Did Led Zeppelin fall under the category of Heavy Metal? Robert Plant didn’t believe so.

      Led Zeppelin rose to global prominence during a crucial moment in pop culture. The new documentary *Becoming Led Zeppelin* highlights that the music industry was in disarray, the 60s were concluding, and a new era was on the horizon. The British band, immensely influential, played a key role in shaping rock music—though frontman Robert Plant disagreed with characterizing them as metal.

      By transforming Chicago blues into a heavier rock sound, the band’s first two albums played a significant role in shaping rock music for future generations. However, a deeper exploration reveals influences from folk and Eastern music, along with mythical themes in their lyrics.

      This may explain why Robert Plant prefers not to have his past neatly categorized. When he reunited with Jimmy Page in the 90s, they engaged in an extensive interview with MTV where they were questioned about the connection between Led Zeppelin and metal.

      “We were so multi-faceted; it’s unfortunate that we got grouped in with any of those…” the guitarist remarked.

      Robert Plant was even more straightforward. “It’s journalistic laziness and nonsense. If we’re held responsible for being associated with a time when many were exploiting their masculinity to sell records, it seems unfair to use us as a symbol of that era, especially since some of our best songs, aside from ‘Black Dog’ and ‘Rock And Roll,’ were primarily acoustic or featured Eastern influences. But honestly, who cares?”

      In an interview with Q around the dawn of the Millennium, Robert Plant expressed his views candidly. “If I have any responsibility for this, then I am truly, truly embarrassed. Nowadays, hard rock and heavy metal seem to be saying, ‘Come and buy me. I’m aligned with the Devil—but just for this moment; afterward, I’ll be quite nice, and one day I’ll grow up to manage a pop group.’”

      *Becoming Led Zeppelin* is now available.