"Pictures at Eleven" is the debut solo studio album by Robert Plant, the former lead singer of Led Zeppelin. It was released on June 25, 1982, in the US and July 2 in the UK. Notably, the album is the only one of Plant's solo works to be released on Led Zeppelin's record label, Swan Song.
The album features a mix of musicians contributing to its sound. Phil Collins, known for his work with Genesis, played drums on five out of the eight songs. Cozy Powell, formerly of Rainbow, handled drums on "Slow Dancer" and "Like I've Never Been Gone." For the song "Fat Lip," guitarist Robbie Blunt used a Roland TR-808 drum machine.
The album's title, "Pictures at Eleven," derives from a phrase commonly used in US television news to tease upcoming stories during the 11 PM news program. This title choice reflects Plant's interest in contemporary media and cultural references.
Despite its unique place on Swan Song, the label that once housed Led Zeppelin's releases, "Pictures at Eleven" marked the beginning of a solo career that would see Plant move on to establish his own label, Es Paranza, for future releases after Swan Song ceased operations.
In 2007, Rhino Entertainment released a remastered edition of "Pictures at Eleven," including bonus tracks, to celebrate its enduring influence and significance in Robert Plant's solo discography.
