Zeppelin has mixed views on more shows 12/05/2007 6:00 PM, AP

Will Led Zeppelin's long-awaited reunion lead to more concerts?

Guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant and bass player John Paul Jones will perform Monday at London's 02 Arena, a benefit tribute to Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, who died last year.

It will be the rock band's first concert in almost two decades.

"I must say that after our initial get-together it was so exhilarating and fun that I did feel I would like to do more," Q music magazine quoted Page, 63, as saying.

"I've got things I've been working on for the past four years that I'm proud of," he says. "Some of the songs I've got ready are as good as anything I've done in the past. I wouldn't necessarily save them for my solo career."

Jones, 61, tells both Q and Rolling Stone magazine that he has no idea whether more concerts will follow.

"I guess the door has been left slightly ajar," he tells Q. "We'll have to see how we feel about it afterwards."

Plant, 59, tells Rolling Stone magazine in its Dec. 13 issue: "If people don't talk about a tour, anything is likely. The more people talk, the more pressure it puts on everybody."

And if there is no more Led Zeppelin after Monday's show, "That's fine," he says, "because we will do it with a good heart."

December 4, 2007

Hours after Billboard reported a rumor that Led Zeppelin and Metallica might headline this year's Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee, the magazine says officials have told them the rumors are "inaccurate".

"The rumors that are out there about the Bonnaroo 2008 headliners are inaccurate," Superfly Presents and A.C. Entertainment said in a statement released to Billboard.com. "We're very excited about the lineup that we're putting together for this year's festival. We'll be announcing the confirmed lineup toward the end of January/beginning of February."

earlier report of rumor:

December 4, 2007

Billboard reports that according to an email newsletter circulated by "industry commentator" Bob Lefsetz, Led Zeppelin and Metallica will play the huge Bonnaroo festival which takes place each June at a farm in Manchester, Tennessee.

If it happens, it would be Zeppelin's first U.S. show since July 24, 1977.

The internet has been full of rumors almost every day about plans for a tour of the United States from classic rock's most revered band. But for now, the only confirmed date is being billed as a one-off charity gig in London set for December 10. It is a tribute to Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun who passed away December 14, 2006.

Nobody is commenting on the Bonnaroo rumors for now - not Zeppelin management or Bonnaroo reps. But remember, such was the case when rumors of the Zep reunion concert begin to crop up several months ago so most rock lovers are cautiously optimistic.

One thing that does not bode well for the Zeppelin tour thing is the fact that Robert Plant has a summer tour scheduled with Alison Krauss, his music partner on a recently released album, "Raising Sand."

Then again, that doesn't make it impossible. If Led Zeppelin only did a few dates, which is most likely what would happen, promoters could certainly leave gaps in the Plant/Krauss tour to accomodate that.

Bookmark this page for the latest rumor, innuendo and fact - first!

December 4, 2007

NME - Guitarist Jimmy Page revealed that when the band was first contacted about playing a reunion show, they were asked to play for 40 minutes, but the band thought this was too short.

"When we were first asked to do this [reunion show], we were asked to play a 40-minute set. We soon realised we couldn't," he told Q magazine.

"If we go out and play 'No Quarter', 'Moby Dick' and 'Dazed And Confused' with all the solos, you're already talking over an hour."

He added: "We've gone from [planning to play for] 75 minutes to 90, to the best part of two hours."

Page went on to explain that while Led Zeppelin will play for two hours, he doesn't think he could handle playing for much longer than that.

"There's no way I can take on playing three-and-a-half-hour sets now," he said. "Flying against the wind and the storms, because I just don't have that energy anymore. But I've still got enough in me to get through a two-hour set."

By Sal Cirrincione for Premiere Radio Network

Led Zeppelin's camp isn't exactly trying to douse rumors that the band will tour next year with The Cult as the opening act.

During a recent show in Cincinnati, The Cult's Ian Astbury said, "We'll be back next year because we're opening for a band you may have heard of -- the name starts with an 'L' and has a 'Z' in it."

A fan then yelled out "Led Zeppelin" and Astbury nodded his approval while pumping his arm in the air.

A spokesperson for the Cult was unavailable for comment, but Led Zeppelin's rep said, "No decision to tour has been made, and the band is focusing on the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute at the O-2 Arena in London on December 10th."

When the Doors reformed in 2002 (with Police drummer Stewart Copeland in place of John Densmore), they recruited Astbury as their frontman and the result drew rave reviews.

See for yourself. Here is footage of Astbury playing with original Doors members, Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek on the Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn.

Led Zeppelin have broken their silence about their first rehearsal session when they reformed in June.

The band revealed that the first song they played together in rehearsal was 1973's 'No Quarter'.

The band then played 'Kashmir' next.

"It was immediate," guitarist Jimmy Page told Rolling Stone. "Everybody went in with a will to work and to enjoy it. It was a delight."

Singer Robert Plant said that there were "a lot of big smiles" at the rehearsal.

He added that he found the session "cathartic and therapeutic. No pressure, no weight. I didn't have any doubts. Someone picked a song, we got through it, and it rocked".

Drummer Jason Bonham - son of original drummer John - said that he had a "real lump in the throat" when stepping into his late father's footsteps for the first time. "I didn't think it would be an instant sound," he added.

"When the riff came in [on 'No Quarter'], Bonham explained, "there was this look that went around. It was brilliant. Then we stopped [after 'Kashmir']. Jimmy said, 'Can you give me a hug?' And Robert shouted, 'Yeah, sons of thunder!'"

November 21, 2007

By Sal Cirrincione for Premiere Radio Network

Jimmy Page says his broken left pinky finger is healing nicely and he planned to resume rehearsals Led Zeppelin's reunion show in London on December 10th.

In addition to their most popular songs, they plan to do a song they never did before. In an interview with Reuters, Page says, "There's one number that we rehearsed -- I assume that it will make it to the Dome -- that we never played at any point in time. It's a really intense number."

The show will be Zeppelin's first performance since their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

In other Zeppelin news, they have officially launched their website. It features a timeline in which you can submit reviews and photos of Zeppelin shows. There are also more than 14-hundred rare photos on the site; old tour programs you can browse through; a discography; an online store and more.

Robert Plant interview

Zep to your iPod but no tour reunion recording

Reunion setlist details

TIGHT rehearsals excite band

Is new Zep music coming?

November 6, 2007

The opening lineup for the Led Zeppelin reunion show has changed, perhaps as a result of the show's postponement conflicting with prior engagements.

Pete Townshend was originally slated to perform in addition to Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and a one-off supergroup featuring drummer Simon Kirke of Bad Company, bassist Chris Squire of Yes, and keyboardists Rick Wakeman of Yes and Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Pete Townshend is now off the bill and taking his place will be Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers.

Rick Wakeman is also off the bill. His website contained this message:

Sadly due to a prior committment, Rick will not now be performing at the recheduled Led Zepellin gig at London's O2. Rick would also like to make it clear that this was a one off event and that there are no plans whatsoever to appear with Keith in the future.

Rodgers, who also recorded for Ertegun at Atlantic Records, says, "Ahmet had many gifts. His soulful freedom to love and lift others was just one. Now even in his passing he is still bringing people together and inspiring us."

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

The organiser of the Led Zeppelin reunion gig has spoken out about tackling the touts trying to sell ticket-buying passwords online.

Some fans who were successful in the recent ballot to buy tickets for the gig have started selling their ticket-buying access in online auctions, but Harvey Goldsmith explained to NME.com how he would be tackling the touts head on.

He said: "The selection process took place on Monday (October 1) and people were notified. The unscrupulous ones put (the codes) up on eBay and wherever they can.

"The issue is as follows - unless the name of the person who was successful in the random ballot and their pass-code number and their photo ID match they aren't going to get in. It's as simple as that. So I want people to know lest their upset and disappointed."

Goldsmith said that the root of the problem has yet to be addressed.

He said: "So long as eBay continue to allow this to take place it will continue to happen. The whole industry wants eBay to take 'ticket' off their inventory, but they won't."

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has ruled out performing with Led Zeppelin at their reunion show in London.

It had been reported that Jagger would collaborate with the reformed band when they play at the O2 Arena on November 26th - [now rescheduled for December 10].

Jagger told the BBC, however, that he has no intention to join the band onstage. 'If I'm here in London I'll definitely go,' said Jagger. 'Will I go on stage? Nah. They haven't done anything on stage for 20 years together, I'm not going to interlope into their big night out."

The singer also joked about how long the band might perform for when they take to the stage.

He said: 'I heard this awful rumour they're only going to play half an hour. If I remember, the drum solos used to be half an hour, and I'm not exaggerating. But I'm sure they're going to play two hours.'

September 25, 2007

Led Zeppelin was planning to host an after-party following their Nov. 26 onstage reunion at a tribute concert for Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun in London. It's assumed that will go forward now that the show has been rescheduled for December 10.

The band was seeking unsigned bands to perform at the bash, and is requesting that interested acts upload a video explaining why they should get the gig.

Winners will be personally introduced by members of Zeppelin at the party.

From Premiere Radio News September 21, 2007

U-K promoter Harvey Goldsmith not only asked Led Zeppelin to reunite for the Ahmet Ertegun tribute show in London on November 26th [now rescheduled for December 10]. He also wanted to get Cream back together -- which was what Cream bassist Jack Bruce was referring to earlier this year in an interview with a Detroit radio station.

Goldsmith said, "I don't really quite understand what happened [with Cream]... It seemed to have fizzled apart, and I can't really tell you the reasons why 'cause I don't know."

Goldsmith also says he asked Mick Jagger to perform and that there was interest in one other English band that recorded for Atlantic, but they were not interested in reuniting. Among the English bands who recorded for Atlantic or their subsidiaries are Bad Company, Yes, E-L-P, and Genesis with Peter Gabriel. Also on the bill, besides Zeppelin, are Paul Rodgers (who stepped in after Pete Townshend cancelled), Bill Wyman and Foreigner - as well as a one-off supergroup featuring ELP's Keith Emerson, Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke and Chris Squire of Yes.

Goldsmith: "There were two other acts that were English bands that were on Atlantic, who, unfortunately, weren't together and weren't going to get back together again, so we discounted them. And the only other person I've asked is Mick really, because, for obvious reasons, or the Stones. The Stones have just finished a very long extensive tour, so I wasn't really expecting them to anything more. But hopefully if Mick's around he'll come and play with the house band."

Mick Jagger: "I was asked to play that concert but I won't be available. It should be fun, I should think. It's [the reunion of Led Zeppelin] been a long time coming and rumored."

Update from Premiere News September 19

The website allowing interested parties to register for the Led Zeppelin reunion ticket lottery has closed.

Promoter Harvey Goldsmith said that between last Thursday and Saturday the site received 670-million hits from around the world.

He says they will randomly select 18-thousand names, and those fans will get the chance to buy tickets "as quickly as possible."

As for the band's rehearsals, Goldberg says he has not been to them, but that "they really want to make this work."

"No one's gone to the rehearsals except the band and their immediate crew. I don't think any of their managers have been allowed to rehearsals either. I think they just now determined they want to make a go of this and they really want to make this work. And as I say, beyond November the 26th I have no idea what will happen."

Original Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham passed away in 1980. His son, Jason Bonham, now the guitarist for a newly rocked out version of Foreigner, will act as drummer for Zeppelin at the reunion show.

Bonham said the band has rehearsed eight times, and the songs will be done close to their original times. "You won't hear a 30-minute 'Dazed and Confused'," says Bonham, who, despite previous reports, will only drum with Zeppelin that night with someone else filling his seat in Foreigner.

From various internet sources (mostly UK) September 18

Another rumor is floating around cyberland. Since the last one ended up being true...better just put this one out there and see what shakes out!

The rumor: Robert Plant wants the band to play another show in Belfast when the Ulster Hall re-opens in November 2008.

The venue was where the group first played their smash hit, 'Stairway To Heaven,' in 1971, at a concert held for the late Jim Aiken.

From Billboard September 14

Organizers of the Led Zeppelin-headlined Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert on Nov. 26 [now rescheduled for December 10] in London have extended the registration deadline in the wake of "unprecedented demand" for tickets.

The ballot has now been extended from a midday Sept. 17 close to midday Sept. 19, after the Web site set up to handle ticket registrations received 89.5 million attempts in a 12-hour period on September 13.

"The Web site has been receiving over five million hits per hour since the press announcement 24 hours ago," said show organizer Harvey Goldsmith. "The service provider is doing their best to keep the site running and has moved it to a server on its own."

Since confirmation Wednesday of the one-off Led Zeppelin comeback at London's O2 Arena, the online service has had 80,000 requests each minute, at one point causing the system to crash, according to a spokesman.

Just 18,000 tickets, priced at $250, will be distributed to applicants on a lottery basis, capped at two tickets per household.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Goldsmith admitted 852 corporate tickets, priced upwards $2,000 each, would be held aside to cater particularly for interest in the U.S.

Zeppelin will play "all the big numbers" in a "meaty" set of roughly two hours, Goldsmith said. The Who's Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman, Foreigner's Mick Jones and Paolo Nutini are also on the bill.

from Classic Rock magazine, Wednesday, September 12

The surviving members of Led Zeppelin have confirmed they will reform for a special show at London's 22,000-capacity O2 arena on Monday, November 26 as part of a tribute to Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, who died last December.

Tickets cost £125 each (approximately $254) and will be allocated on a lottery basis through the Ahmet tribute web site [the site seems to be having technically difficulties perhaps due to the volume of people trying to access it].

Profits will benefit the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund, which provides scholarships to universities in the United States, United Kingdom and Ertegun's homeland, Turkey.

The bill also includes Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman & The Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini.

Founding members Jimmy Page (guitar), Robert Plant (vocals) and John Paul Jones (bass) will be joined by Jason Bonham, son of the late John Bonham, on drums.

The one-off performance has just been announced via a handout given to attendees at a press conference in the Vue cinema at the O2 complex.

Singer Robert Plant reportedly let the cat out of the bag about the reunion last week. When asked by a fan whether the rumors about Zep reforming were true, Plant explained that the band had had a meeting about the show on September 5. He also confirmed the reunion will be for one night only.

"There's not a lot to work out as it's only going to be one-off gig," he explained.

Zeppelin re-formed for Live Aid in 1985 with Phil Collins on drums. Page and Plant have played together sporadically since then. A further — brief — reformation occurred at Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary bash in New York in 1988 with Jason Bonham on drums.

Three weeks prior to Zep's O2 show, Jimmy Page will be honoured as the Living Legend at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour, Classic Rock magazine's third annual award show. This year the awards will take place on Monday, November 5 at London's prestigious Landmark Hotel.

Zeppelin's O2 show is being organised by legendary promoter Harvey Goldsmith.

Background:
Ray Waddell for Billboard - September 7, 2007

Talk of a Led Zeppelin reunion just refuses to go away.

Billboard reported in July that the band may get together for a proposed tribute to the late producer/record mogul Ahmet Ertegun at the O2 in London in November.

Now on Ledzeppelin.com the date 11.13.07 mysteriously appears with the familiar Zep symbols. But Nov. 13 also has another significance: it's the release date of a new Atlantic/Rhino two-disc, 24-track best-of set, "Mothership."

And several people saw the band touring the O2 during Prince's recent stand at the new 20,000-seat London venue. A press conference next Wednesday (Sept. 12) in London may clear everything up.

There has been talk that tour producers AEG Live and Michael Cohl's CPI (Rolling Stones, Genesis, Barbra Streisand) have put in offers on a Zep tour featuring founding members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones with late drummer John Bonham's son Jason on drums. But it is also well known in the industry that standing offers have been on the table for a Led Zeppelin tour for more than a decade.

Additionally, a deluxe reissue of the soundtrack to the 1976 concert film "The Song Remains the Same" with previously unreleased material and a new DVD edition of that movie will arrive Nov. 20 via Atlantic/Rhino and Warner Home Video, respectively.

by Hildi, your afternoon rock vixen
September 3, 2007

Well, the first time around it was very hard to believe - especially because the credited source was "a friend of the band". Days later, Plant denied the rumors. Scroll down to read his comments.

Well, the newest Led Zeppelin reunion rumor started when "a fan who sat next to Robert Plant on a train" said he confirmed it.

Call me crazy, but I'm skeptical [and apparently too much so!]

The latest rumor comes to us from NME.com and here it is:

"A fan who met Plant in London today contacted NME.COM explaining that the singer said he was on his way to meet bandmates Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.

"How did you find out about this?" asked Plant when asked about the prospects of a reunion show by the autograph hunter. "Well we've got a band meeting about it this afternoon about it. There's not a lot to work out as it's only going to be one-off gig."

What makes the rumor a bit more juicy are reports that rock promoter Harvey Goldsmith has lashed out at companies who are advertising ticket and travel packages to the rumoured Led Zeppelin reunion show in London. His wording almost makes it seem as though he's admitting a show (or more than one) will take place.

The rumor is that Plant, Page and Jones will play a show at London's O2 Stadium on November 26. So the rumor goes, the venue is already on hold.

Supposedly the late John Bonham's son Jason would join Plant, Page and Jones.

The story broke (again) when advertisements appeared in the British press advertising pricey hotel and ticket packages for the event.

Goldsmith issued a statement claiming that the companies involved had been reported to the country's Department of Culture, Media and Sport. But the wording of the statement suggests that the reunion shows will happen.

He said, "There have been at least four events advertised which I suspect either don't exist or where no tickets are on sale or indeed dates finalized ... There are NO packages or tickets for some of the events advertised at all, nor do some of the events even exist. We are concerned that the public will be fleeced. The bottom line is that unless official adverts have appeared for concerts, tickets are not on sale. Do not buy from unauthorized sources."

Yeah, well...I still ain't buyin' it. Are you?

Metal Temple has confirmed the inevitable: the BIG Zeppelin reunion rumor of June 2007 was another stupid internet lie. Read on...

Robert Plant has shot down reports that LED ZEPPELIN will reunite for a one-off memorial concert in honor of their late record company boss.

A report was published earlier in the week suggesting that Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones will re-group alongside John Bonham's son Jason for a special concert in memory of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun in London.

A source was quoted as saying, "Page, Plant and Jones spoke and agreed to do the memorial concert. They are waiting for a definite date.

"And no one can quite believe it, but during discussions about the concert they all gave the green light to a tour if it all does well and they don't all fall out.

"It has been hoped for and denied for years. But this is the closest they have ever come to a reunion tour. The feeling is that this is going to happen next year."

Speaking at a press conference for the upcoming Rockwave festival — which is scheduled to be held June 29, June 1 and June 3 in Athens, Greece — Plant insisted that he hadn't heard anything about the rumored ZEPPELIN reunion and jokingly added, "If there was one, then there wouldn't be enough doctors to support it!"

Ertegun died in December 2006 after seven weeks in a coma following a fall at a ROLLING STONES concert.

Here's the story that was circulating the internet:

From the Sunday Times Mirror in the United Kingdom on Sunday, June 24

By Sean Hamilton Showbiz Editor
Sean.Hamilton@Sundaymirror.Co.Uk

IT'S the reunion rock fans thought would never happen. Led Zeppelin are planning to re-form for a massive world tour.

The surviving members of the Seventies "Whole Lotta Love" group have been approached to headline a memorial concert for the founder of their record label, who died last year.

They are understood to have agreed - and during discussions about the concert, they gave the green light for a tour afterwards.

Singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones will be joined by the late drummer John Bonham's son Jason.

[Although they've reunited a handful of times] a tour has never been on the agenda for the group who invented hard rock with songs such as Whole Lotta Love, Stairway To Heaven and Black Dog.

Plans for the gig in London to remember Atlantic Records boss Ahmet Ertegun are in the advanced stages. Approaches have also been made to the Rolling Stones, Genesis, James Blunt, The Streets and Bloc Party.

A friend of the band said: "Page, Plant and Jones spoke and agreed to do the memorial concert. They are waiting for a definite date.

"And no-one can quite believe it, but during discussions about the concert they all gave the green light to a tour if it all goes well and they don't all fall out.

"It has been hoped-for and denied for years. But this is closest they have ever come to a reunion tour. The feeling is that this is going to happen next year.

"They have watched the way The Police and Pink Floyd have come back together.

"And, of course, they would like to step up again to the world stage before they are all too old to do it. They certainly don't need the money. But they would like the adulation."

A world tour by Led Zeppelin would generate a whole lotta cash. The Stones' epic A Bigger Bang tour has already grossed more than £200million. But, with 300million album sales worldwide, money is not a concern for Led Zep.

While they no longer make the mayhem for which they became famous - at their peak, the band wrote the rock rulebook for drink and drug-fuelled antics - the surviving members all still make music.

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have continued to work together on-and-off and in 1998 released the album Walking Into Clarksdale.

Plant, now 58, has never left his roots in the West Midlands and still lives on a farm near Kidderminster.

Since splitting from his wife Maureen Wilson in 1982 he has remained single, although he has been romantically linked with singers Alannah Myles and Najma Akhtar.

Often voted the best rock guitarist of all time in polls, Page, 63, from Hounslow, Middx, wrote the soundtracks to the Death Wish films in the 1980s. A renowned philanthropist, he was awarded an OBE two years ago for his charity work helping Brazilian slum children. His daughter Scarlett is a respected photographer.

John Paul Jones, 61, from Sidcup in Kent, has continued as a musician and record producer and has worked with Paul McCartney, Brian Eno and R.E.M.

John Bonham died aged 32 after choking on his own vomit following a drinking session. His son Jason is also a fine drummer and has filled in for his dad at the rare reunions as well as playing with Foreigner [he's a permanent member of Foreigner now].

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