Led Zeppelin, like many great bands, was influenced by a wide range of artists, but their influence was never mere imitation. While it’s impossible to create entirely without drawing on the work of others, it’s crucial that influence remains a respectful homage rather than a copy. Zeppelin’s own music, however, was not without controversy when it came to their borrowing.
For instance, their song “Bring It On Home” bore such a striking resemblance to a track of the same name by bluesman Willie Dixon that Zeppelin was forced to pay an undisclosed sum to Dixon, who was also credited as a co-writer on the track. Another example came from Scottish guitarist Bert Jansch, who accused Jimmy Page of copying his song “Blackwaterside” in “Black Mountain Side,” though Jansch never pursued legal action.
Robert Plant’s lyrics for “Whole Lotta Love” also drew from Muddy Waters’ “You Need Love,” another track written by Dixon, and once again, Zeppelin compensated the original artist for his contribution. However, the tables were turned when many bands, seeking to replicate Zeppelin’s success, tried to emulate their formula in the 1970s and beyond.
Unsurprisingly, Plant was less than impressed with many of these imitators. He particularly lashed out at David Coverdale and Whitesnake, saying, “There was a time, years ago, that I tried to mimic Elvis Presley. That’s quite acceptable. But David Coverdale’s nearly my age. He is of my genre, even if he was in a lot of substandard groups.” He went on, “Really, you shouldn’t do it to your own gang, you know. When I aped somebody, they were so remote, it was like they were millions of miles away.”
Over the years, however, as newer bands began drawing inspiration from Led Zeppelin, Plant came to see it as a positive development. It showed that the band’s music remained relevant, acting as a bridge for new generations to discover their work. Greta Van Fleet, for example, has often been tagged as Zeppelin’s successors, a label they’ve accepted, despite their attempts to distance themselves from it.
When Plant finally spoke about Greta Van Fleet, his words were more favorable. “They are Led Zeppelin I,” he said, offering a playful jab at Josh Kiszka’s voice by calling him “a beautiful little singer…I hate him.” However, he quickly acknowledged the influence, noting, “Yeah, and he borrowed it from somebody I know very well! But what are you going to do? That’s OK.”
Plant’s comments, though acknowledging the similarities between the two bands, were made with warmth and approval. Guitarist Jake Kiszka took it as a compliment, sharing how inspiring it was for the band to be recognized by legends like Plant. “To have them talk about us is really inspiring. That re-jolts us, and kind of gives us credibility,” Kiszka said.
However, bassist Sam Kiszka was more cautious, emphasizing that while he appreciated the compliment, he preferred not to let others’ opinions overly influence them. Nonetheless, he conceded, “To be honest, I would take that as a compliment because that’s a great, great record.”
In contrast to his feelings towards Whitesnake, Plant’s response to Greta Van Fleet’s Zeppelin-like sound was more nuanced, reflecting the difference in the eras and the way these newer bands approached influence. One thing is clear: despite the similarities, Plant has a clear preference for Greta Van Fleet’s take on Zeppelin’s legacy.
