Robert Plant biography

The album went to the top of the charts and featured the hit "D'yer Mak'er." In addition to their recordings, Led Zeppelin was one of the most popular live acts at the time. Its members were infamous for their partying ways on the road. "I can remember a stream of carpenters walking into a room as we were checking out. We'd be going out one way, and they'd be going in the other way, with a sign, CLOSED FOR REMODELING, being put on the door,

" Plant once explained to Rolling Stone magazine.

Led Zeppelin scored again with the double album Physical Graffiti, released in 1975. It contained such hits as "Trampled Underfoot." While the band was thriving, Plant faced some personal challenges. He and his family were injured in a car accident that summer while vacationing in Greece. Plant took some time off to recover.

Their next effort, 1976's Presence, failed to live up to their earlier triumphs. That same year, the group was featured in the concert film The Song Remains the Same, which featured some great live performances. The movie has become a cult classic.

Personal Tragedy

In 1977, Plant experienced a great personal loss. While he was away on tour in the United States, his 6-year-old son Karac died from a viral infection. Sudden and unexpected, Karac's death hit Plant and his family hard. He canceled the rest of the tour, and Led Zeppelin went on hiatus for a year and a half.

Returning to work in late 1978, Plant and his bandmates began recording In Through the Out Door, which proved to be their last album. They were preparing for a tour when John Bonham died at Page's house outside London in September 1980. Bonham reportedly choked to death on his own vomit after passing out from a night of heavy drinking. Mourning the loss of their friend, Plant, Page, and Jones decided in December that Led Zeppelin could not continue without Bonham.

Solo Career

In 1982, Plant launched his solo career with Pictures at Eleven, which fared well on the album charts. He then released The Principle of Moments (1983), known for its mellow single "Big Log." Recording with Page, guitarist Jeff Beck, and guitarist/producer Nile Rodgers, Plant sang the lead vocals for a collaborative R&B-influenced project called The Honeydrippers, Vol. 1 (1984). The group had two successful singles, the ballad "Sea of Love" and the more uptempo "Rockin' at Midnight."

Reuniting with Page and Jones, Plant revisited his Led Zeppelin days at the Live Aid benefit concert in 1985. He released another solo effort, Shaken 'n' Stirred that year, on which he experimented with hip-hop styles. In 1988, Plant pitched in for Page's solo debut, Outrider, as well as releasing Now & Zen in response to fans' ardent requests for Led Zeppelin material. He then released Manic Nirvana (1990), which received strong reviews and reached as high as the 13th spot on the album charts. He reteamed with Page and Jones in 1988 for the special concert held in honor of Atlantic Records 25th anniversary. This time, however, Jason Bonham, son of the late John Bonham, filled in on drums.