Steve Vai believes that Robert Plant made a wise decision by changing his singing from the way he did during his time with Led Zeppelin.
In a new interview with Dean Delray, Vai emphasized the need for musicians to prioritize their physical well-being, comparing it to the demands of professional athletics. The virtuoso argued that, like athletes, musicians rely on their bodies as crucial tools for their craft. As an example, he gave Led Zeppelin’s Plant and explained how his voice is ‘adjusted’:
“Robert Plant — I love his stuff outside of Zeppelin. His voice is adjusted. He was a powerhouse with Led Zeppelin, but that kind of singing kicks your ass. And there was a period where he had to find that adjustment; he had to change keys as much as they would change, [and] he would change his register.”
According to the guitar virtuoso, Plant was never afraid to explore new avenues that better suited his age and voice:
“He didn’t try to relive his glory days of yore. It was impossible, but he’s matured in something different and deeper.”
The One Led Zeppelin Song That Changed Vai’s Life
Despite his comments on Plant’s voice, the guitar virtuoso likes Led Zeppelin and even has a certain song that changed his way of looking at guitar playing.
In a 2021 interview, Vai shared that ‘Heartbreaker,’ featured on Led Zeppelin’s 1969 studio album ‘Led Zeppelin II,’ was one of the songs that had a profound impact on his life. Vai recounted that his initial exposure to the song occurred through his sister Pam’s copy of the album, and it became the defining moment that ignited his desire to play the guitar:
“That record was my everything. I’d always thought that a guitar was this untouchable, beautiful thing that I was unworthy of holding. But as soon as I heard the solo on Heartbreaker, something shifted in me. I thought, I don’t care about my insecurities, I’m playing the guitar. I bought a Teisco Del Rey guitar from a friend for $5 and started learning. Everything Jimmy Page represented was everything I wanted to be.”
In addition to ‘Heartbreaker,’ another Led Zeppelin hit affected the rocker a lot. He revealed in another interview:
“Black Dog is still electrifying to me. But the one that evokes in me the most intense kind of musical feeling is ‘Born To Be Wild’. When I was a kid, all through high school, whenever my band would play that song, whatever bar we were in, all my friends would just start destroying the place. When I hear that song I’m sixteen again, standing on a table at a club.”
You can listen to the interview below.
