Robert Plant to receive Lifetime Achievement Award
For his groundbreaking music
Last updated 17th Jul 2026
Robert Plant will receive the Americana Music Association’s coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Americana Honors & Awards ceremony.
The 25th edition of the Americana Honors & Awards takes place on Wednesday 16th September 2026 at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.
"Robert Plant's relationship with Americana music extends far beyond influence — it is one of genuine passion, stewardship and artistic curiosity," says Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association.
"His willingness to immerse himself in the traditions of blues, folk, country and gospel, while continuing to push their boundaries, has expanded the audience for Americana around the world.
"Few artists have done more to honour the music's past while helping shape its future. We are thrilled to recognize his extraordinary contributions with the Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award."
Explaining why they’re honouring the former Led Zeppelin frontman, the American Music Association wrote: ‘Throughout his life, Robert Plant has had an abiding love of roots music, both vintage and modern — of blues, folk, gospel, country and those tantalizing sounds that lie in between.
‘Since first achieving worldwide acclaim as the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, his curiosity has continued to lead him across musical genres, including into the heart of American roots music: he is one of its most passionate advocates and celebrated interpreters.’
They continued: ‘Plant's groundbreaking collaborations with Alison Krauss and producer T Bone Burnett on the Grammy Award-winning ‘Raising Sand’ not only introduced millions of listeners to the depth and artistry of Americana music but also helped elevate the genre.
‘This pivotal period led the Recording Academy to establish a "Best Americana Album" category. Plant continued his exploration of American roots music with his collaborators Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller and others for Band of Joy and again on a second duet album with Krauss, ‘Raise The Roof’.
‘More recently, on his record ‘Saving Grace’ and its follow-up EP ‘Saving Grace: All That Glitters…’ he joined with singer Suzi Dian and a band of musical compatriots from near his home on the Welsh borders to record songs by Gillian Welch, Memphis Minnie and Blind Willie Johnson, Bob Moseley (Moby Grape),Martha Scanlan, Mimi Parker and Alan Sparhawk's Low, Sarah Siskind, and The Low Anthem, among other Americana gems, to much critical acclaim.’
Living and deceased musicians previously awarded the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award include Bob Weir, Gregg Allman, Bonnie Raitt and Chris Isaak.