Inspiration or Imitation? The Greta Van Fleet vs. Led Zeppelin Debate

Since their first release, Greta Van Fleet has drawn comparisons to Led Zeppelin… and for good reason.  But rather than point fingers over similarity, the question remains: why hasn’t credit been given where credit is due?

In 2017, Greta Van Fleet released their debut album, From the Fires. Listeners were quick to notice an uncanny similarity to Led Zeppelin, from the band’s fashion sense, to frontman Josh Kiszka’s Robert Plant-esque soaring vocals. As a guitarist myself, I can tell you first hand that the instrumentals for “Highway Tune” are in fact almost a replica of “Rock n’ Roll” by Led Zeppelin. With artists like Olivia Rodrigo giving songwriting credits to Paramore and Taylor Swift, it is impossible not to wonder if Greta van Fleet should be doing the same to their predecessors.  

Yet, interestingly enough, the band denies such a degree of similarity. In an interview with Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, Plant explicitly expressed his annoyance with the fact that Greta Van Fleet did not admit to being inspired by Led Zeppelin, instead citing Aerosmith as a primary influence. In a FaceCulture interview on the topic of the similarities between the bands, Kisczka stated, “it’s being said over and over, and I think it’s one of the greatest compliments that could ever be given to a young band like ourselves. They’re arguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time, so that is humbling and inspiring and honorable, in that sense. But I think that we’ve become more conscious of the similarities, because it’s been said, and I think we’ve taken some time to go back and almost identify with it. ‘Oh, it’s interesting, because there are a lot of those commonalities.’ Even if it exactly wasn’t an overwhelming influence of ours, it still was influential and we can certainly see it. But overall, it doesn’t really affect the writing of our music.” 

Greta Van Fleet recently declared their latest release, The Battle at Garden Gate, a deviation from their previous sound, and I second this statement. This differentiation is no doubt the result of simply coming into their own individual sound as a band. Overall, I honestly think The Battle at Garden Gate is their greatest album for this reason – it does not sound like Led Zeppelin, it sounds like Greta van Fleet: softer, more melodic, and with a higher degree of storytelling.  Listening to the album, I could best compare it to Fleetwood Mac, though even that comparison is rocky. By individuating their sound, Greta Van Fleet has perhaps dodged further accusations of simply being a Led Zeppelin replica.  

However, truth be told, I do not think there was anything wrong with their previous sound.  Rather, I am bothered by the band’s denial of the impact Zeppelin had on their songwriting.  While I take heavy issue with many of Zeppelin’s actions – including grooming Lori Mattix – it is odd to deny a clear musical influence and instead sideline it as a minor inspiration. In an age where Olivia Rodrigo, one of the biggest pop stars of the year, is giving her inspirations songwriting credits and royalties, to go so far as to deny influence is blindly narcissistic.  

At the same time, I can appreciate many aspects of Greta Van Fleet’s music. Primarily, I recognize the fact that they are bringing guitar-driven music to a Gen Z audience. In an age where the vast majority of music is composed on MIDI keyboards, Greta van Fleet stands out as a guitar-based band and I am hopeful that they will inspire young people to take up rock n’ roll music to keep it alive. Guitar solos are rare in post-2000s music, especially those of the same duration and intricacy as Greta Van Fleet. As a guitarist shaped by learning classic rock songs, I have always had a deep appreciation of classic rock guitar. Greta Van Fleet brings this style of music to a Gen Z audience seamlessly, and for that I am grateful.  

I have also spent enough time in online music forums to know that boomer and Gen X classic rock friends will likely disapprove of any rock music my generation makes, calling it a replica or fake. Many of the online commentaries about Greta Van Fleet are unnecessarily harsh and judgmental, especially considering the age difference between the band members and their commentators. It feels like bullying.  While I can understand why the band’s denial of inspiration is frustrating, the backlash towards the group is not justified by any stretch of the imagination.  

All in all, I think comparisons between Led Zeppelin and Greta Van Fleet’s debut album are justified, thus raising the question of why proper credit has not been given when various songs appear as copies of their predecessors. However, I am hopeful that Greta Van Fleet’s new and fuller sound will drive down these comparisons so that the band may stand fully on their own without comparisons to Led Zeppelin. It is entirely natural for bands to seek inspiration from those they look up to. Yet, credit must still be given when credit is due. By following a new musical direction, Greta van Fleet is showing the world that they are not just a Led Zeppelin for Gen Z, and through an innovative sound, their music is unlike anything released this decade.