Bruce Dickinson’s opinion on Led Zeppelin

Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson is one of the most influential singers in the history of heavy metal. He joined the band in the early ’80s, replacing Paul Di’Anno, and became a crucial element in making the band even more commercially successful. His vocal range opened up new possibilities for songwriting and changed the course of their career.

We know that his main influence and biggest hero has always been Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan, but what is his opinion on Led Zeppelin and Robert Plant?

Bruce Dickinson’s opinion on Led Zeppelin and Robert Plant

Although Led Zeppelin never was his favorite band, he likes the group and was influenced by them and Robert Plant. He even told Metal Hammer in 2016 that “Ramble On” was one of his favorite songs of the band.

“I was always a bigger Purple fan than Zeppelin. But I never saw either Zeppelin or Purple when I was a kid, when they were in their heyday. Zeppelin were adopted by American radio big-style.  But I’ve got to confess that the thing I loved most about Zeppelin was their English folk roots. Not their copies of American blues tracks. ‘Ramble On’ is one of my favorite Led Zeppelin songs. But that’s just me,” Bruce Dickinson said.

It’s interesting that he mentioned that song because it is from the band’s second album “Led Zeppelin II”, released in 1969. Because he told Classic Rock in 2024 that he only got into Zeppelin after listening to their second album. “(The first vocalist that inspired me) One hundred percent Ian Gillan on Deep Purple’s ‘In Rock’.”

“I bought a third-hand copy of it that was scratched to fuck, and I knew every note and scratch on it. After that I went straight to ‘Made In Japan’, which is one of the greatest live recordings ever. Then there was the first Black Sabbath album. I didn’t get into Led Zeppelin until later when I heard Zeppelin II.”

For Bruce Dickinson, Robert Plant was one of the bases of Heavy Metal singing

The Iron Maiden vocalist also thinks that Robert Plant is one of the bases of Heavy Metal singing, alongside Ian Gillan and Paul Rodgers. He said that in an interview with Metal Rules back in 2000. “There are basically 3 bases for the metal style of singing. If you join aspect of these 3 singers, you have everything. These 3 singers are Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), Ian Gillan (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) and Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company). If you join them in various combinations you have everyone was always talking about well,” Dickinson said.

He curiously had the chance to cover the Led Zeppelin song “Communication Breakdown”, from the band’s first album. The Iron Maiden version was released in 1990 as the b-side of the single “Bring Your Daugther To the Slaughter”. Besides Plant’s performance on the albums, Dickinson also praised his live performances, especially when the band was recorded playing live in Danish TV shows, for example.

“Led Zeppelin IV” is also one of Bruce’s favorites

Besides “Led Zeppelin II”, Bruce Dickinson also liked the band’s fourth record as he revealed on the website of his BBC Radio show called “Masters Of Rock” back in the 2000s. He listed the album among the 15 essential records that everyone should listen to.

Released in 1971, the album has classic tracks like “Black Dog”, “Rock and Roll”, “Stairway To Heaven” and “Going To California”. The album was produced by the band’s guitarist Jimmy Page and doesn’t have a title on the cover. Only features an old portrait of a man and four symbols chosen by each band member.