In 1977, Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zeppelin, faced the greatest tragedy of his life when his five-year-old son, Karac Pendragon Plant, died of a sudden viral infection. The devastating loss nearly pushed Plant to leave music forever. He later admitted in interviews that his family’s grief was overwhelming and that he wasn’t sure he could continue performing.

Two years later, in 1979, Led Zeppelin released their final studio album, In Through the Out Door. Among its tracks was “All My Love”, a deeply emotional ballad written by Plant as a tribute to his late son.

The Creation of “All My Love”

Unlike most Led Zeppelin songs that were driven by Jimmy Page’s guitar riffs, “All My Love” was composed primarily on keyboards by John Paul Jones. Robert Plant wrote the lyrics, pouring his sorrow and longing into the song.

Lines such as “All of my love, all of my love, all of my love to you” captured the grief and tenderness of a father who had lost his child, making the track one of the band’s most personal and poignant works.

Jimmy Page’s Reaction

Guitarist Jimmy Page was never fully satisfied with “All My Love.” He felt the song didn’t fit the traditional Led Zeppelin sound because of its lack of prominent guitar. Instead, the arrangement leaned heavily on keyboards and Plant’s vocals. Despite Page’s reservations, the song was included on the album and remains one of Zeppelin’s most heartfelt recordings.

Live Performances and Legacy

Led Zeppelin performed “All My Love” only during their 1980 European tour, which tragically became their last. Later that year, drummer John Bonham died, leading to the band’s breakup.

Though “All My Love” wasn’t released as a single, it became a lasting symbol of Plant’s grief and resilience. Unlike many of the grandiose myths surrounding Led Zeppelin, this story is real and raw: Robert Plant used music as a way to cope with unbearable loss.

A Father’s Tribute

Robert Plant never made dramatic public statements about “All My Love,” but what is certain is that the song stands as his personal farewell to Karac. It remains one of the few Led Zeppelin tracks where Plant’s private life is laid bare for the world to hear.

For fans, “All My Love” continues to resonate as a powerful reminder that even rock legends face heartbreak — and that music can help heal even the deepest wounds.