all these years. The gods must been on our side because we had the tremendous pleasure of meeting him as he strolled around the crowd. He left us all elated, infact I haven't come down yet... I just wished I had managed to say thank you to him for his music, which has a daily impact on our lives. His performance was outstanding and we are looking forward to seeing him again in December.

Michelle Maden
We thought Robert Plant and his band were superb on Friday. We went with our two children, Kate and Jim and were thrilled by his performance. He is the voice of rock and the children loved him.