Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider recently shared an interesting piece of rock history. He revealed a pointed nickname that Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant allegedly used for Whitesnake vocalist David Coverdale, as reported on X (formerly Twitter).
The revelation came in response to a fan’s comment defending Coverdale’s vocal style and his influence from Plant.
“One fan wrote in their message to Dee Snider: ‘David Coverdale is a great example of a Robert Plant influenced singer. Nobody is complaining about that. Plus Jimmy Page did an album with him released in 1993,'” the social media exchange showed.
Snider’s response provided insight into Plant’s apparent view of the comparison.
“Actually I believe Robert Plant publicly called him ‘David Coverversion.’ True story,” Snider responded.
The nickname appears to reference the frequent comparisons between Coverdale’s vocal style and Plant’s iconic Led Zeppelin sound. It suggests Plant viewed it as imitative rather than merely influenced.
This revelation sheds light on a decades-long tension between the two rock vocalists that extends far beyond a simple nickname.
The animosity between Plant and Coverdale reached its peak when Coverdale collaborated with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page on the Coverdale–Page album in 1993. Far Out Magazine reported that Plant saw this project as confirmation that Coverdale was an imitator trying to replace him. Plant called Coverdale’s integrity “questionable” and expressed disdain for Whitesnake’s success.
Coverdale did not remain silent in the face of Plant’s criticism. In a 1993 Rolling Stone interview, he famously stated, “I wouldn’t send him cat food even if he was starving.” This illustrated the bitterness that had grown between the two singers over the years.
The Coverdale–Page collaboration faced significant challenges despite initial excitement from fans. Led Zeppelin forums documented that the project saw poor ticket sales. This led to cancelled tours and fostered lingering tension between the two singers that lasted for decades.
The feud highlights the complex dynamics within rock music’s elite circles. Vocal similarities and collaborative choices can create lasting rifts in these circles. Plant’s “David Coverversion” nickname, as revealed by Snider, represents more than just a clever play on words. It encapsulates years of professional rivalry and personal animosity between two of rock’s most recognizable voices.
