Robert Plant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Plant
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Plant performing live at the Regent Theatre, Ipswich in 2024
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Robert Anthony Plant
20 August 1948 West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England
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| Years active | 1965–present |
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| Children | 4 |
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| Origin | Halesowen, Worcestershire |
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Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948) is a famous English singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and lyricist for the rock band Led Zeppelin. This band was formed in 1968 and became very successful until they broke up in 1980.
After Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant started a successful solo career. He also worked with other artists, like Alison Krauss. Many people think he is one of the greatest singers in rock music. He is known for his exciting stage presence and his powerful voice.
Plant grew up in the West Midlands area of England. He left school at 16 to focus on singing. He joined several local blues bands, including Band of Joy with John Bonham. In 1968, he was asked to join a new band with Jimmy Page. This group soon changed its name to Led Zeppelin. They became hugely popular from the late 1960s to the end of the 1970s.
Robert Plant became a charismatic rock star. He was often compared to other famous singers like Mick Jagger and Roger Daltrey. After Led Zeppelin ended, Plant continued to make music. His first two solo albums, Pictures at Eleven (1982) and The Principle of Moments (1983), were very popular. He also had a hit song, "Sea of Love", with his band The Honeydrippers. Later, his solo album Now and Zen (1988) became his biggest seller.
In the 1990s, Plant worked with Jimmy Page again as Page and Plant. They released two albums and won a Grammy Award for their song "Most High". In 2007, Plant teamed up with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss. Their album Raising Sand won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2009. It also had a hit song, "Please Read the Letter", which won Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Plant has continued to make music with new bands like the Sensational Space Shifters and Saving Grace.
In 1995, Led Zeppelin was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone magazine named Plant one of the 100 best singers of all time. He was also voted the greatest lead singer in a 2011 poll.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Journey
Robert Anthony Plant was born on 20 August 1948. His birthplace was West Bromwich, England. He grew up in Halesowen, Worcestershire. In his mid-teens, he left school. He became very passionate about blues music. He admired artists like Willie Dixon and Robert Johnson.
Plant decided to leave his training as an accountant. He wanted to focus on music. He said he started his "real education musically" at 16. He moved between different bands. This helped him learn more about blues and other music.
His early blues influences included Bukka White and Skip James. Plant worked various jobs while pursuing music. He even worked for a construction company. He released three early songs with CBS Records. He also sang with bands like the Crawling King Snakes. This is where he met drummer John Bonham. They later played together in the Band of Joy.
Led Zeppelin Years (1968–1980)
Forming a Legendary Band
In 1968, guitarist Jimmy Page was looking for a singer for his new band. He found Robert Plant singing in a band called Hobbstweedle. Plant sang "Somebody to Love". Page was so impressed that his search for a singer ended.
Plant and Page quickly became good friends. They shared a love for music. They started writing songs together. They often reworked older blues tunes.
The band was first called the "New Yardbirds." But soon, they became Led Zeppelin. Their first album, Led Zeppelin, came out in 1969. Many people believe it helped create the heavy metal music style. However, Plant has said that Led Zeppelin's music was not just heavy metal. He pointed out that much of their music was acoustic.
In 1975, Plant and his wife were in a serious car crash in Greece. This accident caused delays in making Led Zeppelin's seventh album, Presence. The band also had to cancel their tour dates that year.
A sad event happened in July 1977. Plant's five-year-old son, Karac, passed away. This happened while Led Zeppelin was on tour in the United States. Plant went home to England. For months, he thought about his future in music.
Writing Powerful Lyrics
Robert Plant started writing song lyrics for Led Zeppelin in 1969. This was during the making of their album Led Zeppelin II.
His lyrics for Led Zeppelin were often mysterious and thoughtful. They included ideas from Norse mythology and old stories. For example, "Immigrant Song" talks about Valhalla and Viking adventures. The song "No Quarter" is sometimes thought to be about the god Thor. But it actually refers to Mount Thor, which is named after the god.
Plant was also inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien. Tolkien's book series influenced songs like "The Battle of Evermore" and "Ramble On". These songs have lines that refer to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
Welsh mythology also greatly influenced Plant's mystical lyrics. He grew up near the Welsh border. He often took trips to Snowdonia. In 1973, Plant bought a sheep farm in Wales. He started learning Welsh and studying Welsh myths. His first son, Karac, was named after a Welsh warrior. Songs like "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" were inspired by Welsh places. Critics believe Plant's experiences in Wales shaped his interest in mythology.
Plant and Jimmy Page revisited these influences in 1994. This was for their reunion album No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded. Plant continued to use these ideas in his solo career. A good example is his 2002 album Dreamland.
Most of the lyrics for "Stairway to Heaven" were written quickly by Plant. This happened in 1970 while the song was being recorded. "Stairway to Heaven" was never released as a single. But it is often voted as one of the greatest songs ever.
An Exciting Stage Presence
Robert Plant was very successful with Led Zeppelin in the 1970s. He became known as an exciting rock-and-roll frontman. He was like other famous singers such as Freddie Mercury of Queen. With his long blond hair and powerful look, Plant helped create the image of a "rock god."
On stage, Plant was very energetic. He would dance, jump, and make big gestures. He often threw his head back or clapped his hands. As the 1970s went on, he and the other band members wore more colorful clothes and jewelry.
Classic Rock magazine said that Plant quickly developed a lot of confidence on stage. This helped make Led Zeppelin even more popular. One unusual award he received was the "Chest O Rama" from Rock Scene magazine. Readers voted him as having the best chest in rock music.
Solo Career and Collaborations (1981–Present)
Early Solo Success (1981–1993)
Led Zeppelin broke up in December 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham. Robert Plant thought about becoming a teacher. But he decided to start a solo music career. He was encouraged by Genesis drummer Phil Collins, who later played with him.
Plant's first solo album was Pictures at Eleven in 1982. His next album was The Principle of Moments in 1983. Popular songs from this time include "Big Log" and "In the Mood". Later, "I Believe" (from 1993's Fate of Nations) was written for his late son, Karac.
For a while, Plant avoided playing Led Zeppelin songs. But his tours in 1983 and 1985 were very successful. He often played to sold-out crowds. In 1986, he performed at a charity concert in Birmingham.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Plant worked with keyboardist Phil Johnstone. They wrote three solo albums together: Now and Zen (1988), Manic Nirvana (1990), and Fate of Nations (1993). Johnstone convinced Plant to start playing Led Zeppelin songs live. Plant had not wanted to be known only as "the former Led Zeppelin vocalist."
Plant also worked with Jimmy Page on other projects. In 1984, they formed a group called The Honeydrippers with Jeff Beck. They had a hit song with "Sea of Love". Plant and Page also performed together at the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert in 1988. In 1992, Plant sang with Queen at a tribute concert for Freddie Mercury.
Page and Plant Reunion (1994–1998)
Page and Plant became a full music act from 1994 to 1998. They released the album No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded in 1994. This was followed by a very successful tour in 1995. Fans had wondered for years if they would work together again.
They agreed to do an "Unplugged" show for MTV. As part of the deal, they also visited Morocco to record new music. The No Quarter album included both projects. The Led Zeppelin songs had new arrangements. They featured strings, Egyptian musicians, and singer Najma Akhtar.
Page and Plant recorded one album of new songs, Walking into Clarksdale, in 1998. It was not as successful. After another world tour, Plant went back to his solo career. A song from this album, "Please Read the Letter", was later re-recorded by Plant with Alison Krauss. It won a Grammy Award in 2007.
New Bands and Collaborations (1999–Present)
From 1999 to 2000, Plant performed with his folk-rock band, Priory of Brion. They played cover versions of songs that had influenced Plant. Many of these songs later appeared on his Dreamland album.
In 2002, Plant formed a new band called Strange Sensation. They released Dreamland, which was a collection of blues and folk remakes. Their second album, Mighty ReArranger (2005), had new, original songs. Both albums received great reviews and several Grammy nominations.
As a former member of Led Zeppelin, Plant received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. He also received the Polar Music Prize in 2006. From 2001 to 2007, Plant toured a lot with Strange Sensation. Their shows included his solo songs and new versions of Led Zeppelin favorites.
Working with Alison Krauss (2007–2009 & 2021)
In 2007 and 2008, Plant recorded and performed with bluegrass star Alison Krauss. Their duet album, Raising Sand, came out in October 2007. It included songs from different styles like R&B, blues, folk, and country. In February 2008, their song "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" won a Grammy.
In February 2009, Raising Sand won five Grammys. These included Album of the Year and Record of the Year. The album was very successful with critics and sold many copies. Plant and Krauss toured the US and Europe in 2008. They played songs from Raising Sand and new versions of Led Zeppelin tunes.
In 2021, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss released another album together. It was called Raise the Roof.
Band of Joy and Sensational Space Shifters (2010–2018)
In July 2010, Plant started a tour with his new group, also called Band of Joy. This name was used for his first band in the 1960s. The group included singers Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller. They released a new studio album called Band of Joy in September 2010. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award.
In 2012, Robert Plant formed another new band, the Sensational Space Shifters. They played their first show in Gloucester, England. The band included former Strange Sensation members like Liam Tyson and Justin Adams.
In July 2012, the band released a live album. It featured songs from Strange Sensation, Led Zeppelin, and other covers. In 2014, Plant released his tenth solo album, Lullaby and... The Ceaseless Roar. This was his first studio album with the Sensational Space Shifters.
Plant continued to tour with the Sensational Space Shifters. In 2015, he hinted at plans for a new album with the band. He also performed at a tribute concert for American folk legend Lead Belly. In 2016, Plant covered a song for a charity album helping refugees. He said, "We have a worldwide international catastrophe. Talking about it is one thing, doing something about it is another."
Plant's eleventh solo album, Carry Fire, was released in 2017. It was also supported by the Sensational Space Shifters.
Saving Grace (2019–Present)
In 2019, Plant formed a new acoustic band called Saving Grace. They performed at smaller venues and as opening acts. In March 2020, their planned US tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In July 2021, Plant performed his first show after the pandemic. He played with Saving Grace in Worthing, England. He then toured the UK with the band.
Led Zeppelin Reunions
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Robert Plant has performed with the living members of Led Zeppelin a few times. This includes Live Aid in 1985 and the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary in 1988. At these shows, Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin's late drummer, played drums. These performances were short and had little practice.
After many rumors, Led Zeppelin played a full two-hour concert on 10 December 2007. This was at the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert. Jason Bonham again played drums. Even though there was huge public demand, Plant turned down a large offer to tour with Led Zeppelin after this show.
In interviews, Plant said he enjoyed the reunion. He felt the music was strong. However, he has often said no to a full tour. He stated he does not want to "tour like a bunch of bored old men." In 2013, Plant hinted that he might be open to a reunion in 2014. But he later said the chances were "zero."
Personal Life and Interests
Robert Plant married Maureen Wilson in 1968. They had three children: Carmen Jane, Karac Pendragon, and Logan Romero. In 1977, his five-year-old son, Karac, passed away. The song "All My Love" was written as a tribute to him. Plant and Maureen divorced in 1983.
Plant is interested in Welsh history. He donated money for a statue of the Welsh prince Owain Glyndŵr. This statue was unveiled in Wales in 2004. He also supports the local football club, Wolverhampton Wanderers. He became a vice-president of the club in 2009. Plant has been a fan since he was five years old.
In 2009, Plant was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was for his services to music. In 2020, Plant donated money to help make medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musical Legacy
Robert Plant has influenced many singers. These include Geddy Lee, Ann Wilson, and Sammy Hagar. Later rock vocalists like Jeff Buckley and Jack White also copied his style. Freddie Mercury of Queen and Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses were also influenced by Plant.
Encyclopædia Britannica says that Plant's voice helped define hard rock and heavy metal singing. He used a high range, loud volume, and strong emotions. In 2006, Hit Parader magazine named Plant the No. 1 "Greatest Metal Vocalist of All Time."
In 2008, Rolling Stone named Plant the 15th-greatest singer of all time. In 2009, he was voted the "greatest voice in rock" by Planet Rock. He also won the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize at the Q Awards in 2009. National Public Radio (NPR) named Plant one of the "50 Great Voices" in the world in 2010.
Tours
Discography
Studio albums
- Pictures at Eleven (1982)
- The Principle of Moments (1983)
- Shaken 'n' Stirred (1985)
- Now and Zen (1988)
- Manic Nirvana (1990)
- Fate of Nations (1993)
- Dreamland (2002)
- Mighty ReArranger (2005)
- Band of Joy (2010)
- Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar (2014)
- Carry Fire (2017)
Compilation albums
- Sixty Six to Timbuktu (2003)
- Nine Lives (Box Set) (2006)
- Digging Deep (2019)
- Digging Deep: Subterranea (2020)
Live albums
- Sensational Space Shifters (Live in London July '12) (2012)
Collaborative albums
- The Honeydrippers: Volume One (1984) (with Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck)
- No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded (1994) (live album with Jimmy Page)
- Walking into Clarksdale (1998) (with Jimmy Page)
- Raising Sand (2007) (with Alison Krauss)
- Raise the Roof (2021) (with Alison Krauss)
Images for kids
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Plant performing live at the Regent Theatre, Ipswich in 2024
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Derivative of Plant's feather sigil used in the Led Zeppelin IV album
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Plant with Led Zeppelin, 1973
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Plant and Page performing an acoustic set at Musikhalle Hamburg, in 1973
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Plant on the cover of an Argentine magazine in 1974
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Plant (left) with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page in concert in Chicago, Illinois, 1977
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Plant, Phil Johnstone, and Creem editor Dusty Wright, backstage at the Glastonbury Festival, 1993
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Plant and Strange Sensation at the Green Man Festival, 2007
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Plant on stage with Alison Krauss at Birmingham's NIA on 5 May 2008
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Plant performing live with the Band of Joy (including, most notably, Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller) at Birmingham Symphony Hall on 27 October 2010
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Plant performing live on stage at a music festival in July 2018
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Plant giving an interview to AXS TV in 2021
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Plant on stage with Jimmy Page in 2007
See also
In Spanish: Robert Plant para niños
