He continues to mention her as an influence...
Robert Plant is still deeply and passionately devoted to music. His new album ‘Saving Grace’ clearly showcases that the Led Zeppelin frontman is not looking to revisit the past, but instead aims to progress forward. Yet, one artist has consistently influenced his career – the work of the female blues trailblazer Memphis Minnie.
Memphis Minnie, along with Kansas Joe McCoy, was the original creator of ‘When The Levee Breaks’, a powerful reflection on the societal effects of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Led Zeppelin were captivated by the track, transforming it into their own centerpiece, an ambitious, theatrical rock piece that pushed the limits of studio production.
Famously recorded at Headley Grange – with drummer John Bonham laying down his iconic percussive barrage in a stairwell – ‘When The Levee Breaks’ has influenced a range of artists from Jack White to Eminem.
But Robert Plant wasn’t finished there. He later recorded a new version of the song with contemporary Americana artist Alison Krauss, unveiling fresh elements of the material.
In an interesting twist, Plant’s remarkable new solo album ‘Saving Grace’ features another reference to Memphis Minnie’s work.
The track ‘Chevrolet’ reinvents Donovan’s 1965 song ‘Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)’ – though not many recognize that it was originally inspired by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy’s 1930 blues piece ‘Can I Do It for You?’.
During a recent Radio 2 interview, the singer shared: “We all knew Donovan’s rendition. I’m acquainted with Don, and I inquired about the meaning of the title. I believe it pertains to the slow burn of a cigarette. They had listened to some old Alan Lomax recordings, but until two years ago, I was unaware they had also drawn motivation from Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy.”
This aligns with his desire to sidestep mainstream pop culture – he wishes to “avoid much of the surface of contemporary music and discover these extraordinary corners.”
Listen to ‘Chevrolet’ below.
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Robert Plant remains profoundly devoted to music. As clearly shown in the new album 'Saving Grace', the Led Zeppelin icon is not focused on