Plant Plots Band Of Joy Trek

Before Plant struck heavy metal gold in Led Zeppelin, the singer was involved with Band of Joy, which consisted of several lineups over the years, the most notable being the band’s first collection of musicians that not only included Plant but also then-future Zeppelin drummer John Bonham.

However, this Band Of Joy accompanying Plant on his upcoming tour isn’t a throwback. Instead, it’s an all-encompassing name used to refer to the musicians currently helping him record his upcoming album and will accompany him on the tour, specifically Patty Griffin (vocals), Darrell Scott (multi-instrumentalist/vocals), Byron House (bass/vocals) and Marco Giovino (drums/percussion/vocals).

Plant’s co-producer Buddy Miller also handles guitar and vocals on the album and will accompany him on the tour.

“It’s been a blast working on these new songs… and I’m enjoying such creativity and vitality,” Plant said. “It’s been a remarkable change of direction for all of us and as a group we all seem to have developed a new groove.”

The tour begins in Memphis at the Orpheum Theatre July 13; plays Little Rock at the Robinson Center Music Hall July 15 and hits Tulsa for a gig at the Brady Theatre July 16. Other stops include Albuquerque (July 18), Phoenix (July 20), Tucson (July 21), Dallas (July 23), Houston (July 24), Austin (July 26), Mobile (July 28) and Clearwater (July 30).

Last tour stop is Miami at Bayfront Park Amphitheatre July 31. For more information, including on-sales, click here for Robert Plant’s Web site.