Robert Plant

When Led Zeppelin broke up in 1980 (following the death of drummer John Bonham) front man Robert Plant — the golden god of heavy metal — could have kicked back and wallowed in glories past. Instead, he became rock's Mr. Eclectic: a mature, ever-questing, and wide-ranging musician who surprises with every new endeavour. Start your journey through his solo career with "Big Log" (from 1983's The Principle of Moments) featuring Phil Collins on drums.

Plant sails seven seas of rock, in Next Steps.

The wealth of potential for innovation to be found in world music has always fascinated Plant, who has made a habit of setting his clear, bluesy vocal in all manner of exotic locales: for instance, the unique soundscapes of the Afro Celt Sound System ("Life Begins Again"). No less intriguing is his 1985 new wave experiment, Shaken 'N' Stirred, which glistens with crystalline synths and sharp guitars.

Raw blues, country rock, and gospel can all be found — united by the magnificent voice of Plant — in Deep Cuts.

"I Get a Thrill" appears on The Honeydrippers, Vol. 1, the 1984 roots rock supergroup project overseen by Atlantic Records boss Ahmet Ertegun, and sees Plant indulging his interest in Elvis Presley. By contrast, Plant filtered Led Zeppelin material through a mid-'90s prism when he hooked up once again with Jimmy Page for the inspired No Quarter concert, featuring backup from Middle Eastern musicians and a symphony orchestra.

Robert Plant should be viewed as the definitive blueprint for the elegantly ageing rocker. Vitality and imagination have held sway where complacency and world-weariness could have taken hold. There was no shortage of laurels, but the former Led Zep front man clearly had no interest in resting on them. His challenging covers of "Song to the Siren" and "Hey Joe" (both of which appear on 2002's Dreamland) reveal a man dedicated to exploring fresh sounds and ideas. Check out also the rich, spirit-stirring African textures of his collaboration with the Soweto Gospel Choir for "Valley of Tears" (his tribute to Fats Domino), or his beautifully judged 2007 hookup with bluegrass queen Alison Krauss (Raising Sand).