Career Timeline of Robert Plant: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Robert Plant, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Robert Plant is an English singer and songwriter best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. His career spans from 1968 to the present, including a successful solo career and collaborations with artists like Alison Krauss. Plant is celebrated for his powerful, wide-ranging voice, raw stage presence, and flamboyant persona, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest rock singers of all time.
1967: Worked at Wimpey Construction
In 1967, while pursuing his music career, Robert Plant worked for Wimpey, a major British construction company, laying tarmac on roads in Birmingham.
1968: Meeting Jimmy Page
In 1968, Jimmy Page, seeking a lead singer for his new band, met Robert Plant after Terry Reid recommended Plant, who was singing with Hobbstweedle. Plant sang Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love" for Page, leading to Page ending his search.
1968: Joining The Yardbirds/Led Zeppelin
In 1968, Peter Grant and Jimmy Page invited Robert Plant to join The Yardbirds, which they were trying to keep active after its breakup. The new version of the band then changed their name to Led Zeppelin.
1968: Led Zeppelin founding
In 1968, Robert Plant became the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin, a role he held until the band's breakup in 1980.
1968: Formation of Led Zeppelin
In 1968, the band, initially named "New Yardbirds", soon became known as Led Zeppelin.
1969: Debut Album Release
In 1969, Led Zeppelin's eponymous debut album was released and hit the charts, widely credited as a catalyst for the heavy metal genre.
1969: Began Writing Lyrics with Led Zeppelin
Robert Plant began writing song lyrics with Led Zeppelin during the making of Led Zeppelin II in 1969.
1970: Writing of Stairway to Heaven Lyrics
In 1970, most of the lyrics of "Stairway to Heaven" from Led Zeppelin IV were written spontaneously by Robert Plant at Headley Grange during recording.
December 1980: Considered Abandoning Music
In December 1980, after Led Zeppelin disbanded, Robert Plant briefly considered abandoning music to become a teacher and was accepted for teacher training, but embarked on a successful solo career.
1980: Led Zeppelin Disbanded
After Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980, Robert Plant occasionally collaborated with Jimmy Page on various projects.
1982: Release of "Pictures at Eleven"
In 1982, Robert Plant released his first solo album, "Pictures at Eleven", which reached the top ten on the Billboard albums chart.
1983: Release of "The Principle of Moments" Album
In 1983, Robert Plant released his album "The Principle of Moments", and his song "Big Log" became a Top 20 hit.
1984: Formation of the Honeydrippers
In 1984, Robert Plant formed a short-lived all-star group called the Honeydrippers with Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck and released an EP titled "The Honeydrippers: Volume One".
July 1985: Led Zeppelin Reunion at Live Aid
On 13 July 1985, Robert Plant performed with living members of Led Zeppelin at Live Aid, with Phil Collins and Tony Thompson on drums. This performance in July 1985 marked a reunion, albeit with mixed feelings from Plant.
1985: Release of "Shaken 'n' Stirred"
In 1985, Robert Plant released the album "Shaken 'n' Stirred", which contained the song "Little by Little". Also in 1985, Plant released the song "Far Post" which appeared on the soundtrack of the movie White Nights.
1986: Performed at Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert
In 1986, Robert Plant performed at the Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert with other famous Midlands musicians.
May 1988: Led Zeppelin Reunion at Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary
On 15 May 1988, Plant performed with living members of Led Zeppelin for Atlantic Records' 40th Anniversary. Jason Bonham, son of the late John Bonham, played drums at this reunion in May 1988.
May 1988: Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary Concert
On 15 May 1988, Robert Plant appeared with Jimmy Page as a member of Led Zeppelin at the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert, also performing as a solo artist.
1988: Release of "Now and Zen"
In 1988, Robert Plant co-wrote the solo album "Now and Zen" with keyboardist/songwriter Phil Johnstone.
1990: Release of "Manic Nirvana"
In 1990, Robert Plant co-wrote the solo album "Manic Nirvana" with keyboardist/songwriter Phil Johnstone.
1990: Performance at Silver Clef Award Winners Concert
In 1990, Robert Plant was joined by Jimmy Page at the Silver Clef Award Winners Concert at Knebworth. Some of their set was later released on a live album and video in 1990.
1990: Robert Plant Receives Knebworth Silver Clef Award
Robert Plant received the Knebworth Silver Clef Award in 1990, recognizing his contributions to music.
1992: "The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert"
In 1992, Robert Plant performed with Queen at Wembley Stadium for "The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert" for AIDS Awareness, singing Queen's "Innuendo" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", and Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" and "Thank You".
1993: Glastonbury Festival Performance and Release of "Fate of Nations"
In 1993, Robert Plant co-wrote and released the album Fate of Nations with Phil Johnstone. He also performed at Glastonbury Festival, where Johnstone convinced him to include Led Zeppelin songs in his live shows.
1993: Release of "Fate of Nations" Album
In 1993, Robert Plant released the album "Fate of Nations", which included the track "I Believe", dedicated to his late son, Karac.
1994: Page and Plant Reunion
From 1994 through 1998, Page and Plant reunited as a performing act, releasing the "No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded" album in 1994.
1994: Revisited Influences on 'No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded'
In 1994, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page revisited Welsh mythology influences during their reunion album 'No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded'.
1994: "Unledded" tour showmanship reflection
In 1994, during his "Unledded" tour with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant reflected on his Led Zeppelin showmanship.
1995: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1995, Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1995: Led Zeppelin Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1995, Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At the induction show, Plant performed a medley of blues numbers with Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Jason Bonham, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry, followed by "When the Levee Breaks" with fellow inductee Neil Young in 1995.
1995: Successful tour including Glastonbury Festival
In 1995, Page and Plant had an enormously successful tour, including a return to the Glastonbury Festival.
1998: Release of "Walking into Clarksdale"
In 1998, Page and Plant recorded their only post-Zeppelin album of original material with the album "Walking into Clarksdale", which led Plant to return to his solo career after a world tour due to its commercial failure.
1998: Grammy Award for "Most High"
In 1998, Page and Plant's reunion project earned a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance for "Most High".
1998: End of Page and Plant performing act
The Page and Plant performing act existed from 1994 through 1998.
2002: Tapped into Welsh influences on "Dreamland" album
In 2002, Robert Plant tapped into Welsh influences on his solo album "Dreamland".
September 2004: Donation to Owain Glyndŵr Statue
In September 2004, Robert Plant donated money to the creation of a bronze statue of the Welsh prince Owain Glyndŵr at Pennal Church, near Machynlleth, in Wales. He also contributed funds to a slate carving of Glyndŵr's coat of arms at the Celtica museum in Machynlleth in September 2004.
December 2007: Led Zeppelin Reunion at Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert
On 10 December 2007, Led Zeppelin performed a full two-hour set at the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert, with Jason Bonham on drums. Following this event, Plant declined a $200 million offer to tour with Led Zeppelin in December 2007.
2007: Collaboration with Alison Krauss
In 2007, Robert Plant began a collaboration with Alison Krauss, releasing the album "Raising Sand".
2007: Re-recording "Please Read the Letter" with Alison Krauss
In 2007, a song from the album "Walking into Clarksdale", "Please Read the Letter", was re-recorded by Robert Plant with Alison Krauss.
January 2008: Plant's Statement on Touring with Led Zeppelin
In a January 2008 interview, Robert Plant stated he did not want to "tour like a bunch of bored old men following the Rolling Stones around," expressing his reluctance towards a full Led Zeppelin tour in January 2008.
2009: Grammy Awards for "Raising Sand" and "Please Read the Letter"
In 2009, the album "Raising Sand" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and the song "Please Read the Letter" won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
2010: Revival of Band of Joy
In 2010, Robert Plant revived the Band of Joy, which shared its name with an early band he performed with in the 1960s.
2010: BBC Documentary 'Robert Plant: By Myself' Airs
In late 2010, BBC Two aired a documentary titled "Robert Plant: By Myself," in which Robert Plant discussed his journey with Led Zeppelin and various projects since in 2010.
2012: Formation of The Sensational Space Shifters
In 2012, Robert Plant formed a new band called The Sensational Space Shifters.
February 2013: Plant Hints at Possible Led Zeppelin Reunion
In February 2013, Robert Plant hinted at a possible Led Zeppelin reunion in 2014, suggesting that he wasn't the reason for the band's inactivity. He stated that Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones "are Capricorns...They're quite contained in their own worlds and they leave it to me", adding that he was "not the bad guy" and that "You need to see the Capricorns – I've got nothing to do in 2014" in February 2013.
2013: Contribution to Save The Bell Inn
In early 2013, Robert Plant contributed to a community buyout scheme to save the Bath music venue, The Bell Inn, showing his support for local music venues in 2013.
July 2014: Plant's Response to Page's Frustration over Led Zeppelin Reunion
On 30 July 2014, NME reported that Plant was "slightly disappointed and baffled" by Page's frustration over the delayed Led Zeppelin reunion plans. Plant offered Page to write acoustically with him, expressing interest in working together again in an unplugged way in July 2014.
2014: Disagreement on Led Zeppelin Reunion
In Spring 2014, Jimmy Page expressed his desire for another Led Zeppelin reunion show. Plant replied that "the chances of it happening [were] zero". Page then stated that he was "fed up" with Plant's refusal to play and that Plant was "just playing games" in 2014.
2014: Plant Indicates Availability for Led Zeppelin Reunion
Plant suggested he had nothing to do in 2014, implying openness to a Led Zeppelin reunion during that year.
July 2018: Robert Plant Wins Silver Cleff Integro Outstanding Award
In July 2018, Robert Plant was awarded the Silver Cleff Integro Outstanding Award by music charity Nordoff Robbins, recognizing his contributions and achievements in music in July 2018.
February 2019: Formation of Saving Grace and Support Slots
In February 2019, Robert Plant formed a low-key acoustic band called Saving Grace and performed support slots for Fairport Convention and Seth Lakeman, starting his new project in February 2019.
March 2019: Robert Plant Performs at LOVE ROCKS NYC Benefit Concert
In March 2019, Robert Plant performed at the Third Annual LOVE ROCKS NYC, a benefit concert for God's Love We Deliver at the Beacon Theatre in NYC. The event, hosted by Bill Murray, Martin Short, and Chevy Chase, featured a star-studded lineup including Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy, Hozier, Billy F Gibbons, and Jimmie Vaughan and was presented by John Varvatos and Greg Williamson.
2019: Remastered 'Fate of Nations' Release
In 2019, Plant's Es Paranza label released a remastered version of "Fate of Nations" with updated artwork for Record Store Day. Proceeds went to Greenpeace, marking the release in 2019.
2019: Reunion with Alison Krauss
In 2019, Robert Plant reunited with Alison Krauss.
2019: Saving Grace's Last Performance Before Pandemic
Robert Plant's band Saving Grace's last performance before the pandemic was in 2019.
March 2020: Saving Grace US Tour Announcement and Cancellation
In March 2020, Saving Grace announced a US tour scheduled for May 2020. However, the tour was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a setback for Robert Plant's band in March 2020.
May 2020: Cancellation of Saving Grace US Tour
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Saving Grace's US tour was canceled in May 2020, affecting Robert Plant's touring plans that year.
2020: Donation to Frontline Medical Supplies
In 2020, Robert Plant donated money towards frontline medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting a small clothing manufacturer in Kidderminster, England that makes scrubs for local hospitals in 2020.
July 2021: Robert Plant's Post-Pandemic Show with Saving Grace
On 19 July 2021, Robert Plant made his first onstage appearance after the pandemic in Worthing, England. He performed with Saving Grace, marking their first performance since 2019. Following this, he toured the UK with Saving Grace for their rescheduled shows in July 2021.
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