Robert Plant (b. 1948)

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Original Speech

"Led Zeppelin European Tour Interview" — 1975

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Biography

Robert Anthony Plant 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 flamboyant persona, raw stage performances and his powerful, wide-ranging voice.

Timeline

The story of Robert Plant, told in moments.

1968 Event

Jimmy Page invited him to join the reformed Yardbirds, which quickly became Led Zeppelin. Plant was 20. The band recorded their debut album in 30 hours. It hit No. 10 on the Billboard 200.

What was it like recording an album in thirty hours? Did you feel Zeppelin was special from the first session? Was Jimmy Page's invitation the moment everything changed?

1971 Event

Led Zeppelin IV was released. "Stairway to Heaven" became the most requested FM radio song in history, though it was never released as a single. The album has sold over 37 million copies worldwide.

Does 'Stairway to Heaven' being the most requested song ever feel like a blessing or a burden? Why was it never released as a single? What does 37 million copies of one album mean to you?

1982 Event

Released Pictures at Eleven, his first solo album after Led Zeppelin disbanded following John Bonham's death in 1980. It reached the top ten in the US. Plant refused to simply repeat the Zeppelin formula. He kept moving.

Was refusing to repeat the Zeppelin formula courage or stubbornness? How did Bonham's death change what music meant to you? Did solo work feel lonely after Led Zeppelin?

2009 Event

Raising Sand, his collaboration with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, won the Grammy for Album of the Year. "Please Read the Letter" won Record of the Year. Plant was 60. Rolling Stone readers voted him the greatest lead singer of all time in 2011.

What made the collaboration with Alison Krauss work so beautifully? Did the Grammy for Album of the Year at sixty surprise you? Is reinvention a choice or a compulsion?

In Their Own Words (20)

It starts out like a murmurThen it grows like thunderUntil it bursts inside of youTry to hold it steadyWait until you're readyAny second now will doThrow the door wide openNot a word is spokenAnything that you want to doYa know, ya know, ya know...

Wearing and Tearing (1978), 1978

Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,Think I see my friends coming, Riding a many mile.Friends, did you get some silver?Did you get a little gold?What did you bring me, my dear friends, To keep me from the Gallows Pole?What did you bring me to keep me from the Gallows Pole?

Gallows Pole, Traditional, arr. Jimmy Page/Robert Plant, based on The Maid Freed from the Gallows, 1970

Ah, ah,We come from the land of the ice and snow,From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.The hammer of the gods, we'll drive our ships to new lands,To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!On we sweep with threshing oar,Our only goal will be the western shore.

Immigrant Song, 1970

Tangerine, Tangerine,Living reflection of a dream;I was her love, she was my queen,And now a thousand years between.

Tangerine, written by Jimmy Page, 1970

Do you remember mama, when I knocked upon your door?I said you had the nerve to tell me you didn't want me no more, yeah.I open my front door, I hear my back door slam.You know I must have one of them new fangled, new fangled back doors man.

Since I've Been Loving You, 1970