Robert Plant Says He Didn't Need Led Zeppelin After Losing His Son

Robert Plant just gave fans a raw look at the pain behind Led Zeppelin’s final years. In a new interview with The Sunday Times, the singer opened up about the death of his 5-year-old son Karac in July 1977, which happened while the band was on a US tour. Plant canceled the rest of the dates and returned to England, and he said bluntly that he“didn’t need the group after losing my boy,”adding that there was no map for the band to follow through that kind of loss.

That grief found its way into the music. Plant wrote“All My Love”in honor of Karac, a song that’s taken on a much deeper meaning now that he’s spoken about it so directly. He also reflected on drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980 and effectively ended the band, calling him“a sensitive, big-hearted guy who got overwhelmed by the boredom of the moving monolith.”

The timing is notable because Plant isn’t slowing down. He just released the EP All That Glitters… with his band Saving Grace. So what’s your take: does learning the story behind“All My Love”change how you hear it? Drop a comment and let us know. You can read the full interview at The Sunday Times.