Robert Plant 

A member of one of the most seminal rock bands in English history, Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant is an extremely influential and talented singer/songwriter who has demonstrated an impressive staying power in the ever changing, always fickle music industry.

Robert Anthony Plant was born August 20, 1948 in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England. Never enamored with the academic scene, Plant left school by his mid-teens. Although he had a potentially promising and lucrative career lined up as an accountant, Plant could not deny his passion for music. He left everything behind to pursue his love of the blues.

Citing his early musical inspirations as Robert Johnson, Skip James, and Jerry Miller, Plant worked odd jobs to pay the bills while struggling to break into the music industry. These jobs included everything from construction to retail.

Releasing singles on an independent label, Plant bounced around various groups. While none gained any commercial success, people in the music industry began to hear tell of a talented young man with an exceedingly powerful voice.

By 1968, Plant met Jimmy Page, who was searching for a vocalist to lead his new band. Sharing a similar musical mindset, the two became fast friends. Page, Plant, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones came together, and Led Zeppelin was born. They released their self-titled album in 1969.

Searching for a new sound, the music consuming demographic immediately took to the band’s mix of heavy metal sound and acoustic soulfulness. Their success ran unchecked until 1975 when Plant and his wife were involved in a serious car crash. While Plant recovered for several months, the band’s seventh album, Presence, was greatly hindered. Tour dates were also unavoidably cancelled.

Real tragedy struck two years later when Plant’s five year old son, Karac, died of a stomach infection. Plant was devastated, and the songs “All My Love” as well as “I Believe” are dedicated to his memory.

Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980, after which Plant pursued his solo career. He released Pictures at Eleven in 1982 and followed it with The Principles of Moments in 1983.

Seeking out alternative venues, Plant formed the band The Honeydrippers in 1984 with former band mate Page as well as Jeff Beck. Upon Plant’s direction, the band never performed any Zeppelin hits.

Plant, as a rule, avoided rehashing the hits of his former band. Some of the major exceptions included the 1985 charity concert Live Aid, where he performed with surviving Zeppelin members and Phil Collins, as well as in 1995 when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

During his solo career, Plant has been associated with Priory of Brion, Alison Krauss, and Strange Sensation, with whom Plant has received the most critical acclaim post-Zeppelin.

Plant’s unique style is said to have influenced everyone from Freddie Mercury to Steven Tyler to Axl Rose. He is also credited with helping solidify the “rock god” image. It is even reported he shouted the comment, “I am a Golden god!” which was immortalized in Cameron Crowe’s film Almost Famous with stars Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson, and Patrick Fugit.

He is also known for lyrics infused with spiritual or overtly mystical overtones.

Plant married Maureen Wilson on November 9, 1969. They had three children before divorcing in August 1983.