Robert Plant

Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948) is an English singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin from its founding in 1968 until their break-up in 1980. Since then, he has had a successful solo career, sometimes collaborating with other artists such as Alison Krauss. Regarded by many as one of the greatest singers in rock music, he is known for his raw stage performances and his powerful, wide-ranging voice. Plant was born and raised in the West Midlands area of England. On leaving grammar school he briefly trained as a chartered accountant, before leaving home aged 16 to concentrate on singing with a series of local blues bands, including Band of Joy with drummer John Bonham. In 1968 he was invited by manager Peter Grant and guitarist Jimmy Page to join the Yardbirds, which Grant and Page were attempting to keep going after some of its members had left. The new version of the Yardbirds, with Plant, changed their name to Led Zeppelin and, from the late 1960s until their disbandment in 1980, had international success. Plant was a charismatic rock 'n' roll frontman, comparable to '70s contemporaries such as Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones...