Robert Plant is recording an album with his band Saving Grace according to a number of hints and on-stage comments from Plant.
The latest clue that a Saving Grace album is on the way comes after the band’s drummer, Oli Jefferson, was referred to by a sponsor as playing live and also recording with the band.
Los Cabos Drumsticks announced that it is sponsoring Jefferson in an Instagram post published on May 28.
“Oli has developed a sound that is recognizable and has led him to taking the seat as the live/recording drummer in Robert Plant’s latest project Saving Grace ft. Suzi Dian. Whilst this is Oli’s primary focus, he keeps busy independently gigging and recording with Suzi Dian and Liquid Cheeks and is currently the live drummer for Blue Nation and a number of other artists,” the post read in part.
The key part of the post is “live/recording drummer”. So far, Saving Grace are not known to have recorded any music and instead have been playing live shows together since the band’s formation in 2019.
Saving Grace most recently toured the UK together in April and early May before Plant flew to the US in preparation for his world tour with Alison Krauss that begins on June 1.
Plant reportedly mentioned on stage during this tour in April that he has been recording an album with Saving Grace, although LedZepNews has been unable to confirm his on-stage comments.
“When I saw Saving Grace in York on Easter Saturday Robert mentioned in passing about being in Steve Winwood’s studio with the band. It’s in the Cotswolds so not too far from his own Midlands home,” wrote John in the comments of this article.
So has this drumstick brand accidentally let slip that Plant has been recording an album with Saving Grace? It’s certainly possible based on what we already know about the band’s future.
Plant previously hinted at album plans for Saving Grace
While being interviewed on “The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show” on BBC Radio 2 on November 23, Plant was asked whether he’ll release an album with Saving Grace or potentially a live recording with the band.
“Saving Grace is a bunch of friends back from on the Welsh borders, Worcestershire, and we do shows, very discreet, undercover shows,” Plant said.
“It’s a beautiful sound, a magnificent sound and it’s delicately tiptoeing its way to one day being yet another thing that we mustn’t know or talk about … so yes.”
Plant’s comments were cryptic, but they suggested that he does have plans to release recorded material with Saving Grace.
Earlier in the interview, Plant used similar phrasing to discuss plans for further UK shows with Krauss, saying “all through this morning’s show I’ve heard how many things are secret, how many things can we not tell anybody. So the answer is yes but the detail is at the moment vague.”
Plant has trademarked the ‘Saving Grace’ name
LedZepNews revealed last year that a British business owned by Plant secured trademarks for “Saving Grace” across Europe and the US in order to block anyone else from using that band name to release music or merchandise.
Plant has never taken out trademarks for his solo projects before, making this an unusual step that could indicate longterm interest in the Saving Grace project.
On January 23, 2020, lawyers representing a London company named Trolcharm Limited filed applications in Europe and the US to trademark “Saving Grace”.
Plant owns more than 75% of Trolcharm Limited, according to Companies House filings in the UK. His three surviving children are directors of the business along with Plant.
The business owns the copyright to much of Plant’s solo career and is frequently credited in the liner notes of his albums, including “Raise The Roof.”
The trademark applications, which were all eventually approved, include the following fields:
- Audio and video recordings including digital downloads and CDs
- Live music footage
- Posters, stickers and magazines
- Bags, wallets, umbrellas and luggage
- Clothing including footwear and headgear
Taking out trademarks for his musical projects is a rarity for Plant. He hasn’t applied to trademark the names of his previous solo bands Strange Sensation, the Band of Joy or the Sensational Space Shifters.
Plant hasn’t trademarked his own name, either, unlike Jimmy Page who does own trademarks to protect his personal brand including his name, his autograph and the word “ZOSO.”
The Saving Grace filings are the only trademark applications ever filed by Trolcharm Limited or any other business used by Plant to run his solo career.
The presence of trademark filings don’t always mean that the trademark holder will actually launch the product or service they have the trademarks for.
When I saw Saving Grace in York on Easter Saturday Robert mentioned in passing about being in Steve Winwood’s studio with the band. It’s in the Cotswolds so not too far from his own Midlands home. Something deffo brewing!
Long live robert plant
The Wife and I saw Saving Grace In Perth Scotland in November 2022 and they were brilliant. So a Saving Grace album would be very much welcomed. I’ve love Robert’s music since the Zeppelin days and he never stands still musically but his music is always worth listening to and it’s very subtle in it’s construction while playing to his bands strengths whatever band he’s in!
I was there too. Definitely my favourite concert of 2022. Fingers crossed for an album.