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Robert Plant Won’t Tour But Says He Is Still Friends With Old Band Mates

Each statement that we hear from Robert Plant seems to diminish the chances that he will ever tour with his old Led Zeppelin band mates again. Recently, Plant was quoted as saying that all the speculation about the group’s future is “frustrating and ridiculous.”

In a recent chat with the BBC, Plant says there is no truth to the rumors regarding a rift between him and his old band mates. “I still see Jimmy quite a lot and he’s very complimentary and supportive of what I’m doing,” he said.

Although it is easy to understand how fans could become excited about the possibility of a Led Zeppelin reunion — or as some fans might want to point out, an “almost” Led Zeppelin reunion considering that the late John Bonham’s son Jason is filling in for him on drums – when rumors about bad blood between himself and the rest of the group start surfacing, it is easy to understand his frustration.

Assuming Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones are reasonable guys, there is no reason for them to be upset with Plant just because he does not want to attempt to relive the Led Zeppelin years. Apparently, he is quite satisfied with the more low-key work he has been doing with Alison Krauss and may just be feeling a bit too over-the-hill to be on stage belting out “Whole Lotta Love” over and over again.

It’s hard to speculate about how the remaining group members will be received if they do decide to take their act on the road with a replacement for Plant. The last word on that possibility indicates that they are planning to do just that, but it still appears to be up in the air where their choice of replacement frontman is concerned.

[Real Rock News was unceremoniously knocked out of action by an ice storm here in New Hampshire that is being described as the worst the state has ever experienced. No power for 11 days and lack of internet access until yesterday made it a bit tough to keep the news flowing from RRN Headquarters, but everything is back to normal – at least for now. We’ll be hoping for Mother Nature’s mercy for the remainder of the winter season here in the northeastern U.S.]

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Tags: Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin, reunion, Robert Plant

No Robert Plant Means No Led Zeppelin Tour

With the exception of Robert Plant, the chaps that took the stage at London’s O2 last winter under the Led Zeppelin banner have been sending signals that they are ready to get serious about a tour. Whatever the group comprised of original Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham will be calling themselves on the road, it seems certain that it won’t be Led Zeppelin.

Recent word from a spokesman for Jimmy Page said that the group has no intention of working together and using the name Led Zeppelin unless Robert Plant is involved. The latest word from Plant regarding any reunion tour is that he has no interest in touring at all for at least two years.

So it appears that all the rumors lately about Page, Jones and Bonham rehearsing with potential lead singers like Steven Tyler, Chris Cornell, Jack White, Dave Grohl and Myles Kennedy might be an indication that they have indeed decided to tour without Plant.

How fans will respond to a tour by “almost Zeppelin” will be interesting to see if it comes to pass. I certainly agree that their decision to avoid the use of the name Led Zeppelin is a wise choice, and lessens the possibility of diminishing the group’s legendary status.

There are probably a lot of fans that refuse to accept the name Led Zeppelin ever being used again after the passing of original drummer John Bonham, so a potential backlash from fans as a result of using the name Led Zeppelin for a group with only two original members is a real possibility.

Whatever they are up to, it seems that Page, Jones and Bonham are serious about it, and we seem to be inching a bit closer to some type of announcement from the trio. Whatever it ends up being, it is sure to have the rock newswire buzzing with activity.

Tags: jason bonham, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, tour

Classic Rock Briefs For Friday, October 17, 2008

Jimmy Page Says Led Zeppelin Does Not Desire A Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Although Page expressed his appreciation for the efforts of dedicated fan Rocky Dickerson, who organized a campaign to secure a star for the legendary rockers, Page’s spokesperson says, “He (Page) has asked me to thank you for this interest but he does not feel that this is something that he can endorse.” Full Story.

Geddy Lee And Neil Peart of Rush To Appear on Upcoming Radio Show

Always refreshing to hear compared with a lot of other rock stars, the guys from Rush often come across as a bit more down-to-earth and brainy, but usually manage to be pretty funny and entertaining at the same time.

Bass player Geddy Lee and drummer Neil Peart (sometimes referred to as “The Professor”) will join Joe Benson for his syndicated radio program, Off The Record, on Sunday, October 19. For the full scoop on what station you can hear the program on in your area, or on the net, check out the Off The Record website.

Eagles Return For CMA Performance This Year

Once again, the Eagles will be performing on the Annual Country Music Awards. Also scheduled to perform at the event are Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and The Wailers, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban.

The 42nd Annual Country Music Awards will take place at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and be aired on the ABC Television Network. Full Story.

Tags: CMA Awards, Eagles, Jimmy Page, Joe Benson, Led Zeppelin, Radio, Rush, Walk of Fame

Led Zeppelin Merry-Go-Round Shows No Sign of Slowing Down

It’s beginning to look like we are reaching the point where rumors of a Led Zeppelin reunion or tour start up again when any one of the members of the group sneezes in public.

A week or two ago, Jason Bonham was interviewed on Detroit’s classic rock radio station WCSX. Bonham mentioned that he had been to the U.K. on a few occasions since the O2 show back in December and was jamming with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones and working on some new material.

It did not take long for some media outlets to start up with headlines like "Led Zeppelin Back In The Studio!" I guess some people forget that Robert Plant was missing from these sessions and that he’s a rather essential element where any Led Zeppelin recording is concerned.

Now we are hearing that Jimmy Page has made some comments that are being considered by some as discouraging to fans who are hoping to see the group together again. Page pretty much confirmed what Bonham said during the radio interview, and that their jam sessions were not as formal as some have been speculating.

Page then reminded everyone that without Robert Plant, there cannot be a reunion and was quoted as saying, "If you’re going to do a reunion, you need four members."

Personally, I don’t think the chances for a Zeppelin reunion are dead at all. However, as many have pointed out, it all seems like it rests on the shoulders of Robert Plant. The other three chaps seem like they would like to do more together and are possibly just waiting for a final decision from Plant.

Tags: jason bonham, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, Recording, reunion

Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page Would Be ‘Honored’ To Play At 2012 Olympics

Fanning the flames of speculation regarding a Led Zeppelin reunion yet again, guitarist Jimmy Page was asked if he would perform at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and the rocker responded that he would be "honored" to do so if her were asked.

Recent reports of activity that involved Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham seems to indicate that the three may be eager to bring Led Zeppelin back again, but with Robert Plant on tour with Alison Krauss until early October, and not sounding as enthusiastic about reviving the group as many fans would like, some doubt, as usual, remains.

Page also took some time to answer some criticism that has been directed at his performance with Leona Lewis at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing recently. Some critics went as far as calling the performance the worst part of the closing festivities.

"We got so much criticism and I really don’t know why. I think we did a great job, it was an honor to be there. People just need to be less cynical. You know we went out there, we only had ten minutes, what did people expect?" Page was quoted as saying.

With the 2012 Summer Games four years away, it certainly provides enough time for the boys to make up their minds about reuniting for the event if they are asked to contribute to the event. Heck, that should even be enough time for Robert Plant to make up his mind!

Tags: 2012, Criticism, Jimmy Page, Olympics