- Rock band formed in 2012 from Frankenmuth Michigan. The band members are brothers Josh Kiszka (vocals), Jake Kiszka (guitar), Sam Kiszka (bass guitar), and Daniel Wagner (drums).
- The brothers grew up listening to classic rock, and particularly loved Led Zeppelin. They formed the band wanting to create the classic hard rock sound more than 40 years after Zeppelin. The brothers never had any musical training – they just taught themselves how to play their instruments. Josh and Jake were 16, and Sam was 13 years old when the band began.
- The band’s name is adapted from Gretna Van Fleet, an 80+ year old dulcimer playing resident of Frankenmuth. The band’s variation on her first name is used with her blessing.
- In 2014, they released a live EP of a performance in Detroit. Their song Standing On was used in a Detroit ad for the Chevy Equinox.
- A representative from a record label heard them perform, and signed them to a contract. They were shocked, as they never thought that music that sounded like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple or Cream from the 70s would be interesting to a record company today.
- The record company began promoting their music. The song Highway Tune was featured in the Showtime series Shameless. The song was released as a single in March 2017, and an EP, Black Smoke Rising, was released the following month. Highway Tune eventually peaked at #1 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart. A second single, Safari Song, was released in October, and has reached #17 on the same chart.
- In November 2017, they released a double EP – From The Fires. The first 4 songs were a re-release of the songs on Black Smoke Rising, while the other 4 songs are newly recorded songs. Two covers are included – Sam Cooke’s 1964 song A Change Is Gonna Come and Fairport Convention’s 1968 song Meet On The Ledge. The album won a Grammy award for Best Rock Album.
- The band has been called “Led Zeppelin for Generation Z.” You can hear Robert Plant’s wailing vocal and Jimmy Page’s grinding guitar when you listen to Greta Van Fleet. Their momentum is growing – usually the smaller venues where they play now are sold out. Old school hard rock fans – stay tuned for this band. Check out the video for Highway Tune. Yes…you really can hear a little Robert Plant in the vocal!
The lead singer’s Dad better take a dna test to prove he’s the father because there’s a 50/50 chance that is Robert Plant’s son. While the Foo Fighters continue to carry the torch for rock music these days, this band is poised to carry it forward. Hope they continue to put out great music.