[article] Zep to tour without Plant

mike65

from Guardian

Led Zeppelin have confirmed they will be reuniting once again for a full tour. There's only one problem: singer Robert Plant won't be joining them.

After some will he, won't he rumours in the press, bassist John Paul Jones confirmed that the band were auditioning for new singers following Plant's decision not to hit the road again. Jones told the BBC: "It's got to be right. There's no point in just finding another Robert." He also said they were hoping to write new material.

Plant joined the band for an 02 Arena show last year, originally planned as a one-off. But the massive success of the concert spurred on members of the band, who established their success in the 1970s, to consider a more permanent reunion. Their singer, however, had other ideas: namely his relatively successful joint project with country singer Alison Krauss. Plant has recently finished touring their critically acclaimed album Raising Sand. When rumours surfaced last month that a Led Zeppelin reunion was back on, Plant was quick to dismiss them as "ridiculous and frustrating" and asserted he would not be touring again for at least another two years.

His statement, in which he wished the remaining members of Led Zeppelin "nothing but success" with their future endeavours, was swiftly followed by rumours that John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Jason Bonham (son of original drummer John) would tour without Plant. It was reported that the band were rehearsing with singer Myles Kennedy, but there has been no confirmation of a replacement from the band. Jones described the experience of playing the 02 Arena last December as "wonderful", and said: "The most pleasure is making music. I love listening to it, but nothing as much fun as having an instrument in my hand and communicating with people."

So then, is there any point? I note talk of writing new material but if they actualy record an album I'll eat my Zep collection.

Mike

MagicMarker

I don't think they'd be writing new material if there wasn't a plan to record at some stage... It looks like they're looking for a replacement to compliment the new material, rather than replace plant to sing the old classics.

Either way, it will still be the biggest tour in history:D

Penn

if Plant doesnt want to tour for at least 2 years, why dont they wait, write songs, then release a new album and tour when Plant is ready. It just wouldnt feel right without him. Its like Guns N Roses. Axl is still there, but its just not Guns N Roses without Slash and Duff

MoominPapa

mike65 wrote: »

if they actualy record an album I'll eat my Zep collection.

I wouldn't eat mine but I certainly won't be adding to it either

ShawnRaven

They'd probably do a Queen and call it Led Zeppelin + whoever does vocals.
That said, on the grounds that Whitesnake aren't busy, I'd be up for a Coverdale/Page redux.

BarryCreed

they're taking the pi*s if it happens....what a flippin joke...

mike65

Maybe they should hire Sarah McLellan

http://www.myspace.com/lezzeppelin

Mike

Mr. CooL ICE

They should do the same as sabbath and just hire Dio. That's guaranteed not to be a failure!

dr.bollocko

There is still plenty of vitality to a Zepp tour without the honourable mr. Plant.
At least for me.
Zeplin is life.

Geology

Without Plant it's karaoke

MoominPapa

Heres Harvey Goldsteins take on it BBC article. Reckon he's dropped as their promoter:pac:

BarryCreed

Geology wrote: »

Without Plant it's karaoke

+1

Captain Slow IRL

Geology wrote: »

Without Plant it's karaoke

That kinda sounds like me after a few pints (as in, not like him at all) @ 7:30 - he's supposed to be screaming at this point, not singing. Stop being such a pussy, Plant, get your balls back and do the ****ing tour.

That said, with or without him, I'm still getting a ticket.

I remember reading way back when word first came out about the O2 gig that they'd be touring under the name of The Honeydrippers, dunno if this is still happening.

ec18

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

I remember reading way back when word first came out about the O2 gig that they'd be touring under the name of The Honeydrippers, dunno if this is still happening.

Plant would be included in the honeydrippers, He was in that band with Page in the early 90's (I think)

Fad

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbA7bVouieI

fixed that for you

RoosterIllusion

MoominPapa wrote: »

I wouldn't eat mine but I certainly won't be adding to it either

Likewise.

HouseHippo

So plant wants to work on his solo stuff but the band want to do a reform tour.
To be honest I think they should just leave all this reforming alone. We have had enough wityh Aul Fella Zone and Take that without seeing legend of rock prancing around in their incontinance pants, your time has passed lads, leave it how it was.

funktastic

They're doing it for the money. People are prepared to pay out to see them so why not? Page is passionate about playing the songs again and Jones is probably just doing it for the $.

Anyway the band was over when Bonham died. (And had been on a downward spiral from 1976 - pre-'Presence'.)

ByrdsFan

They should not reform without Plant, it would needlessly tarnish their reputation. If they want, they should start a new band, playing new songs. But to go on tour as Zeppelin, would be unforgivable.

funktastic

Sure they reformed previously at Live Aid and Atlantic 40th celebrations and they were dire. By all accounts they were great at the O2 last year so why not?

All of this 'mystique' about bands that should never reform. Why not? If the money is there and they can do it well they're fully entitled to, and should do it. Wasn't it a few million people wanted tickets to the O2 gig?

kraggy

Don't care in the slightest.

Think they're the most overated band in history. Just don't see it.

exiot

I would pay €70 no bother to go see them without Plant but the tickets are going to be alot more expensive and without Page won't be worth the money.

dream brother

They're the one band I'ld love to see live but this thought should not even be thought!!

Driver 8

It's not hugely suprising, Page has always been the one who couldn't "let go" of Zeppelin

loyatemu

when page and plant toured together they called themselves Page\Plant because the other Zep members weren't there (Bonham obviously because he was dead). Don't see how Page and Jones can go out now and call themselves Zep.

funktastic

Jason Bonham will probably be on drums so that's a pretty close link to John Bonham (as close as you can get). Plant obviously doesn't mind the rest of them touring under the name of Led Zeppelin.

loyatemu

would Paul + Ringo + Sean Lennon + Dhani Harrison = the Beatles? I don't think so.

hopalong85

no way, definitely not.

Timans

Apparently, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Jason Bonham are ready to tour with Alterbridge frontman Myles Kennedy.

****ing disgraceful.

mp3guy

It's not 1975. Get over it.

ShawnRaven

+1 Time to move on...

bigjigwig77

Without Plant it just wouldn't be the same...

Though to be honest, if they did tour without him I probably would end up going...

Its sad really...

brianthebard

funktastic wrote: »

They're doing it for the money. People are prepared to pay out to see them so why not? Page is passionate about playing the songs again and Jones is probably just doing it for the $.

That's harsh dude, firstly Jones made plenty of money from Zep to begin with and has a pretty good solo career, don't know why you have to assume its for the money.

In fact, since none of the three surviving Zep members are going broke afaik I think we should rule that issue out right now. They are probably still creaming it on royalties, especially after the recent remastering for cd and the couple of dvds that came out over the past few years-I think its fair to say they care as much about the music they play as we do listening to it.

Twee.

Thank you Brian, Jones could not be in it for the money. He's enjoyed a great, maybe a bit under the radar, career since Led Zeppelin disbanded.
They are my all time favourite band EVER and I would be very disappointed if Page and Jones went on tour. Who the hell would you enlist to take on the role of Plant? Pretty big challenge to find someone with a voice and the charisma to embody Plant. Let's face it, the only people going to see them at a probable immense price will be die hard fans and dammit they'll want Zep not a shoddy patched together version!

ShawnRaven

Since when did Led Zep fall into the Alternative/Indie category? More for R&M isn't it?!

On topic, i'm all for this. Seriously, if Plant joined em on a tour, you paid your money for it and he half-assed the gig because he didn't want to be there in the first place. Would you be happy about it? Of course not!

So they're damned if they do, and they're damned if they don't.

ShawnRaven

HouseHippo wrote: »

So plant wants to work on his solo stuff but the band want to do a reform tour.
To be honest I think they should just leave all this reforming alone. We have had enough wityh Aul Fella Zone and Take that without seeing legend of rock prancing around in their incontinance pants, your time has passed lads, leave it how it was.

Yeah, because the music industry is better with Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers and Pink, right? And speaking of time has passed, try Oasis. There's a band who haven't been able to reach the bar that they set for themselves since 1995!

Dudess

Don't get me wrong - I love Zeppelin... but how the heck are they Alternative/Indie?

Moved from there...

Karl Hungus

And a big Zep thread merge!

Dirty Frank

I dunno. I'd go see them though I voted no. But I reckon i'd go just for the name and to see the remaining members play the songs they wrote. Maybe thats shallow or something - you can judge. If they're still passionate about the songs then there's no reason it wouldn't still be a great gig. So long as it didn't end up like the Smashing Pumpkins reunion, went to their gig in January and though there were good moments, there was no real energy in the performance. Did you ever listen to a song a thousand times until it lost meaning and you were bored by it? Surely that happens to the musicians at some stage too. Cripes I'm talking some crap.

Dudess

HouseHippo wrote: »

So plant wants to work on his solo stuff but the band want to do a reform tour.
To be honest I think they should just leave all this reforming alone. We have had enough wityh Aul Fella Zone and Take that without seeing legend of rock prancing around in their incontinance pants, your time has passed lads, leave it how it was.

LOL - you really can't compare Boyzone and Take That musically to Led Zeppelin, one of the greatest bands of all time. And as for calling them Boyzone Aul Fella Zone - they're half Zeppelin's age!