"Led Zeppelin are over!" Jimmy Page’s manager is telling reporters today. "If you didn’t see them in 2007, you missed them. It’s done. I can’t be any clearer than that." That sure does sound like a final death knell for the long-brewing rumors that Page, John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham (son of late drummer John Bonham) would get back together for a tour or even an album without reunion-shy frontman Robert Plant. Of course, just a couple days ago this same manager was eagerly stirring up those very rumors in interviews. So who’s really to say whether any or all surviving band members might change their minds again tomorrow?
Even as a pretty big Zeppelin fan, though, I can’t say I’m too disappointed at this news. I’m still kicking myself for missing that lone ‘07 reunion show, where Plant joined the Page/Jones/son-of-Bonham lineup. But with Plant busy recording awesome bluegrass albums or riding unicorns or whatever it is that he likes to do with his free time, a repeat of that event has likely been out of the question for a while now. And what would even be the point of going to see a "Led Zeppelin" show that didn’t feature his inimitable wail?
But you tell me. Are you sorry that you won’t get to see this chimerical Plant-less pseudo-Zep, or are you happy to let sleeping dogs lie and just jam out to Led Zeppelin IV in the comfort of your own home?
More on Led Zeppelin:
The Song Remains the Same is one of EW’s 21 Most Rockin’ Concert Docs
We got pretty psyched for the prospect of the 2008 reunion tour that never came
Dalton Ross went record shopping with Robert Plant in 2005
EW talked to Plant and Alison Krauss on the set of their "Please Read the Letter" video
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This makes as much sense as Ingrid Bergman on the Island of Stromboli
Unfortunately snobby Plant is holding up the skunkworks and all fans really care about is hearing that thunrdering Page guitar and larger than life drum bash. But the curse is that you can’t replace Plant.
Led Zeppelin should be done. There is nothing more to add to their legacy, they can only detract at this point. I’m glad they aren’t touring. The only way to see them is as they were in the 70s. If you missed them then (and I did), just watch the DVDs, it’s the best you’re going to get. Zeppelin should be young, lean, carnal – not old and gray and balding and chubby. Sorry.
I wouldn’t be opposed to Page, Jones, and Bonham the Younger going out and playing the Zep stuff under a different name, like the Ronnie James Dio lineup of Sabbath is doing now as Heaven and Hell. The best replacement rumor was Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy, who can sing circles around today’s Plant. But who knows when/if Plant will change his mind? In a year or so if he gets bored and gets the touring with Krauss out of his system, he might relent and go out with Zep after all.
There is no Zeppelin without Plant.
This is the one band that I would love to see. I have seen many, but to see Led Zeppelin, would be amazing.
I never saw Leppelin live — and I have to say, I might prefer enjoying the mystique of them to seeing them perform and not meet my impossibly high expectations. At least, this is what I’m telling myself….
I cringed when I heard that there might have been Led Zep without Plant.
I thought it was cool that they got back together for that one show, but Zep was always the entire group, not just two of them. I saw them in 1979 and they absolutely blew me away. I’ll always have my memories and my old LP’s, but Zep is done!
Jimmy Page shoulg get Jack White, and the Robinson brothers, and John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham and just play music live. Thats not too difficult. No drama. They all get along musically. Robert Plant can go and whisper songs with Alison Krauss. Everybody wins!!!!!
ok everyone saying how Led Zeppelin is over, how they love their memories, and how if you didn’t see them in the 70s you missed it is being really inconsiderate, because no one who’s been born in the last 40 years has even had an opportunity to see them live. Stop thinking about yourselves.
btw the ‘07 show were like 8,000 tickets were actually made public doesn’t count, don’t be ridiculous, think of all the zep fans born in the last 40 years, a little consideration plz.
I firmly believe Led Zep was the greatest band of all time; I’d take them over the Stones, U2, G’N'R, the Who, Nirvana, all of them. Unfotunately I was too young to ever see them tour. But I agree with Plant’s stance: Zep died when Bonham died. The Who were never the same after Keith Moon died. So I think this is the right call. Out of all the people who’ve been in legendary bands, Robert’s had the best career because he tries new stuff ala the Allison Krauss CD. Just watch Vh1 classic for the great old Zep concerts.
I saw Led Zeppelin twice once in 1977 and I was lucky enough to attend the reunion show in 2007. I am glad they are not going to go comercial and mess with there legacy.
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!! i became a zeppelin fan way too late, i didnt even know a song by them in 2007.
if only w was born in the mid 50’s,
In the end Robert Plant is going to be the biggest Loser.
He will be the known as “the first guy” who sang for Led Zep or “the other guy” that sang for Led Zep. His legacy will be a little compromised when some other singer steps in.
And you know page, jones and jason WILL NOT pick some weak-flimsy singer either.
Roberts little flirt with Alison WILL NOT stand the test of time – it’s just a hit for the moment.
Plant’s legacy is Led Zep and it’s very historic.
It is VERY VERY odd that he is willing to let someone tamper with that legacy just because he wants to record another Alison CD which 10 years from now a small fraction of people will care about.
And besides-we are talking maybe what?
1 year out of Plants life to do a tour with Jimmy-John Paul and Jason?
If they do indeed find that “suitable replacement” and he or she is really that good and brings the magic back to Led Zep I would not even care if Plant wanted to tour with them again in 2 years. Plant Needs A Lesson!
This sucks but it’s meant to be. Even if they toured again, they would not be that same band that dominated from 68-79. I love Zeppelin and everytime I watch their DVDs or listen to their music I wish I would have even been born when they were together.
I’d still see them if they ever change their minds though.
Robert Plant is the most amazing rock and roll singer ever…without him they aren’t Led Zeppelin, he and Jimmy are Zeppelin.
Are we not yet sick of this? The only exciting thing happening on the planet is “to be or not to be”. How did these guys get to pull focus off the main issues? For god sake they are only a band. Its not the next coming of Jesus Christ. Hm. Unles Jimmy really is the devil.
plant knows he cant handle the job anymore,so he’s smart for not wanting to.the idea of bonham jones,page and another singer under a differnt name is plausible,because i don’t think page would attempt th mess with the legacy by replacing plant and calling it zeppelin for the sake of a few bucks(ok a few million,but c’mon even i don’t think page is that greedy)
Robert Plant has said time and time again that he doesn’t want to do a tour with Led Zeppelin. He’s focusing on other music at this moment and doesn’t want to tarnish his legacy. They were at their rawest in the ’70s and it’s time for everybody to move on.
There is a replacement singer for Robert Plant and Plant blacklisted him and kicked him out of London 15 yrs ago, just because he was scared of him. he has used all of his powers and resources to keep him well and truly our of J&J&J’s way. Well, Mr Planty, they might still find him and what then? Just when you thought he was dead. he is still here and ready to kick your but. Have fun with tyhe girls mate and leave the rock of the new millenium to the next generation.
Forget about who can fill his boots, but ask the question begging, who can fill his underpants?
So who is the mysterious singer who can then fill his underpants, hey?
Patience public. All will be revealed.
Follow the great British explorer from the late 1700’s, then you will find him.
How do the comments “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.” mean that JP, JPJ + JB are NOT going to get together for a tour or even an album without reunion-shy frontman Robert Plant? Could someone please ask tell me? I guess the author of this article (Simon Vozick-Levinson) spoke to the J’s personally to be so absolutely certain he had to write an article about it! Led Zeppelin live/together may be over. The J’s may not be. How about this everyone, we be PATIENT and go on with our daily lives and IF they decide to do something with another frontman, take it for what it is at the time, IF NOT, no problem.
I’d settle for a DVD of the Dec. 2007 concert. Will it ever be released?
I wasn’t old enough to see Led Zeppelin with Bonham. I caught the rock n roll bug in 7th & 8th grade. But from the first Robert Plant
concert,in Oakland,California.I never miss a concert of his when he toured the Sf Bayarea And I was also lucky enough.To see Jimmy Page And Paul Rodgers In the Firm. Although The best Show Was the last I had seen in Oaklan.Ca With Jason Bonham and a sober and happy Jimmy Page at witche he never sounded better from my ears. In my eyes they are the greatest band that will ever be.Im thankful to have heard their music.Whatever happens,happens.I just wish them as much happyness.As that they have given too their fans.
I AGREE WITH (PAUL)’S COMMENT OF LAST NIGHT…(PLANT) WILL REGRET WHAT HE’S DOING…HOLDING JIMMY, JPJ, AND JASON “HOSTAGE:!!! AND JIMMY’S BI-POLAR MANAGER’S CONFLICTING REMARKS (1) DAY APART ARE VERY STRANGE INDEED!!! (H-H-M-M-AND IT MAKES ME WONDER..
AS FAR AS ALISON SHE NEEDS TO MAKE LIKE A GOOD PROVERBIAL WIFEY AND STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND SEND PLANT HOME TELLING HIM ‘THE BOYZ NEED YOU MORE THAN I DO NOW’…!!! “R E D”
I believe this to be a ploy to drive up ticket prices.
Seriously
Robert is being stubborn. Right now it seems that Jimmy Page has a better chance of getting Paul Rodgers on board for a Firm reunion, and they only released ONE album.