British music legend Robert Plant collected the Outstanding Achievement award at the annual Silver Clef ceremony in London today – and was presented the gong by Warner Music‘s global CEO of recorded music, Max Lousada.
The Silver Clef Awards is a yearly afternoon bash, packed with industry bigwigs, which raises money for a brilliant charity: Nordoff Robbins.
Sponsored by O2, today’s event honored winners such as Ellie Goulding, George Ezra, Stereophonics, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, Rudimental and Jorja Smith.
Before handing Plant his award, Lousada hailed the Grammy-winning Led Zeppelin frontman as “a vital, artistic force”.
You can read Lousada’s full speech below.
Good afternoon.
It gives me great pleasure to present this award to Robert Plant.
We all know the iconic records that Led Zeppelin made during just twelve years together.
What’s even more extraordinary is that they’re just one facet of Robert’s career.
Over the last six decades – as a musician, a songwriter, a performer – he’s never stopped moving.
That’s what makes Robert such a vital, artistic force who continues to evolve, influence and inspire.
With nothing left to prove, he approaches each new chapter like he’s got everything left to discover.
He simply refuses to settle.
I discovered that for myself the first time I met Robert. He was playing me an album he’d just finished, Lullaby and The Ceaseless Roar. His first record in four years. I couldn’t wait to hear it.
But Robert wouldn’t let me press play until the conditions were just right. He even had us close all the curtains.
Here was someone who cared deeply about sound, about atmosphere, about being fully present in the moment. Someone who lives by the simple truth that being great – and staying great – means you never stop caring, never stop striving.
When I’m playing someone new music, I often think about that moment. And the reverence Robert has for music and its power to move and connect us.
I’ve no doubt that belief is also at the heart of his support for Nordoff Robbins.
There’s a lyric on his latest album that I think sums Robert up:
“All that’s worth doing, is seldom easy done.”
So, thank you, Robert, for never doing what’s easy – and for always taking the road less travelled.
It’s my great pleasure to present the Integro Outstanding Achievement Award to Robert Plant.Music Business Worldwide
