In a new interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Kiss’ Paul Stanley defended the Led Zeppelin rocker Robert Plant.
When the topic switched to freedom during the interview, Stanley mentioned the way Led Zeppelin fans are disappointed with Plant, despite doing what he enjoys. He shared:
“I think what becomes most important is to have not only the freedom, but accept the freedom to do it your way. In other words, I’m sure there are fans that are disappointed with what Robert Plant does. But to his credit, he’s doing what he enjoys. It has its audience that understands that he’s not replicating Led Zeppelin, nor could he — any more than Wilt Chamberlain could go on the court and shoot like he once did. It’s physically impossible.”
As a musician, it is not easy to make everyone happy, and Stanley is well aware of it. He added:
“The idea of playing is appealing, you just have to realize that everyone won’t be happy with what you do. But if you’re happy, you’ll find other people. If something appeals to you and it fills a need in you, it will fill a need in someone else. Then, it’s just a matter of the scale.”
Any New Music From Plant?
Plant has been busy with his solo career, and has recently announced his upcoming tour with Alison Krauss. Named ‘Can’t Let Go,’ the tour is set to commence on June 2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and will encompass 30 dates, concluding in Vail, Colorado on September 1. Additionally, there are plans to include more dates in the tour schedule.
In addition to his tour, the rocker has been working on music, but apparently, it gets harder to find words. When asked whether or not he has been working on something new, Plant replied:
“I’ve got a Tascam digital recorder, and I sing, and I put the vocals through a guitar pedal, and then I record them on that over there, and it sounds great. Why bother to go to the studio? But I can’t find words. This is a very difficult time to try and wax lyrical out there.”
Zeppelin Is One Of Stanley’s Inspirations
Stanley, who started his music career back in 1971, took Plant as one of his inspirations.
Stanley witnessed Led Zeppelin during the promotion of their self-titled debut album in 1968. On that particular evening, Robert Plant and the band delivered a performance to an audience of 2,000 at the iconic New York State Pavilion as part of the World’s Fair. Reflecting on this experience during an interview shortly after Zeppelin’s reunion for the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert in 2007, Stanley reminisced about observing the band, which in his words was a defining moment:
“There was a few moments that I remember as turning points, defining moments. Watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan was one of them, seeing Led Zeppelin at that show was clarifying for me. It was ‘I will never be that good, but that’s what I want to strive for.”
Despite his words, Kiss is one of the world-renowned rock bands today.
