Robert Plant Reveals Why He Skipped Black Sabbath’s Last Ever Show

Robert Plant has explained why he declined an invitation to Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning farewell concert in Birmingham. The former Led Zeppelin frontman revealed in a recent Mojo interview that Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath’s guitarist and longtime friend, personally invited him to the event. However, Plant did not specify whether the invitation was to perform or to attend.

“I told Tony I’d love to come, but I just can’t,” Plant told writer Keith Cameron. “It’s not that I’d rather be hanging out with Peter Gabriel or Youssou N’Dour, but honestly, I’m not familiar with what’s going on in that world anymore. I’m not criticizing it—I’ve just found other places that feel richer to me.”

Embracing a More Intimate Musical Path with Saving Grace

In contrast to the high-profile arena rock spotlight surrounding Led Zeppelin, Plant described his current band, Saving Grace, as a more grounded and personal project. “After everything—from Live Aid to performing at the O2 and the White House—I felt almost sanctified,” he said. “Saving Grace needed to ‘move on up in glory,’ as Mavis Staples would say. We want to stay closer to Bert Jansch than Axl Rose.”

Plant emphasized the relaxed, low-pressure nature of their gigs.

“The shows are small enough that if no one shows up, it’s not the end of the world. We have this laissez-faire, maybe even suicidal attitude. Instead of playing massive stadiums with old mates, we’re free to experiment and just have fun.”

New Music and a Fresh Direction

Saving Grace, featuring Plant alongside vocalist Suzi Dian, recently released their second single, “Gospel Plough.” The track is a reinterpretation of a traditional African American spiritual first recorded in 1930 by the Hall Johnson Negro Choir as “Keep Yo’ Hand on the Plow, Hold On.” The song has since been covered by legends such as Duke Ellington and Mahalia Jackson.

The band also includes drummer Oli Jefferson, guitarist Tony Kelsey, banjo and string player Matt Worley, and cellist Barney Morse-Brown. Plant praised the group’s chemistry and creative energy, calling it “an impressive collection of people” and “a living, new world of music.”

“With this blend of song and voice, anywhere and everywhere feels like the road ahead,” he said.

Saving Grace’s self-titled debut album will be released on September 26 and is currently available for pre-order.