Robert Anthony Plant was born on this day in Staffordshire, England. Musically, Elvis Presley got his attention as a youngster, but his interest quickly shifted to American Blues greats like Willie Dixson, Howlin' Wolf, Sleepy John Estes, and others.  He was the reported runner-up to Jimmy Page's first choice as a lead singer in the Yardbirds when Terry Reid turned him down, but Page was so impressed with Plant's audition covering the Jefferson Airplane's Somebody to Love, that he became convinced they should work together at some point in the future. That future would etch the pair's formidable roles in Classic Rock history.

 

Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on August 20 include...

   

1951 Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott born. 

1952 John Hiatt born.

1967 Dolby Noise Reduction system introduced.

1969 Beatles in studio for the last time together during mixing session for Abbey Road album.

1969 Frank Zappa disbands the Mothers Of Invention. 

1969 Mick Jagger undergoes multiple hours of hand surgery after he a gunfire injury injures him the day before on the set of the movie Ned Kelly.

1977 Bob Seger, Yes & Donovan play Superfest at Rich Stadium in Buffalo.   

1979 Bob Dylan releases Slow Train Coming.

1981 Bruce Springsteen plays Vietnam Veterans benefit at the Los Angeles Forum. 

1983 Heart releases Passionworks.   

1987 Lindsey Buckingham quits Fleetwood Mac.

1990 Queensryche releases Empire.   

1993 Bob Dylan and Santana open a tour in Portland, Oregon.

1996 Carlos Santana awarded star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame. 

1996 Sting marries Trudy Styler in London.

1999 Blues Traveler's Bobby Sheehan found dead of an overdose in is New Orleans home.

2000 Bon Jovi does the last concert at the original Wembley Stadium in London.