Phil Collins says Robert Plant uniting with Led Zeppelin is like a 'nasty alchemy'
Genesis star turned pop singer Phil Collins claims that when Robert Plant joins forces with Led Zeppelin there is a toxic atmosphere.
The 65-year-old made the unflinching comments in a Daily Telegraph interview promoting his newly released autobiography ‘Not Dead Yet.’
Reflecting upon Led Zeppelin’s reformation at Live Aid Philadelphia in 1985, Collins, who stood in for the late John Bonham alongside Chic drummer Tony Thompson, says the book tells the true story of the poorly received performance.
“I felt I had been made the scapegoat for what happened at Live Aid and so (the book) was a chance to set the record straight,” he explains.
“It wasn’t pleasant. If you watch the video (of Live Aid), you can see Jimmy dribbling onstage, Robert not hitting the notes, and you can see me miming, playing the air, just to get out of the way.”
Suggesting issues in Led Zeppelin are more deep rooted than on that one ill-fated occasion, Collins added: "Here’s how it is. Robert on his own: a lovely bloke. Robert and anything to do with Zeppelin: a strange chemistry happens. It’s like a nasty strain of alchemy. Everything becomes very dark – sulphurous even."
Unfazed that his comments will be reported widespread, Collins insists that Plant would probably agree.
“Robert is still my friend,” Collins adds. “And being the kind of person he is, I think he’ll say I’m right. When Zeppelin get together, something happens. Bad karma.”
Collins also admits that performing on both sides of the Atlantic on the same day at Live Aid wasn’t a wise move.
“It looks like I’m showing off: he does Live Aid not once but twice, just to make sure!,” he said. “I do come across a bit smug sometimes. I didn’t mean to be. Watching some of that stuff back, even I started to think, ‘he’s a bit of an unlikable git, isn’t he?’”
Not Dead Yet is out now.