Celebrating Robert Plant and his connection to Camden
On August 20th we celebrate the birthday of Robert Plant, the iconic frontman of Led Zeppelin, whose voice has left an indelible mark on rock music. Known for his powerful and ethereal vocal style, Plant, along with Led Zeppelin, revolutionised rock with a sound that was as heavy as it was groundbreaking. As we honour his legacy, we of course will also spotlight Camden, which played a crucial role in the band’s early history and continues to resonate with its rock and roll spirit.
Celebrating Robert Plant: The Golden God of Rock’s Timeless Voice and Camden’s Connection with him and Led Zeppelin
Camden’s venues have been the backdrop for some of rock’s most legendary moments, including Led Zeppelin’s pivotal performance at The Roundhouse on November 9, 1968. This was their first official London show after shedding their old name and emerging as the heavyweights of rock. Robert Plant famously spent his wedding morning preparing for this iconic gig, humorously noting that he spent his honeymoon at The Roundhouse.
In this blog post, we delve into Plant’s remarkable connection to Camden, share amusing anecdotes about his rock ‘n’ roll adventures in the area, and explore how Camden’s vibrant music scene continues to celebrate its legendary past. Read on to discover how you can immerse yourself in Camden’s rich rock heritage and experience the magic of live music that once set the stage for rock legends.
Happy 76th birthday, Robert!
The Camden and Led Zeppelin Connection
Camden, known for its vibrant music scene and iconic venues, has long been a hub for rock and roll. The area’s gritty streets and eclectic energy have nurtured countless artists, but it’s the legends like Led Zeppelin that truly put Camden on the global rock map.
One of the most notable moments in Led Zeppelin’s early career took place at Camden’s iconic venue, The Roundhouse. On November 9, 1968, Led Zeppelin played their first official London show at The Roundhouse, marking a pivotal moment in their history. This performance came after the band returned from their inaugural Scandinavian tour, having shed their previous name, The New Yardbirds. They had now emerged as one of the heaviest rock bands in the world.
Interestingly, Robert Plant spent his wedding day on the morning of the gig, famously remarking that he spent his honeymoon at The Roundhouse.
This legendary show featured a setlist that included classics such as Train Kept a Rollin’, I Can’t Quit You Baby, You Shook Me, Dazed & Confused, White Summer / Black Mountain Side, Babe I’m Gonna Leave You, How Many More Times, and Communication Breakdown.
An office memo from Jimmy Page’s personal collection noted the details of the gig: “Saturday 9th November 1968. Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London, N.W.1. Arrive by 1:30am (Sun. morning) in time to go on stage by 2am. 1×50 minute spot.” This was a key time for the band, as they were still in transition from being known as the Yardbirds to embracing the name Led Zeppelin.
Jimmy Page later recalled the performance in January 1969: “(At the Roundhouse), we did alright. We only played a couple of dates in London – The Roundhouse and Marquee. The Marquee was fantastic – just great. We were totally knocked out when we came out of there. We thought they might have had it in for us because at that date, we were still calling ourselves the Yardbirds – we hadn’t thought of using Led Zeppelin yet.”
Rafael de Swarte from the support act, Tyres, provided a memorable anecdote about the gig: “It was an exciting time, and just before Zeppelin headed to the States. John Lee Hooker was hanging around backstage watching. It was a good gig, except at one point the guitarist was left playing nothing – his lead had come out. We looked around and John was peering around the curtain looking at us, with the lead curled around his foot! We never worked out if he was joking, clumsy or trying to get us to stop.”
These early gigs at The Roundhouse were crucial in shaping Led Zeppelin’s identity and sound, cementing their connection to this vibrant area.
A famous Camden encounter between Jimmy snd Robert happened right in front of the World’s End next to Camden Town Station (right on the little island at the crossing!) – this was a promotional interview for their new project.
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant’s latest project, “No Quarter,” emerged from their MTV Unplugged session and marks a dynamic reinvention of their classic Led Zeppelin material, which was released on the 14th of October 1994.
This album blends traditional Zeppelin elements with fresh influences, featuring collaborations with Egyptian musicians on a mesmerizing version of Kashmir, and Indian vocalist Najma Akhtar on a reimagined Battle of Evermore. New tracks like Yallah and City Don’t Cry introduce hypnotic chants recorded in Marrakesh with Gnawa musicians, exploring spiritual and cultural depths.
The journey to “No Quarter” began during Page’s remastering of Zeppelin’s albums, which rekindled his desire to work with Plant after 14 years apart. MTV’s Unplugged invitation provided a tangible opportunity for them to reconnect, aiming to evolve rather than merely revisit their past. By deliberately not including former Zeppelin keyboardist John Paul Jones in the project—who expressed disappointment at learning about it from the press rather than being informed personally—Page and Plant have sidestepped the typical “Led Zeppelin Reunion” headlines. The album highlights often overlooked Celtic-Gaelic and Egyptian influences, contrasting with the simplistic view some critics hold that Led Zeppelin’s career is defined solely by hits like Whole Lotta Love and Black Dog.
The Power of Camden Town: Bringing Legends Together
In a recent, Robert Plant was asked if Led Zeppelin might reunite for a special performance to celebrate their legacy. With his characteristic wit, Plant quipped, “Only in a chip shop in Camden Town! I think that’s about as close as we will get to it! We are very pleased and glad with our very, very short career. If you think about it, it’s only 12 years. We get on OK, but, you know…”
Plant’s humorous remark adds a dash of magic to the idea of a Led Zeppelin reunion—imagining the iconic band coming together in the most unlikely of places, a Camden chip shop where all of us have been after a night out for some comfort food. It captures the essence of Camden Town, a place so infused with rock history that it could inspire even the wildest of dreams, like a reunion of legends over some cheesy chips.
Despite the excitement surrounding potential reunions of classic rock bands, Plant made it clear that Led Zeppelin won’t be following suit anytime soon. Unfortunately! What I’d give to be able to see Led Zeppelin live… I envy our CMDN founder, Jon, who was able to see these legends live in New York at their most iconic gig ever at Madison Square garden in 1977! Soo lucky!!
A Night at The Dublin Castle: Robert Plant’s Doppelgänger Encounter
Camden’s legendary pubs have seen their fair share of rock history, and The Dublin Castle is no exception. In one of the most memorable stories from this iconic venue, Robert Plant once turned up to watch a Led Zeppelin tribute band. The story, as recounted by Tony, a long-time regular at The Dublin Castle, is nothing short of surreal.
“Robert Plant turned up to see a Led Zeppelin tribute band, and the guy on the door didn’t know he was Robert Plant, even though there was a guy on stage looking identical, singing—‘cos you’d think everyone would know Led Zeppelin, right? But this one guy doing work for us briefly didn’t recognize him and he charged him! And Robert Plant paid! But then he walked in, and he couldn’t handle watching it—he ran out. I think it was too realistic,” Tony says, laughing.
Al, another regular and the pub’s unofficial guide, chimes in, “’Cos Robert Plant’s such a quiet man.” Tony agrees, adding, “Yeah, he is. He’s a nice guy. He used to come in here a lot, haven’t seen him for a while.”
This anecdote perfectly captures the humble and unassuming nature of Robert Plant, a rock legend who can still be found in the heart of Camden, blending in with the crowd, yet forever connected to the legacy of Led Zeppelin. Make sure to come to our gigs at Dublin Castle, who knows who you might meet 😉
Camden’s Rock Legacy: You can be part of it!
Today, Camden continues to honour its rock heritage, and what better way to celebrate Robert Plant’s legacy than by immersing yourself in Camden’s vibrant live music scene? Attending a concert in Camden is not just about enjoying great music; it’s about becoming part of a living history. Whether you’re catching a show at The Roundhouse, Electric Ballroom, or one of the many intimate venues dotted around Camden, you’re stepping into a tradition that has seen the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Clash, and Amy Winehouse.
By joining our Camden live concerts, you are not just a spectator—you’re a participant in the ongoing story of rock and roll. The energy of the crowds, the passion of the performers, and the unique vibe of Camden create an experience that’s unlike any other. Every chord struck, every lyric sung is a tribute to the rock legends who came before, and a promise of more history to be made.
Celebrating Robert Plant’s Birthday in Camden
So, as we raise a glass to Robert Plant on his birthday, let’s also celebrate Camden—the beating heart of London’s rock scene. What better way to honor the man who helped define rock and roll than by experiencing the music in a place that has shaped and been shaped by it?
Come be a part of Camden’s rock legacy. Feel the pulse of history, the thrill of live music, and the spirit of legends like Robert Plant who have made Camden an iconic destination for music lovers worldwide.
Join us at Camden live concerts and be a part of rock history—because in Camden, the music never stops!
If you’re a Led Zep fan, which I very much assume if you have managed to continue reading this blog until now – I wholeheartedly recommend to you to not miss our gig with Dirty Sound Magnet on September 25th at Dingwalls! Pure psychedelic rock coming all the way from Switzerland for an incredible night of Rock’n’Roll! We will also host a pre gig meet-up for people to make friends in the scene, so you will find a lot of Led Zeppelin fans there with us 🙂
Hopefully see you all soon!
Sources:
- The Roundhouse. “History.” Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.roundhouse.org.uk/about/history.
- Led Zeppelin Official. “Led Zeppelin Timeline.” Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.ledzeppelin.com/.
- Camden History Society. “Camden and the Birth of Rock and Roll.” Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.camdenhistorysociety.org.uk/.
- BraveWords. “Robert Plant on Led Zeppelin Reuniting for 50th Anniversary Performance: ‘Only in a Chip Shop in Camden Town!'” Accessed August 21, 2024. https://bravewords.com/news/robert-plant-on-led-zeppelin-reuniting-for-50th-anniversary-performance-only-in-a-chip-shop-in-camden-town-i-think-thats-about-as-close-as-we-will-get-to-it.
- The Independent. “Led Zeppelin Could Only Reunite in a Camden Chip Shop, Lead Singer Robert Plant Says.” Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/led-zeppelin-reunion-camden-chip-shop-robert-plant-performance-a8436121.html.
- Led Zeppelin Official. “Roundhouse, November 9, 1968.” Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/roundhouse-november-9-1968.
- Loudersound. “The Roundhouse London.” Accessed August 21
- LZ078 : Robert Plant – Iconic Images Visit Creator: Terry O’Neill | Credit: Terry O’Neill / Iconic ImagesCopyright: © Iconic Images Limited
- Led Zeppelin, La Totale”: plongée dans l’alchimie d’un géant du rock
- Where is Robert Plant’s Ex-Wife, Maureen Wilson, Today?
- Led Zeppelin: Pictures show first concert, in 1968 – BBC News
- ROBERT PLANT AND JIMMY PAGE INTERVIEWED (1994)