Is Robert Plant the nicest rock star?

[The Modernist]

It's amazing how grounded he comes across with very little ego, especially given how he was in a band that was regarded as excessive in every way. And it doesn't come across as a pose either. I like the guy a lot. Here's to old Percy!

[Diamond Dog]

I know a couple of people who know him personally and they pretty much agree with what you say.

He's a big Wolves fan and regularly turns up to see them play - not in a private box, next door to every day fans.

He's known for living a pretty spartan life (doesn't sleep on a bed, apparently) and has made some very straightforward lifestyle choices.

I like Robert - I think he is a genuinely good guy.

[The Modernist]

Yep. I think at some point he must have consciously made the decision to reject some of the trappings of fame.

[Diamond Dog]

Yep. I think at some point he must have consciously made the decision to reject some of the trappings of fame.

Two points.. the death of his son Karac (whilst Zep were touring the US in 77) and Bonzo's death in 1980. He has alluded to this previously as fairly sharp wake up calls to curb the excesses. He was never the worst in the band (that was always Jimmy, with Bonzo catching up with him sometime around that 77 tour) but he became a much more 'sensible' person from that time onwards.

[Thang-y]

Very nice, down-to-earth, still hugely enthusiastic about music. Apparently.

But he's always come across as a nice, down-to-earth bloke




Edit: Isn't it generally true that long-established top artists are more down to earth than new and up-and-coming ones who take themselves very seriously?

[Moleskin]

Edit: Isn't it generally true that long-established top artists are more down to earth than new and up-and-coming ones who take themselves very seriously?

I suspect it's more that the longer-established ones can get past the egoism that fame encourages. The up-and-coming are still trying to get to the point where they can see a long-term career - so they want everyone to know how hard they work, how seriously they take it (and so how seriously we should take them).

My counter example would be Van Morrison, who still comes across as prickly and self-important.

[Your Friendly Neighbourhood Postman]

Edit: Isn't it generally true that long-established top artists are more down to earth than new and up-and-coming ones who take themselves very seriously?

I suspect it's more that the longer-established ones can get past the egoism that fame encourages. The up-and-coming are still trying to get to the point where they can see a long-term career - so they want everyone to know how hard they work, how seriously they take it (and so how seriously we should take them).

My counter example would be Van Morrison, who still comes across as prickly and self-important.

Agree on Van -

he's not exactly a shining example of modesty, altruïsm, and courteousness.

[Goat Boy]

I heard he deliberately runs over hedgehogs

[Dr Markus]

I heard he steals songs

[ORORORO]

I heard he wanks off tramps

[Goat Boy]

I heard he voted Tory

[ORORORO]

LOCK THE CUNT UP

[Dr Markus]

I heard he told off Yomp for inventing punk.

[Fonz]

I heard he told off Yomp for inventing punk.

Dude, you’re on a roll today!

[Charlie O.]

I heard he wanks off tramps

Without their consent? Oh, his career is over.

[Geezee]

As has been mentioned elsewhere, his latest album is also very, very good. His lyrics seem to get worse (there are some awful ones on Carving Up the World) but the music, the production, the singing, the collaborations - all work really well.

[Belle Lettre]

A delightful chap

[NMB]

I heard he wanks off tramps

Without their consent? Oh, his career is over.

Doesn't that just mean that he's even nice to tramps?

[Samoan]

My friend's older sister, very pretty girl with blonde wavy hair, used to know him from time to time back in the late 70s. It was what was called an open secret in our circle and overlapping circles, maybe the neighbourhood even. They met at Blakes Hotel when he came to book in where she worked as a night receptionist: she only saw him when his football team were playing an away match against a London team and he'd come to town to watch the match.

Lovely girl, she used to keep an indoor pet rabbit.

[Pool Hall Richard]

I'd take him out and buy him a pint. Also wouldn't bore him about Zepp either.

I keep meaning to dig out my Sixty Six to Timbuktu best of cd, haven't played in a while. Big Log is a great track.