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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

Jeff Beck’s Turn To Weigh In on Led Zeppelin Reunion Plans

There does not seem to be a shortage of opinions among their fellow music legends when the issue of a possible Led Zeppelin reunion comes up. Some believe that it would be a pointless undertaking without the cooperation of Robert Plant who keeps indicating that he has no interest in such an endeavor for at least a couple of years. Others use the opportunity to take a few cheap shots at the group and their musical abilities.

Beck certainly falls into the former category, and believes that any tour billed as “Led Zeppelin” would be “pointless” without Plant. “I really don’t think it’s a good idea, not if Robert doesn’t want to. I was there at the one-off show at the O2 Arena and it was fantastic. But I think they should just leave it there,” he says.

Beck, a veteran of the The Yardbirds, a group in which Jimmy Page also was a member of, spoke highly of the group’s performance at London’s O2 Arena a year ago, but is obviously someone who does not buy a group called Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant.

For more information, check out Starpulse.

Tags: Jeff Beck, 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 Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Ozzy Says Bats Taste Like McDonald’s Food

Those of us who ever watched the The Osbournes when it was on MTV a while back will know that strange things come out of Ozzy’s mouth from time to time. This time he may have outdone himself.

Speaking of the infamous incident that took place at one of his concerts back in 1982, where he bit the head off of a live bat, Ozzy says, “It tasted all crunchy and warm… like a Ronald McDonald’s." I’m sure McDonald’s will be pleased to  hear about that comparison. Full Story.

Jack White Says There Is No Zeppelin Without Plant

White Stripes lead singer, Jack White, who is apparently another one whose name has taken a turn or two on the Led Zeppelin rumor mill, denies that he was being considered as a replacement for Robert Plant on a Zeppelin tour.

White’s name, along with Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy have come up since we started hearing rumors that the rest of the Led Zeppelin team are ready to go on tour with or without a reluctant Robert Plant.

White says, “I do not believe you can have a band called Led Zeppelin, singing Zeppelin songs, without Plant.” Full Story.

Rolling Stones Ron Wood Sticking With New Girlfriend

Having been seen recently with his new 20-year-old girlfriend, walking a dog in the vicinity of a London Park, it appears that the 61-year-old guitarist had decided to keep the newer model partner and leave his wife of 23 years. He has reportedly been meeting with divorce lawyers of late.

According to witnesses, Wood “looked more careworn than carefree.” Perhaps that’s because he’s preoccupied with the potential amount of a sizable divorce settlement that may be in his future. Generally speaking, wives don’t care much for husbands leaving them for younger women. Full Story.

Famous Pink Floyd “The Wall” Guitar Up For Auction

Although it’s just a plain-old Fender Stratocaster at heart, the one in question has some impressive history in its background. Designed by UK artist Gerald Scarfe, who worked closely with the band on the album and film of The Wall, the guitar is up for auction, with the proceeds benefitting the a homelessness charity called Crisis.

The guitar’s scratch guard was signed  by all four members of the band only weeks before Richard Wright’s recent passing, and will be accompanied by a Scarfe On The Wall Limited Edition Box Set. Full Story.

Tags: Auction, Bat, guitar, Jack White, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd's The Wall Stratocaster up for auction, Robert Plant, Rolling Stones, Ron Wood, The Wall

Robert Plant Gives Green Light For Led Zeppelin Tour?

Like so many other Led Zeppelin rumors we have heard over the past nine months or so, one has to wonder if this is just another one that will be shot down by way of a statement from a band spokesman in a day or two. In the meanwhile, I suspect there will be a lot of finger-crossing amongst hopeful fans.

  The U.K. tabloid The Sun, is reporting that Robert Plant has finally agreed to join his band mates on a tour which is said to start next summer.

According to The Sun, Plant was beginning to feel the pressure to join the tour when he realized that the other members were serious about embarking on a tour without him. The group was said to be auditioning singers to stand in for Plant on tour.

“When Robert realised the band were serious about doing it without him, it made him think long and hard. He realised he couldn’t face the thought of not being involved. The band were over the moon when he told them the news,” a spokesman was reported to have said.

The rest of the group is said to be extremely happy about Plant’s decision to join them for the tour, and are very anxious to get started. Although the group has been rehearsing and working on some new material without Plant for a while, rehearsals are likely to begin in earnest when Plant is finished touring with country star Alison Krauss.

Reprising his role behind the drums, Jason Bonham, son of original Zeppelin drummer, John “Bonzo” Bonham will be joining the three original members for the tour.

Until an official announcement from the band, fans will just have to wait and see if this report is the real deal or just another rumor that sets them up for disappointment yet again.

For the complete story, check out the source at The Sun.

Tags: Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Summer 2009, tour