Howard Stern discussed interviewing legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant in a new New York Times interview, and how he rejected discussing Zeppelin.
Does it bother you when an interview subject is performing what they think you want in an interview rather than just being in the moment?
“Look, there are some people who are so closed off they don’t want to go there. My biggest fault as an interviewer is I keep trying. If I don’t get to the [expletive] shot I go home and beat the [expletive] out of myself.”
What’s an example?
“Robert Plant. I am such a fan of that guy, and I took the wrong approach. He came in, and I’m dying to ask him about Led Zeppelin. I wanted every detail. After a while he says something like, ‘I don’t want to talk about Led Zeppelin.’ Then I go back and back and back because I was hyperfocused on thinking that’s what the audience wanted. So in some ways I blew it with him. But some people are just open books. Vincent Gallo.”
Howard Stern recently interviewed Def Leppard, and he recalled interviewed Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant.
MarksFriggin.com wrote in a recap that Howard said he had Robert Plant on the show and he was telling him how much he loved him and he looked like he wanted to throw him out a window.
Joe Elliott said he went to play a show that Robert asked him to play up in Albany once. He said he flew on his private jet and he ended up throwing up on that jet. He said he went on stage and did the microphone check for Robert. He said the kids in the crowd were looking at him like they thought it might be him but went ”Nah.”
Howard asked if they’re really still into playing. Phil said it never gets old. He said it’s still exciting. Rick Savage said the same thing. Joe said the lights going down before the show never gets old. Howard said some guys get sick of it. Joe said they should quit then. Howard said Billy Joel still loves playing his residency.
