Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant plays Monmouth hall

He may be used to selling out huge arenas, but Robert Plant thought nothing of performing in front of 200 at a surprise gig in a community hall.

The former Led Zeppelin frontman joined two bands at a charity show in Monmouth to a crowd of invited guests.

The event was a tribute to his friend, Pat Moran, a former Plant co-producer, who died of a rare dementia in January.

Lifelong fan Darren Martin, 45, said: "It was amazing - he's a rock god and he was playing in a village hall."

 

BBC News - Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant plays Monmouth hall

 

Plant, 63, delighted the small crowd at the Bridges Community Centre in the Monmouthshire town on Saturday 9 July with six songs including some R&B classics and his solo hit Big Log.

Mr Martin added: "It was a real honour to be there and he chatted with the audience afterwards."

Mr Moran, 63, who worked as an engineer on Plant's first solo album, and engineered and co-produced his second at the nearby Rockfield studios in Monmouthshire, died of Pick's Disease in January and the event was a fundraiser in his memory.

Scratch band

Organiser, Mr Moran's brother Brian said: "It was very kind of Mr Plant to join in - Pat would have been very proud.

"Mr Plant was even kind enough to sign a T-shirt which will be auctioned on eBay this week."

The event has so far raised £1,500 for the Pick's Disease Support Group, with more expected from the eBay sale.

Also performing were two bands - Welsh band Hobo - and a scratch band made up of musicians associated with Mr Moran and Rockfield Studios, who played under the name of the Rockfield Allstars.

They included Verden Allen, (ex-Mott the Hoople), Dave Edmunds, (Rockpile), Ray Martinez (Spring, Gypsy), Martin Chambers (The Pretenders), Neville Farmer (BBC producer), Paul Martinez (various bands), Dave Charles (producer and various bands).