Robert Plant Saves Us From Disappointment On Zeppelin Reunion Tour
Feb. 6, 2009 – According to Robert Plant most of us would be disappointed in a Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The former lead singer of the band told Absolute Radio that he decided not to participate out of fear that it could disappoint and disillusion fans. Like that could happen.

After the group gathered for a one-off benefit show in December 2007 everyone was fired up for a real reunion tour. Guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones, and drummer Jason Bonham, the late John Bonham’s son, seemed ready to role as well with rumours of Myles Kennedy signed on as a replacement.

Plant said, "The disappointment that could be there once you commit to that and the comparisons to something that was basically fired by youth and a different kind of exuberance to now, it's very hard to go back and meet that head on and do it justice."

Plant also said that it really would not be Zeppelin without John Bonham, "The reason that it stopped was because we were incomplete, and we've been incomplete now for 28 years."

The reunion show was amazing according to most reports but the closest to more of the same will be the eventual release of the show on DVD. It is what it is. – by John Beaudin

There Will Be No Led Zeppelin Reunion - "It's Over"
January 26, 2009 – Led Zeppelin’s manager, Peter Mensch says, “It’s over” – the band is never getting back together. Here’s what he told Music Radar:

"Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn't see them in 2007, you missed them," It's done. I can't be any clearer than that. They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out, "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."

Alter Bridge singer Myles Kennedy, who was widely known as the most likely candidate to replace Robert Plant as lead singer, says he’s grateful to have auditioned. "I am not singing in Led Zeppelin or any offshoot of Led Zeppelin," says Kennedy. He told Blabbermouth.net. "But I did have a great opportunity and it was something that I'm very grateful for."

The consensus seemed to be “If Robert Plant was not in the band – what was the point.”

Shortly after the rumors of a Zep reunion started in 2008 Robert Plant made an official announcement saying that he was too old for stadium shows and wished his band mates the best of luck in the future.

Does this mean that Led Zeppelin will never reform? Not necessarily, but probably not until 2010 and it would be, maybe, another one-off show or half a dozen.

Mensch is also the manager for Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica. – by John Beaudin

Robert Plant Says Jimmy Page Supports His No-Zep Decision
Dec. 24, 2008 – While most of the world was excited about a possible Led Zeppelin reunion, Robert Plant likened the experience to Leprosy. The 60 year old singer says he’s just too old for two-hour Rock arena shows and that former Zep band-mate Jimmy Page supports his decision. Page adds that the two are still good friends.

Speaking to the BBC last week Plant said, "I still see Jimmy quite a lot and he's very complimentary and supportive of what I'm doing. But we are in different places now and you have to go on to do different things."

Plant is having a great time working with Alison Krauss, their ‘Raising Sands’ album is nominated for five Grammy awards. He said, "I'm doing very well with Alison and I'm enjoying that.” – by John Beaudin

Jeff Beck Slams Led Zeppelin Reunion Plans
Dec. 12, 2008 – The more we hear about the Led Zeppelin reunion the more it sounds like a journey Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham may regret. Jeff Beck has now gone on record to clarify that a Zeppelin reunion without Robert Plant as lead vocalist would be a huge mistake.

He says, "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. They will have been offered loads of money and it'll be tempting but that's not a good enough reason to me. It would be different if they all wanted to do it and record new material but that's not the case."

Beck, 64, was in the Yardbirds with Jimmy Page in the 60’s. More

Paul McCartney Disappointed In Plant-less Zeppelin Tour
Dec. 3, 2008 - Everybody loves a good reunion – even Paul McCartney. I think it’s safe to say if all the Beatles were alive some sort of reunion would have happened. McCartney has said though it would not be the Beatles without all the parts. Three out of four of the Zeppelin formula is alive and though a Zeppelin reunion is not impossible, like a Fab-Four miracle, it’s looking grim. Now, McCartney says it should not happen without the voice of Robert Plant, "What's happened to Planty? He was great at their gig. It's such a pity.” He also said that it wouldn’t be the same without Plant.

Interestingly, now Jimmy Page’s management says that the partial reunion will not be called Led Zeppelin. Alter Bridge lead singer Myles Kennedy is the leading candidate to replace Plant. – by John Beaudin

Longtime Robert Plant Drummer Michael Lee Dead at 39
Nov. 27, 2008 – Drummer Michael Lee is dead. He played for the Robert Plant and Jimmy Page reunion tour in 1994. Before that he toured extensively with Plant.

Lee was born Michael Gary Pearson and had a similar style to one of his mentors, Zeps John Bonham which is probably why he ended up playing with Plant and Page.

He first played with Plant on his 1993’s ‘Fate of Nations’ CD. Lee is also credited as co writer of 1998’s ‘Walking into Clarksdale’ tune and also played with Echo & the Bunnymen, Thin Lizzy, Little Angels and The Cult.

So far police do not know the cause of death. – by Kari Graham

Zep Reunion Will Not Be Called Led Zeppelin
Nov. 15, 2008 – At last, some good news about the so-called Led Zeppelin reunion. It will not be called Led Zeppelin. A spokesman for Jimmy Page hints that the reunion featuring Page, John Paul Jones, Jason Bonham and a yet unnamed lead singer will be called anything but Zeppelin.

Since lead singer Robert Plant said, in no uncertain terms, that he would not tour for at least one or two years, rumors have gone nuts on who would replace him and whether it would be Zeppelin without him – well it won’t be after all.

A spokesperson for Page’s management company, Qprime, told Rolling Stone: “Whatever this is, it is not Led Zeppelin. Not without the involvement of Robert Plant.”

If that’s the case, it’s a classy move on the part of Page, Jones and Bonham and it might leave the door open for Plant to rejoin his old friends in a few years. At least there would not be much bad blood, if any. – by John Beaudin

Cream’s Jack Bruce Says Led Zeppelin is Crap
Nov 6, 2008 – In the “tell us what you really think” file, Jack Bruce is calling Led Zeppelin some harsh names. While at the Classic Rock Awards on Nov. 3 the famous Cream bassist gave a thumbs down to Zeppelin, “Everybody talks about Led Zeppelin, and they played one fucking gig, one fucking lame gig, while Cream did weeks of gigs; proper gigs, not just a lame gig like Zeppelin did, with all the [vocal] keys lowered and everything. We played everything in the original keys. [Becoming animated]: Fuck off, Zeppelin, you’re crap. You’ve always been crap and you’ll never be anything else. The worst thing is that people believe the crap that they’re sold. Cream is 10 times the band that Led Zeppelin is." Ouch! Bruce was at the ceremony to pick up a prize for Creams classic ‘Disraeli Gears’ album.

The interviewer then comments that his review of Zep was rather sharp, to which Bruce responded, “What? You’re gonna compare Eric Clapton with that fucking Jimmy Page? Would you really compare that? Eric’s good and Jimmy’s crap. And with that I rest my case." More

Chris Cornell Says He’s Not Joining Led Zeppelin....Today
Nov. 4, 2008 – As reported yesterday, the top nominee as a Robert Plant replacement seems to be Alter Bridge singer Myles Kennedy. Having said that, let’s look at the runner-up group, according to rumours of course. So far Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Foo Fighters vocalist Dave Grohl, Ex Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar and White Stripes’ mad scientist Jack White have all been named.

Not too long ago the internet was nuts with rumours that former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell was the new guy. Sounds nuts to him though, "I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," He joked with MTV. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumour or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour."

Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider actually leaked the most possible rumour so far about Myles Kennedy. He said Plant was told, "We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' "

Zeppelin’s, John Paul Jones told the BBC, "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard."

Cornell’s next album will be produced, by of all people, Timbaland and he warns that some fans might be a little surprised by his new sound. – by John Beaudin

Now Billboard Magazine Says Led Zeppelin Could Hire Myles Kennedy
Nov. 3, 2008 – Could this be more than a rumour now? Billboard Magazine is reporting Alter Bridge lead singer, Myles Kennedy “has rehearsed with Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham on several occasions.” Jones told the BBC last week that the band was going to tour but did not mention Kennedy.

Robert Plant, fresh off a tour with Alison Krauss says he has "no intention whatsoever of touring with anyone for at least the next two years," and wished his band mates, "nothing but success with any future projects."

The Band Alter Bridge has recorded two albums and Kennedy is an amazing singer but would it be Led Zeppelin? Would they even call it Led Zeppelin? Alter Bridge is made up of former non-singing members of Creed. If they lose Kennedy, could the boys track down Creed singer Scott Stapp? Maybe Creed will return. – by John Beaudin

Celine Dion Set to Replace Plant in Led Zeppelin
Oct. 30, 2008 – Remember how Celine Dion looked like a freakin idiot singing AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long?’ Let that haunt Steven Tyler as rumours bounced from my noggin to yours that he’s replacing Robert Plant as lead singer of Led Zeppelin. Stories of new vocalist have turned into one urban legend after another, something that Zeppelin is very used to and sure, comparing Tyler to Dion is unfair. He’s a cool dude who helped create part of Rock’ n ’Roll history with Aerosmith and she’s got the coolness of John McCain dressed up as George Bush on Halloween.

A source from Britain’s ‘The Mail on Sunday’ says, "Steve was jamming with Zep. They had a great time but Steve kept fluffing (messing up) his lines. He got quite flustered about it." Does that really mean he’s joining the band? Probably not but if he does he will tarnish his reputation in Aerosmith and certainly that of Led Zeppelin. It’s not worth it.

This week, we reported Zep bassist John Paul Jones saying the band is going on without Plant. "As you probably know, Jimmy, Jason and I are actually rehearsing and we've had the odd singer come in and have a bash. As soon as we know -- which we don't -- we will let you know. But we really hope that something is going to happen soon because we really want to do it and we're having a lot of fun, actually, just rehearsing. Jason is actually tremendous... And what we've done so far sounds absolutely fantastic. When it does come, it will come, and you'll know about it."

Most of the reaction on Tyler joining has been scathing with some fans saying, “This would be ludicrous.” or ‘Are they out of their minds?” but in the same breath these fans suggest Anne Wilson of Heart, who is a huge Zep fan or David Coverdale.

Some people say Plant is just tired after touring with Allison Krauss or that he suffers from asthma but the solution is simple – just wait for him to rest up. Plant has said that he would be open to it in a few years. We can wait right? If one of these guys doesn’t kick the bucket before then we will all have the Zeppelin we love.

Either Plant is planning on re-joining and the group are just fooling around or they are trying to pry him out of retirement with these rumours. I smell a rat in all this. Something does not make sense. I find it hard to believe that Plant would be ok with someone else taking the helm of that band. – by John Beaudin

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