LED ZEPPELIN singer ROBERT PLANT has resurrected his pre-Zep band, BAND OF JOY, which also featured drummer John Bonham from 1967-1968.

Plant has confirmed a 12-city North American tour. Beginning in July, this 1st leg of shows which will be followed by further dates in the fall will preview material from a new album. Featuring a diverse group of musicians - Patty Griffin - vocals, Darrell Scott - multi-instrumentalist/vocals, Byron House - bass/vocals, Marco Giovino - drums and percussion/vocals, including co-producer Buddy Miller - guitar/vocals. The album is set for release on Rounder Records in late summer/early fall.

Kicking off in Memphis on July 13th (see full tour schedule below) the tour will feature Plant and the Band Of Joy - the same musicians who also appear and play on the album.

Says Plant: “It’s been a blast working on these new songs…and I’m enjoying such creativity and vitality. It’s been a remarkable change of direction for all of us and as a group we all seem to have developed a new groove.”

In recent weeks Plant has been in the studio working on the planned release, which will be his first since Raising Sand, the multi-platinum, six-time Grammy winning collaboration with fellow Rounder artist ALISON KRAUSS. Krauss has most recently been recording with her longtime band Union Station, and will be touring with them this summer. The pair do not expect to announce a new album or tour in the coming year, though when asked about the collaboration, Plant says: “Oh yes, Alison and I get together quite often…and sometimes we dance.”

Here are the confirmed dates:

July

13 - Memphis, TN - The Orpheum Theater
15 - Little Rock, AR - Robinson Center Music Hall
16 - Tulsa, OK - Brady Theater
18 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Casino Amphitheater
20 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theater
21 - Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
23 - Dallas, TX - Meyerson Symphony Hall
24 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
26 - Austin, TX - Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
28 - Mobile, AL - The Saenger Theatre
30 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
31 - Miami, FL - Bayfront Park Amphitheater