In Appreciation of Robert Plant’s “Big Log”

Let’s jump back 42 years to one of my all-time favorites, Robert Plant’s “Big Log.” In 1983, Plant convened a group of musicians in the serene and remote setting of Rockfield Studios in Wales. His solo debut ‘Pictures at Eleven‘ had been released the prior year. This time around, much of his focus was to step further away from the Zeppelin brand, seeking a “big sound without sounding heavy and tough,” as he put it in his 2019 Digging Deep podcast. John Bonham had sadly passed away in September of 1980, and Plant had found his footing and fresh inspiration in the ensuing months by singing 50’s/60’s style rock & roll with the Honeydrippers (whose members included guitarist Robbie Blunt, who looms large in this song).

‘Coda,’ Led Zeppelin’s final studio album – consisting of extras and live tracks from the band’s 12-year career – was released in late November 1982. So, by early ’83 it’s fair to say that Plant was ready to strip away the heavy baggage and expectations of a dozen years fronting one of the landmark rock outfits. The studio vibe at Rockfield in south Wales was more structured and relaxed than his Zeppelin studio experience. The result from these sessions was ‘The Principle of Moments,’ released in July 1983. Of the eight songs on the album, Phil Collins played the drums on five of them (that’s Phil on “In the Mood”). “Big Log” was not one of them. In fact, as you’ve probably figured out if you’re familiar with the song, “Big Log” featured no human drummer at all, but a drum machine. This was the Roland RM-808, a staple of 80’s pop and hip-hop.

The origin story of “Big Log” includes Gerald “Jezz” Woodroffe, Plant’s keyboard player, who programmed the drum and handclap sound into the 808. Guitarist Robbie Blunt quickly picked up on it and formed the beautifully melodic, perfectly toned guitar parts on the spot. Add in the lyrics – the haunting imagery of a road-weary and love-sick traveler; a desert highway and a far too distant love….

An excerpt:

My love is exceedingly vivid
Red-eyed and fevered with the hum of the miles
Distance and longing, my thoughts do provide
Should I rest for a while at the side?

…And what you have is an 80’s pop/rock masterpiece. For me, the electronic 808 drum pattern only enhances the tune, juxtaposed with Blunt’s gorgeous, Spanish-influenced guitar tones and Plant’s inimitable vocal stylings (“Your loooove is cradled in knowiing…”). Completely unique! And to this day, a song that stops me in my tracks, bringing a smile and a satisfied sigh. It’s reminiscent of “The ’80’s” while still managing to sound fresh all these years later.

I’m sharing the Storm Thorgerson-directed video, which was filmed in desert locations around Death Valley, California and Nevada. Storm also designed the ‘Principle of Moments’ album cover and the “Big Log” single cover above. It’s worth taking a look at Storm’s staggering list of album cover and video work – credits that include a little album called ‘Dark Side of the Moon.’ Yeah, slightly iconic.

“Big Log” was Robert Plant’s highest charting single, reaching #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 over that summer of ’83 (when “Every Breath You Take” ruled the #1 spot).

Now, back to trying to learn the Robbie Blunt signature guitar parts!