During most of the Zep years and the Plant and Page tour, they were so close. It makes me sad that issues have come between them. But, when they played together, it was sublime. Greatest lead singer/front man and greatest guitarist/composer/producer of all time. At one point in the mid-Zeppelin years, Jimmy or Robert, I don’t remember right now, said they were like one person. I know Jimmy has said that working with Robert was the very best. He intuitively picked up the mood Jimmy was going for when he wrote lyrics. I believe Jimmy didn’t do more in the intervening years because if it wasn’t Robert singing with him, it just wasn’t as good or as fun. As a fan from 1969, I would have loved to have heard more Led Zeppelin after Bonzo passed. Once Jason was experienced enough, they could have toured and I would have paid almost anything to hear them. I do respect each one’s decisions but, oh to have heard them again. ♥️
Those two were such good friends. Still are. They have their ups and downs like any close and long term friendship. But, I think they just gelled from the start. Robert had a bit of hero worship for Jimmy. I think because he came out of the blue one day to offer a possible spot as a singer in a band he was creating. Robert had promised Maureen that if the singing did not work out by his birthday he would give it up and get a real job as she was pregnant at the time and he was only working in local bands that formed and broke up right away. Nothing real. So Robert saw Jimmy as saving him and giving him the break and career he wanted. And taught him the business. Sadly, as Jimmy started into heroin and got addicted he began to drift and lost a part of himself for awhile. And it was during this that Robert lost his little boy. Jimmy was a no show for the funeral, probably strung out. That devastated Robert and he never felt the same about Led Zeppelin or JPJ as well as Jimmy again. I think of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame when JPJ made a sly aside about the other finally finding his number because he was 'snubbed' with the Page Plant tour. I think Robert felt a little like he got somewhat even over JPJ not showing for his son's funeral.
Why can't two men be close, BFFs and like brothers without people thinking there was a sexual aspect to it? I should say the same goes for women as well. Two people can be like two peas in a pod. Very close. Almost read the other's mind and have a friendship, a close friendship that lasts for decades and it not be sexual.
