“The One Band Robert Plant Believed Were Otherworldly”: The Tale Behind His “Really, Really Amazing” Moment
Robert Plant—vocals that seemed to channel something spiritual, a frontman whose voice has defined rock music for decades—has always been open about the musicians and bands who inspired him. One particular band left such an impression on him that he called their live performance “otherworldly… really, really amazing.” Here’s a look at who they were, what he said, and why it mattered.
Who Was the Band?
The band in question is The Jeff Beck Group, featuring Jeff Beck on guitar and Rod Stewart on vocals. Plant was deeply impressed by them, especially by a performance he saw in America during the 1960s. (Far Out Magazine)
What Did Plant Actually Say?
Here’s the quote, in context:
“When Led Zeppelin first went to America, they were playing, and they were just out of this world. They were really, really amazing.” (Far Out Magazine)
He was talking about the live show of The Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart doing vocals (noting their cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “I Ain’t Superstitious”) and how hearing them live was a formative, astonishing experience. (Far Out Magazine)
Why This Moment Stood Out
Several reasons this moment stands out in Plant’s musical journey:
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Formative Influence: Before Plant joined Jimmy Page and formed what would become Led Zeppelin, he was absorbing the energy around him in the London and broader rock/blues scene. The Jeff Beck Group was part of that scene—one of the cutting-edge bands transforming the guitar and rock dynamics. (Far Out Magazine)
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Live Performance Power: What impressed him most was the live show—not just the songs or recordings. The band’s ability to deliver raw, electric energy on stage elevated them beyond what Plant had heard before in many cases. (Far Out Magazine)
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Musical Virtuosity: Plant points to the guitar work (Jeff Beck’s playing) and the synergy with Rod Stewart’s vocal presence. The way the band interpreted blues material like “I Ain’t Superstitious,” and brought it into a rock context, left a lasting impact. (Far Out Magazine)
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Inspiration for Zeppelins’ Own Path: Hearing bands like this helped define what Plant saw as possible in rock music—how blues could be transformed, how shows could transcend the ordinary, how musical performance could feel almost supernatural. These ideas fed into what Led Zeppelin would go on to do. (Far Out Magazine)
The Echoes of That Moment
Plant’s admiration for The Jeff Beck Group didn’t just stop at this one glowing remark. It resonates in other things he’s said and done:
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He has called Howlin’ Wolf, whose song “I Ain’t Superstitious” was covered by The Jeff Beck Group, “magnificent… powerful… otherworldly.” (Far Out Magazine)
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His own performances with Led Zeppelin often leaned into the kind of “electric” visceral stage presence that bands like The Jeff Beck Group were putting forward.
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In his later career, Plant has often spoken about wanting that excitement, that edge, that feeling of something beyond the quotidian when he performs or records.
Why It Still Matters
This moment—or more precisely, Plant’s reaction to seeing The Jeff Beck Group—is significant because it gives insight into:
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How Rock Legends Learn: Even the greats are shaped by what they see, hear, and feel. Plant’s recognition of brilliance in others informed his own development.
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The Power of Live Music: In a studio, you can engineer things; live, it’s raw—imperfections, energy, audience, spontaneous moments. That's what strikes people deeply.
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The Transmission of Inspiration: What impressed him became part of his musical DNA, contributing to what he would also create with Zeppelin and later in solo work.
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