Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider recently dropped an interesting piece of rock history. He disclosed a pointed nickname that Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant allegedly used for Whitesnake vocalist David Coverdale, as reported on X (formerly Twitter).
The revelation came in response to a fan’s comment defending Coverdale’s vocal style and his influence from Plant.
Jimmy Page Recorded With David Coverdale
“One fan wrote in their message to Dee Snider: ‘David Coverdale is a great example of a Robert Plant influenced singer. Nobody is complaining about that. Plus Jimmy Page did an album with him released in 1993,’” the social media exchange showed.
Snider’s response provided insight into Plant’s apparent view of the comparison.
“Actually I believe Robert Plant publicly called him ‘David Coverversion.’ True story,” Snider responded.
The nickname seems to reflect the frequent comparisons made between Coverdale’s vocal style and Robert Plant’s iconic sound from Led Zeppelin. It implies that Plant regarded Coverdale’s approach as imitative rather than just influenced by him. This insight clarifies a longstanding tension between the two rock vocalists, which goes deeper than just a simple nickname.
The animosity between Plant and Coverdale reached its peak when Coverdale collaborated with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page on the Coverdale–Page album in 1993. Far Out Magazine reported that Plant saw this project as confirmation that Coverdale was an imitator trying to replace him. Plant called Coverdale’s integrity “questionable” and expressed disdain for Whitesnake’s success.
Plant and Coverdale’s Rocky Relationship
Robert Plant’s jab with the nickname “David Coverversion” wasn’t just a throwaway quip — it reflected years of tension between the two singers. Coverdale’s work with Whitesnake in the late 1970s and 1980s was often compared to Led Zeppelin, particularly his bluesy phrasing and stage presence. While some fans praised him as one of the great rock vocalists of his generation, others accused him of borrowing too heavily from Plant’s blueprint. Plant himself appeared to lean toward the latter view, and his disdain became part of rock’s most talked-about rivalries.
The clash became especially visible in 1993 when Coverdale teamed with Jimmy Page for the Coverdale–Page album. While the record earned commercial success and showcased impressive musicianship, Plant openly dismissed the project. According to Far Out Magazine, Plant described Coverdale’s integrity as “questionable” and made it clear he saw the collaboration as a poor substitute for a Led Zeppelin reunion. The remark only fueled speculation that Plant viewed Coverdale as his would-be replacement.
Although time has softened some of the sharper edges of the feud, Dee Snider’s recent comment reignites interest in one of rock’s more colorful rivalries, reminding fans of the ego clashes and competitive spirit that defined the classic rock era.
