For nearly 50 years, Robert Plant has been a standard bearer for rock and roll lead singers. Few have had his presence and even fewer have had as iconic of a voice.
In honor of his birthday, let’s take a look back through his stellar career, from Led Zeppelin to his solo success and everything in between.
Mr and Mrs Cole with Led Zeppelin
ShareEnglish music manager Richard Cole with his wife, former bunny girl Marylin Woolhead, celebrating their wedding with British rock band Led Zeppelin and British writer and composer Lionel Bart (1930 - 1999), London, UK, 3rd January 1974. (L-R) Richard Cole, Marylin Woolhead, Lionel Bart, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant. (Photo by Victor Blackman/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareMANCHESTER, TN - JUNE 14: Musician Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters perform onstage at Which Stage during Day 4 of the 2015 Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival on June 14, 2015 in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareMANCHESTER, TN - JUNE 14: Musician Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters perform onstage at Which Stage during Day 4 of the 2015 Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival on June 14, 2015 in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareSAO PAULO, BRAZIL - MARCH 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image.) Robert Plant performs during 2015 Lollapalooza Brazil at Autodromo de Interlagos on March 28, 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mauricio Santana/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareSAO PAULO, BRAZIL - MARCH 28: Robert Plant performs during 2015 Lollapalooza Brazil at Autodromo de Interlagos on March 28, 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mauricio Santana/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareNEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Robert Plant Visits "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center on September 26, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/NBC/Getty Images for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon")
Robert Plant
ShareNEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Robert Plant Visits "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center on September 26, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/NBC/Getty Images for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon")
Robert Plant and Patty Griffin
ShareNASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 17: Robert Plant and Patty Griffin perform onstage at the 13th annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium on September 17, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Americana Music)
Americana Music Festival & Conference Award Show – Show, Audience & Backstage
ShareNASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 17: Robert Plant performs onstage at the 13th annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium on September 17, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music)
Robert Plant
ShareGLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Robert Plant performs on the Pyramid Stage during day 2 of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 28, 2014 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareGLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Robert Plant performs on the Pyramid Stage during day 2 of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 28, 2014 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareBYRON BAY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Former Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant performs on stage with his band The Sensational Space Shifters at Bluesfest Byron Bay 2013 - Day 3 on March 30, 2013 in Byron Bay, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareLONDON - JULY 10: British rock legend Robert Plant performs with his band the Strange Sensation during the Somerset House Summer Series at Somerset House on July 10, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareLONDON - JULY 10: British rock legend Robert Plant performs with his band the Strange Sensation during the Somerset House Summer Series at Somerset House on July 10, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareCHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Musician Robert Plant and his band, The Strange Sensations, perform on stage on the first day of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 20, 2005 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Louise Wilson/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareSINGAPORE - MARCH 21: Former Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant performs with his band The Sensational Space Shifters during the Timbre Rock & Roots Festival 2013 on March 21, 2013 in Singapore. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareWASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 12: In this handout from the White House, U.S. President Barack Obama talks with the surviving members of Led Zeppelin John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page during intermission at the Kennedy Center Honors on December 12, 2012 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
ShareLed Zeppelin
ShareWASHINGTON - DECEMBER 2: (AFP OUT) Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones (L-R) of the band Led Zeppelin attend the Kennedy Center Honors reception at the White House on December 2, 2012 in Washington, DC. The Kennedy Center Honors recognized seven individuals - Buddy Guy, Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman, Natalia Makarova, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant - for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
ShareWASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 1: (L-R Back Row) John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, David Letterman (L-R Front Row) U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Buddy Guy, Natalia Makarova, Dustin Hoffman pose following a dinner for Kennedy honorees hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the U.S. Department of State on December 1, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ron Sachs - Pool/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
ShareWASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 1: (L-R) John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zepplin, three of the seven recipients of the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors, pose for a photograph following a dinner for Kennedy honorees hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the U.S. Department of State on December 1, 2012 in Washington, DC. The 2012 honorees are Buddy Guy, actor Dustin Hoffman, late-night host David Letterman, dancer Natalia Makarova, and members of the British rock band Led Zeppelin Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones. (Photo by Ron Sachs - Pool/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
ShareWASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 1: (L-R) John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin speak with Buddy Guy (2nd R) as they prepare to pose for a photograph following a dinner for Kennedy honorees hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the U.S. Department of State on December 1, 2012 in Washington, DC. The 2012 honorees are Buddy Guy, actor Dustin Hoffman, late-night host David Letterman, dancer Natalia Makarova, and members of the British rock band Led Zeppelin Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones. (Photo by Ron Sachs - Pool/Getty Images)
Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Jason Bonham and John Paul Jones
ShareNEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Jason Bonham and John Paul Jones attend premiere of "Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day" at Ziegfeld Theatre on October 9, 2012 in New York City. Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant along with Jason Bonham attend premiere of Celebration Day at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York. Celebration Day captures their 2007 tribute concert for Atlantic Records Founder Ahmet Ertegun at London's O2 Arena. Film will be released worldwide on October 17, 2012 by Omniverse Vision on 1,500 screens in over 40 territories, it will then be available in multiple video and audio formats on November 19, 2012. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: (L-R) John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin attend a press conference to announce Led Zeppelin's new live DVD Celebration day at 8 Northumberland Avenue on September 21, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/Getty Images)
John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page
ShareLONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: (L-R) John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin attend a press conference to announce Led Zeppelin's new live DVD Celebration day at 8 Northumberland Avenue on September 21, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/Getty Images)
Singers Robert Plant (L) and Roger Daltrey
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Singers Robert Plant (L) and Roger Daltrey appear at a press conference to announce the Daltrey/Townsend Teen & Young Adult Cancer Program at UCLA on November 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Singers Robert Plant (L) and Roger Daltrey
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Singers Roger Daltrey (L) and Robert Plant pose at a press conference to announce the Daltrey/Townsend Teen & Young Adult Cancer Program at UCLA on November 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Singers Robert Plant (L) and Roger Daltrey
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Singers Robert Plant (L) and Roger Daltrey pose at a press conference to announce the Daltrey/Townsend Teen & Young Adult Cancer Program at UCLA on November 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Robert Plant and Patty Griffin
ShareNASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 13: Robert Plant and Patty Griffin & The Band of Joy performs during the 10th Americana Music Association honors and awards>> at the Ryman Auditorium on October 13, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Robert Plant and Patty Griffin
ShareNASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 13: Robert Plant and Patty Griffin & The Band of Joy performs during the 10th Americana Music Association honors and awards>> at the Ryman Auditorium on October 13, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Robert Plant (L) and singer Alison Krauss
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Musician Robert Plant (L) and singer Alison Krauss, winners of five awards; Best Country Collaboration With Vocals, Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals, Best Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Best Record, and Album of the Year, pose in the press room during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Robert Plant (L) and singer Alison Krauss
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Musician Robert Plant (L) and singer Alison Krauss, winners of five awards; Best Country Collaboration With Vocals, Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals, Best Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Best Record, and Album of the Year, pose in the press room during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Robert Plant (L) and singer Alison Krauss
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Musician Alison Krauss (L) and Robert Plant accept the Record of the Year award during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Robert Plant and singer Alison Krauss
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Musicians Alison Krauss (L) and Robert Plant arrive at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
Robert Plant and singer Alison Krauss
ShareMANCHESTER, TN - JUNE 15: Alison Krauss and Robert Plant perform during day four of the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 15, 2008 in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by Jeff Gentner/Getty Images)
Elvis Costello (L) and Robert Plant
ShareNEW YORK - JUNE 09: Musicians Elvis Costello (L) and Robert Plant attend World Hunger Year's event honoring Elvis Costello and John Edwards on June 9, 2008 at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City. (Photo by Will Ragozzino/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareNEW ORLEANS - APRIL 25: Robert Plant performs during day one of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course April 25, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareNEW ORLEANS - APRIL 25: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss perform during day one of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course April 25, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareNASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 14: Musicians Alison Krauss and Robert Plant speaks in the press room during the 2008 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Events Center at Belmont University on April 14, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareNASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 14: Musicians Robert Plant and Alison Krauss accept an award onstage during the 2008 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Events Center at Belmont University on April 14, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareNASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 14: Musicians Robert Plant and Alison Krauss accept an award onstage during the 2008 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Events Center at Belmont University on April 14, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareLONDON - SEPTEMBER 05: Robert Plant poses as he signs his 10 foot Gibson Les Paul Guitar as part of the Gibson Guitartown London charity campaign at More London on September 05, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareCHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Musician Robert Plant and his band, The Strange Sensations, perform on stage on the first day of the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 20, 2005 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Louise Wilson/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareLONDON - APRIL 4: Robert Plant performs on stage with The Sensations at the first in a series of 5 charity gigs in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which runs from April 4 to April 8, at the Royal Albert Hall on April 4, 2005 in London. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images) Robert Plant
Robert Plant
ShareLONDON - APRIL 4: Robert Plant performs on stage with The Sensations at the first in a series of 5 charity gigs in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which runs from April 4 to April 8, at the Royal Albert Hall on April 4, 2005 in London. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images) Robert Plant
Robert Plant
ShareLONDON - APRIL 4: Roger Daltrey and Robert Plant with Teenage Cancer Trust Teenagers , at the first in a series of 5 charity gigs in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which runs from April 4 to April 8, at the Royal Albert Hall on April 4, 2005 in London. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareLONDON - APRIL 04: Robert Plant and The Strange Sensation perform on stage at the first in a series of 5 charity gigs in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which runs from April 4 to April 8, at the Royal Albert Hall on April 4, 2005 in London. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareLONDON - APRIL 04: Robert Plant and The Strange Sensation perform on stage at the first in a series of 5 charity gigs in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which runs from April 4 to April 8, at the Royal Albert Hall on April 4, 2005 in London. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareLONDON - APRIL 4: Robert Plant and The Strange Sensation perform on stage at the first in a series of 5 charity gigs in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which runs from April 4 to April 8, at the Royal Albert Hall on April 4, 2005 in London. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
Robert Plant Visits The Rock Group Heart
ShareBritish musician Robert Plant visits members of the rock group Heart after their performance in Milton Keynes, England, circa 1980s. (L-R) Ann Wilson, Robert Plant, Nancy Wilson, Marke Andes, Denny Carmassi and Howard Leese talk on the concert grounds. (Photo by Epic/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Led Zep Perform
Share1977: Rock group Led Zeppelin performing on stage. From left to right: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Bonham (1947 - 1980). (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Led Zep
Share16th September 1970: Three of the four members of British heavy rock group Led Zeppelin in Embankment Gardens, London. They pushed the Beatles down to number two, taking the Best British Group award at the Melody Maker Pop Polls today at the Savoy Hotel. They are, from left to right; singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer John Bonham. (Photo by Ian Showell/Keystone/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
Share28th November 1979: Three members of rock group Led Zeppelin with their seven Melody Maker awards. They are, from left to right John Paul Jones (bass, keyboards), Robert Plant (vocals) and John Bonham (1947 - 1980) (drums). (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
Share12th May 1977: Robert Plant, singer, (left) and John Paul Jones, bass and keyboard player, (right) of the British rock group Led Zeppelin. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
Share1st October 1970: Folk singer Sandy Denny with Robert Plant, singer of the rock group Led Zeppelin, voted Britain's top singer in the Melody Maker poll. (Photo by Michael Stroud/Express/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
ShareJune 1973: British rock band Led Zeppelin. From left to right, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham (1947 - 1980), John Paul Jones. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
Share16th September 1970: British rock band Led Zeppelin collect their geode awards after being voted top British group in the Melody Maker Pop Poll in London. From left to right, they are Jimmy Page, Robert Plant (who also won the Best British Singer award), and John Bonham. (Photo by Roger Jackson/Central Press/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
Share16th September 1970: Lead singer of rock band Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, after receiving his Melody Maker Award for Best British Male Singer. (Photo by Roger Jackson/Central Press/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareNEW YORK - MARCH 15: Robert Plant arrive at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 19th Annual Induction Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel March 15, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareRobert Plant
ShareRobert Plant performs at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Ca. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
Robert Plant
ShareRobert Plant performs at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Ca. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
Robert Plant
ShareRobert Plant performs at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Ca. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
Robert Plant
ShareRobert Plant performs at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Ca. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
Robert Plant
ShareRobert Plant performs at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Ca. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
Robert Plant
ShareRobert Plant performs at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Ca. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
Robert Plant
ShareRobert Plant performs at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Ca. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
Robert Plant
ShareRobert Plant sings as he performs during a Robert Plant and Jimmy Page concert, at the Rosemont Horizon, near Chicago, Illinois, April 28, 1995. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareBritish rock singer Robert Plant (L) of the band Led Zeppelin and the group's road manager, Richard Cole, relax on a bed covered by a fur rug and discuss details of their upcoming concert, New York City, New York, July 30, 1973. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareBritish rock singer Robert Plant poses leaning on the back of a sofa, 1982. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Robert Plant
ShareA group portrait of the wedding parties and guests from two rock marriages, taken at a pub in Fulham, London, England. Richard Cole, road manager for the rock band Led Zeppelin wed Tracy Heron-Weeber and Simon Kirke, drummer for the band Bad Company, wed Desiree Serino: (back row) John Paul Jones, Paul Rodgers, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Blewis Le Feurn, Lionel Bart. (Front row) Richard and Tracy Cole, Desiree and Simon Kirke, Maggie Bell and Bon Harris, September 16, 1978.(Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin
ShareBritish rock band Led Zeppelin, (left - right): John Paul Jones, John Bonham (1948 - 1980), Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, pose in front of an their private airliner The Starship, 1973. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
