Led Zeppelin fans dazed from the 1980 death of drummer John Bonham and the breakup of the group shortly thereafter didn't have to wait long for Robert Plant's first solo album, 1982's PICTURES AT ELEVEN. Following in the more modern rock direction that Zep was headed on their final release IN THROUGH THE OUTDOOR, PICTURES AT ELEVEN remains one of Plant's best solo albums. By downplaying his former band's penchant for stomping, guitar-based hard rock, Plant comes up with a pretty original sound and direction overall - as proven by such highlights as "Moonlight in Samosa," "Slowdancer," and "Burning Down One Side." PICTURES AT ELEVEN signaled the return of Robert Plant, who spent the rest of the 1980s issuing solid solo albums.

Dec 2006

Robert Plant's solo debut, 1982's Pictures At Eleven, hit #5 on Billboard's pop albums chart, and featured the talents of blues guitarist Robbie Blunt and Phil Collins on drums. Stand-out tracks include 'Burning Down One Side,' 'Pledge Pin' and 'Slow Dancer.' Two bonus rarities include a live version of 'Like I've Never Been Gone' and the U.K. single 'Far Post.'

Personnel includes: Robert Plant (vocals); Cozy Powell, Phil Collins (drums).
Personnel: Robert Plant (vocals); Robbie Blunt (guitar); Jezz Woodroffe (keyboards); Paul Martinez (bass guitar); Cozy Powell, Phil Collins (drums).
Recording information: 1982.
Led Zeppelin fans dazed from the 1980 death of drummer John Bonham and the breakup of the group shortly thereafter didn't have to wait long for Robert Plant's first solo album, 1982's PICTURES AT ELEVEN. Following in the more modern rock direction that Zep was headed on their final release IN THROUGH THE OUTDOOR, PICTURES AT ELEVEN remains one of Plant's best solo albums.
By downplaying his former band's penchant for stomping, guitar-based hard rock, Plant comes up with a pretty original sound and direction overall - as proven by such highlights as "Moonlight in Samosa," "Slowdancer," and "Burning Down One Side." PICTURES AT ELEVEN signaled the return of Robert Plant, who spent the rest of the 1980s issuing solid solo albums.

Even if Robert Plant had disappeared after the demise of Led Zeppelin, he'd still be lauded as one of rock's greatest vocalists. The fact that he had a healthy post-Zep solo career is a testament to his own artistic fortitude. Admittedly, Zeppelin fans wouldn't have been too far afield with Plant's first couple of early-'80s releases, but by 1985's SHAKEN 'N' STIRRED he had more in common with SECURITY-era Peter Gabriel than with '70s blues-rock. A detour with side project the Honeydrippers found Plant exploring his love of '50s rock & roll. By the 21st century, he was exploring roots of a different kind, effectively reinventing songs by the likes of the Youngbloods and Tim Buckley on the Grammy-nominated DREAMLAND. In 2007 he teamed up with bluegrass star, Alison Krauss, for RAISING SAND. The album--featuring covers of Gene Clark, Tom Waits, and the Everly Brothers amongst others--hit number 2 on the Billboard charts.