Led Zeppelin Rumors And Speculation: A (not so) Brief History

Are you ready for the latest? First, a little history, and God knows we don’t have to go back too far to cover some pretty impressive-sounding rumors regarding the future of the supergroup.

Right after the very successful reunion show last winter at London’s O2 arena with Jason Bonham sitting in for his late father, we have heard that the group was anxious to go on tour.

No sooner had the sounds of “Kashmir” finished echoing of the walls of the O2, we started hearing that a tour was in doubt this year due to Robert Plant’s commitment to tour with Alison Krauss.

Very shortly thereafter, rumors surfaced that the group was talking to promoter Harvey Goldsmith about a show at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in the U.K. We all know that didn’t happen.

Then a day or so later, a U.K. newspaper reported that Led Zeppelin would “definitely” tour in 2008. I guess time is running out pretty quickly for that one.

Just before we rang in 2008, another story hit the headlines claiming that the group was “confirmed” to perform at the Bonnaroo festival in Tennessee. No Zep at Bonnaroo this year, although Robert Plant and Alison Krauss showed up to perform for the Bonnaroo crowd. Small conciliation for many Zep fans I suspect.

After the new year there were reports that an important meeting had been scheduled where the members of the group would make a decision regarding a tour.

Then we began to hear things that were starting to create the impression that Robert Plant was playing the part of the hold out and refusing to commit to any more Led Zeppelin reunion performances. Answers to questions asked of him on British TV were a bit evasive when the issue of Led Zeppelin’s future were brought up.

In March we heard that Plant had decided against a tour with Led Zeppelin.

A short time later, a member of the group Velvet Revolver was rumored to have said that they had been selected as the supporting act for a Led Zeppelin tour that was being planned. Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash later said it was all a misunderstanding and that the earlier comments by bass player Duff McKagan were taken out of context.

Then we got word that Robert Plant had made a positive comment or two, saying that the group may perform together again, but perhaps not taking it to the level of a world tour. Hope blossomed once again.

Next up we heard a report out of the U.K. that Whitesnake’s David Coverdale was expecting a call from Jimmy Page with an invitation to join up as a supporting act for a world tour. A short time later, Coverdale denied ever making any comments regarding Led Zeppelin.

After a surprise appearance onstage with the Foo Fighters in June, we heard that Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones made some promising comments about a reunion, but said it was not likely until the fall of 2009.

In July we heard that there may have been a bit of a spat between Robert Plant and Jimmy Page since it was reported that Plant’s name was upset about being excluded from Page’s comments during his acceptance speech at the MOJO Awards. This of course, dampened the hopes of Zeppelin fans once again.

In August Jason Bonham revealed during a radio interview that he would be leaving Foreigner at the end of the month to spend more time with his family. It’s not too hard to figure out what kind of expectations that move may have created in the minds of Led Zeppelin fans, many of whom may be feeling a bit dizzy from the ups and downs of “yes they will” and “no they won’t” rumors all year. Especially since Bonham admitted that he had been to the U.K. a few times to work with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones and may have been experimenting with new material and doing some recording.

Shortly after the radio interview with Bonham, some cold water was once again thrown on the fire when Jimmy Page downplayed the work they had done with Bonham, saying the jam sessions were not as formal as some had believed. He also pointed out that without Robert Plant, there could be no Led Zeppelin reunion.

Now as we work our way into more recent history, we recall the rather unusual report that Robert Plant was holding off on any commitment to tour with his old group because of all the paperwork that would be necessary. I’ll give him some credit for coming up with a pretty unique excuse that time. It sure beats “the dog ate my homework.”

Before we had a chance to fully digest that one, reports are out that a Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham were auditioning lead singers to replace Plant. They were said to be tiring of Plant’s reluctance to commit to a tour and were determined to proceed with or without him.

Less than a week later, word is out that Plant had finally caved in and agreed to a full-blown Led Zeppelin tour. According to a U.K. tabloid, Plant could not bear the thought of the other three boys hitting the road without him and agreed to join them.

Three days later, Plant said that rumor was “frustrating and ridiculous.” So much for that one.

OK, if you are still with me, here is the very latest Led Zeppelin rumor: In a recent interview with Twisted Sister’s Dee Snyder, he said that Page, Jones and Bonham are ready to go, and if Plant does not decide to come along, he will be replaced by Alter Bridge lead singer Myles Kennedy, who, according to Snider, is said to be able to sing Zeppelin songs quite admirably.

This alleged move by Page, Jones and Bonham is said to be an ultimatum for Plant, whom they hope will change his mind and decide to play nice, and go along for a reunion tour. Sounds a bit familiar, does it not? But since it is supposedly coming from Dee Snider, I guess we should all get our hopes up once again.

Shall we begin counting down the days until we hear the next official denial?