At this year’s Cropredy Festival, rock history took an unexpected yet thrilling turn. Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp, known for their bold and often unconventional musical collaborations, delivered a jaw-dropping rendition of Led Zeppelin’s classic “Kashmir.” But what truly elevated the moment was the presence of a very special audience member—Robert Plant himself.
For years, Plant has been cautious about Led Zeppelin tributes, often hesitant to endorse covers of the band’s legendary catalog. However, as Toyah and Fripp unleashed their electrifying version of “Kashmir,” it became clear that this performance was something different. Those in attendance noticed Plant standing among the crowd, nodding in approval, his expression one of deep admiration and nostalgia.
In a recent interview, Plant finally broke his silence on the performance, offering rare and heartfelt praise. “I’ve always watched Toyah and Fripp perform together,” he admitted. “They have this wild energy, this fearlessness. But I never thought I’d see them take on something as massive as ‘Kashmir’—and completely own it.”
Plant went on to describe how the performance moved him in a way few Zeppelin covers ever have. “It’s one thing to play the notes, to follow the song structure,” he explained. “But ‘Kashmir’ is about feel. It’s about power and mysticism. Toyah and Robert didn’t just play the song; they understood it.”
Fripp, a progressive rock icon in his own right, is known for his complex guitar work, but few expected him to take on a song so deeply tied to Zeppelin’s legacy. Paired with Toyah’s dynamic and theatrical vocal delivery, the duo managed to put their own unique spin on the track without losing its essence. Fans in the audience described the experience as both unexpected and spine-tingling.
Even among longtime Led Zeppelin followers, reactions were overwhelmingly positive. Social media buzzed with clips of the performance, with many praising the duo for their fearless approach. One fan tweeted, “Never thought I’d hear Fripp do ‘Kashmir,’ but somehow, it worked. Toyah brought the fire, and Robert Fripp added this otherworldly touch.”
Plant’s endorsement of the performance marks a rare moment where he has publicly acknowledged a reinterpretation of Zeppelin’s work. In the past, he has expressed mixed feelings about Zeppelin tributes, often preferring artists to create something new rather than imitate. However, his reaction to Toyah and Fripp’s version suggests he saw it as more than just a tribute—it was a reinvention.
He even shared a lighthearted reflection on the moment. “When we wrote ‘Kashmir,’ we never imagined it being played quite like that,” Plant chuckled. “But that’s the beauty of music. It lives, it evolves. And seeing something like this reminds me why I fell in love with performing in the first place.”
As for Toyah and Fripp, they’ve yet to respond to Plant’s comments, but it’s safe to say the moment will go down as one of the most talked-about performances in recent Cropredy Festival history. With Plant’s unexpected praise, the duo’s bold take on “Kashmir” has cemented itself as a standout rock moment of the year.
Perhaps most importantly, this performance—and Plant’s reaction—proves that even the most iconic songs can still surprise us. And in a world where classic rock often feels frozen in time, moments like these remind us that great music will always find new ways to be reborn.
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