Robert Plant Named Record Store Legend for Record Store Day 2026
- Robert Plant has been named the Record Store Legend for the 19th annual Record Store Day, which takes place on April 18, 2026.
- To mark the honor, a permanent plaque was unveiled at Spillers Records in Cardiff, Wales.
- 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.
Robert Plant has been named the Record Store Legend for the 19th annual Record Store Day, which takes place on April 18, 2026. The accolade recognizes the former Led Zeppelin frontman’s lasting impact on global music and his ongoing dedication to supporting independent record shops and new artists.
To mark the honor, a permanent plaque was unveiled at Spillers Records in Cardiff, Wales. The location is recognized as the world’s oldest record store, and the plaque acknowledges Plant’s connection to the shop, its history, and the influence of Wales on his songwriting.
Record stores have always been a part of my life. 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. And I know, 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. We want a connection between the music and the art of the whole thing.
Robert Plant
A Lifelong Connection to Vinyl Culture
The 77-year-old musician, born in West Bromwich, England, has maintained a consistent presence in record stores throughout his career. His history with physical media began in the 1960s, when he visited Chart
shops to see if his first record, You’d Better Run
, was available for purchase. He also made regular visits to The Groove Records in Stourbridge.
Plant’s enthusiasm for crate-digging extended internationally during his years on the road. In 1970, he was famously photographed searching for records at Bleecker Bob’s in New York alongside Jimmy Page. More recently, Plant has visited brick-and-mortar stores in Austin, Texas. Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; and West Virginia. In 2020, he participated in a Q&A session with Matt Everitt at Rough Trade East.
Plant is an eight-time Grammy winner, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and a recipient of the Kennedy Center Award. His contributions to the medium span several projects, including his work with Led Zeppelin, his solo career, and his time with the covers band The Honeydrippers.
Record Store Day 2026 Festivities
The 2026 celebration of Record Store Day will involve thousands of independent record shops worldwide, including more than 300 stores across the United Kingdom. These shops will host parties, in-store performances, and the sale of limited-edition releases.
While Robert Plant serves as the Record Store Legend, Bruno Mars has been named the celebrity ambassador for the 2026 event. Plant will contribute to the festivities with an exclusive release titled Saving Grace: All That Glitters
.
A wide array of artists are releasing exclusive physical records for the event on a first-come-first-served basis. The confirmed slate of artists includes:
- Charli XCX, Muse, Suede, David Bowie, and The Cure
- Paramore, CMAT, Gigi Perez, Air, and HAIM
- Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Rose Gray, and Self Esteem
- Sleep Token, The Last Dinner Party, and Wolf Alice
- The Snuts and Nilüfer Yanya
several one-off records are being released to benefit the event’s charity partner, War Child. These releases include contributions from Fleetwood Mac, Divorce, Primal Scream, Bring Me The Horizon, Sigrid, and Manics members James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire.
Growth of the Vinyl Market
The 2026 event occurs as vinyl sales have reached their highest level in 20 years. According to a report from the Digital Entertainment and Retail Association, the vinyl market grew by 18.6 percent in value terms last year. Over 7.5 million discs were sold, generating £238 million in revenue.
Outside of Record Store Day, Plant has remained active in the public eye. In 2025, he performed a career-spanning set for NPR’s Tiny Desk, which included the 1970 Led Zeppelin track Gallows Pole
. He also drew attention in 2025 when the animal rights group PETA urged him to temporarily change his name to Robert Plant Wool
during November to raise awareness for plant-based alternatives to sheep’s wool.