Robert Plant returns for Isle of Wight gig

Robert Plant will headline the Isle of Wight festival this summer, which is returning after a 32-year absence from the rock calendar.

The last festival, in 1970, ended in disorganisation and acrimony but not before Jimi Hendrix had completed his final British performance.

Plant, whose former band Led Zeppelin were at the height of their powers in the early Seventies, plans to sing the classic Hendrix number "Hey Joe" at this year's event by way of a tribute. He will be appearing alongside the Charlatans, Ash and Starsailor at the £35-a-head gig, which the Isle of Wight hopes will resurrect its musical traditions.

Hundred Reasons and The Coral, will also perform to a crowd of 25,000 alongside local bands The Bees, Johnny 4 and DNA Doll on 3 June in Newport.

During the 1960s, the Isle of Wight became a fixture on the festival circuit. But in 1970, the event was marred by ill-feeling when Hells Angels responded angrily after being dropped from their traditional role as festival security guards and European anarchists disrupted the concert.