History of Robert Plant in Timeline

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

August 1948: Robert Plant's Birth

Robert Anthony Plant was born on 20 August 1948, in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England.

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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.

November 1968: Marriage to Maureen Wilson

On 9 November 1968, Robert Plant married Maureen Wilson.

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.

1972: Birth of Son Karac

In 1972, Robert Plant and Maureen Wilson had their son, Karac Pendragon.

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.

1975: Car Accident in Rhodes, Greece

In 1975, Robert Plant and his wife Maureen were seriously injured in a car crash in Rhodes, Greece, affecting the production of Led Zeppelin's seventh album, Presence, and forcing the band to cancel tour dates.

July 1977: Death of Son Karac

In July 1977, Robert Plant's son Karac died at the age of five while Plant was on tour with Led Zeppelin in the United States, leading Plant to question his future.

1977: Death of Son Karac

In 1977, during Led Zeppelin's US tour, Robert Plant and Maureen Wilson's five-year-old son, Karac, died of a stomach illness. The song "All My Love" was written as a tribute to him.

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1979: Birth of Son Logan

In 1979, Robert Plant and Maureen Wilson had their son, Logan Romero.

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.

August 1983: Divorce from Maureen Wilson

In August 1983, Robert Plant and Maureen Wilson divorced.

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.

1990: Knebworth Silver Clef Award

Robert Plant received the Knebworth Silver Clef Award in 1990.

1991: Birth of Son Jesse Lee

In 1991, Robert Plant and Shirley Wilson (sister of ex-wife Maureen) had a son, Jesse Lee.

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: Dating Najma Akhtar

From 1993 to 1995, Robert Plant dated English singer Najma Akhtar, who provided vocals on the Page & Plant Unledded tour.

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: Interview on the Denton Talk Show

In 1994, Robert Plant stated in an interview with Andrew Denton on the Denton talk show that as a ten-year-old, he desired to be like Elvis Presley.

1994: "Unledded" Tour Reflection

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

1995: Dating Najma Akhtar

From 1993 to 1995, Robert Plant dated English singer Najma Akhtar, who provided vocals on the Page & Plant Unledded tour.

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

In 1995, Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant contribution to music.

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.

2006: Hit Parader's Greatest Metal Vocalists List

In 2006, Hit Parader named Robert Plant No. 1 on its list of the 100 Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time.

2006: "Greatest Metal Vocalist of All Time"

In 2006, Hit Parader named Robert Plant the "Greatest Metal Vocalist of All Time", celebrating his vocal prowess in the metal genre.

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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2007: Q Magazine's 100 Greatest Singers List

In 2007, Robert Plant was ranked at number 8 in Q magazine's list of "100 Greatest Singers".

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.

2008: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers List

In 2008, Rolling Stone named Robert Plant the 15th-greatest singer of all time on their list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

2008: Ranking as one of the 100 Best Singers of All Time

In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked Robert Plant as one of the 100 best singers of all time, acknowledging his vocal talent and influence.

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.

August 2009: Wolverhampton Wanderers Vice-President

On 14 August 2009, Robert Plant was announced as the third vice-president of the Wolverhampton Wanderers football club. He officially received the honour at the club's first match of the season against West Ham United.

2009: "Greatest Voice in Rock" title

In 2009, Robert Plant was voted "the greatest voice in rock" in a poll conducted by UK classic rock radio station Planet Rock.

2009: Awards and Recognition in 2009

In 2009, Robert Plant was voted the "greatest voice in rock" in a Planet Rock poll, included in Q magazine's "Artists of the Century" list, ranked No. 8 in their list of "100 Greatest Singers", won the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize at the Q Awards, and placed at No. 3 on SPIN's list of "The 50 Greatest Rock Frontmen of All Time".

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.

August 2010: Express & Star Interview

In an August 2010 interview with the Express & Star, Robert Plant recalled his first visit to Molineux Stadium at age five, where Billy Wright waved at him, sparking his lifelong support for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

September 2010: NPR's 50 Great Voices

On 20 September 2010, National Public Radio (NPR) named Robert Plant as one of the "50 Great Voices" in the world.

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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2011: Greatest Lead Singer in Readers' Poll

In 2011, Robert Plant was the top pick for the greatest lead singer in a readers' poll, reflecting his popularity and impact on rock music.

July 2012: Relationship with Patty Griffin

In July 2012, Robert Plant stated in an interview he "eloped and ran off to Texas" with Patty Griffin. Plant's manager clarified that he was referring to residing in Texas with her. The pair had been dating for over a year.

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.

August 2014: Breakup with Patty Griffin

On 23 August 2014, The Independent reported that Robert Plant had broken up with Patty Griffin, citing their differing lifestyles and Plant's sadness and regret.

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.

March 2022: Desert Island Discs Guest

On 15 March 2022, Robert Plant was the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. His musical choices included "I Ain't Superstitious" by Howlin' Wolf and "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. His book choice was The Earliest English Poems, translated by Michael Alexander, his luxury item was a basket containing photos of homing pigeons and his favourite musical piece was "Serenade" by Mario Lanza.

The earliest English poems / translated and introduced by Michael Alexander

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2023: Billboard's List of Greatest Rock Lead Singers

In 2023, Billboard ranked Robert Plant number 4 on their list of The 50 Greatest Rock Lead Singers of All Time, reaffirming his status as a top rock vocalist.

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.