Worse Than Detroit

The Zoo Crew is spinning Robert Plant's "Worse Than Detroit" from his debut solo album Pictures at Eleven, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks vibing with its bluesy swagger. One juicy tidbit about the song is that it features Phil Collins on drums, who played on most of the album’s tracks. Collins wasn’t just a hired gun; he was a key influence, pushing Plant to carve out his own sound rather than chasing Led Zeppelin’s shadow. According to Songfacts, Collins’ involvement gave Plant the confidence to explore a fresh direction, even if the song’s lyrics—where Plant’s pleading with a phone operator about a lost lover—have been called a bit “wimpy” compared to his rock-god Zeppelin days. The track also showcases guitarist Robbie Blunt’s slick slide work and Plant’s harmonica, adding a raw, jamming feel that nods to blues roots while staying distinctly Plant.

Another cool story comes from a 1982 performance at the Prince’s Trust Rock Gala, where Plant belted out "Worse Than Detroit" with Pete Townshend of The Who ripping it up on guitar. Songfacts notes this was a dream-team moment, the kind of rock collab fans in the ‘70s would’ve geeked out over. The song’s lyrics, kicking off with “Hello Central, please give me 209,” paint a picture of a lovesick Plant who can’t even recall his lover’s name, gushing poetically to the operator about her greatness—like “she can shift more gold than the king of Peru.” It’s unresolved, a bit messy, and totally human, which makes it stand out on an album Plant used to prove he could stand on his own.

Robert Plant got his start in the West Midlands, England, born August 20, 1948, in West Bromwich. As a teen, he was obsessed with American blues and rock ‘n’ roll, sneaking out to gigs and soaking up influences like Robert Johnson and Elvis Presley. He bounced around local bands in the ‘60s, cutting his teeth with outfits like the Crawling King Snakes and Band of Joy, honing his wild vocal style. His big break came when Jimmy Page caught him performing in 1968 and recruited him for a new project that became Led Zeppelin. Plant’s powerful voice and stage presence helped catapult the band to legend status, but after Zeppelin’s breakup in 1980 following drummer John Bonham’s death, he launched his solo career with Pictures at Eleven in 1982, proving he could evolve beyond the Zeppelin sound.

You can keep up with Robert Plant on his official website, where he shares tour dates, archives, and more. He’s active on Facebook, Instagram, and X, posting about gigs, throwback photos, and new projects. Fans go wild on Led Zeppelin Fan Club and Robert Plant Fans on Facebook, where they swap stories, rare pics, and tour tips. There’s also Led-Zeppelin.org, a fan-run site packed with discographies, interviews, and forums for diehards. The Zoo Freaks can dive into these spots to connect with the tribe and keep the Plant love alive.