How Old Is Robert Plant? Retrospective On The Frontman’s Career
How old is Robert Plant today, and what has he been up to? No true rock’s greatest hits playlist is complete without Robert Plant’s distinct wailing featured among the tracks, so you might be curious about this icon.
Born on August 20, 1948, in the West Midlands area of England, Robert Anthony Plant began performing when he was just 16 years old, having been inspired by the rock ‘n’ roll acts of the time, which included The King himself, Elvis Presley. It wouldn’t be until 1968 that he met future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, and the rest is history.
So, how old is Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin? The current age of Robert Plant in 2024 would be 75 years old, and his artistic vision shows no signs of slowing down. Let’s look back on Robert Plant’s history as a musician and where he is now.
Early music: The unlikely blues man
Robert Plant began his music career with a love for blues music that grew with his fascination with artists like Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson and Sleepy John Estes. Because of his love for music, he eventually dropped out of training to be a chartered accountant after only two weeks, choosing instead to pursue his passion and perform with various bands for more experience.
It was during this time that he met John Bonham, who would become the drummer for Led Zeppelin. When they first met, they were playing as session musicians for The Crawling King Snakes and Band of Joy, and their time performing together would start the lifelong friendship between them.
Becoming a legend: Joining Led Zeppelin
By 1965, Plant was touring colleges and universities, playing for music shows and festivals, as was becoming common at the time. During one such performance at a Birmingham training college in 1968, he auditioned for a band known as The Yardbirds, who were looking for a vocalist to help with split commitments.
Plant’s powerful singing voice immediately caught the ear of The Yardbirds’ guitarist Jimmy Page, who decided to hire him as the group’s frontman for the band that would become Led Zeppelin.
The stage persona: Wielding the hammer of the gods
Many documentaries about the band tend to ask, ‘How old is Robert Plant?’ to mark the various phases of his career. And with good reason: by his mid-twenties, Plant was touring with Led Zeppelin across Europe and North America during the ‘70s, to great fame.
Plant’s vocals have powered the band’s biggest hits during this time, from the signature call-and-response refrain in ‘Black dog’ and the sticky-fingered wailing in ‘Whole lotta love’ to the mystical lyricism of ‘Stairway to heaven’ and the gutsy Norse-inspired anthem ‘Immigrant song’.
His incredible singing skills were paired with a flamboyant and larger-than-life stage presence that captivated both audiences and popular media, making Plant a star inside and outside the band. This is perhaps no more evident than in their heavily documented concert in Madison Square Garden, New York, in 1973, which showcased Plant’s magnetic stage presence at the height of their fame.
Beyond the band: The soloist
How old is Robert Plant when he went solo?
Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1981 when Plant was 32 years old, and his solo career has found a steady rhythm since then. His first solo album, Pictures at eleven, would come out in 1982, and he would continue to release solo career albums in sonically different rock styles, like the upbeat and spirited The principle of moments and the mellow Shaken ‘n’ stirred.
Plant would eventually reunite with Jimmy Page to produce and release albums separate from the Led Zeppelin band, including an MTV Unplugged performance album. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss also collaborated on the album Raising sand, which won several Grammy Awards in 2009, including the prestigious Album of the Year award.
He also continues to make music with other bands, such as the Sensational Space Shifters, The Honeydrippers and other artists, maintaining an influence on new generations of artists through his past and present work.
Craving for more info about Robert Plant?
Jukebox Saturday Night has a deep-rooted love for rock ‘n’ roll. The brainchild of beloved radio DJ Ken Sparkes, the show shines a spotlight on music from the ‘50s through the ‘80s, during a time when music was played on real instruments.
Through our broadcasts, fans of bands and artists from yesteryears not only get to look back on the careers of artists like Johnnie Ray but also catch up on trivia questions like ‘How old is Pat Benatar now?’ or ‘How old is Robert Plant when Led Zeppelin IV released?’
You can also help us develop the show’s programming by requesting your favourite songs – we’ll give you a shoutout if we play your request on the broadcast!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How old was Robert Plant when he joined Led Zeppelin?
Robert Plant joined Led Zeppelin in 1968; he was 20 years old at the time. Plant brought his distinctive vocal style to the band that would become Led Zeppelin, and it marked the beginning of a dynamic career that would see Plant become one of rock’s most iconic figures.
What are some of Robert Plant’s most famous songs?
Many of the Robert Plant hits include critical classics ‘Stairway to heaven’ and ‘Kashmir’ and pop culture milestones like ‘Whole lotta love’ and ‘Immigrant song’. As a soloist, Robert Plant songs like ‘In the mood’ from the album The principle of moments and ‘Please read the letter’ from Raising sand (with Alison Krauss) have also garnered critical acclaim.
What are some notable collaborations Robert Plant has been a part of?
Post-Led Zeppelin, Plant’s work with Alison Krauss on Raising sand in 2007 earned both critical praise and multiple Grammy Awards. He has also collaborated with Led Zeppelin bandmate Jimmy Page and singer Phil Collins (he was a session drummer for the Pictures at eleven studio recording, as well as Plant’s North American tour in 1983).
Relive the classic hits with Jukebox Saturday Night
If you’re a fan who’s wondering, ‘How old is Robert Plant?’ or ‘What was Alice Cooper age when he started the band?’ when discussing their music with other fans, then Jukebox Saturday Night is the perfect show for you.
We invite you to experience the stories, the music and the legends of rock with us, whether it’s revisiting the classic seventies jukebox hits, exploring the poignance of the Ronnie Van Zant last words or finding out what happened to Leif Garrett since his last musical release.
We’re keeping the beats alive and kicking for rock music fans around the world. Discover more about your favourite artists and more when you tune in to Jukebox Saturday Night this week!
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, music history is often based on available documentation and interpretation.
Share On
