When Robert Plant told Mojo Magazine in its October 2025 issue that most listeners miss the band’s finest work, the rock world sat up and paid attention.

The frontman of Led Zeppelin stressed that tracks like “For Your Life” and “Achilles Last Stand” from the 1976 Presence are far more than deep‑cut curiosities – they’re the group’s technical zenith.

Why the classics dominate the conversation

Since their debut in 1968, Led Zeppelin has been tethered to a handful of radio staples. “Black Dog,” “Stairway to Heaven,” and “Whole Lotta Love” have become shorthand for the 1970s rock sound, especially after the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

But that focus, Plant argues, flattens the group’s broader narrative. “People hear the hits and stop listening,” he said, noting that the “cultural weight” of a song like “Stairway” can obscure the adventurous spirit behind every recording session.

Plant singles out the overlooked gems

During the interview, Plant highlighted two tracks that, in his view, showcase the band’s chemistry at its peak. “For Your Life,” he explained, was a rhythmic battle between drummer John Bonham and bassist John Paul Jones, “pulling out of the unknown.” He added that guitarist Jimmy Page layered “twisting, soaring leads” that still feel fresh three decades later.

“Achilles Last Stand” earned Plant’s enthusiastic reaction: “Fucking hell. Just extraordinary that three people and a singer can do that.” The multi‑minute epic, with its shifting time signatures and orchestral overdubs, illustrates how the quartet stretched the limits of hard‑rock composition.

Reactions from the rock community

Critics and musicians alike have echoed Plant’s sentiment. Music historian Emily Carter noted, “When you dissect ‘Presence,’ you hear a band still learning to bend the rules they’d set on earlier albums.” Singer‑songwriter Jack White tweeted a link to the full tracks, writing, “If you’ve never heard ‘For Your Life’ at full volume, you’re missing the point of what rock can be.”

Fans on Reddit’s r/rocknroll community debated the merits of the two songs, with many agreeing that the drum‑bass interplay on “For Your Life” is “the most visceral thing I’ve ever heard on a record.”

What this means for legacy listening

Plant’s push to re‑examine the back‑catalog could shift streaming algorithms. Data from Spotify shows that, as of July 2025, “Stairway to Heaven” logged 1.2 million daily streams, while “Achilles Last Stand” lingered under 50 000. A renewed spotlight could close that gap, encouraging new listeners to explore the full discography.

Moreover, the conversation feeds into a larger dialogue about how legacy acts are marketed. “The narrative is often built on the most radio‑friendly cuts,” Plant observed, “but the real story lives in the grooves we left behind.”

Looking ahead: Plant’s solo tours and future projects

Plant’s own solo shows this fall will feature an expanded setlist that includes both “Presence” tracks. He told Mojo, “I want the audience to feel the energy of those songs live – it’s a different kind of intimacy.” The tour, slated to begin in London on 12 November 2025, will also incorporate a visual tribute to Bonham’s legendary drumming style.

Outside the stage, Plant expressed support for fellow rock veteran Bruce Springsteen’s recent political commentary, indicating that social consciousness remains a core part of his artistic identity.