I don’t believe people when they claim, “I’m not impressed by (insert name of rich and famous person). They’re just like everyone else!”
Because they’re not. They’re rich and famous.
I find it hard to imagine what it would be like to be able to buy anything I wanted. Sometimes I’m wondering how I’ll afford another roll of toilet paper. And while I always say there are two kinds of people, those who have imagined themselves on Johnny Carson’s couch (of course I am once again dating myself if you’re asking who’s Johnny instead of thinking here’s Johnny) and those who would be mortified to be on the couch, the truth is most us will never experience Andy Warhol’s oft quoted, “In the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.”
The Voice Of Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant Is An Indelible Part Of The Soundtrack Of My Dazed And Confused Youth
I admit it, I can’t help but be impressed when I actually encounter anyone rich and/or famous in person besides paying to see them on stage. Once I saw Debbie Harry of Blondie in the bathroom at Raul’s, a punk rock club located on Guadalupe Street across from the University of Texas in the late seventies and early eighties. Another time when I was living in London I talked to Jim Henson of the Muppetts on the telephone (he had our mail and sounded just like Kermit the Frog).
Going back to the Johnny Carson Tonight Show era, I grew up “Dazed And Confused” in Houston, Texas in the seventies. The movie of the same name starring Austin home boy Matthew McConaughey is set in the year I graduated from high school (and yes, I have seen Matthew McConaughey in person, too). If there was a bigger band at the time I was in high school than Led Zeppelin, I’m not sure who it would have been.
So when I round the corner to see the lead singer of what Wikipedia describes as “widely considered to be one of the most successful, innovative and influential rock groups in the history of music” and with a net worth of approximately a jillion dollars in the aisle at the South Lamar Target in Austin shopping for shower curtains or bath towels or whatever he and his girlfriend were looking for, I’m not sure that impressed is even the word to describe it.
Impressed maybe, but not surprised, because as lots of people already know, Robert Plant has been living in Austin for a while with his lady love, singer songwriter Patty Griffin. A picture made the rounds on the Internet last fall after he popped out on a porch Halloween night handing out candy to local trick or treaters. He’s been spotted in East Austin at the Sahara Lounge eating BBQ with Sahara’s owner Ibrahim Aminou. In fact, he’s become such an Austinite that he was quoted by Margaret Moser in the Austin Chronicle a couple of weeks ago complaining about the Austin Music Awards and you know someone’s gone native when they’re complaining about the Chronicle run Music Awards.
It Wasn't A Trick When Robert Plant And Girlfriend Patty Griffin Opened The Door In Austin On Halloween 2011
According to accounts both online and from people I’ve talked to who have waited on him or come across him while out on the town or shopping like I did, Robert Plant is polite, fairly approachable and is in fact seen all around south Austin at coffee shops, stores and bars. A friend of my son said a friend of his was blasting Led Zeppelin one day from his car stereo and looked over to see Robert Plant in the car next to him with the window rolled down.
Maybe you’ve had a close encounter of the Robert Plant kind and didn’t even realize it. To be honest, he pretty much blends into the local scenery like any other gnarly long haired South Austin aging hippie in scuffed up boots and frayed jeans you’d see down at Maria’s Tacos on Sunday morning.
Led Zeppelin Lead Singer Robert Plant At Sahara Lounge In East Austin With Sahara Owner Ibrahim Aminou
The beautiful thing regarding my personal brush with Rolling Stone Magazine readers’ first place pick of “Best Lead Singers of All Time” (Wikipedia again) is that I had been talking for weeks to my erstwhile unpaid intern and assistant Monica M. about how I was going to do a blog post on Robert Plant living in Austin and there he was, between the yellow rubber duckies and owl shaped toothbrush holders. I had MANIFESTED HIM. And if I can manifest Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin in the Target on South Lamar, surely I can manifest an abundant and joyful life where I can afford all the toilet paper I could ever wish for. It was a sign.
Did I talk to Robert Plant? Did I ask him about his favorite hair conditioner brand or swap stories about the seventies? Hells to the no!
As I said, I saw Debbie Harry in the bathroom at Raul’s. I have enough remant of punk rock ethos to be too cool for that even if I do look like somebody’s mother now, though I did drag Monica M. over to the next department for a whispered consultation on if we were really seeing who we thought we were seeing.
Besides, let the man buy his owl shaped toothbrush holder in peace. Or maybe it was the one with the pink hippos. In any case, Mr. Plant, I’m happy you’re in Austin. Hope you stick around because I’ll never be too cool not to love the sound of “local Austinite Robert Plant.”
Love love love this article! I don’t think I would have talked to him either.. but wow.. what a great experience to see a legend shopping for shower curtains like the rest of us!
Bravo Sandy!
Still waiting for my close encounter with Mr. Plant—missed him by a few days at my favorite Mexican restaurant in S. Austin
I keep looking for him at Target and Home Depot . . .
At least Mr Plant knows a good place when he sees it!
But leave the guy alone to live out rest of his days in
some sort of normal lifestyle.
People of Austin – you are so lucky!!!
Hi. Robert, Congradulations on your Beautiful. Life with. Lady. Luck.. Remember me. In. Dallas The. Girl with the long. Black hair.. You met me at. Ramond Perdue’s. And. Larry. Wagner’s. Salon. Pinky’s. On. Lower. Greenville…We even. Dated. And. We had. Larry. Cut. Our hair the same. Sitting. Side. By side.. During the Principle of the moment tour.. We had many. Good. Times..About. 30. years. Ago.. I was. Apprenticing under. Larry. Wagner.. Well I’ve waited. Many years to tell you just how special you are.. Yes. You are human. And. A. Gentleman at that…Love You. Alway’s Janet. Gordon..XOXOX God. Bless You.
I saw him last night eating at Chez Nous!!! I was so starstruck. I love him. And Patty too, who was also there.
I saw him drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic’s – his hair was perfect.
My brother called me form Peru and told me he had some savings and went to Robert Plant concert in Lima fwe weeks ago. he told me he enjoyed so much the concert that he had energy and excitement for 2 more years in his life. last thursday i went to my favorite Peruvian restaurant “La Chaparrita” located in Highland Mall and around 8:30 Pm an English men came asking for Peruvian food. We did not know who he was, just looked at him and his boots . He ate Ceviche and love it.
I saw him this weekend at Barton Creek Mall with Patty Griffin. Out shopping with the crowds, on Black Fridday. No way I’d approach him. Must respect his space.
i saw him at bacon in austin jan 1st at abuot 1130
i did not approach him and nobody know who he was.
i believ it was him he has shave his face
Ha ha …love all these Austinites excited at sightings of Mr. Plant. Hell, I would be too! I guess I still pictured him in some Welsh village…Keep Posting! One needs to know what he’s been up to.
Whenever i turn on the ol Wonderful, Commercial FREE ipod. Hes right there, from a to Z. If it be band of joy,caroselambra, or….. I see Robert plant. In the shades of rising shadows, or the pain of a blistering desert sun, robert plant is there, in a piece of my soul, akin to guitar & player. He is no doubt a kind soul that has reached for the stars & left an indelible mark upon this centurys music. I missed him @ pappy & harriets & now in austin… But then again, i know i have walked in places where great spirits have tread & shared in the beauty that this beautiful world has to offer. I can wish upon the stars that i will leave a smile upon a face, as robert has left upon our souls. He is not a god, but a man that has much left to give, more songs to sing, & an example in a kind moment, of what we all should be. Smile, buy a shower curtain, & be there for the children of the world.
So cool! Thanks for the article. Just came back from Austin but did not see him. Did see Michael Dell’s house but that definitely does not compare. Congrats! And Robert if you read this, thanks for your great work all these years. Your work has made my life better.
love ya my husband and i admire you since zep and then think pattys an inspiration to your LIFE! luv her!
Robert posts his tours on his website. After the fact, I read where he has played at this or that club, benefit, etc. in or around Austin. If a person were to try to catch him playing in Austin or somewhere nearby what places would a person watch for to try to go? Or what sites might announce such a performance?
When I was in high school during the 1970′s me and my friends always loved it when a Led Zeppelin song came on at the Friday night local high school dances in northern Michigan…but I swear that not one of us ever knew one single band members’ name….just how “rock sacrilegious” was that?
I have been in love with Robert Plant since I was 8 years old. I am still in love with him (and Led Zeppelin). Rock on Robert, and God Bless You.
I remember standing not too far from my life long idol Robert plant in April 2001.I was on my way to Barbados going out of Gatwick and Mr plant was on his way to Detroit USA.Couldn’t quite believe my eyes that 28years on, there he was in the same departure lounge as me. What did i do, i froze with hysteria.
I have always enjoyed his music. But if I saw him in person somewhere, I would not approach him to talk, or bug him. I’m just a mere mortal!