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 from 1968 to 1980. After Led Zeppelin's dissolution, he embarked on a successful solo career, marked by collaborations with artists like Alison Krauss. Plant is widely regarded as one of rock's greatest vocalists, celebrated for his dynamic stage presence, distinctive voice, and significant contributions to music.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1967: Working for Wimpey

In 1967, Robert Plant worked for the British construction company Wimpey in Birmingham, laying tarmac on roads, while pursuing his music career.

1968: Meeting Jimmy Page

In 1968, Jimmy Page met Robert Plant while searching for a lead singer for his new band, after being referred to him by Terry Reid. Plant was singing in a band named Hobbstweedle at a teacher training college in Birmingham.

1968: Led Zeppelin Founding

In 1968, Robert Plant became the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin, marking the beginning of his prominent career in rock music.

1968: Joining The Yardbirds

In 1968, Robert Plant was invited by Peter Grant and Jimmy Page to join The Yardbirds, which was being reformed. This new version of the band eventually became Led Zeppelin.

1968: Formation of The New Yardbirds

In 1968, the band initially dubbed the "New Yardbirds" was formed, which later became known as Led Zeppelin.

1969: Debut Album Release

In 1969, Led Zeppelin's eponymous debut album hit the charts and is widely credited as a catalyst for the heavy metal genre.

1969: Beginning of Songwriting with Led Zeppelin

In 1969, Robert Plant began writing song lyrics with Led Zeppelin during the making of Led Zeppelin II.

1970: Writing Stairway to Heaven

In 1970, Robert Plant spontaneously wrote most of the lyrics to "Stairway to Heaven" at Headley Grange while Led Zeppelin IV was being recorded.

1973: Buying a Welsh Sheep Farm

In 1973, Robert Plant bought a Welsh sheep farm, began taking Welsh lessons, and explored Welsh mythology, influencing his later lyrics.

December 1980: Disbanding of Led Zeppelin

In December 1980, after the death of John Bonham, Led Zeppelin disbanded, leading Robert Plant to consider teaching before embarking on a solo career.

1980: Post Led Zeppelin Collaboration

Although Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980, Robert Plant occasionally collaborated with Jimmy Page on various projects.

1980: Led Zeppelin Breakup

In 1980, Led Zeppelin broke up, marking the end of an era for the band and leading Robert Plant to pursue a solo career.

1982: Pictures at Eleven Release

In 1982, Robert Plant released his first solo album, Pictures at Eleven, which reached the top ten on the Billboard albums chart.

1982: Release of Pictures at Eleven

In 1982, Robert Plant released his solo album Pictures at Eleven, marking the beginning of his solo career.

1983: Release of The Principle of Moments

In 1983, Robert Plant released The Principle of Moments, continuing his solo career.

1983: The Principle of Moments Release

In 1983, Robert Plant released his second solo album, The Principle of Moments, which reached the top ten on the Billboard albums chart.

1984: Forming The Honeydrippers

In 1984, Robert Plant formed a short-lived all-star group with Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck called The Honeydrippers.

July 1985: Live Aid Performance with Led Zeppelin Members

On 13 July 1985, Robert Plant performed with living members of Led Zeppelin for Live Aid, with Phil Collins and Tony Thompson on drums. Plant later expressed unhappiness with the performance.

1985: Release of Shaken 'n' Stirred

In 1985, Robert Plant released the album Shaken 'n' Stirred, featuring the song "Little by Little."

1986: Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert

In 1986, Robert Plant performed at the Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert with other famous Midlands musicians.

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, where he also performed 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.

1988: Now and Zen Certified 3x Platinum

In 1988, Robert Plant's solo album Now and Zen was certified 3× Platinum, becoming his biggest-selling solo album to date.

1990: Release of Manic Nirvana

In 1990, Robert Plant co-wrote the solo album Manic Nirvana with keyboardist/songwriter Phil Johnstone.

1990: Silver Clef Award Winners Concert at Knebworth

In 1990, Robert Plant was joined by Jimmy Page at the Silver Clef Award Winners Concert at Knebworth. Some of their set was released on a live album and video.

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, where he sang Queen's "Innuendo" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", and Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" and "Thank You".

1993: Release of Fate of Nations and Glastonbury Performance

In 1993, Robert Plant co-wrote the album Fate of Nations with Phil Johnstone and performed at Glastonbury Festival, featuring songs from the album and Led Zeppelin classics.

1993: Release of Fate of Nations

In 1993, Robert Plant released the album Fate of Nations, which featured the song "I Believe", dedicated to his late son Karac.

1994: Page and Plant Reunion

From 1994, Page and Plant became a full-fledged performing act, releasing the album No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded.

1994: Revisiting Influences

In 1994, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page revisited their musical influences during their reunion album No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded.

1994: "Unledded" Tour Reflection

In 1994, during his "Unledded" tour with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant reflected on his Led Zeppelin showmanship.

1995: Led Zeppelin's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

In 1995, Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Plant performed a medley of blues numbers with other members and later joined Neil Young for "When the Levee Breaks".

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1995: Successful Tour

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 as the album Walking into Clarksdale, which was unsuccessful commercially.

1998: End of Page and Plant Performing Act

In 1998, Page and Plant's time as a full-fledged performing act ended after releasing the album No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded and undertaking a successful tour.

1998: Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance

In 1998, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page earned a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance for "Most High."

2002: Dreamland Album Release

In 2002, Robert Plant tapped into his musical influences on his solo album Dreamland.

September 2004: Unveiling of 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, Wales, which was unveiled. He also contributed to a slate carving of Glyndŵr's coat of arms at the Celtica museum in Machynlleth.

December 2007: Ahmet Ertegun 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. Public demand was enormous, however Plant declined a $200 million offer to tour with Led Zeppelin after the show.

2007: Collaboration with Alison Krauss

In 2007, Robert Plant began a collaboration with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, releasing the album Raising Sand.

2007: Re-recording of "Please Read the Letter"

In 2007, Robert Plant re-recorded the song "Please Read the Letter" with Alison Krauss, which was featured on their album and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

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January 2008: Plant's Rejection of Led Zeppelin Tour

In a January 2008 interview, Robert Plant stated he does not want to "tour like a bunch of bored old men following the Rolling Stones around," reiterating his opposition to a full Led Zeppelin tour.

July 2009: Commander of the Order of the British Empire

On 10 July 2009, Robert Plant was invested as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by then-Prince of Wales King Charles III, for his services to music.

2009: Grammy Awards for Raising Sand

In 2009, the album Raising Sand, by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and their song "Please Read the Letter" won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

2010: Band of Joy Revival

In 2010, Robert Plant revived the Band of Joy, sharing its name with an early band he performed with in the 1960s.

2010: Robert Plant: By Myself Documentary

In late 2010, BBC Two aired a documentary titled Robert Plant: By Myself, featuring Robert Plant discussing his journey with Led Zeppelin and various projects since.

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2012: Formation of the Sensational Space Shifters

In 2012, Robert Plant formed a new band called the Sensational Space Shifters.

February 2013: Hint of Led Zeppelin Reunion

In February 2013, Robert Plant hinted he was open to a Led Zeppelin reunion in 2014, suggesting that Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were the reason for Led Zeppelin's dormancy.

2013: Contribution to The Bell Inn Buyout

In early 2013, Robert Plant contributed to a community buyout scheme to save the Bath music venue The Bell Inn.

July 2014: Led Zeppelin Dispute

On 30 July 2014, NME reported Robert Plant was "slightly disappointed and baffled" by Jimmy Page's remarks regarding the stalled Led Zeppelin reunion plans. Plant suggested writing acoustically with Page instead.

2014: Possible Led Zeppelin Reunion

In February 2013, Robert Plant hinted at a Led Zeppelin reunion in 2014, stating he was "not the bad guy" in the delay.

2014: Led Zeppelin Reunion Stalled

In spring 2014, Jimmy Page expressed his frustration with Robert Plant's refusal to participate in another Led Zeppelin reunion show, stating that Plant was "playing games". Plant responded that the chances of a reunion happening were "zero".

July 2018: Silver Cleff Integro Outstanding Award

In July 2018, Robert Plant won the Silver Cleff Integro Outstanding Award, announced by music charity Nordoff Robbins.

February 2019: Saving Grace Formation and Performances

In February 2019, Robert Plant formed an acoustic band called Saving Grace and performed as a support act for Fairport Convention and Seth Lakeman.

March 2019: LOVE ROCKS NYC Performance

On 7 March 2019, Robert Plant performed at the Third Annual LOVE ROCKS NYC benefit concert for God's Love We Deliver at the Beacon Theatre in NYC. The concert was hosted by Bill Murray, Martin Short, Chevy Chase and featured an all-star lineup.

April 2019: Saving Grace Album Recording Begins

In April 2019, Robert Plant began recording his first studio record with Saving Grace in the Cotswolds and on the Welsh Borders.

2019: Saving Grace performance

In 2019, Robert Plant performed with Saving Grace for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019: Reunion with Alison Krauss

In 2019, Robert Plant reunited with Alison Krauss, resuming their collaboration.

2019: Fate of Nations Remastered Release

In 2019, a remastered version of the album Fate of Nations was released via Robert Plant's Es Paranza label as part of Record Store Day. The updated artwork and proceeds from the album went to Greenpeace.

March 2020: Saving Grace US Tour Announcement

In March 2020, Robert Plant's band Saving Grace announced a US tour scheduled for May 2020.

May 2020: Saving Grace US Tour Cancellation

The Saving Grace US tour, scheduled for May 2020, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Donation for COVID-19 Medical Supplies

In 2020, Robert Plant donated money towards frontline medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically to a clothing manufacturer in Kidderminster, England that makes scrubs for local hospitals.

July 2021: Post-Pandemic Show with Saving Grace

On 19 July 2021, Robert Plant performed his first post-pandemic show in Worthing, England, with his band Saving Grace, marking their first performance since 2019. Subsequently, he toured the UK with Saving Grace for rescheduled shows.

January 2025: Saving Grace Album Recording Ends

In January 2025, recording concluded for the Saving Grace album, recorded in the Cotswolds and on the Welsh Borders.

July 2025: Saving Grace Album Release Announcement and Summer Concerts

On 16 July 2025, the upcoming release of Saving Grace (with Suzi Dian) on 26 September 2025 was announced. Summer concert dates in July 2025 in France and Spain were also announced.

September 2025: Release of Saving Grace (with Suzi Dian) album

The release of Saving Grace (with Suzi Dian), Robert Plant's first studio record with Saving Grace, occurred on 26 September 2025, via Nonesuch Records.