Robert Plant, born on August 20, 1948, is best known as the lead vocalist of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin. His powerful, blues-influenced vocals and distinctive stage presence helped define the sound of rock music in the 1970s. Plant’s collaboration with guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham created some of the most iconic rock songs ever.
Like anyone deeply obsessed with music, former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant’s favourite songs reflect the most poignant moments of his life. For him, these tracks are more than just music he enjoys on a sonic level—they represent a personal journey that began in his adolescence, when music first captivated him as a teenager, and continues to shape his life well into his autumn years.
Each track that Plant has listed as a favourite over the years is a creation that boasts a strong sentimental attachment with the singer, accompanying him throughout what has been a rollercoaster existence that has taken him beyond his wildest dreams.
Unlike many who find themselves in the realm of entertainment, it wasn’t a world familiar to him as a youngster. However, despite enduring a lonely childhood in the West Midlands, the transformative impact that music had on him successfully injected bundles of light into what was previously a dreary existence. Songs were the tool that allowed him to understand that there was more to the world than what he saw outside his window in Halesowen, England.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2007, the Led Zeppelin singer reflected upon this chapter of his life, labelling his love of music as “a panacea and a mysterious release” amid the voidness in his heart. Detailing further, he continued: “It was otherworldly, another life outside Middle England in 1960 where it was all about endeavour, learning and making sure that all your vulnerabilities were not too evident so that you didn’t end up looking like a sobbing klutz”.
When Plant appeared on BBC Radio 2’s Tracks Of My Years, he was in a wistful mood and spread love to various songs that lit up his life, including one or two unexpected selections. His first choice came courtesy of The Rolling Stones and their debut single, ‘Come On’.
Although, as a teenager, Plant was unaware of the intricacies of the London scene that birthed The Rolling Stones, this record helped open his eyes like a gateway drug. It alerted him to the vibrant string of groups in the capital and made him aware of their influence from the Delta blues scene that had taken America by storm.
The Rolling Stones are a band that Plant will always be grateful for existing, as he was lucky enough to catch them performing on their debut package tour alongside Bo Diddley and Little Richard. Unsurprisingly, it was a life-affirming night, as he recalled, “We were all leaning towards that music. But nobody really had it down. I think in those days, The Stones were bringing the stone down the mountain. So that was really special”.
In somewhat of a musical contrast, the next choice from the Led Zeppelin founder is by the late Cilla Black and her song, ‘It’s For You’. Notably, the track was given to the Liverpudlian by The Beatles duo John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The release touched Plant immensely, and he noted that “her voice and her gift as a singer stayed with me forever”.
Furthermore, Plant selected ‘I Ain’t Superstitious’ by The Jeff Beck Group, which also featured Jimmy Page, who later became Plant’s right-hand man in Led Zeppelin. Together, the two musicians etched their names into the rock ‘n’ roll history books.
In another change of pace, Plant expressed his adoration for folk flavourings by naming Joni Mitchell’s ‘Amelia’ and labelling the singer-songwriter as “the queen of all that beautiful music that was written around that time for the late ’60s on through”.
Adding yet more praise to the folk icon, he said: “Her catalogue is incredible, and her concerts were really beautiful, incredibly moving. The whole Laurel Canyon music scene up there in Sunset Boulevard was something really special”.
While the majority of Plant’s selections derive from his youth and the songs that pushed him on his journey and shaped his unique, evolving artistry, he does keep his ear to the ground.
The former Led Zeppelin frontman hinted that his favourite contemporary artist is the American singer-songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff, naming his track, ‘And It’s Still Alright’, among his all-time favourites. Explaining his decision, he said: “Well, Nathaniel is one of the really big strong new names in America. Also, he is a real great blue-eyed Soul singer and his new record, it’s just a killer. So he is a soulful guy, he is one of these guys that will just carry the torch. Beautiful songwriting, beautiful singing, great delivery and he is a magnificent guy to go with it”.
As to be expected from an artist with a varied career that has taken him from pioneering heavy rock with Led Zeppelin to producing bluegrass covers and forming a stellar partnership alongside Alison Krauss, Plant’s favourites are as eclectic as his output.