Rock legend Robert Plant receives CBE
Rock legend Robert Plant has been honoured for his contribution to rock music.
The Led Zeppelin singer from Bewdley, Worcestershire, who has carved out a successful solo career, receives a CBE.
Plant recently released the Nationwide Mercury Prize-shortlisted Raising Sand, with American bluegrass superstar Alison Krauss.
Leaving school in his mid-teens, Plant developed a passion for blues music.
Led Zeppelin were formed 40 years ago after guitarist Jimmy Page went on the hunt for a singer.
After getting together, the band’s self-titled album broke into the charts and is seen by many as igniting the heavy metal genre.
They went on to sell more than 200million albums worldwide, and the band’s work remains hugely popular.
One of their best-known songs is the epic ballad Stairway to Heaven, which draws on a cocktail of influences including folk, blues and rock, which has topped various “greatest song” lists.
Led Zeppelin broke up in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham, who died following a drinking binge.
