When Led Zeppelin created Moroccan'roll in Marrakech

A desert journey

In 1973, right after a tour in the United States, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, the band's singer and guitarist, respectively, came to Morocco seeking inspiration. Traveling through the Moroccan desert, and deeply influenced by the endless road, they composed "Kashmir", a gem from their sixth album.

A concert in Jemaa el Fna square

In 1980, following the death of their drummer John Bonham, the band disbanded. Fourteen years later, when Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were invited to record an album for the MTV Unplugged series, they chose to return to Morocco, vividly remembering their earlier desert jaunt and especially Jemaa el Fna square for its perpetual bustle. Of course, it wasn’t really a "Led Zep" reunion because John Paul Jones, the former bassist, and the late John Bonham were missing. Yet, on this live album, "No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded", several hits that made the band’s history re-emerged.

Gnaoua fusion

However, what really made that concert memorable were the unique tracks, recorded with the Gnaoua troupe of maâlem Brahim El Belkani. Four days of rehearsals, listening to both musical cultures and sharing between the musicians were necessary to record the songs Yallah, City don't cry, and Wah wah. When an American journalist asked Robert Plant shortly after the album's release whether it was indeed rock’n’roll, he replied that “it’s haunting, captivating, and very alluring music; it’s Moroccan’roll!”