Robert Plant is a prolific songwriter, so it makes sense that there are a number of Plant gems that have yet to see the light of day. In the latest episode of his Digging Deep podcast series, Plant recently dished on the fact he has a bunch of rockabilly songs that have never been released.
Plant explained to host Matt Everitt that he used to go to a club in Kentish Town that was a huge spot to take in rockabilly in London, England.
“I used to go up there with my son-in-law, [bass player] Charlie Jones, and we both have long hair,” he explained. “Various rockabilly artists would play and the whole scene was absolutely incredible.”
He added, “If I went to the toilet, the bathroom … all of the rockabilly guys would just be putting their combs through their Brylcreem, pushing the quiffs back and bringing them forward, taking the piss out of me and Charlie.” He added that, when he left, he’d walk down the center of the street “along the white line in case they jumped me on the way out!”
Plant added that he recently went back to a venue in that area, stating, “I saw the guy in there, and I related the story of the purest rockabilly thing, the hair thing and all that. He said, ‘Well, don’t worry, son – you’ll be all right now. None of them have got any hair!’”
Plant also pointed out “how many unissued tracks I’ve got” in that genre, “Everything from working in New Orleans with the Lil’ Band O’ Gold doing Fats Domino stuff [Plant and the Lil’ Band of Gold recorded “It Keeps Rainin’” for 2007’s Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino], or working with the Big Town Playboys with Jeff Beck, doing ‘Look Out Mabel.’ … There’s so many tracks that are great. I do still have a fingertip jacket.”
Listen to the full show below.
Tuesday (June 27) marks the 40th anniversary of his debut solo album, 1982’s Pictures at Eleven.
