Former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant’s next...

Former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant’s next album is due in spring, accompanied by a world tour. . . . L.A. rappers Cypress Hill are finishing their second album, though there’s no release date yet. . . .

Charles Thompson, a.k.a. Black Francis, lead singer of the Pixies, has decided to use the name Frank Black for his upcoming solo debut. The album, due in March, features a version of the Beach Boys’ semi-obscure “Hang On to Your Ego.” . . . Pixies bassist Kim Deal’s side-project, the Breeders, also has a second album due in late spring. . . .

Bell Biv DeVoe won’t get its new album out in time for Christmas after all--”Hootie Mac” has now been pushed back to Feb. 15, even though the single “Gangsta” is a Top 30 hit. The group is still hoping for a summer tour. . . . BBD’s fellow ex-New Edition member Johnny Gill has resumed his off-and-on recording of his second album, alternating between the top two teams of R&B; producers: the pair of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and the duo of L.A. Reid and Babyface. . . . Speaking of Reid, he now shares his birthday with his brand-new daughter, delivered by his wife, singer Karyn White, on Nov. 24. . . .

Sade is planning a theater-level U.S. tour to begin in January. No Southern California dates have been confirmed yet. . . . If you’re making out shopping lists for Christmas ’93 already, there may be a new Boyz II Men album then. The young group will head for the studio early in the year.

Prince will be featured in two telecasts of “ABC in Concert,” Dec. 18 and 19. The first is a documentary about the reclusive star (true to form, there are no interviews with him), while the second features performances recorded live at Prince’s Paisely Park studio in Minneapolis, with George Clinton and Mavis Staples among the guest performers. . . .

Though country singer-songwriters Brooks & Dunn still have a debut album, “Brand New Man,” in the Billboard pop Top 20, the duo is planning to release a follow-up on Feb. 9. . . . Rod Stewart is working on his latest album, due in spring. . . .

Dead Can Dance is recording its latest collection of medieval-inspired pop in a converted church on Quivvy Island off the south coast of Ireland. The album is due in April with a tour to follow.