Press Association News Release

Robert Plant has admitted he’s less rock’n'roll these days.

The former Led Zeppelin frontman, who was honoured with a CBE at Buckingham Palace by Prince Charles alongside actress Liz Smith, said his conversation with the prince had changed over the years.

He recalled how the first time he met Charles when working with the Prince’s Trust, the prince had said: “That is a remarkable voice - do you gargle with port?”

But this time, he said, they discussed the recent Dimbleby lecture that the prince gave on global challenges and the environment which was broadcast earlier this week.

He also joked that he and former Zeppelin band-mate Jimmy Page - who has an OBE - would not be fighting over rank.

“If we can remember each other’s phone number at this time in life it’s a miracle. We’re still good friends, we both enjoy a rather dark sense of humour that comes I think from being from rather the wrong side of the tracks for all those wild years.”

Plant last year decided not to take part in a Led Zeppelin reunion tour, choosing instead to concentrate on his collaboration with American bluegrass singer Alison Krauss.

Royle Family star Liz also got the royal seal of approval - but the Prince of Wales admitted his relief that his relatives were nothing like her fictional family.

Charles told the 87-year-old, who played the ailing Nana in the hit show, as he presented her with an MBE that the sofa-bound TV characters were “nothing like my family, thank God”.

Originally appeared in Kiderminster Shuttle (UK)

WYRE Forest rock legend Robert Plant was honoured by Prince Charles today when he received a CBE.

The former Led Zeppelin frontman, who lives in Shatterford, was given the accolade in recognition of his services to music.

Still hugely popular today, Led Zeppelin were formed 40 years ago and have been widely acclaimed as one of the first heavy metal bands.

They broke up in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham and have sold more than 300 million albums world wide.

Mr Plant is currently enjoying a successful solo career, having toured America and Europe last year with bluegrass star Alison Krauss.

He still finds the time for the odd performance in local venues such as Kidderminster Town Hall and supports many local causes.

He helped boost the Shuttle/Times & News Operation Covert appeal to raise £80,000 to replace the Rhydd Covert activity centre after it had been destroyed by vandals.

In 2005 he was pictured manning a mechanical digger to cut the first trench for the new facility in the woodland site next to West Midland Safari Park.

He is also patron of Mighty Atom Smasher (MAS) Records which helps to promote the latest up and coming bands in the West Midlands, in partnership with Kidderminster College.

MAS provides training and advice for nearly 160 musicians, helping bands to land all important record deals.

Originally appeared in Express and Star (UK)

Rock legend Robert Plant played a new venue today when he climbed the stairway to Buckingham Palace for a date with royalty.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers fanatic was honoured by the Prince of Wales when he received a CBE.

Fellow musician Courtney Pine also got a CBE while Royle Family actress Liz Smith was honoured with an MBE.

Former Led Zeppelin frontman Plant, who lives near Kidderminster, has had a successful and diverse solo career since the band split in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham.

He appeared in a tribute concert at the O2 arena where Jason Bonham took the role of his late father on the drums.

But he recently refused to join a mooted Led Zeppelin reunion so he could concentrate on his collaboration with American bluegrasssinger Alison Krauss.

Their first album, Raising Sand was released in 2007 and won five Grammy awards, more than he ever did with band Led Zeppelin.

He gained a Grammy lifetime achievement award with Led Zep in 2005 but failed to win one of the prestigious gongs while the group was together from the late 1960s until 1980.

Plant, who is patron of MAS Records, the record label based at Kidderminster College which aims to help talented up-and-coming musicians, still maintains close links to the town.

Originally appeared on Telegraph.co.uk

Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant denied he was now part of the establishment after being awarded a CBE by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

Plant said the experience was humbling to take part in a ceremony alongside “very selfless” military heroes and community volunteers.

With his long hair tied into a ponytail and wearing a simple blue suit and a handful of heavy silver rings giving away his rock roots, he denied that the award meant he was now part of the establishment.

“The diversity of people who have moved through here this morning prove there is no real establishment here,” he added.

Plant last year decided not to take part in a Led Zeppelin reunion tour, choosing instead to concentrate on his collaboration with American bluegrass singer Alison Krauss.

Asked today if he would ever return to the stage with his old band-mates, he said: “Sometimes I go a bit deaf in either ear, especially when people are talking nonsense.”

He said that he owed “everything to the musicians I work with”, adding: “From the UK to Africa to Tennessee, it is their brilliance that I bounce off. Alone I’m nothing.”

He also joked that he and former Zeppelin band-mate Jimmy Page - who has an OBE - would not be fighting over rank.

“If we can remember each other’s phone number at this time in life it’s a miracle. We’re still good friends, we both enjoy a rather dark sense of humour that comes I think from being from rather the wrong side of the tracks for all those wild years.”

Originally appeared on Sunderlandecho.com (UK)

By Fiona Thompson

A County Durham Led Zeppelin fan was left stunned when his hero popped into an annual summer fair.

Mick Hudspeth was preparing for the annual fete at the community centre he manages when rock legend Robert Plant stopped by to offer his support.

Robert then offered one of his guitars as a lot in the fair’s auction.

Mick, originally from Seaham but now living in London, was left stunned after the highest bidder offered a staggering £1,200 for the instrument at Primrose Hill Community Centre. ||Continue reading||