Led Zeppelin’s place in 1970s rock history is often framed through volume, swagger, and stadium-sized ambition. Yet behind that image was a frontman who openly admired a very different kind of musical presence. In the late 1970s, Robert Plant publicly expressed interest in inviting Stevie Nicks to sing on a Led Zeppelin album, a moment that revealed how porous even the most imposing rock identities could be.
Robert Plant’s 1977 Admiration for Stevie Nicks and a Possible Led Zeppelin Guest Vocal
By 1977, both artists stood at commanding points in their careers. Led Zeppelin had recently released the platinum-selling Presence and had just completed a massive North American stadium tour that included a record-setting performance at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan. Fleetwood Mac, meanwhile, had released Rumours, an album that placed Stevie Nicks among the most recognizable and respected vocalists in popular music. Her songwriting and distinctive delivery were already shaping the sound of mainstream rock.
That summer, Plant spoke with journalist Mark Ginsberg for Interview Magazine following a serious car accident in Greece that had temporarily sidelined him from touring. During the conversation, Plant explained that while recovering at home, he had been listening to artists including Fleetwood Mac. He indicated that Nicks would be a welcome presence on a Led Zeppelin record and clarified that any collaboration would involve her joining Zeppelin rather than the band working under another name. He also emphasized that such appearances would be informal and light in nature, noting that Led Zeppelin members preferred playing together and rarely sought outside projects.
Why the Robert Plant and Stevie Nicks Collaboration Never Materialized
Despite Plant’s openness, the collaboration never moved beyond admiration. Led Zeppelin did not record additional albums with guest vocalists during that period, and Nicks continued her work with Fleetwood Mac and solo projects. Still, the idea remains a revealing footnote in rock history, underscoring Plant’s respect for Nicks’ artistry and his willingness to imagine Led Zeppelin with a different vocal texture.
Plant would later explore collaborative work in other contexts, most notably his 2007 album Raising Sand with Alison Krauss, which demonstrated his interest in blending voices across genres. While Stevie Nicks never appeared on a Led Zeppelin album, Plant’s 1977 remarks stand as a documented example of mutual regard among rock’s most influential figures, preserved through his interview with Interview Magazine and remembered as a fascinating “what if” from a defining musical era.
