Robert Anthony Plant, (born 20 August 1948) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band
Led Zeppelin. A powerful and wide
vocal range (particularly evident in his high-pitched vocals) have given him a successful solo career spanning over 40 years. Plant is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock and roll; he has influenced fellow rock singers such as
Freddie Mercury,
Axl Rose and
Chris Cornell. In 2006, Heavy Metal magazine
Hit Parader named Plant the "Greatest Metal Vocalist of All Time". In 2009, Plant was voted "the greatest voice in rock" in a poll conducted by
Planet Rock. In 2008,
Rolling Stone editors ranked him number 15 on their list of the 100 best singers of all time. In 2011,
Rolling Stone readers ranked Plant the greatest of all lead singers.