History of Robert Plant in Timeline

Robert Plant is an English singer and songwriter best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin. From 1968 to 1980, he captivated audiences with his powerful, wide-ranging voice and energetic stage presence. Following Led Zeppelin's breakup, Plant embarked on a successful solo career, exploring diverse musical styles and collaborating with artists like Alison Krauss. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock singers of all time, celebrated for his vocal abilities and flamboyant persona.

Sections (5)

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

November 1968: Marriage to Maureen Wilson

On 9 November 1968, Robert Plant married Maureen Wilson. They had three children together.

1972: Birth of son Karac Pendragon

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

1977: Death of son Karac Pendragon

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" is a tribute to him.

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1979: Birth of son Logan Romero

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

August 1983: Divorce from Maureen Wilson

In August 1983, Robert Plant and Maureen Wilson divorced.

July 1985: Led Zeppelin reunion at Live Aid

On 13 July 1985, Robert Plant performed with surviving members of Led Zeppelin for Live Aid, with Phil Collins and Tony Thompson on drums simultaneously. Plant was unhappy with the performance.

May 1988: Led Zeppelin reunion for Atlantic Records anniversary

On 15 May 1988, Robert Plant performed with surviving members of Led Zeppelin for Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary. Jason Bonham, son of John Bonham, played drums. Plant was unhappy with the performance.

1990: Performance with Jimmy Page at Knebworth Festival

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

1990: Received 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 Maureen Wilson) had a son named Jesse Lee.

1993: Started dating Najma Akhtar

From 1993, Robert Plant dated the British-Indian singer Najma Akhtar, who provided vocals on the Page and Plant Unledded tour.

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. Plant performed a medley of blues numbers with Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Jason Bonham, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry of Aerosmith at the induction show. They were then joined by Neil Young for "When the Levee Breaks".

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1995: Ended relationship with Najma Akhtar

Robert Plant's relationship with British-Indian singer Najma Akhtar, who provided vocals on the Page and Plant Unledded tour, ended in 1995.

September 2004: Donation to Owain Glyndŵr statue

In September 2004, Robert Plant donated money for the creation of a bronze statue of Owain Glyndŵr, the last native-born Welsh Prince of Wales, in Pennal, Gwynedd, Wales. He also contributed to a slate carving of Glyndŵr's coat of arms at the Celtica museum in Machynlleth.

2006: Named greatest metal vocalist

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

December 2007: Led Zeppelin performs at Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert

On 10 December 2007, Led Zeppelin performed a full two-hour set at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert, with Jason Bonham on drums. Plant later declined a $200 million offer to tour with Led Zeppelin after the concert.

2007: Ranked among the greatest singers by Q

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

January 2008: Plant opposes Led Zeppelin tour

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", reiterating his opposition to a full Led Zeppelin tour despite interest from Page and Jones.

2008: Named 15th-greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone

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

July 2009: Invested as 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 Charles III for his services to music.

August 2009: Named vice-president of Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 14 August 2009, Robert Plant was announced as the third vice-president of the Wolverhampton Wanderers football club. He officially received the honor before a match against West Ham United.

2009: Voted "greatest voice in rock"

In 2009, Robert Plant was voted the "greatest voice in rock" in a poll conducted by Planet Rock. He also won the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize at the Q Awards, was included in the Q's list of "Artists of the Century" and was ranked at number 8 in their list of "100 Greatest Singers" in 2007.

August 2010: Recalls childhood visit to Molineux Stadium

In August 2010, Robert Plant recalled visiting Molineux Stadium for the first time at age five, when Billy Wright waved at him, in an interview with the Express & Star.

August 2010: BBC Two airs documentary

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

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September 2010: Named one of the 50 Great Voices in the world by NPR

On 20 September 2010, Robert Plant was named as one of the 50 Great Voices in the world by NPR.

July 2012: Plant speaks about his relationship with Patty Griffin

In a July 2012 interview with The Independent, Robert Plant stated he had "eloped and ran off to Texas" with the American singer Patty Griffin. His manager clarified that Plant was just referring to residing in Texas with her. They had been dating for over a year.

February 2013: Plant hints at Led Zeppelin reunion

In February 2013, Robert Plant hinted at a possible Led Zeppelin reunion in 2014, stating that Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were the reason for the band's dormancy.

2013: Contribution to save The Bell Inn

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

July 2014: Plant "disappointed and baffled" by Page in reunion dispute

On 30 July 2014, NME reported that Plant was "slightly disappointed and baffled" by Page in an ongoing Led Zeppelin reunion dispute. Plant offered Page to write acoustically with him instead of a full reunion.

August 2014: Plant and Griffin end relationship

On 23 August 2014, The Independent indicated that Robert Plant and Patty Griffin had broken up. Plant cited differences in lifestyle, including Griffin's lack of enthusiasm for cider and his Black Country behavior after drinking.

2014: Page expresses frustration with Plant's refusal to reunite

In 2014, Jimmy Page told The New York Times that he was "fed up" with Robert Plant's refusal to play more concerts with Led Zeppelin, stating that Plant was "just playing games". Page expressed his desire to play live and get into musical shape, focusing on guitar.

2014: Plant suggests Led Zeppelin hiatus due to Page and Jones

In February 2013, Robert Plant suggested that Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were the reason for the band's dormancy, stating that he was "not the bad guy" and that "You need to see the Capricorns – I've got nothing to do in 2014".

July 2018: Won Silver Cleff Integro Outstanding Award

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

April 2019: Saving Grace album recorded

In April 2019, Robert Plant with Suzi Dian began recording his first studio album, Saving Grace, with the Saving Grace lineup. The album was recorded between April 2019 and January 2025 in the Cotswolds and on the Welsh Borders.

2020: Donation towards COVID-19 medical supplies

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

March 2022: Guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs

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.

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January 2025: Saving Grace album recorded

In January 2025, Robert Plant with Suzi Dian finished recording his first studio album, Saving Grace, with the Saving Grace lineup. The album was recorded between April 2019 and January 2025 in the Cotswolds and on the Welsh Borders.

July 2025: Saving Grace album announced

On 16 July 2025, Robert Plant announced Saving Grace, credited to Robert Plant with Suzi Dian. It is his first studio album with the Saving Grace lineup.

September 2025: Saving Grace album released

On 26 September 2025, Saving Grace, credited to Robert Plant with Suzi Dian was released by Nonesuch Records. It was recorded between April 2019 and January 2025.