Early Days before Zeppelin:
Born Aug 20, 1948 as Robert Anthony Plant in West Bromwich, Staffordshire. Before his days in Zeppelin was a member of groups such as Listen, Band Of Joy. He sang lead vocal on Listen's single "You Better Run"/"Everybody's Gonna Say" Released solo material such as "Our Song," "Laughing, Crying, Laughing," "Long Time Coming," "I've Got A Secret," and also recorded with Alexis Korner.
While performing he was seen by Page, and Peter Grant at Hobstweedle at a Birmingham teacher training college, and was later offered job as vocalist in The New Yardbirds, begin rehearsals with Page, Jones, and Bonham in what would eventually become Led Zeppelin.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin I is released in early 1969, the album included "Dazed and Confused," and "Communication Breakdown," among others and would eventually crack the top 10 in the US. They make a good number off BBC appearances and appear in the movie Supershow.
Plant Marries Maureen (later divorced) in London, on November 9th, 1969 which was also Zeppelin's first date at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm. In late 1969 Led Zeppelin II is released and goes number 1. The single "Whole Lotta Love" would crack the top ten in the US, and end up being Zeppelin's only UK single ever to be released as it does get released in 1997. The group takes a different turn for Led Zeppelin III as the album is half acoustic. This surprises a lot of critics and fans. There were still hard rockers like the Immigrant Song and "Celebration Day,' plus the classic "Since I've Been Loving You," but many people did think that Zeppelin was capable of producing "Gallows Pole," or Tangerine."
After the fourth album was completed that band decided to issue it without their on the album (although after record company disputes their name did appear on the record only) and without an album name. Each member choose a symbol to be put on the album. Jimmy's symbol looked like it spelled Zoso, so some people call that album Zoso, or Led Zeppelin Four, or Runes because of the cover. Plant's symbol was the circle with the feather in it. This album became Zeppelin's best seller because of "Stairway To Heaven" which was never released as a single. The rest of the album is outstanding too. There's an excellent duo with Plant and Fairport Convention singer Sandy Denny on "The Battle of Evermore."
In 1972 Page and Plant tried to rerecord "Four Sticks" and "Friends" with Indian musicians in India. Although these recording were never released they did paint a picture of what kind of direction Plant and Page could take Zeppelin's music. After a delays House Of The Holy was released in March of 1973, and consists of a time when the band wrote some of their best material together. John Bonham ever is credited as the head writer in "The Ocean," "D'yer Ma'ker," and "The Crunge." The tour for these album would include some of Zeppelin's best performances ever in concert.
After taking some time off the group formed Swan Song Records, and eventually released the double album Physical Graffiti After the release all previous Zeppelin albums recharted at the same time giving them six albums that charts at the same time, a first for anyone. After a shaky US tour and 5 great nights in Earl's Court in May of 1975, the group was planning to do more touring later in the year. Plant was involved in a serious car accident with Maureen on August 4th, 1975 which changed any touring plans. This made the recording of Zeppelin's Presence to be done while he was in a wheel care. The album included the ten minute classic "Achilles Last Stand," and "Nobody's Fault But Mine," as well as "Hots On For Nowhere." Although the album was number one, it didn't do quite well because there was no tour.
Plant recovered fully from the accident as he was able to take first unaided steps in the beginning of 1976. The movie and the soundtrack to The Song Remains The Same is issued later in 1976. It contained footage from 3 nights at Madison Square Garden in New York for 1973 and filled the void because there was no Zep tour that year.
While on tour in the US during July of 1977, Plant's son Karac dies suddenly of a stomach infection. Forcing Zeppelin to cancel what would be their last U.S. tour.
Plant spends a long time away from the group and many people believe that the group may have broken up. In late 1978 a refreshed Plant and other Zeppelin members begin rehearsing on their final studio album In Through the Out Door. The album is JPJ dominated but does include some great Page solos on "Fool In The Rain," and "I'm Gonna Crawl." After a few disappointing shows in Copenhagen and Knebworth the group doesn't appear anywhere until December 1979 when Plant performs with JPJ, and Bonzo, with Paul McCartney and Wings Kampuchea benefit show at London's Hammersmith Odeon. Performs with Rockpile singing "Little Sister" There last tour starts in 1980 in Europe, and ends on July 7th. As there are preparing for their US tour John Bonham dies after a night of heavy drinking on September 25th. On December fourth Led Zeppelin announces their breakup by making the statement that they can not continue as they were.
Post Zeppelin
A few months after the breakup of Led Zeppelin, Plant commences a series of live gigs at a Stourbridge Wine Bar called "McCoys." He Played old R & B number with a band known as the Honeydrippers, and during August and September of 1981 begins working on his first solo album at Rockfield Studios. On June 28, 1982 Pictures at Eleven is released and debuts at number two on the charts in the U.K. The album includes his first singles "Burning Down One Side" and "Fat Lip." Burning Down One Side would also be his first music video. Other notable tracks on this album include "Worse Than Detroit," "Moonlight In Samosa," and "Like I've Never Been Gone."
Later in the year Led Zeppelin released Coda In 1983 Plant releases his second album, The Principle of Moments The single "Big Log" becomes a top 20 hit in U.S. and reaches number 11 in U.K. Other great tracks include the AOR hit "Other Arms," and "In The Mood." Starts his first solo tour on August 29, 1983 in Chicago, and would later tour in the U.K. and Australia. Gets together with a number of musicians and records old R & B tunes as the Honeydrippers releasing Honeydrippers Volume 1 This album is incredible successful with the hit "Sea of Love" as the song charts at #3 in the US. Plant would then play with the Honeydrippers on the December 15th edition of Saturday Night Live which is hosted is Eddie Murphy.
Plant records and released Shaken and Stirred which was released in 1985. The album includes "Little By Little," "Sixes and Sevens," and "Pink And Black," while the rest of the album is a different sound that didn't work for a lot of listeners. As some people think material like "Too Loud" is a little far out. Robert tours to support this album and the Honeydripper album and does half the show with material from each group, he's actually quite successful with this. Right in the middle of the tour he joins JPJ, and Page at Live Aid on July 13, 1985 and sings a few Zeppelin classics after a weak album sales for Shaken and Stirred Plant disbands his touring and recording band.
In early 1987 sings one song, "The Only One," that would appear on Jimmy Page's 1988 Outrider album. Plant picks up a new band and starts recording a new album and has Page play on two tracks. Plays a few concerts in December and performs Zeppelin songs for the first time. Releases Now and Zen which is extremely successful because of songs like "Tall Cool One," "Heaven Knows," and "Ship Of Fools." "Tall Cool One" contained Zeppelin samples that Page wasn't too thrilled with at the time. This album revived Plant's solo career as he performed to over 1 million people in the U.S. He later did one Coke commercial which he now regrets. Also during 1988 during the Atlantic 40th Anniversary, Plant performs he solo set with his band.
Later on that evening he reunites with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, with Jason Bonham at the drums for a Zeppelin set. The performance wasn't perfect, and Plant didn't want to sing Stairway (he did), but it was a contrast in performance than how good the rehearsals were. At the end of the year he performed on MTV New Years Eve party in 1988.
Performing 'Heaven Knows,' 'Tall Cool One,' and 'Ship of Fools.' As a follow-up Plant released Manic Nirvana in 1990. This album contained some samples as well, and had a great sound that isn't captured on any other Plant album. Highlights include "S S S And Q," "Tie Dye On The Highway," and "Nirvana." Plant would receive the Knebworth Silver Clef award and performs with Jimmy Page for a few Zeppelin songs on June 30th. Later in 1990 the Led Zeppelin box set is released. There are two versions the Four CD-US version or the 3CD-UK version.
Released Fate Of Nations in 1993 which includes "Calling To You," "29 Palms," as well as lighter material like Tim Hardin's "If I Were A Carpenter," and "Great Spirit." Plant would perform on David Letterman and Jay Leno , and have a special appearing on PBS in the U.S. (an edited version later aired on VH-1). Later in 1993 the second Led Zeppelin box set was released containing material not on the first US box set, and the complete studio recordings were released in one set.
Together Again
After touring with his solo band in 1994 Plant reunited with Jimmy Page and worked on the Unledded "No Quarter" project. A special aired on MTV followed by a release of CD and home video version of No Quarter. Most of the material was rehashed Zeppelin material with a new flavor, although they did cover some of the lesser known Zep tunes, like "Friends" and "That's The Way," the album did include the epic "Kashmir." Plus three new songs (four if you count the UK album) including "Yallah" and "Wonderful One."
Early in 1995 Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And although they did forget John Paul Jones phone number, the three members with Jason Bonham and Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith played a Zeppelin set that night. Page/Plant would also jam with Neil Young. A month later Page and Plant would begin a world tour on February 26th in Pensacola Florida. They performed mostly Zeppelin material with one Plant song, "Calling To You," one Page song, "Shake My Tree," and one song from second guitarist Porl Thompson from the Cure, "Lullaby." Porl Thompson left after the end of the second US tour as Page and Plant would later tour Japan and Australia, and playing 'Tea For One,' and 'Ten Years Gone' in Japan.
In 1997 the Led Zeppelin BBC sessions would be released containing songs that a lot of people owned on bootleg but this time would great quality and on CD After what seemed forever Page/Plant release Walking Into Clarkdale the album includes "Shining In The Light" "When The World Was Young," and "Most High." They did another world tour to support their gold album. The album though didn't sell as well as previous Plant albums which may have prevented the duo from recording again.
Back on His Own
In late 1999 Plant started playing very low key gigs in the UK and it's possible he will tour this summer. Page has done some work with the Black Crowes and will have a live album out with them in the spring of 2000. In 2000 Plant formed the Priory of Brion. The band featured Kevyn Gammond, Paul Timothy, Paul Wetton, and Andy Edwards. The material consisted of forgotten classics like Bummer In The Summer, Darkness Darkness, Early In The Morning, White Rabbit, Seven and Seven Is..., and more. Later in 2000 Plant broke up the Priory of Brion then formed a new band called Strange Sensation and played some dates in Europe.
In May 2001 Plant took toured for the first time in the United States since 1997 playing a variety of material from the Priory of Brion, but no solo material and a small amount of Zeppelin material. After a short tour Plant and his band played a few more shows and then headed into the studio in the later part of the year. In April of 2002 it was announced that Plant would release his first solo album since Fate of Nations in July. That album would be called Head First.
