Robert Plant on Greta Van Fleet: 'They are Led Zeppelin I'

For a year now, many in the rock world have been quick to liken Greta Van Fleet to one of the genre's greats: Led Zeppelin.

Now the young Michigan band has received a blessing from rock's mountain top, winning the endorsement of Led Zep singer Robert Plant.

In an interview this week with Australia's Network Ten, the iconic front man promptly cited Greta Van Fleet when asked about up-and-coming bands he appreciates.

"They are Led Zeppelin I," Plant said.

Describing 21-year-old Josh Kiszka as "a beautiful little singer," the 69-year-old Plant playfully added: "I hate him."

Interviewer Ryan Fitzgerald went on to note Kiszka's "huge voice."

"Yeah, and he borrowed it from somebody I know very well!" Plant responded. "But what are you going to do? That's OK."

Plant hasn't always been so generous to similarly voiced singers: In the '90s, he famously disparaged fellow Brit rocker David Coverdale as "David Cover-version."

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While GVF hasn't rejected the frequent Zeppelin comparisons since breaking big last year with "Highway Tune," it has played them down, saying the band's sound emerged from a host of influences. Still, Kiszka has called Plant "the greatest rock vocalist of all time," so Plant's plaudits probably won't be rejected.

Greta Van Fleet, which has been completing its debut album at studios in Royal Oak and Nashville, is set to embark on a busy tour schedule that includes Coachella, Lollapalooza and three sold-out nights at the Fillmore Detroit.

Plant's Greta Van Fleet remarks begin after the 1:50 mark:

Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.