What the hell? Jimmy Page's manager, Peter Mensch, who started as a tour accountant for Aerosmith back in the day and has since represented an impressive list of talent, is talking out of both sides of his mouth - in one interview saying Page, Jones and Bonham still planning to do something musically and on the other, saying the plans have been abandoned. And THEN, saying he wishes everyone would stop talking about it. Mensch sounds like a schmuck if you ask me!

Let's start with the first report from the BBC's 6 Music News reporters Georgie Rogers and Matt Everitt:

Legendary rock manager Peter Mensch, who looks after Jimmy Page, has spoken about the much rumoured Led Zeppelin tour without Robert Plant.

He said it was logical for Page to carry on: "That's what Jimmy does. That's his job, his hobby."

According to Mensch, the rest of the group are still on the lookout for another singer that would fit the bill.

Despite rumours of Aerosmith's Steve Tyler filling in, he claimed they are yet to find Plant's replacement.

"People don't really understand it," Mensch explained to BBC 6 Music. "Jimmy Page has been playing guitar professionally since he was 16 years old. Jimmy Page likes being a musician. He doesn't want to be a race car driver or a solicitor [lawyer].

"So they [Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Jason Bonham] did the show with Robert Plant; they had a really good time rehearsing, the three of them, before Robert showed up. And they decided that if they could find a singer that they thought would fit their bill, whatever their bill was at this stage in their career, that they'd make a record and go on tour."

However, Mensch would not confirm any names - despite a list of rumoured vocalists that also includes Chris Cornell from Soundgarden and Myles Kennedy from relative unknowns Alter Bridge [an Orlando-based band].

"I can't comment on any rumours right now," he said, "It's gonna be a long and difficult process. And we're not soliciting people. So don't call me about it!"

Similarly, it is not known whether the new outfit would be touring under the banner Led Zeppelin or a new name.

And the bummer report from well-respected rock journalist Joe Bosso of MusicRadar:

Despite published reports indicating otherwise, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham have abandoned plans to record and tour together.

Peter Mensch, Jimmy Page's manager, stated categorically, "Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn't see them in 2007 [when they played a one-off reunion at London's O2 Arena], you missed them. It's done. I can't be any clearer than that."

Mensch confirmed that last fall, when singer Robert Plant made it known he was continuing his partnership with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss and had no intention of returning to Led Zeppelin, replacement vocalists were auditioned to possibly record and tour with Page, Jones and Bonham.

"They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out," says Mensch. "That was it. The whole thing is completely over now. There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it."

When asked what new projects Jimmy Page was going to be involved with in 2009, Mensch said, "F**k if I know. I'm waiting to hear."

Man! Sounds like somebody needs some Midol.

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