Born 78 Years Ago Today in England, the “Golden God” of Rock Who Won a Grammy With This Bluegrass Legend
Robert Plant, the Led Zeppelin frontman known for his flowing golden locks and powerful voice, was born in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, on 20 August 1948, making him 78 today. He rose from a teenage blues enthusiast who briefly trained as an accountant to become the singer of one of rock's most influential bands, and has continued to forge his own path in the decades since, including a Grammy-winning bluegrass collaboration with Alison Krauss.
Plant left home at 16 to pursue music, later forming Band of Joy with future Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham before guitarist Jimmy Page recruited him in the late 1960s. Led Zeppelin, completed by bassist John Paul Jones, released their self-titled debut in 1969 and went on to score eight consecutive UK number-one albums, six of which also topped the US charts, including the era-defining Led Zeppelin IV. The band disbanded in 1980 following the death of John Paul Jones, after which Plant pursued a varied solo career, most recently fronting the acoustic outfit Saving Grace.
- Robert Plant turns 78; born in West Bromwich, England, in 1948
- Fronted Led Zeppelin, one of rock's most influential bands
- Later won a Grammy for a bluegrass album with Alison Krauss
New here? Start with this
Robert Plant is the singer best known as the frontman of Led Zeppelin, one of the most influential rock bands of the late 1960s and 1970s. Formed after Plant, still a teenager immersed in blues music, was recruited by guitarist Jimmy Page, the band also featured drummer John Bonham and bassist John Paul Jones. Together they released a string of hugely successful albums, including the widely celebrated Led Zeppelin IV, before splitting up in 1980.
Since then, Plant has built a long and varied solo career rather than resting on his Led Zeppelin legacy. Among the notable chapters is a Grammy-winning collaboration with bluegrass and country singer Alison Krauss, which introduced him to new audiences outside rock music. He has continued to explore different musical styles in the years since, including his more recent work with the acoustic group Saving Grace.
Understanding this background helps explain why Plant, born in West Bromwich, England, in 1948, is regarded as such a significant figure in music history, and why anniversaries of his birth or career milestones tend to draw wide attention from fans of both classic rock and the many genres he has explored since.