r/ledzeppelin • u/naterkins • 2d ago
I almost met Robert Plant last night
So I was home last night making dinner. Just as I was pulling the delightful frozen pizza from the oven my daughter called. She said she and her boyfriend were at Bryant Lake Bowl (a local bowling alley here in Minneapolis). They were 90% certain that Robert Plant was there bowling.
At first I scoffed. But she insisted and as we talked her boyfriend chimed in that he was positive that indeed it was Mr Robert Plant.
My heart raced. Led Zeppelin was the first band I obsessed over. The first vinyl I bought was Led Zeppelin III. A couple years later it was the same album I chose as my first CD purchase in 1989. They were foundational in my life and inspired my love of great music.
So I abandoned my dinner and took off in my truck to get there and possibly *fingers crossed* snag a picture with Mr Plant.
Along the way my daughter called, warning me to hurry as it looked like Mr Plant and his entourage were getting ready to leave.
I floored it.
I scored a parking spot right on Lake Street in front of Bryant Lake Bowl. Yes!
I calmly raced into the bowling alley and found that my daughter and her boyfriend with 2 lanes down from Mr Plant. They warned me that Plant's manager was preventing anyone from approaching Mr Plant.
But I knew I had to try. This was Robert friggin Plant, after all. How could I find myself so close to someone so foundational to my life and not try to at least express my gratitude for him and the music he created?
So I calmly approached Mr Plant. His manager obstructed me, shaking his head, "No, mate". I pleaded, "I just need to tell him how much his music has meant to me." "No, mate" his manager said again while shaking his head. I could tell I wasn't going to get anywhere and ultimately I chose to respect his boundaries and move on. I bowled a few rounds with my daughter (with Mr Plant a couple lanes over - and bowling better than me, I might add!), downed my beer and headed home.
I woke up this morning to this picture. It turns out my daughter's boyfriend (who plays in a bluegrass band here in the Twin Cities) struck up a conversation with Mr Plant's bandmates. They spoke for over an hour. Just as Mr Plant and his entourage were getting up to leave my daughter's boyfriend tried to ask for a picture. The manager re-buffed him. But, Mr Plant shrugged him off and motioned them over for a photo.
So this is them, with Mr Plant posing with their leftover nachos.
I wish I was there but it warms my heart that my daughter got to meet a living musical legend.
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u/Mysterious-Street966 2d ago
Sits down at your table, eats a fry off your plate, and says: “no one will ever believe you”.
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u/TikaPants 2d ago
Bill Murray activities
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u/Mysterious-Street966 2d ago
“Sorry! You caught me with one foot off the merry-go-round tonight…”🤣🤣🤣
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u/BetterComparison8181 2d ago
Actually when I was a young lass Chevy Chase did that with my nachos chips in Lucy's El Adobe restaurant across from Paramount.
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u/WooleeBullee 2d ago
Be careful about meeting your heroes, especially if you have to kind of force it to happen and they are just trying to enjoy themselves somewhere. In my personal experience, its better to just appreciate being in the same room as them. Gushing about how much they changed your life is really meaningful to you, but it is a selfish act, and it can often just be awkward for them. At least thats what I have come to learn from my own experience.
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u/fuckfredflintstone 2d ago
Absolute truth. I’ve met Paul O’Neil and Leslie West in public. Regular guys doing regular stuff. Just approached calmly and cordially. They were both extremely gracious and thankful I wasn’t making a spectacle. Spoke briefly, said goodbye and went on our way.
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u/Bluesee_rdt 2d ago
Paul O’Neill (Trans Siberian Orchestra, Savatage) was my best friend in High School. We lost touch through the years and I only re-discovered him after he died at 61.
Is it the same guy? He was very cool. We shared a love of Renaissance. Their influence is evident in his songs.
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u/fuckfredflintstone 2d ago
Paul O’Neil (NY Yankees)
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u/Bluesee_rdt 2d ago
Ah, but thanks for the chance to re-live my youth. We actually went to Madison Square Garden together to watch Led Zeppelin play what became The Song Remains the Same album. Anyway..
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u/DontDreamItsOver3 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yes on be careful, but it’s really the rest of what you said that fans need to keep in mind. A few years ago my teenage daughter’s favorite artist ever was Frank Ocean, someone notoriously private and known to never give autographs or photos.
We were in a restaurant with relatives and my daughter grabbed my leg as 2 guys walked by and whispered urgently “Mom! MOM!! That’s.. that’s… Frank Ocean!!!”
I watched him disappear to the back of the restaurant. I started to get up and my brother in law said “No! You can’t talk to him!” I was like “You don’t know what I know!”
To your point about saying “Your music means so Much to me! I’m your biggest fan! I love you so much!” You’re 100% right, those are beautiful sincere things to say, and every sane artist is grateful that so many people feel that way.
But in most situations it’s a non-starter to say, all the artist can say is “Tjank you” and especially when they’re “off the clock”, they really don’t want to engage that kind of energy. And I’ve met most of my heroes and have even become friends with a few, like they’ve introduced me to their girlfriends and moms type of friends.
So I knew to do 2 things: 1) I told my shocked teen daughter “Think of a question to ask. What’s something you’ve always wanted to know about his music?” And I left her there thinking and went to find his table. He was definitely way at the back and I walked up and just quietly said “I am so sorry to interrupt! We’re leaving, and we don’t want anything like pics or autographs, but you’re my teen daughter’s most favorite artist and she has a question for you. Is it ok if I bring her over to ask? We won’t stay long.” And he listened, and then nodded and said “Ok, go get her.” And she walked over so nervous, said thanks for talking to me, froze, looked at me, then remembered “So your song ________ is my favorite song of yours, what does _________ part mean though?”
And this guy literally clapped his hands together like a delighted child at this question, told her he doesn’t believe in telling people his meaning because he wants them to just bring their own meaning, and then they had a whole conversation for a few minutes, laughing and talking. Then we said bye, we went back to our table, all got our stuff, and as we walked out he leaned out of his booth and said “Nice talking to you! Happy holidays!!”
My daughter posted the encounter to her Insta right away, and soon her friends were texting ME because the absence of a photo meant they didn’t believe it. I assured them It really happened.
But as you said, the key is being calm and if possible starting a conversation.
The 5 artists I was most nervous meeting (And I’ve met Bono, Michael Stipe, Stevie Nicks & Eddie Vedder among the countless celebrities I’ve met) but meeting Elvis Costello, David Byrne, Stevie Wonder, Patti Smith and Exene Cervenka of X all made me insanely nervous, because all but Stevie give off very “Don’t approach me” vibes IMHO. And Stevie, well my gosh, he’s STEVIE WONDER! And also totally lovely man. But in meeting every one of them I asked a question, it started a conversation, and often ended with a smile or a hug or even “Good talking to you”. I’ve met David Byrne 3 time briefly across 23 years, and last time a couple of years ago he said “It’s nice to see you again” and I was shocked he remembered.
So I say, if you get the chance, always meet your heroes. But stay calm and don’t ask for anything unless they’re already giving pics and autographs to others. Just ask a question and see where it goes…. Most of the time it’ll be a lovely memory. Sadly, some people are just grumpy or jerky people, despite their great art, so those encounters will disappoint. But most of the time it’ll be a treasured memory!
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u/Unsatisfactory_bread 2d ago
Asking questions is the stroke of genius for when I met the folks I’ve idolised. Surprisingly enough they asked if I wanted photos with them, which I don’t normally ask out of respect, but for those guys, you better believe I did not hesitate.
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u/WooleeBullee 2d ago
Thats great advice about asking a question. It was also really smart being the first intermediary rather than your daughter and how you set up the context. That way if he says no or is even a bit rude then you can just say hes busy or something. You never know who is having a bad day, or has gotten one too many annoying fans recently, and having your hero react negatively to you can sometimes ruin your enjoyment of their work you loved. Also David Byrne is just an amazing human being, its so cool that you were able to know all those brilliant people like that.
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u/thatgirlinny 2d ago
This. Let them live their lives the way you do: unbothered by overzealous strangers.
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u/Real_Impact726 2d ago
Especially Robert Plant in particular, a guy who clearly has a complicated relationship with his music with Led Zeppelin.
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u/Babrahamlincoln3859 2d ago edited 2d ago
Agreed, but remember, they are rich because we buy their product. They have a little bit of duty to their fans. That goes for any celebrity.
Edit- I'm not saying fans should bombbard them. I'm saying, they should not be surprised or upset that people want to talk to you. I'm in the agreement to leave them alone.
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u/LadyArcher2017 2d ago
No, I disagree. They don’t owe anyone who bought their ‘product’ anything more than what they got in the purchase. To assume otherwise, that they ‘have a little bit of duty to their fans’ is just about saying they’ll owe this debt forever. They already kept up their end of the bargain when someone has bought their album or even a download.
That’s also why unauthorized copies are unfair. David Gilmour put it most succinctly when he said, “Music isn’t free.” It’s their creative and intellectual property.
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u/Homythecirclejerk 2d ago
I think Robert understands his role very well. I cant remember what old school rocker he said he saw. Maybe bo Didley and he was talking about what songs etc Bo knew he had to play, and I dont think he really minds doing those things. One reason I think Robert will still do stairway
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u/wallstreet-butts 2d ago
Celebrities do not have a duty to be your personal monkey 24 hours a day. They worked hard to deliver a performance and you paid them to enjoy it. That’s the end of the transaction.
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u/-GOODGOODNOTBAD- 2d ago
100%. Imagine millions of people deciding you owe them a piece of you because they bought your record / saw your movie.
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u/WooleeBullee 2d ago
I dont think I agree. The personal experience I had was with my favorite artist who I dont think would be considered rich.
As far as Plant, Im not sure how wealthy he is tbh. They were definitely rich by 1970s standards, but a million dollars in the 70s is very different than that million dollars now. Sure, Plant has made albums and played shows since Led Zeppelin, and hopefully he has invested and managed his money well, but Im willing to bet he is comfortable but not ultra wealthy.
To your point in general, while the tradeoff for fame is your own privacy in life, that doesnt make it okay for people to bother celebrities when they are just out living their lives. I think its selfish and wrong to bother them in those instances, and it can often backfire on the fan if the star happens to respond less than positively.
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u/Drumblebee 2d ago
He’s estimated to be worth 200 million. Even if the estimate is only half right, he’s still incredibly wealthy
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u/WooleeBullee 2d ago
Awesome! Sounds like he was wise with his wealth, that makes me happy. I still think he deserves to be left alone if he wants to be.
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u/Homythecirclejerk 2d ago
Yeaah, ive read that he made some wise investments. Remember he was going to be an accountant. Glad he wasn't, but he's obviously money smart
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u/tennore 2d ago
I’m pretty sure he makes a good living off his royalties, especially since he wrote songs that are still popular and he’s continued to make music unlike some legacy acts who just sit back and live off the past, which is their right. But he still generates income and is having fun doing it.
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u/wallstreet-butts 2d ago
Lol mate he gets millions of pounds in dividends annually from royalties and songwriting credits. This is pretty easy to look up but sure, just post your personal opinion.
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u/WooleeBullee 2d ago
Ok fair, I could've looked it up, and I was incorrect in my assumption, though I was clear that I was unsure and wasnt presenting it as fact.
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u/kingraw99 2d ago
Not sure what you mean with the million dollars comparison. It was worth a lot more then than now, so if anything, that makes him richer, not poorer.
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u/MendoLHCB 3h ago
He still gets what know as “mailbox money”
Royalties from music being played collected by ascap etc.
Downloads.
Movies.
Sales of actual media like CD’s and albums still exist.
And I’m sure he makes decent money touring too.
Certainly not hurting by in measure.→ More replies (2)1
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u/DegreePrize4722 2d ago
That's awesome. I'm so sorry you bailed and didn't get your pic with him.
I met Robert on Nov 18th, 1993 at 1:30AM on his Fate of Nations tour. His manager - I think it was his body guard - held me off from meeting Robert for a bit.
Robert was doing an interview with a radio dj and eating at a table in the Hyatt Regency hotel's bar/restaurant - in a slightly raised section area off in a corner. His whole band was playing pool at the pool table with my buddy and my gf at the time.
We had a camera in the car and my gf wanted to go out to get it, but I told her - no, if you leave to go get it - he might leave and you might miss your chance to meet him. She agreed. We split up less than four years later and I should have been more selfish and risked her going to the car to get the camera.
Anyways, when Robert got up - the body guard guy let me and my friend up into the area to meet him. He let us hug him and he signed the Green Peace post card(s) that I had - that were being given out in the lobby of the venue he played in. Green Peace was touring with him.
His entire band - including Led Zeppelin assistant Rex King - signed the GP post cards too. King was literally mad at me, bc I kept saying "You're Richard Cole." He looked a lot like Cole in 1993. He was definitely mad, bc I kept saying he was Richard Cole - I literally thought he was lying to me and hiding his "true identity" from me/us.
He was nice enough to autograph one of the post cards -- and wrote -- I'M NOT RICHARD COLE ! Rex King 😂🤣
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u/Blowaway040889 2d ago
Incredible! Good for you and your mom. At least she got to see him bowling in person. How many fans can say they bowled a few lanes down from Robert Plant!
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u/Delicious-Wolf-8850 2d ago edited 2d ago
That would have been so tough to not talk to Robert when hes just right there. I'm a huge Zeppelin fan i saw Page and Plant in 95 it was a great experience. That's an awesome photo.
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u/Wild_Billy_61 2d ago
How cool. You did the right thing by backing off. I know it's hard to stop yourself.
When I was teen, on of my best friend's father was the president of a concert arena. So during weekends, holidays, and sometimes during summer breaks I'd go with him to the concerts and our job was food runners. We'd go down the line of dressing rooms, knock on doors and take orders. Then we'd place the orders, go get them and deliver them. His father told me before I started helping, "Remember, these people get hounded every day. Many spend months away from their families. Most of them just want to enjoy life and be treated like an average Joe. If they approach you and talk to you, that's fine. But don't go interrupting or approaching them."
He was right 100%. When musicians approached us it was either to request something (most times, politely) or they just wanted to genuinely talk. I was surprised to find how many of them were so incredibly genuine. It was equally surprising to find out how some were total assholes. Robert Plant was indeed genuine. A very nice guy and.. Liked Big Macs. Lol! Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, Malcom and Angus Young and Simon Wright were really nice. Huey Lewis came out of his room and sat and ate with us. He asked about family and school and talked about his family life.
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u/Whisky-a-GoGo1 2d ago
Robert also is a big fan of a good tuna melt. Seriously. I met him the first time during their 1977 US tour. Met him several times again over the years and he was always cool. I got kicked out of a club in DC with Robert back in 1988. Good times.
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u/DoctorSpacecase 2d ago
I think a lot of people that have stories about celebrities "being assholes" just don't realize how exhausting it is to have people coming up to you 24/7 to chat or ask for autographs. They will say 'well it must be nice being rich, so they can deal with it.' Not cool imho. And on top of it, you now have the "hustle" community abusing the kindness of the nicer celebrities to get loads of autographs and auction them online for money.
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u/Dry_Jellyfish641 2d ago
There’s a tiny bar he hangs out at here in Southern California. I’ve met him several times but never bother him. After the third or fourth time seeing him there he told me “never lose that smile of yours, it will move mountains for you”. I kinda quoted the first line from “thank you” and we shared a laugh before I left him alone. Super admirable man, very respectful, doesn’t want to be put on a pedestal. He just wants to have normal times out and about. If you see him just treat him with respect, and as a man, not some rock god.
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u/evenifihateit 2d ago
My mum and dad met him at a hotel last year. My dad says my mum got so dazed she walked into a wall, she says this is nonsense, she just got confused about where the lift was 😂
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u/pasquale61 2d ago
So cool! Bummed you couldn’t talk to him, but glad your daughter did. He’s a character for sure.
We are going to see him tomorrow night at The Chicago Theater. Can’t wait! I wish we could meet him, but I have my doubts that will ever happen. For now, we’ll just enjoy seeing him in perform for as long as he wants to keep doing it.
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u/GinoValenti 2d ago
You never know, he loves Chicago and will probably be in a good mood.
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u/fingerpicker22 1d ago
There’s a western clothing (as in cowboy gear) store that he loves to shop at and never misses on visits to Chicago. I think it’s on the NW side. . .wish I could remember the name. good place to stalk him day of show. . lol. Not that I have .. .story from a friend.
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u/Chazykins 2d ago
He seems like a cool guy, lived around where i grew up and we used to see him at our little village fair. No one would really bother him which was probably nice. A friends mum sold him a dog without realising who he was, they got chatting and she told him that her sons were studying folk music but she was worried there was no career in it. He replied that he didnt do too badly himself!
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u/Fanabala3 2d ago
With any celebrity, I could just be cool. If I ever ran into Robert Plant, I would probably lose it.
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u/ConnectGaps 2d ago
I was there, too!! I took the back exit through the theater on my way out and he was standing just about where he is in this photo, he was chatting with a couple people and we made eye contact, smiled at each other, and he said something to them about moving so I could pass by.
I’m still reeling that I was like, two inches away from him as I passed by and we smiled at each other….best best best day ever
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u/Different_Record_753 2d ago
The happiest rock star in the world. Seriously. Like someone who just is enjoying his journey every day. My god I love that man. Saw him in my first concert without my parents in 1983. Followed him ever since. May he always have great karma. He just is so normal I love it.
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u/MisplacedLonghorn 2d ago
I almost met Robert Plant myself in February 2012 at the Continental Club in Austin. The man was standing right behind me while we were taking in Roky Erickson set. My "friend" saw RFP and decided I was not "allowed" to meet him because I had consumed too many White Russians, blah blah. The man was close enough to me that it was him breathing on my neck that night and I did not know it until after he'd left. I am still salty about that missed opportunity.
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u/GrossenCharakter 2d ago
So you're saying you were... dazed and confused for so long it's not true?
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u/WinchelltheMagician 2d ago
Great story and great pic. It has us laughing here this morning. Sorry you didn't get to meet him! I can totally relate, and imagine one of my kids texting me with similar news, but very cool that she knows you so well to let you know what was going on, and to get that pic. I grew up in an obscure place in the northeast, and there is a hiking trail in the valley behind our house. About a mile into the trail, a large turnpike bridge spans the valley...the bridge is huge towering above you. I smoked plenty of joints there in my youth as it is remote, not so used that you typically run into anyone, and the massive bridge structure is trippy to be under. A few yrs, back Mick Jagger shared a pic online from that exact place, my teenage favorite spot to get high....and there he was, solo, hiking, and stopped for a selfie in my favorite spot. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Mick there.
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u/Cultural_Critic_1357 2d ago
Robert has always been the extrovert and most friendly to the public member of the band but I'm sure every time he walks out his door there are delighted fans hoping he looks their way. Nice of your daughter to share that he was at the bowling alley and at least you saw him up close and personal. My daughter and sons met Thom Yorke when we were walking down Michigan Avenue before Lollapalooza one year in Chicago. My daughter and her boyfriend met Bob Dylan outside his bus parked by the hotel he stayed in Iowa City one year. Me, I never met any rock idol and I had many. Women always look thrilled to meet Robert, no matter what age he or they are, he has that charisma. Thanks for sharing your exciting story.
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u/BandicootStunning244 2d ago
What a great story and you have a picture that perfectly captures the moment. Love it.
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u/DontDreamItsOver3 2d ago
Oh wow, I’m sorry you didn’t get to talk to him directly, but so glad you got to have the surreal experience of bowling next to him for awhile!
I went to a benefit concert he was the featured guest at several years ago and there was an after party that many artists went to, but no one expected Mr. Plant to come. I was talking to someone and turned to find Tobert Plant walking right past. I just said “Robert!” And he (and his entourage and security) all paused to look at me and I’ve been in that situation before so I knew I had to start talking right away.
I was taken totally off guard so hadn’t thought about what to say, so I just looked at him and said “It’s such a wild experience to have grown up listening to your voice my whole life, and to now get to say hello to you!” And he reached out, took my hand in both his hands, looked me in the eye and said “Honey, it gets SO MUCH BETTER!” and squeezed my hand and winked. And then he was off!
I still don’t know what exactly he was even referencing, but all I could say to anyone for the rest of the party was “Robert Plant called me Honey!!!” 😆🔥
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u/Haunting-Ad3001 2d ago
You did get a story to tell from it, along with the photo for proof. So I wouldn't complain too much.
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u/captainkwe 2d ago
He lived in Austin for a time (w Patty Griffen) and came into the flower shop my wife was working and was just a pleasant & kind dude w no fanfare or manager, security etc. I think the Austin heat 🔥didn’t jive w his Midlands roots and finally broke his levee and he just rambled on out of ATX (I show myself out….)
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u/ImaRaginCajun 2d ago
I met Robert years ago, very nice person. He put me on the guest list for his show.
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u/haley_hathaway 2d ago
Please let the man alone and give him some peace to enjoy life. When a man holds up food like that for a pic…. Its a message
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u/discerningpervert 2d ago
He would've preferred the Hot Dog
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u/haley_hathaway 2d ago
Not when Custard Pie is on the menu
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u/discerningpervert 2d ago
I prefer Tangerine
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u/haley_hathaway 2d ago
You’re just a Fool in the Rain for thinking that
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u/discerningpervert 2d ago
Hey now, no need to take me to the Gallows Pole!
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u/UnoriginalInnovation 2d ago
What was he doing there?
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u/river03765 2d ago
I’m so friggin jealous and yet elated that they got to snag a pic with the legend himself.
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u/HereLiesConnor 2d ago
Pretty amazing. I almost went to that show in MSP last night but resale tickets were too expensive. Guess I should've just went bowling instead!! Lol
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u/StackIsMyCrack 2d ago
Heh, I bowled next to Dee Snyder once in the Hamptons. Not as foundational, but he didn't have a manager pushing people away so I got to have a decent conversation with him. And of course, yielded to him to throw the couple of times we were at the line at the same time.
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u/Fancy_Region_1844 2d ago
I lived in the same shitty apartment building as Dee Snider in the early 1980’s. Pleasant, would say hey in the elevator.
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u/Capital_Memory_2591 1d ago
Your not a true long islander if you haven’t met Dee snider or Bobby nystrom at least once 😂
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u/Creepy-Astronaut-952 2d ago
Come from the land of the ice and snow
To roll on Shabbos and eat nachos
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u/theconceptofzero 1d ago
Saw Zep live after 2nd album. Page is wearing all black, very long black hair & beard, head down, Black Les Paul with gold pickups, stood motionless the entire show; except his hands that flew like doves. Light & Shade.
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u/theconceptofzero 1d ago
I think it was during his alleged use of heroin. Fortunately it wasn’t Fentanyl.
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u/Sea-Bedroom3676 2d ago
Funny.. I thought he was going to California over the ocean as the levee had broken. His manager gave you no quarter. Babe, he is gonna leave you.
D
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u/InspectorDazzling778 2d ago
I unknowingly stayed in the same hotel as Robert Plant outside of Syracuse NY a couple of years ago. I was hanging in the lobby working on my laptop when a very muscled guy came into the lobby and announced , “please no pictures”. Then in walks Plant … struts over to the elevator and disappears before any of us know what happened. Muscle man stayed in the lobby and I struck up a conversation with him - former college football player and pretty nice guy. Travels all over with him. He told me that Robert takes a ton of naps and that’s what he was doing before his show. Never got to meet him but it was pretty cool!
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u/chaynjez 2d ago
It’s awesome that your daughter and her boyfriend met him naturally. It’s not good to force things and we have to let other people live, even if they are Robert Plant.
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u/Mattitation 2d ago
What a great story. Sorry you didn’t get to talk to him personally, but the outcome was so damn cool. Love how he is just chill and humble in his later years.
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u/XOTrashKitten 2d ago
Maybe if you had waited for him to leave even tho boundaries and he's notorious for wanting to be left alone when out and about, but you still got a cool story out of it 🥺
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u/mjrydsfast231 2d ago
Was he burning down one side? Did your communication break down? Or was there a whole lot of love? I'm assuming you became friends. That probably felt like a stairway to heaven. Was it that location is over the hills and far away? You'll remember these moments 10 years gone. His presence must be amazing. Did everyone order a hot dog?
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u/Snicker333 2d ago
The title of this story should be 😂 my daughter and her boyfriend met Robert Plant last night 🎸🔥😎
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u/RandyInMpls 2d ago
For sure, this is fake:
"I scored a parking spot right on Lake Street in front of Bryant Lake Bowl"
jk of course. Awesome moment for you!
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u/Forsaken_Wrap9295 2d ago
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you. Take it easy baby, let them say what they will. Tongue wag so much when I send you the bill.
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u/DiscountAcrobatic356 2d ago
That is awesome. Damn he's looking more and more like Gandalf every day.
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u/Apprehensive_Art8628 2d ago
In 2018 I received a call from a friend asking me if i wanted to see TOTO who were playing about 60 miles away. Tickets were waiting for me at will call, and when i picked them up found back stage passes included!! After the show we made our way to the reception area thinking it would be a quick photo and move on. To our surprise there were very few back stage invitees and we spent about 45 minutes chatting with Steve Lukather and Steve Porcaro. Nicest guys ever.
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u/SenorTurdBurglar 2d ago
First off, that’s an amazing picture, Kudos to Your Daughter and her boyfriend.
Second, I hope this teaches You to never be a quitter!
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u/Atomic_Freak 2d ago
What a great story. For some reason, I never would've imagined to that Robert Plant likes to bowl. Your story, the picture, and the revelation that Robert Plant bowls just add to my respect for the gentleman. Thanks for sharing that.
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u/TheRealGuncho 2d ago
I literally thought that was someone wearing a Robert Plant mask. We're all getting older I guess.
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u/idrinkwaterwithlemon 2d ago
Mr plant will see this post. Mr plant will appreciate your support and think less of his security.
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u/Splendid_Fellow 2d ago
Lol I love how he is just, holding up the box of old nachos and dip looking like a menace
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u/New_Lake5484 2d ago
My favorite thing I heard about Robert (??is it true? would we know??) Is: he was in a car w/ the window down and a couple of ppl were walking on the sidewalk (NYC, maybe? I’m a terrible story teller) and one of the two ppl said, “That looks like an old Robert Plant” and Robert said to them, 👉🏼”I AM Robert Plant”👈🏼
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u/Jambalaya2024 2d ago
You should have sent over some Custard Pie, Tangerine, or Lemon as a “Thank You”
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u/Larry_l3ird 2d ago
I’ve heard he’s a pretty friendly guy. I get why his manager was heading off a bowling lanes full of people trying to get photos and ‘tell him how much his music meant to them’…not a lot of bowling would get done.😂
But I’m sure he was happy to take a picture with a kid and his girlfriend and their nachos after he was done bowling - he’s just a regular guy who likes to roll.😂
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u/cappuccinodream 2d ago
They wouldn’t have been able to drag me out of that place. I’m so happy she got a photo though 😀
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u/ImaginaryCatDreams 2d ago
Met him at a pool bar in Miami, bought him a beer and chatted about 20 minutes - very nice petson
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u/SweetLouDunbar 2d ago
I have a friend who had a record store in London. Plant was a semi-regular customer who came in by himself and liked to browse through stacks of old soul and R&B records. (Plant began his career in London as a "blue eyed" soul singer.) Said he was a very nice, down to earth man.
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u/JoshuaWebbb 2d ago
Robert Plant when he’s not touring the world is from my town and he regularly pops up hear and there. Unfortunately I still have never managed to meet him as I don’t leave the house enough, but it’s pretty cool that such an inspirational legend lives 10 minutes away from me.
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u/Any_Perception_9548 2d ago
He seems so down to earth, in all the interviews I've seen him in anyway. And I'm sure if his manager hadn't blocked the efforts of people who recognize him, then Mr. Plant would NEVER get to bowl. Or anything else, lol!
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u/johnnysokko37 2d ago
What a holy grail photo! He has a reputation for not exacting enjoyable being photographed.
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u/theconceptofzero 1d ago
I met Yes, twice, backstage with a buddy who had fake press credentials. First time after “Fragile” at Norfolk Scope in VA. They were happy to get a bucket of fried chicken and I was able to speak to each member; specifically Wakeman and Howe.
A year later, after they had toured the world with “Close to the Edge” and returned to Norfolk’s Chrysler Hall it happened again. Having met the stage manager the year before, I approached him and he gave me another backstage pass and went back to sit with my date and casually asked if she wanted to go backstage after the show and; being very stoned she laughed it off. The concert was magnificent. Not Zep but mindblowing. Most today have never heard of Yes. Their live recording of “Awaken”; without Wakeman at The House of Blues is a cathedral.
So I say to my friend…dazed & confused for so long…”let’s go backstage” and we stumbled there.
The group which emerged from their dressing room seemed 10’ tall. They had arrived.
Wakeman, long blond hair in a long flowing cape rocking the hell out of a Mini-Moog and Steve Howe must have had 25 guitars on stands backstage. He told me he changes the strings on the ones he will use everyday and I spoke with Rick Wakeman at length about the tour they were ending. I was 17. I’m 71 now. They all remembered me from Scope the year before which still blows me away. I remember minute details of the concerts as if it happened yesterday. My friend still does not believe it ever occurred. It did.
BTW, Foo Fighters performance of “Ramble On” live at Wembley; 86,000 back-up singers, features JP and JPJ. The video is pure joy and proof such an incredible song transcends yet connects different generations. The expressions on John Paul Jones & JP’s faces are priceless. My respect for Dave Grohl has grown exponentially. “Everlong”….whoa!
Page’s live 1999 show with The Black Crowes at The Greek is required listening.
Thank you for patiently reading the rambling words of an old man with a very young heart.❤️
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u/theconceptofzero 1d ago
I walked by Simon & Garfunkel eating in an Italian dive in Charlottesville VA and just smiled at them but they knew I knew.
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u/General-Exchange9722 1d ago
Funny how things work out sometimes.
I met Plant backstage at a show and he was awesome. He wanted to talk to a couple of us about the state of American music and guitar players we liked. Just a guy who digs all kinds of music.
Similar when I met Miles Davis. I was ready to be blown off but he could not have been nicer. Wanted to know which of his records I liked and why. Signed a book and cd I brought. It was surreal given that everything I’d read about how he interacted with the public turned out to be wrong.
But I don’t believe that musicians owe the public anything other than what they decide to create and put out in the world for public consumption (music, live shows, etc…). They aren’t toys or trained monkeys.
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u/Limp_Pool_3819 1d ago
I've had the good fortune to find him in the same field in Oxfordshire at least half a dozen times. In 1994 he brought Jimmy Page along a we did a little bit of record stall browsing.
I also ended up next to David Gilmour and Nick Mason at Heathrow in 1989. I seem to have a knack. I also met Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson twice in the same weekend in NYC
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u/Strict_Ninja_1636 1d ago
Is her boyfriend a bluegrass guitarist? Looks familiar
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u/naterkins 1d ago
He is! He plays in a band here in the Twin Cities. It’s called Dead North.
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u/Strict_Ninja_1636 1d ago
What a small world, I follow him on TikTok and watch his streams every here and there! Thought that was him!
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u/ShrewedEllie 2d ago
Planty comes from the British West Midlands which is where he lives now. Relations of mine see him around there, often in his easily-spotted Range Rover with the Symbols on the numberplate.
As the OP found, he treasures his privacy. There's a local story about a guy who saw him in a pub and, against all advice, took a guitar case over and asked Planty to sign it.
Planty took the marker pen and signed the entire length of the guitar case. Owner bore it triumphantly back to his mates who noticed that the 'signature' actually said BOLLOCKS.
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u/MoistScratch2857 2d ago
Ah, sometimes he grows so tired. But you know he's got one thing he's got to do. Ramble on!!