Record Store Day has announced Robert Plant as the latest recipient of its prestigious Record Store Legend award, recognising his enduring influence on music and continued support for independent record shops worldwide.
The accolade, awarded jointly by Record Store Day in the US and UK, celebrates artists who have made a lasting impact on both music culture and the record store community. The honour was first introduced in 2017 to mark a decade of Record Store Day celebrations, with Elton John named as its inaugural recipient.
In a statement shared by Record Store Day, organisers praised Plant’s deep-rooted connection to vinyl culture and independent retailers, noting his frequent appearances in record shops across the globe and his advocacy for emerging artists.
Speaking from Spillers Records—widely regarded as the oldest record shop in the world—Plant reflected on the role record stores have played throughout his life and career.
“Record stores have always been a part of my life,” he said. “For me, once you get to the physical record it’s because you really want to know and be a part of what the artist was considering.”
Plant, best known as the frontman of Led Zeppelin, added that physical records offer a deeper connection between listeners and artists.
“As a guy who’s been making records since 1966, people want to take home something very special, to enjoy all the elements of what an artist has put together,” he said. “We want a connection between the music and the art of the whole thing.”
Originally launched in 2007 by independent record store owners, Record Store Day has grown into a global celebration of vinyl culture and local music communities. The event now takes place twice a year, with the next edition scheduled for April 18, when fans and collectors will once again gather in record shops around the world.
