I still can't figure out why Robert Plant is trending, so I'll just say: his choice to turn down Zeppelin reunion cash, and instead release music like Raising Sand as an indie artist with @AlisonKrauss should be taught in all schools of all sectors as the definition of integrity.
Dude walked away from tens, maybe hundreds of millions of dollars, because he didn't want to repeat himself. And because he wanted to follow his artistic muse. So grateful that he did, as Raising Sand includes a couple of his best, most beautiful songs.
I say this as a person who had a ticket to see them play the Ahmet Ertegun tribute that Zeppelin played in 2007 at the O2. I was a huge fan of Zeppelin, but gave my ticket to @edchristman because he was ... a huger fan. (And as good a human as I've been fortunate to work with.)
Everyone in the industry at the time was certain, I mean really certain, that the Zeppelin reunion tour was a fait accompli. Because almost literally no one would walk away from that pay day, and that fan demand. I figured I'd catch them Stateside in the coming months.
When it became apparent that the tour wasn't going to happen--was never going to happen--I was initially crushed, angry, disappointed, etc. Now I'm just grateful that Plant has the integrity he does. He ensured a singular legacy for a singular band.
I cant remember the date, but I saw a small private show he did either right before or after Raising Sand. And that's what did it for me. He was so clearly and authentically blissful to be playing these songs and sharing his new music. How could anyone resent that?
And to boot: he hung around after the show, chatting everyone up, sharing mind-blowing anecdotes casually and freely. Couldn't have been a nicer, more genuine guy. So... yeah. @RobertPlant: Thank you.
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