The world of rock music has always been fascinating with the relationships between rock stars and groupies being no exception. These relationships are often toxic and short-lived due to personal issues. Audrey Hamilton was a groupie in the 1970s when she met a Led Zeppelin roadie who introduced her to Robert Plant, the band’s charismatic frontman. Plant was already married to Maureen Wilson but fell in love with Hamilton as soon as he met her. Hamilton became Plant’s ‘tour wife’ during Led Zeppelin’s 1977 tour, and it is said that the song ‘Hot Dog’ was written about their love story.
Their relationship was the stuff of legend, and it is said that Led Zeppelin’s song “Hot Dog” was written for Audrey and based on their love story. The lyrics of the song speak to the intensity of their love: “She said we couldn’t do no wrong / No other love could be so strong / She locked up my heart in her bottom drawer / Now she took my heart, she took my keys / From in my old blue dungarees / And I’ll never go to Texas anymore.”
However, tragedy struck the couple when Plant’s five-year-old son, Karac, died from a stomach virus. The loss of his son was a devastating blow to Plant, and he ended his relationship with Audrey soon after. Audrey continued to live the life of a groupie, traveling with many bands and musicians such as Rod Stewart, Bad Company, Electric Light Orchestra, and KISS. She had relationships with other famous rock stars, including KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley, with whom she had a daughter named Lindsey in 1980.
Despite her experiences with other musicians, Audrey’s relationship with Robert Plant remained one of the most significant and memorable of her life. The story of their tragic relationship serves as a cautionary tale of the excesses of rock and roll culture and the toll it can take on those who are swept up in its hedonistic lifestyle.
Audrey made the decision to abandon her existence as a groupie and prioritize raising her daughter. Although she passed away in 2016, the tale of her life and her connection with Robert Plant will endure and be recounted for many future generations.