(Credits: Far Out / YouTube Still)
Fri 12 December 2025 11:03, UK
For Robert Plant and any other rock ‘n’ roll lover of a certain generation, the emergence of The Rolling Stones was more than just another band, but proof that it was attainable to chase that sound.
Before bands like The Stones, and of course, The Beatles, emerged, it seemed to many kids across the UK that rock ‘n’ roll belonged exclusively to the American originators. Soon enough, Britain was awash with exciting new bands, and even US audiences found having their product sold back to them irresistible, sparking the British Invasion.
The Rolling Stones climbed up the ranks to international superstardom at breakneck speed, and didn’t spend too long in the minor leagues before graduating to the biggest stages. While most can’t claim to have been there during the band’s infancy, Plant will never forget the first time he saw them as whipper snappers.
In 1963, he was at the perfect age to admire their magnificence as a 15-year-old teenager. For him, the group’s debut single, a cover of the Chuck Berry song ‘Come On’, was beyond exciting. The rock singer had already developed an obsession with the Delta blues, and hearing a British band with the same passion for the genre was the inspiration he needed to advance his musical ambitions.
As Plant lived in the Midlands, he missed out on witnessing The Rolling Stones during their legendary early shows in the capital at venues such as the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond. However, when they finally explored the other regions across the country, Plant was there for their first show in his area.
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones. (Credits: Far Out / Nationaal Archief)
Notably, it wasn’t a headline gig, and they were at the bottom of the bill for a package tour also featuring Bo Diddley and Little Richard, a thrilling proposition Plant was unwilling to miss.
Looking back on the life-changing concert with Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2 in 2020, the Led Zeppelin vocalist said: “We were all leaning towards that music. But nobody really had it down. I think in those days, The Stones were bringing the stone down the mountain. So that was really special.”
From that point on, his infatuation with the group grew alongside the quality and originality of The Rolling Stones’ material. The release of ‘Street Fighting Man’ in 1968 was seismic for Plant and showed a political side to the group, with the song reflecting the protests across the Western world at the Vietnam War.
Decades later, Mick Jagger appeared to look back with a tinge of regret about the classic song, telling Rolling Stone in 1995 of the origin: “It was a very strange time in France. But not only in France but also in America because of the Vietnam War and these endless disruptions … I thought it was a very good thing at the time.”
He continued, “There was all this violence going on. I mean, they almost toppled the government in France; de Gaulle went into this complete funk, as he had in the past, and he went, and sort of locked himself in his house in the country. And so the government was almost inactive. And the French riot police were amazing.”
While Jagger has mixed feelings about ‘Street Fighting Man’, Plant has nothing but love for the song, telling BBC 6 Music in 2021: “There is so much to be said about this band. About the politics of the time in the late ’60s, early ’70s and how great that The Rolling Stones’ Jagger and Richards were putting together songs that were really quite vital absolutely and are in many ways timeless.”
He continued: “This track’ Street Fighting Man’ from Beggars Banquet is just incredible. And, of course, many stations banned the record because they said it was subversive. There is a great comment from the band that said: ‘Of course it’s subversive. It’s stupid to think that you can start a revolution with a record; I wish you could.’”
With ‘Street Fighting Man’, The Rolling Stones stepped out of their comfort zone to produce a song for the ages that continues to feel relevant all these years later.
They showed that rock bands could write about more than just falling in love with a girl at the bus stop and use their platform to speak up for those without a voice, but who need one the most.
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