At this year’s Cropredy Festival (August 9), fans got a surprise they’ll never forget. The Deborah Bonham Band — led by John Bonham’s sister — was already rocking the stage when none other than Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin’s legendary frontman, strolled out to join them.
The crowd went wild as Plant teamed up with Deborah and her band for the final two songs of their set, delivering powerful performances of Zeppelin classics “Thank You” and “Ramble On.”
Before launching into “Thank You,” the 76-year-old rocker couldn’t resist a bit of humor. “A lady friend said to me in the car today, ‘How old were you when you wrote that with Jimmy [Page]?’ I said, ‘12?’” Plant joked, before cheekily adding Prince’s famous line, “Dearly beloved,” as the organ intro kicked in.
The performance featured some special musical guests too — Fairport Convention’s Dave Pegg (on mandolin), plus Suzy Dian and Tony Kelsey from Plant’s side project, Saving Grace. Together, they created a rich, layered sound that had the crowd completely captivated.
After the emotional “Thank You,” Plant gave a warm shoutout to Pegg, reminiscing about their time together in Band of Joy back in 1967. With a grin, he joked about Pegg’s once long hair and added, “He was a mean mother—. Still is.”
The night closed with a fiery rendition of “Ramble On,” leaving fans on their feet and buzzing with energy.
🎶 Plant’s Cropredy Connection
The Cropredy Festival has been a staple since 1976, hosted by folk-rock icons Fairport Convention, and Plant has been no stranger to its stage over the years. He’s also teamed up with Deborah Bonham’s band on multiple occasions, most recently in Blackpool in early 2024.
🌟 What’s Next for Plant
Robert Plant isn’t slowing down anytime soon. He recently announced his first album with Saving Grace, set to release on September 26. Fans can already get a taste with their cover of Low’s “Everybody’s Song.” To celebrate, the band will play two intimate album-release shows in London on September 28, before heading out on their first-ever North American tour this fall (October 30 – November 22).