Ronnie James Dio’s opinion on Robert Plant

Ronnie James Dio and Robert Plant are often mentioned by Metal and Hard Rock fans when they are asked to name the best singers of all time. Although Dio was American, he first became known as the frontman of two British bands, Rainbow and then Black Sabbath, which was formed in Birmingham, near where Robert Plant was born. They had the chance to meet each other a couple of times over the years and Ronnie gave his opinion on Plant and Led Zeppelin.

What was Ronnie James Dio’s opinion on Robert Plant

Ronnie James Dio always admired Robert Plant, not only for his work with Led Zeppelin but also for his solo career, following and appreciating the albums he released over the decades. “I haven’t been listening to many new things, I haven’t got much time to listening to new things. Not a lot to tell you the truth. I love the latest Robert Plant album,” Dio told Alternative-Zine in 2005. He was referring to “Mighty ReArranger”, Robert’s eight solo album, which mixed world and western music influences.

Although Dio was born and grew up in the United States, starting his musical career in 1957, he was very influenced by the British bands in the 60s and 70s. Led Zeppelin, of course, was one of them. He said a few times that in his opinion they were the “ultimate Heavy Metal” band. “Those who influenced me were Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, mainly English bands of that era, but especially Purple and Zeppelin.”

“That’s what made me want to do this more and more, and more. Because the first band I was in back then, ELF, were much more a kind of honky tonk Rock ‘n’ Roll band. But I always wanted to be able to play heavier music. I loved their musicianship. I thought they were the best musicians on Earth! Those were the people I really cared about when I was into this kind of music,” he told Let It Rock in 2005.

Ronnie said that singers like Plant inspired him to finally use the full potential of his voice

In an interview featured in his biography “Rainbow in the Dark”, Dio explained that with the rise of powerful vocalists like Robert Plant, he felt he could finally use the full power of his own voice. “The countercultural revolution was in full swing, exploding into politics, fashion, science, and, most of all, the music that spoke for them all. King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, and, of course, Led Zeppelin. It was the beginning of the great guitar hero period. Players like Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton brought a studied yet instinctive musicality to the songs they wrote.”

“They were all English and obsessed with American blues, but also very familiar with classical and folk themes. The singers were all different too. Steve Marriott, Paul Rodgers, Ian Gillan, Rod Stewart, and Robert Plant, vocalists with tremendous power and maximum expression. It was heaven for me. I could finally use my voice my way.” In the book he also mentioned Plant, as an example of how he felt when he joined Sabbath: “(…) In the late ’70s, the idea of a superstar group like Sabbath replacing their frontman was considered unthinkable. Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant, the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger? Sacrilege,” Dio said.

When he was still part of Elf, they used to cover many Led Zeppelin songs. Some of the tracks they performed with Dio on vocals were “Black Dog” and “Shook Me”.

When Robert Plant and Ronnie James Dio met in a castle in Sabbath’s hometown

Imagine going into a castle in Birmingham, England, Black Sabbath’s hometown, where Heavy Metal was born. But not as a tourist, to actually interview Ronnie James Dio and Robert Plant. Eddie Trunk was lucky enough to have done that back in 2007. Those interviews happened at a castle that had become a hotel in the region.

He recalled this incredible story in his book “Eddie Trunk’s Essential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal”.”In early 2007, I went to England again to interview both Ronnie James Dio, who was then recording with Black Sabbath, and Robert Plant, who was releasing another collection of solo material. I stayed in a castle that had been converted into a hotel in Birmingham—the birthplace of heavy metal.”

“One of the most surreal experiences of my entire life was having a beer with Ronnie James Dio while I waited for Robert Plant. As a lifelong Rock fan who does this stuff every day, even I had to stop and take that moment in! Watching Plant’s sports car drive up the castle’s long, dirt driveway, I had to take a step back and pinch myself. I rarely ask to have my photo taken with musicians, but this was one time that I did. This photo of me, Dio, and Plant is one of my most cherished pieces of memorabilia,” he said.

Why Dio believed british musicians were better at heavier music

Ronnie James Dio was six years older than Robert Plant, having started his career eight years before the British singer. However, he would only achieve international success as the frontman of Rainbow in 1975. At that time Robert already was one of the most famous and loved vocalists in the world. Ronnie always had a huge respect for the British bands. He even thought the musicians from the United Kingdom were much better when it came to playing Metal.

“To me, heavy metal has always been a European form. I don’t think there’s any question that the best metal music has always been created by English metal bands”.

“I’m certainly not putting down American Rock. after all, I am American. But to my ears there’s a major difference between the way European guitarists play and the way American guitarists approach their craft. There’s an intensity there that American guitarists don’t have. They tend to be more concerned with flash effects than emotion,” he told Hit Parader magazine in 1986.