Ramble On

Moved

2009-01-12T23:04:00.000-05:00

Ramble On can now be found at www.BrianGardiner.ca/RambleOn.

Please change your bookmarks.

Happy 65th Birthday...

2009-01-09T16:23:00.002-05:00

Jimmy Page.

For us Zeppelin fanatics, 65 years ago today was a magical one, in which the greatest guitarist of the rock 'n' roll generation was born.

Happy Birthday Dr. Jimmy Page, OBE. May you enjoy your pensionable years by travelling the world, preferably with an entourage, three good friends and a Les Paul.

Gonna Make You Sweat Gonna Make You Groove

2008-12-10T16:00:00.002-05:00

What were you doing 365 days ago - to the minute. It's not often you can answer that question with any accuracy, but today is one of those days. It was exactly one-year ago today, at exactly 9:00 PM (4:00 PM shitty snowy Toronto time), that Led Zeppelin walked on the stage at London's 02 arena.

Led Zeppelin's legendary stage shows and relatively short career run meant that for many people, this was the concert they waited a lifetime for. I was one of those people. Their last American date was on my 14th birthday, their last Toronto date six years earlier. Seeing Led Zeppelin had always been a pipe dream.

I came close once. I arrived in London on Aug 4, 1979, the day of the legendary 1st Knebworth concert for a family vacation when I was 16. My aunt had arranged a ticket with a neighbour who was my age, but a delay in our flight meant I was too late. It would be my last chance to see Led Zeppelin for 28 years.

I wouldn't see London again for 28 years either, and it seems a fitting close that I should return to the city where it almost happened, and in the same year the Sex Pistols would reunite, to finally make it happen.

London was abuzz with the Sex Pistols in 1979, with Led Zeppelin in 2007. Taxi's adorned ads for the new CD compilation, Mothership. In stores, people were talking about the concert, asking us about it. The news covered the ticket line up the day before the show. It was an occasion as much as a concert.

It was a concert first, however. That was what it was all about, the show, the music. And on that front, more than any others, there would be no disappointment. The show! We sat patiently through an array of artists playing one, maybe two songs: Chris Squire and Alan White from Yes, Keith Emerson from ELP and Simon Kirke from Bad Company playing ELP's Fanfare for the Common Man opened the show. Magic, that was. Paul Rodgers was worthy of mention too. Strangely, they stopped the show for a twenty minute setup before Foreigner came on and Foreigner played one song, I Wanna Know What Love Is. "They tore down one drum kit, set up a second," I have joked to more than one person, "and the drummer pulls out his brushes!" One lousy ballad from the band that gave us Feels Like the First Time and Double Vision. You'd be disappointed if you weren't waiting for them to get off stage so Led Zeppelin could get on.

Zeppelin promised a 9:00 start (4:00 SSTT), and they came on exactly at 9:00 (4:00 SSTT). After a short video about the 1975 Tampa show, they hit with Good Times Bad Times, lights flashing to the intro, Jason Bonham paradiddling to his old man's beat, Led Zeppelin were back.

The first chills up the spine, the I can't believe it moment, came surprisingly during the next song, Ramble On. Never a favourite, at this moment, this exact point in time, it was perfect. The concert is, like many concerts, a blur of moments: more chills during In My Time of Dying, watching Jimmy Page strutting, yes strutting at 63 years old, playing that old slide blues guitar; Watching Jimmy strap on the double neck and knowing what was next - Stairway to Heaven; The legendary surrealness of No Quarter, blue lights coming through the stage fog; The never before played For Your Life from my favourite Zeppelin album, the vastly underrated Presence; Kashmir, lush, expansive mesmerizing. It was the true gem, true musical highlight of any show
I have seen; The young couple screwing (yes, you read that right) to Since I've Been Loving You in the seat in front of me redefining the slow minor key blues masterpiece; Whole Lotta Love, especially the moment when it seemed they were going to go old school, go into Elvis' Boogie Mama, and beyond like in their prime; Rock and Roll, ending with deceased John's most famous piece, his son Jason supplicating himself in a "I'm not worthy" manner before the boys at the end of it all.

From start to finish, magical. Jason Bonham indeed was worthy, whether the rest of us were so is an open question.

The trip to London was marred by a bad cold that kept me from being my best. The beer I couldn't quite digest, and in fact had to go to the flat warm stuff to survive. The food gave me trouble, and I stayed in a couple of nights, much to my travel partners disappointment, to try and keep myself going. But on this night I couldn't rest. Back at the hotel the bar was full of fellow travellers, revelling in post-Zeppelin ardour. The bar closed down, so we kept the night porter busy chasing beer for us to drink in the lounge. Sleep would be difficult coming, the night too perfect to let end.

People have asked since, was it worth it? What if they tour, was it still worth it? Yes and yes, is the answer. Every minute, every penny. And since the likelihood that Led Zeppelin will ever tour now seem as remote as ever, it was worth it more so now than then.

Worth every minute, worth every penny.

Crossposted to At Home in Hespeler

original review here.

It's Not Led Zeppelin

2008-11-13T00:23:00.000-05:00

We have chronicled the will they or won't they of Led Zeppelin members decision to tour and or record together in the near future. In September Robert Plant said no, he would not tour or record with the other members. Last month, John Paul Jones announced that the remaining members of Led Zeppelin, himself, Jimmy Page and Jason Bonham were, in fact, recording together:

there would be a record and tour, yea. But we have to got to have everybody on board.

The search was officially on for a singer, with Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy rumoured to have the inside track. Of note, Lemon Squeezings reported earlier this week that Page, Jones and Bonham watched last weekends Alter Bridge concert in London from side stage.

Thus fans raised the question: they wouldn't tour as Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant would they? The answer, it appears, is no. According to Rolling Stone a representative for Jimmy Page has told them that "Whatever this is, it is not Led Zeppelin."

But Page wants to make one thing clear about the new project. "Whatever this is, it is not Led Zeppelin," says a rep for Page's management company, QPrime. "Not without the involvement of Robert Plant."

We are now officially taking ideas for a new name. Ramble On's choice, if Myles Kennedy ends up getting the gig is:

Alter Zeppelin

But then, I like bad puns.

Foo Fighters DVD release

2008-11-07T14:22:00.000-05:00

American Foo Fighter and Led Zeppelin fans have been waiting for the DVD release of June's Wembley Stadium show, complete with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones playing Ramble On and Rock and Roll with the Foo's. The DVD was released in August in Europe and Australia.

According to Led Zeppelin News, the American release is set for Nov 18, just in time for Christmas. This also includes the Canadian release.

h/t Steve "the Lemon"

Jimmy Page Won't Tour Without Robert Plant?

2008-11-06T10:07:00.000-05:00

According to the mailer sent out by gossip site Popbitch, Jimmy Page has told a fan that without Robert Plant he will not tour:

Led Zepellin's [Sic] John Paul Jones has been fuelling feverish speculation that Led Zepellin [Sic] are about to reform with a new singer, possibly Steven Tyler. Yet Jimmy Page hasn't quite been singing from the same songsheet.

He got talking to a fan last week and said that he'd never tour without Robert Plant.

Popbitch is a gossip site with no link to their e-mailed tidbits (thus none provided here). I have no reliable gauge on their general accuracy, although it's always fun to read. However, I wouldn't place too much faith in the accuracy of this report without further evidence.

The Singer Saga Continues

2008-11-01T09:39:00.001-04:00

Billboard is today reporting that the new Led Zeppelin singer will, in fact, be Myles Kennedy. The story has been out there for a long time, but note that it has never been denied, like the recent Jack White and Stephen Tyler denials. Billboard is stating, however, that "sources in the know" are telling them it will be Kennedy - assuming Robert Plant still does not want to go:

Who needs Robert Plant? Apparently not the other surviving members of Led Zeppelin, who are ready to pull the trigger on a tour with a new singer if Plant refuses to join in. Sources tell Billboard the frontman first in line for the gig is Myles Kennedy, who has most recently led the rock outfit Alter Bridge.

Kennedy has rehearsed with Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham on several occasions, according to sources in the know. In a recent BBC interview, Jones confirmed the band was planning to tour but didn't refer to Kennedy by name.

Note the suggestion that Page, Jones and Bonham are still waiting for Robert Plant, hoping he will change his mind.

Note also that, while I use the term "new Led Zeppelin singer," Billboard only refers to the "surviving members of Led Zeppelin." No one knows what a new unit with a different singer will be called. Until such time Led Zeppelin is the least confusing name, but it is not to be considered accurate that the band will tour as Led Zeppelin.

John Paul Jones: "Album and Tour"

2008-10-28T19:10:00.000-04:00

Vic Morgan of BBC Radio Devon gets an interview with John Paul Jones at the Manson Guitar Show in Exeter last weekend. There's two clips and in the first he mostly discusses playing bluegrass, but he adds:

on the 02 show (5:43)

Vic Morgan: "It was one of the greatest moments of my life, how was it for you?"
John Paul Jones: "It was wonderful, it was wonderful. It was a combination of a lot of hard work. We worked really, really hard. It wasn't just a matter of getting through the show and just hoping that people hearing the songs again would carry us through. We were determined to give a really top of the line performance. And you've got to be so familiar with it all again and then move on to the next level. And it was very important to us that we did that, and we did it. I think we pulled it off. We put a tremendous amount of work in it, a lot of focus on that one show"

The second one has, for our purposes here, more meat on it:

VM (1:48) Just a final question then. You did say earlier you were working with Jimmy Page, were working with Jason Bonham. What is happening? 'Cause we've heard that Robert Plant doesn't want to do it. We've heard Myles Kennedy has been mentioned. What is happening?
JPJ: We're trying out a couple of singers and basically, when we know what we're going to do, we'll let you know, we'll let everyone else know.
VM: You obviously want to do it though.
JPJ: We do want to do it. It's sounding great what we're doing. We're very happy and we really want to get on and get out there. Times getting on (laughs)
VM: Is there a feeling that if you don't do it shortly you wouldn't want to do it, really?
JPJ: Not we wouldn't want to, but it's got to be right, you know. Just trying to re-create, just find another Robert, I mean you could get somebody out of a tribute band. What's the point. We don't want to be our own tribute band.
VM: And just a final point, would there be a record coming out? What is it, just touring?
JPJ: Well, yea. Yea, there would be a record and tour, yea. But we have to got to have everybody on board. Everybody that we want. That's what we're working for, that's our job.

And there you have it. The members of Led Zeppelin, minus Robert Plant are "trying out a couple of singers," and plan on doing a record and tour. Myles Kennedy was specifically mentioned by interviewer Vic Morgan, and not denied by John Paul Jones, although that only seems to confirm that Kennedy played with them.

As The Lemon points out as well, "Jones never said the project will be called Led Zeppelin." A valid point, and they may well tour as The Knobs, The old Yardbirds or some other name. But make no mistake, it will be seen, and sold as a Led Zeppelin show.

h/t Lemon Squeezings: Led Zeppelin News

John Paul Jones: we really hope that something is going to happen soon

2008-10-27T21:29:00.000-04:00

John Paul Jones has told a Q& A session at Manson's Guitar Show in Exeter last weekend that Led Zeppelin are looking to tour, and are looking for a new singer:

John Paul Jones said, "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."

He then added, "We really wanna do something and Robert doesn't want to do this, at least for the moment. I don't really know what his plans are. He really doesn't want to make loud music anymore. We do. I mean, I love acoustic music, but it doesn't stop me from turning something up." Jones also indicated during the interview that there could well be a DVD of the O2 show released.

It looks like something is on, and soon. Now if only they could talk Robert into joining them...

New Replacement for Robert Plant Rumour

2008-10-25T18:43:00.000-04:00

I concede all these rumours get a bit ridiculous and that furthermore most are trash. A few weeks ago The Toronto Sun pondered some possible replacements, serious and silly, and a week later Jack White was officially denying he was replacing Robert Plant. However, this is a rumour site, so it behoves me to report the rumours, serious or silly:

It is still not yet confirmed whether former lead singer Robert Plant will join Led Zeppelin on their next tour, which may go some way to explaining why the band have been having secret rehearsals with Aerosmith singer Steve Tyler.

I’m told the rock star spent several days in a recording studio in Putney ‘jamming’ with Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham.

‘Steve was jamming with Zep. They had a great time but Steve kept fluffing his lines. He got quite flustered about it,’ says a source.

Perhaps that’s why singer Myles Kennedy has also been hanging out with the band?

I know that Tyler and bandmate Joe Perry are long time Zeppelin fans, but somehow I suspect this falls in the silly category none the less.

This is getting silly

2008-10-09T23:14:00.000-04:00

The Toronto Sun today speculate on who may replace Robert Plant as front man for Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham if they decide to tour without Plant. Their choice? The White Stripes Jack White. It's hard to imagine too many scenarios where this blog wouldn't part with a few hundred hard earned to see the aforementioned, but Jack White on vocals may just be the one.

They also suggest a variety of other possibles, including: Dave Grohl, Chris Cornell, Axl Rose, Sammy Hagar, Paul Rodgers, Ann Wilson and, dear God! David Coverdale. Also mentioned are previously mentioned here Myles Kennedy and some guy called Robert Plant.

Jack White, David Coverdale and Axl Rose: this is getting out of hand.

Myles Kennedy to fill Robert Plants Snake Skins?

2008-10-08T23:26:00.000-04:00

An interview with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister and (more recently) Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, for Much More Music's Where You At Baby produced the following:

...cause my manager represents Robert, and works with him, is that there saying, if you... were all rehearsed, were ready to go, here's a Gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid (laughs) and he can sing the shit out of Zeppelin. And, ah, and there going to hope that Robert at the last minute will go OK and step in, before having the lead singer of Alter Bridge out with John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Jason Bonham.

I've been hearing the Myles Kennedy rumour for a while now, and have checked him out (and just because Dee Snider says it's so, doesn't make it so). He's a real singer, but whether his style is suitably Zeppelin, it's hard to say. My feeling is he could work very well if they produce some new music. But if Page, Bonham and Jones are just taking Mothership on the road, then Anne Wilson is probably just as good.

Here's Myles Kennedy and Alter Bridge doing Kashmir, which leads to a question: Does Page let Kennedy play any guitar? I would say another guitar player just inhibits Page's freedom.

Robert Plant Will Not Tour With Led Zeppelin

2008-09-29T17:15:00.000-04:00

It's a sad day for Led Zeppelin fans: Robert Plant has announced that he will not tour with Led Zeppelin in the coming year, in fact, will not tour at all for the next two years.

From RobertPlant.com:

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are currently touring the USA on the last leg of their 'Raising Sand' tour. They played a benefit concert in Oklahoma City for victims of Hurricane Ike last Friday; Austin,Texas last Saturday and tomorrow they play Portland, Oregon before finishing the tour in Saratoga, California on October 5th.

After those dates, Robert has no intention whatsoever of touring with anyone for at least the next two years. Contrary to a spate of recent reports, Robert Plant will not be touring or recording with Led Zeppelin. Anyone buying tickets online to any such event will be buying bogus tickets.

“It‘s both frustrating and ridiculous for this story to continue to
rear its head when all the musicians that surround the story are keen to get on with their individual projects and move forward,” Robert Plant said.

“I wish Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham nothing but success with any future projects,” he added.

So that is that, it appears. Either Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham go out with someone else, or the Zeppelin dream is over for now.

Led Zeppelin to Tour

2008-09-26T05:16:00.000-04:00

As always, take such stories with a grain of salt. However, something seems to be happening in camp Zeppelin, and The Sun and Daily Telegraph are reporting that Robert Plant and the boys are making arrangements for a summer 2009 tour:

ROCK legends LED ZEPPELIN are set for a reunion tour after singer ROBERT PLANT finally caved in and agreed to join them.

Guitarist JIMMY PAGE, 64, bassist JOHN PAUL JONES, 62, and drummer JASON BONHAM, 42, had resigned themselves to touring without Plant.

They even rehearsed with stand-in singers - and one American was so impressive they were confident they could hit the road next year without Plant.

That was what finally persuaded him to return.

A source revealed: “The rest of the band had all but given up on Robert joining them, but they were determined to go ahead so had started to seriously explore other avenues.

“When Robert realised the band were serious about doing it without him, it made him think long and hard.

“He realised he couldn’t face the thought of not being involved.

“The band were over the moon when he told them the news.

“They are now forging ahead with the tour plans and they can’t wait to get on the road.”

Again, this is just rumour at this stage but I have an old adage when I write about politics, it's not about the polls, it's about what the politicians do. When Jason Bonham left his day job with Foreigner, that spoke volumes. Something is up, here's hoping this is what.

Zeppelin Yes, Robert Plant... No?

2008-09-20T09:14:00.000-04:00

Could it be true? Could Led Zeppelin be considering the almost unthinkable, a tour with a singer other than Robert Plant?

This story comes from London newspaper The Sun, who apparently have a bit of a dodgy reputation. So take it, for now, with a grain of salt:

LED ZEPPELIN frontman ROBERT PLANT is to be given an ultimatum by his bandmates – join us on tour or we’ll replace you.

Zep guitarist JIMMY PAGE, bassist JOHN PAUL JONES and drummer JASON BONHAM have been busy recently rehearsing in West London’s Ritz Studio and using stand-in vocalists.

And one American singer has been so impressive the other band members are confident they could hit the road next year WITHOUT their iconic frontman...

A source said: “Jimmy, Jason and John are determined a tour will go ahead next year.

As said before, take it for what it's worth. However, when Jason Bonham left Foreigner, that action suggested something was up, so perhaps there's some truth here.

Was That the Door Opening a Crack.

2008-09-18T12:54:00.000-04:00

Robert Plant has reportedly told GQ magazine that he has no objection to
doing another reunion with Led Zeppelin, it's the bureaucracy involved that
puts him off:

From Contact Music

Rocker ROBERT PLANT has not ruled out another reunion with his band LED
ZEPPELIN - insisting it's the bureaucracy involved that puts him off the
idea.
The Kashmir hitmakers have been dogged by rumours of a world tour since they
reformed for a one-off gig in London last year (Dec07) - their first concert
in 19 years.
But singer Plant, who is currently touring with bluegrass star Alison
Krauss, has so far refused to agree to hit the road with the legendary group
again.
And he insists it's not the idea of a reunion which he is opposed to - it's
the paperwork that accompanies every live show.
He tells Britain's GQ magazine, "The endless paperwork was like nothing I've
experienced before. I've kept every one of the emails that were exchanged
before the concert and I'm thinking of compiling them for a book, which I
feel sure would be hailed as a sort of literary version of Spinal Tap
(semi-fictional heavy metal band featured in spoof documentary This Is
Spinal Tap).
"Led Zeppelin's never been about the fans. We've always been about four guys
coming together to make thrilling, disturbing rock 'n' roll. On our own
terms."

Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis: Whole Lotta Love

2008-08-24T11:51:00.000-04:00

The moment. Jimmy Page in pony tail with his sunburst Les Paul. Leona Lewis does a good job of singing Whole Lotta Love, but it's not really in her style. None the less, the collaboration works. Try to ignore the dunderhead TV commentators who don't seem to realize SHUT UP WHEN SOMEONE ON STAGE IS SINGING!! Sheesh!

Jimmy Page, Leona Lewis and David Beckham: Olympic Breakfast Interview

2008-08-24T11:44:00.000-04:00

An interview with the three main parties of the London Olympic committee interviewed prior to the closing ceremonies:

Band, looking for singer

2008-08-23T23:54:00.000-04:00

Led Zeppelin seems to be a rather official three peace band in search of a singer, as Jason Bonham has announced that he is leaving Foreigner.

I've been over [to England] a couple of times, I've been working with Jimmy [Page] and John Paul [Jones] and trying to do just do some new material and some writing. I don't know what it will be, but it will be something.

My time with Foreigner is coming to an end. This is the first time I've talked about it. I leave at the end of this month so, I mean, I'm looking forward to taking some time out to be with the family really. Since I moved to America I've been on the road, so my first priority is to go and watch my kids grow up, because they've grown up way to fast in the last four years.

Clearly something is in the works with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, and the main question is, will Robert Plant join them? If not, who will sing?

Whole Lotta Olympics

2008-08-21T10:24:00.000-04:00

When Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis perform for the world at the closing ceremonies of the Bejing Olympics this Sunday (August 24th), they will be playing Whole Lotta Love.

What, exactly, they would play was supposed to be a secret, but bassist Guy Pratt has let the cat out of the bag on his personal blog:

You may also be interested to know that when Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis perform Whole Lotta Love at the end of the Olympics, that’s me playing bass on it.

Happy Birthday Robert Plant

2008-08-20T10:38:00.000-04:00

Born on this day 60 years ago, he is the voice and face of Led Zeppelin. When I was very young I, and I have met many since who think so, thought he was the guy Led Zeppelin.

Besides Led Zeppelin he has a solo career that spans over 25 years, 8 albums, plus an EP of R&B classics under the band name "The Honeydrippers." Most recently he has done a successful collaboration with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss.

Welcome to your pension years Mr. Plant. Perhaps it's time for that one last big tour, you know, while there's still time.

Jimmy Page to Play the Olympic Closing Ceremonies

2008-08-14T11:26:00.000-04:00

The Olympic closing ceremonies on August 24th will feature a handing over of the Olympics to London for the 2012 games. Part of the handing over will feature a performance by R&B singer Leona Lewis with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page:

David Beckham will star at the Olympics closing ceremony in Beijing as the handover to London 2012 gets under way.

The spectacular event on August 24 will also see Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page performing a duet with pop star Leona Lewis.

And an incredible finale will feature Becks, 33, arriving on top of one of London's iconic red double-decker buses - before he kicks a football into the crowd to celebrate.

Let the guessing begin: what song will they perform.

Reunion Goes Cold

2008-08-02T09:48:00.000-04:00

Those like myself who watch for evidence of a Led Zeppelin reunion can't help but noticed how the trail seems to be getting very cold these days.

This week an old rumour was shot down when Gerry Toms, Grounds Boss at the Wales' Millennium Stadium, said:

It's dead in the water (not happening). Because the concert was a success there was hope of a tour, but that was a lot of speculation. It would be great if they would, but as far as we know that is dead in the water.

That's not ambiguous or open to interpretation. It also comes on the heels of rumours that Robert Plant is miffed with Jimmy Page after Page gave a lengthy speech, after accepting Led Zeppelin's Best Live Act, at the Mojo Awards last month and failed to mention the absent Plant.

This all comes at the same time as Robert Plant and Alison Krauss extend their tour into the fall. September and October dates in Texas, Missouri and the West Coast make Jimmy Page's "nothing until September," a distant memory.

If you are hoping for a Led Zeppelin tour, July was not your month and it seems farther away than ever.

Bonnaroo 2009?

2008-07-05T09:33:00.000-04:00

Here we go again. This site is based on passing Led Zeppelin information, rumours &tc. along, and that is what I will do. Sometimes, however, the rumour just feels old and silly. None the less, here it is, from antiMusic and Gigwise:

Led Zeppelin will be reuniting at Bonnaroo 2009, June 12 - 15 2009. On drums may be the Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl, who is apparently waiting patently for the phone to ring.

This just seems like environmentalism in the name of journalism, recycling old rumours as new, but it's out there. Perhaps if Robert Plant is still uninterested Taylor Hawkins could fill in for him.

Page and Plant presser next week?

2008-07-04T14:47:00.000-04:00

Hidden Grok is reporting, via their newsletter, that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant will be holding "a press interview" next week. Here's what they say:

Plant and Krauss are tearing it up everywhere they play......much to the dismay of the other three members of Zepp. With Plant touring this summer with Krauss and Bonham spending the summer and fall with Foreigner, we can only hope that news of a few more reunion shows will surface in the winter or spring of 09. Indeed, Page himself is saying that the other members are busy working on other projects til next year. Oddly, a press interview is expected from Page and Plant next week. We will see what comes of that.

We'll see indeed. This seems to be a single sourced rumour, I cannot find anywhere else that is reporting a coming press conference. While I have a few ideas what such a press conference/interview could be about, it would be pure speculation. I'll save that for another day.

That's Dr. Jimmy

2008-06-26T23:20:00.000-04:00

Via University of Surrey press release

The University of Surrey is proud to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of the University to Jimmy Page for services to the music industry. The award was made on Friday, June 20 at Guildford Cathedral. Jimmy generously signed a guitar (see attached photo) which will be given away in a competition at the upcoming GuilFest festival. Surrey’s involvement with GuilFest this year celebrates its innovative music programmes that reflect the diversity of contemporary musical practice.

Congratulations Dr. Jimmy - or is it Mr. Jim?

Foo Fighters + Zeppelin Pictures

2008-06-11T16:25:00.001-04:00

Ross Halfin is one of the best rock photographers in the business, good friends with Jimmy Page and taking credit for making the Saturday night collaboration happen. He has also posted a series of pictures from the concert, both on-stage and backstage:

http://www.rosshalfin.co.uk/foo-fighters/foofighters10.php

My favourite?

This one.

More Zeppelin to Come

2008-06-09T13:46:00.000-04:00

The Telegraph Newspaper is reporting that in an after show interview Saturday, Jimmy Page appeared to confirmed Led Zeppelin is ready to go with more shows:

In an interview after that concert, Page said the band were ready to reunite and perform more live events.
But he said that fans could have to wait until Autumn 2009 as band members had to tie up individual projects first.

Late 2009 for more Zeppelin! With rumours that the three J's, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham, have been putting in some studio time, late 2009 would give time to get some support material released.

Page and Jones performed Saturday at Wembley Stadium in London with the Foo Fighters. Cross your fingers Zeppelin fans, more may be to come, including that possible 40th anniversary tour.

The Zeps and the Foos: More Video Evidence

2008-06-08T10:46:00.000-04:00

Led Zeppelin Perform with the Foo FIghters

2008-06-07T21:32:00.000-04:00

The rumours through the week ran that Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham would reunite on-stage with the Foo Fighters Saturday night. The rumours where 2/3 true, as Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones performed Rock and Roll and Ramble On with the Foo Fighters during the final encore at Wembley Stadium in London.

The Zeppelin duo joined the Foos to play Rock and Roll with Dave Grohl on drums and Taylor Hawkins singing. Grohl and Hawkins then switched places for Ramble On. In the past Grohl has intimated that he would be willing to drum for Zeppelin should they reunite, so this event probably falls in the dream come true category for Grohl. However, there is no indication that anybody in camp Zeppelin is unhappy with Bonham, or that Bonham is dumb enough to turn down the payday should he be offered, so expect this to be a one off.

Update: Video now available of Rock and Roll. How long it will stay up is anybody's guess:

No Zeppelin for Toronto

2008-05-23T12:22:00.000-04:00

The Toronto Sun has done a bit of digging and it is turning up zero on the Zeppelin to Toronto stories. This never was a very credible story, but the Sun puts it more or less to rest.:

Yesterday, though, two sources in the position to know both said they were unaware of any discussions involving Led Zeppelin playing in Toronto at any venue, with one source completely dismissing the speculation.
Music industry magazine Billboard inquired into the report "at the highest level" and, according to the magazine's news editor Jonathan Cohen, was "fairly confident there's nothing to it."
A spokesperson for the Rogers Centre yesterday said there is nothing to the reports regarding Led Zeppelin, but did not close the door.

Add in a little quick math. The Rogers Centre has other other events booked in August, including Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays, Canadian Football League's Toronto Argo's and a National Football League Pre-Season game. Only one time in August is there a five day break in the schedule (let's assume for Robert Plant's voice sake there will not be four shows in four nights), during the last week of the month beginning on August 25th. For the record, Foreigner has a show on the 30th, so the shows would literally have to be the 25th, 26th, 28th and 29th. Certainly doable, but it's a tight schedule for such a big event.

Reading into the Sun story and looking at the Rogers Centre schedule, this one, sadly, begins to look like a non-starter.

One final thought, why would hip-hop TV be breaking this story? And notice on that story, they reference the discredited Ian Astbury "we're opening for a band you may have heard of. The name starts with an 'L' and has a 'Z' in it" story. Astbury himself has denied this one, but hip-hop TV is reliably sourcing it as proof "that Led Zeppelin had plans to go on tour sometime in 2008."

This story makes less sense the more you think about it.

Led Zeppelin to play Toronto in August?

2008-05-18T15:03:00.000-04:00

Now that David Coverdale has denied ever claiming Zeppelin will tour this fall and Whitesnake will be there, comes a report of four shows scheduled for Toronto in August.

I have read another report that suggested four shows between Aug 20 and 27th, two at the Skydome/Rogers Centre and two the the Air Canada Centre.

This rumour, I confess, doesn't pass the sniff test. As no reason for the shows are given (i.e., a charity event), and Zeppelin has minimal history in Toronto, it sounds like a pipe dream. However, as this blog is written about 50 miles from the Skydome/Rogers Centre, I like this one. No borders to cross, no trouble getting to the show, no currency conversions to consider. Just like any other concert, except better! So while Ramble On considers this rumour probably false, it is my favourite so far.

Is a Tour On?

2008-05-10T16:10:00.000-04:00

It is being widely reported today that Led Zeppelin is set to do a £250million ($500M) world tour late this year or in 2009. The tour would commemorate the 40th anniversary of Led Zeppelins debut album, Led Zeppelin.

Robert Plant had initially said no to any tour, but has apparently been convinced otherwise by band mates Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.

The reports, which seem to emanate from Jimmy Page's former collaborator and good friend David Coverdale, suggest Coverdale's band Whitesnake will play the supporting slot. Previously the Cult and Velvet Revolver have been linked to a possible Zeppelin tour. What's unclear is why Led Zeppelin suddenly feels the need for any opening act.

However, this report feels legitimate, with the Daily Mail quoting Coverdale as saying "it looks almost certain." An announcement should be soon.

Raising Sand Goes Platinum

2008-03-25T09:12:00.000-04:00

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss' CD Raising Sand has been certified platinum it was announced Tuesday. Certification is done by the RIAA and platinum is given for the sale of one million copies.

The duo begin a tour in Kentucky in 3 weeks in support of the million selling disc.

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Get Canadian Nod For Top Folk Album

2008-03-22T13:39:00.000-04:00

Canadian Eggs, a Canadian folk music magazine has named Raising Sand as the critics choice for top folk album of 2007.

View image of the awards here.

Plant has received numerous awards through the years, but it may be a safe bet that critics choice for top folk album is not one of them, until now.

Jimmy Page Interview: Part 2

2008-03-19T12:00:00.000-04:00

Last week saw a Jimmy Page interview from Japan in late January make it on to YouTube. It's a two part interview, with questions in Japanese, answers in English. The questions Jimmy answers in part two are, according to Blabbermouth.net:

Q1 : Recently,young people buy a CD and DVD of LED ZEPPELIN. Why do you think that young fans increase?
Q2 : How do you think that the young fan thinks about music of LED ZEPPELIN as one of the art?
Q3 : At the time of first visit to Japan of 1971, it played it for 3 hours 30 minutes. Why would there be such energy in those days?
Q4 : Please tell me about "The Song Remains The Same".

Jimmy Page Interview: Part 1

2008-03-18T16:35:00.000-04:00

Last week saw a Jimmy Page interview from Japan in late January make it on to YouTube. It's a two part interview, with questions in Japanese, answers in English. The questions Jimmy answers in part one are, according to Blabbermouth.net:

Question 1: Tell us about the reunion concert?
Question 2: What do you think of Jason Bonham?
Question 3: You have a lot of famous tunes. How did you select tunes for the show?
Question 4: Was "For Your Life" a present to the fan?
Question 5: How was there such a splendid performance after not playing together for years?

Velvet Revolver Plan to be Zepplein's Opening Act

2008-03-18T12:35:00.000-04:00

The Led Zeppelin rumour mill, which died off completely after reports Robert Plant has emphatically stated he will not tour again with Led Zeppelin, may be reviving as Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan reports that Velvet Revolver is slated to be the opening act for any Zeppelin tour.

I understand that we have it, although I imagine there will be plenty of bands prepared to kick and punch us out of the way for the privilege!" said McKagan. "I would so love to have been at their London gig before Christmas, but we had dates of our own that obviously took precedence."

Readers will recall that it was being reported last November The Cult had announced on stage that they would be opening for Led Zeppelin. We seem to be farther from a tour now than we were then, but it is instructive the number of big-gish acts that seem prepared to open for Led Zeppelin. Now if somebody would explain why they suddenly need an opening act...

Should Led Zeppelin Fans Support Plant/Krauss

2008-03-03T12:24:00.001-05:00

With this weekends report that Robert Plant has said no to a Zeppelin tour, ostensibly so he can concentrate on his work with Alison Kraus s, Zeppelin fans have to ask themselves: is it in their best interest to support Robert Plant and Alison Krauss?

While it's become quite clear, and has been for a long time, that money is not the issue with Robert Plant, other motivations seem less clear. When Plant's solo endeavours were faltering in the early 1990's, he joined forces with Jimmy Page for the Page and Plant records and tours. His more recent work with Strange Sensation also seems to be winding down, and possibly less successful than Plant was hoping for. It is in this environment that Plant agreed to the one off show with Led Zeppelin in London last December.

The success of Raising Sand, Plant's CD with Krauss was somewhat unexpected, both from the parties involved and the public. It is, in truth, a surprisingly good CD. But it makes a person wonder, would Plant be more inclined to tour with Led Zeppelin if it enjoyed more modest success? And with that thought in mind, if the summer tour is less successful than hoped for, if say, the Led Zeppelin fans stayed away, would Plant be more inclined to change his mind about a fall tour or even a 2009 tour? What begins to seem clear, is that Robert Plant is not doing Led Zeppelin as long as he is working with Alison Krauss. How long can he work with Krauss? As long as they're selling is the best guess. With each having other work they could be doing, likely not any longer than that.

All of which means, if you are a Zeppelin fan, who wants a Zeppelin tour, then you may want to consider whether you will support the Plant & Krauss work, and specifically if you want to spend money on a tour that is keeping Plant away from Led Zeppelin.

Robert Plant Say's No To Tour

2008-03-02T10:17:00.000-05:00

It is being widely reported this morning that after months of discussions, Robert Plant has expressly ruled out a Led Zeppelin tour of any kind. The band was reportedly guaranteed £100M (approx. $199M) each to tour. Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were interested, Robert Plant has turned down the offer, suggesting he wants the Dec 10 show at the 02 arena in London to be the bands "legacy."

Singer Plant is currently set to tour with Alison Krauss in support of their disc "Raising Sand," and has apparantly decided the Alison Krauss project will be his priority for the foreseeable future.

Exactly what is being reported is that a source has told the Sunday Mirror:

"Despite the enormous offer, the decision did not come down to money. Jimmy (Page, guitarist) had enjoyed the concert in December enough to want to tour again. He argued they still had something to offer. John (Paul, bassist) sided with Jimmy. He loved making music with the others again."

"But Robert wanted to leave last year's concert as their legacy. They had proved they could still do it and that was enough."

Plant & Krauss add Tour Dates

2008-02-22T11:01:00.000-05:00

On Jan 3rd I opined that once Robert Plant and Alison Krauss added tour dates into June, Zeppelin was off for the summer. Since then Jimmy Page has said as much, Robert Plant suggested he wasn't really thinking Zeppelin and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have added tour dates into July:

June 2 – Roanoke, VA – Roanoke Civic Center

June 4 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun
June 5 – Boston, MA – Bank Of America Pavilion

June 7 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC
June 8 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata

June 10 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden Theatre

June 13 – Columbia, MD (Washington, DC) – Merriweather Pavilion
June 14 – Asheville, NC – Asheville Civic Center
June 15 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo

June 17 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre

June 19 – St. Louis, MO – Fox Theatre

June 21 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

June 23 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
June 24 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
June 25 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl

June 27 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
June 28 – Lake Tahoe (Stateline, NV) – Harvey’s

June 30 – San Diego, CA – Humphrey’s
July 1 – Phoenix, AZ – Dodge Theatre

If your looking for a Led Zeppelin tour, fall is the earliest.

Robert Plant's Prioritys

2008-02-12T18:19:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to decide if this new release at contact music, Robert Plant: : "Led Zeppelin Not my Priority", is a new quote, or an out of context misquote of his New York Knicks interview a couple of weeks ago. It's close enough to the Knicks quotes to be suspicous, but different enough to wonder. Unfortunately, they don't quote a story source, and a complete quote is unavailable.

None the less, here is what contact music are reporting:

ROBERT PLANT has cast further doubt on a LED ZEPPELIN reunion tour... the singer admits going on the road with the legendary band is not one of his top priorities. He says, "I really enjoyed playing with my friends, and we are a lot closer because of it. But the responsibility, the whole deal…it's a whole different thing to what I'm doing with Alison."

Make of it what you will, but I think Plant sounds like he's focused on the task presently at hand; no more, no less.

And the Winner is...

2008-02-11T16:30:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss as the winners of the Pop Collaboration With Vocals Grammy for Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On).

This is Plant's 2nd Grammy win, the first being in 1998 with Jimmy Page for the song Most High of the Walking Into Clarksdale CD.

Krauss has won 20 Grammys between 1990 and 2005.

One More Time

2008-02-06T09:41:00.000-05:00

Update: I have been receiving media releases all morning about the upcoming Led Zeppelin concert at Bonnaro. A more than cursory look at the Bonnaroo line-up, however, will tell you that Lez Zeppelin, the all girl tribute band, and not Led Zeppelin will be playing in Tennessee this June. My apologies for reporting this erroneous story.

Led Zeppelin will do at least one more concert together, as the Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee has announced that Led Zeppelin will be performing there this June.

The festival also features Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, which allows Plant to throw in a Led Zeppelin performance while keeping up his tour commitments with Krauss.

The question is, can a tour really be that far behind? Will the band again put all that work into one performance, and not keep the train rolling? A tour seems, in my opinion, more likely today than it did yesterday.

Tickets for Bonnaroo go on sale Saturday Dec 16th.

John Paul Jones: No Idea About Future Plans.

2008-02-05T10:58:00.000-05:00

Gigwise is today reporting that John Paul Jones told the BBC regarding future Led Zeppelin plans:

I am obliged to say we have and we have absolutely no idea of what we are going to be doing.

Lets run this down: In the past ten days we have had Robert Plant say "You never know what's around the corner... Right now my whole energy is on another project."

We had Jimmy Page say "Robert Plant also had a parallel project running and he's really busy with that project, certainly until September, so I can't give you any news."

Now we have John Paul Jones' cryptic "obliged to say... no idea of what we are... doing."

Expect Jason Bonham to report, Scrooge like, that he "never did know anything, but now I know that I don't know anything," by Saturday.

Is it just me, or doth these guys protest too much? Then again, maybe we should read between the lines and assume they are waiting to see what Robert Plant wants to do, just like the last thirty years.

Jimmy Page: See You In September?

2008-01-28T09:16:00.000-05:00

Well, not quite what he said. What Jimmy Page seems to have said at his press conference this morning in Tokyo, ostensibly to announce the Japanese release of Mothership, was that Zeppelin may tour, Zeppelin could tour, but not until September at the earliest.

Those ineternets are full of headlines today such as: Jimmy Page: Zeppelin world tour is on. But fans will have to wait!; Led Zepp plan world tour, says Page; Led Zeppelin Guitarist Wants World Tour; Led Zeppelin concert off until at least September. The last is the most accurate, but here's what is being reported that Jimmy Page actually said on the subject:

"I can assure you the amount of work that we put into the O2 (concert), for ourselves rehearsing and the staging of it, was probably what you put into a world tour."

"Robert Plant also had a parallel project running and he's really busy with that project, certainly until September, so I can't give you any news."

"It was exhilarating, fantastic, every week was a week to look forward to. We did the show and it was great. That is what was so thrilling really -- to come together after all this time and find that there was so much chemistry and so much electricity involved in these four characters."

"We wanted people who might not have even been alive in 1980 when we finished to understand what we were."

"But we did the show, and it was great. It was instant in terms of chemistry."

To add further to the speculation Chris Goodman from The Outside Organisation, Led Zeppelin's PR firm, said: “Jimmy has said that the band will be meeting up in August to talk about it.

“The band meet all the time.

“There is something in it but I can’t give you any more news at the moment.”

Robert Plant: You Never Know What's Around The Corner,

2008-01-27T19:28:00.000-05:00

Robert Plant was interviewed by Jill Martin of MSG TV during the halftime of the New York Knicks - Philadelphia 76ers basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York Friday.

During the short interview Plant said:

regarding the Dec 10 show at the 02 arena in London, "We got it right this time";

regarding a Zeppelin tour, first, a long pregnant pause then, hopefully for Zepplein fans, "You never know what's around the corner." Finally he commented, un-hopefully for Zeppelin fans, "right now my whole energy is on another project (Alison Krauss/Raising Sand)". (emphasis mine)

A mixed message for sure, but when Robert Plant doesn't rule out a Zeppelin tour, you have hope.

h/t Blabbermouth.net

Article on "The New Yardbirds"

2008-01-27T01:55:00.000-05:00

The day we picked up our tickets to the Led Zeppelin reunion, my brother and I had dinner and drinks at an "American" restaurant at the 02 arena. We ended up sitting, and chatting, next to a couple from Denmark. He was The New Yardbirds tour manager during their first Scandinavian tour in 1968 and the second tour, as Led Zeppelin this time, in 1969.

Recently he sent me an article about that first tour from a website called Teenclubs:

http://www.teenclubs.dk/Led_Zeppelins_first_gig_UK_version.html

If you look down the right hand side bar, you will notice a small article on Jerry Ritz, our friend from the 02, and his wife Annie:

When 20,000 people gathered in London's 02 Arena on 10 December 2007 to witness Led Zeppelin's first concert since 1980 it is a qualified guess that only 5 of those 20,000 also were present at the very first concert in Gladsaxe. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones were there of course; but then there was also Jerry Ritz and his wife Annie.
Annie and Jerry were among the lucky few to win the right to buy tickets for the London concert. And nothing could be more appropriate. Back in 1968 Jerry was working for Bendix Music and was the tour manager for Led Zeppelin during their Scandinavian Tours in 1968 and 1969.

Jerry met Annie in Gladsaxe Teen Club in 1968 where she was one of the voluntary staff members. They have stayed together ever since and were married in 1972. It all started - like for Led Zeppelin - in Gladsaxe Teen Club!

Also on the page is a copy of the contract from the Gladsaxe Teen Club on Sept 7, 1968.

Jimmy Page Press Conference:

2008-01-24T22:01:00.000-05:00

ContactMusic.com is reporting that Jimmy Page will hold a press conference in Japan on Monday January 28th (next Monday). The presser will at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Shinjyuku, in west Tokyo.

Details of the conference have not been announced, but as Page is, and always has been, a bit press shy speculation is running that he will announce more Zeppelin dates.

Personally, I would think Led Zeppelin dates would be announced by the whole group, or at least more than just Jimmy Page. My bet is something to do with Page's Action for Brazil's Children (ABC) charity, but that's mere speculation, as is any suggestion this presser has anything to do with any Led Zeppelin shows.

Music Dot Biz: "Led Zeppelin Will Tour."

2008-01-15T18:25:00.001-05:00

I tend to agree:

Prediction: the Led Zeppelin tour will happen, and it will happen in 2008.

Nevermind the rumour mill with all its uncertainties... As sure as the sun comes up tomorrow, Led Zeppelin will go on tour.

It might not be a very extensive tour. They will probably limit it to a small handful of large population centres (who knows about a Canadian appearance), but it will happen. Led Zeppelin will set foot on this continent.

We can take that for granted because in the music industry, anything that makes money tends to happen, and such a tour would make more money than Microsoft. No other tour, recent or upcoming, is even in the same ballpark... In the rock world, at least in terms of sheer bankability, Led Zeppelin has no peer. Only a reunited Pink Floyd (or the Beatles, which is most unlikely) would even be remotely comparable to the cash cow unleashed.

We’ve seen a sample of it already. Last year, when the Zeps hit the O2 Arena in London, about a million people applied for 7000 tickets. Some fans paid up to £7,525 online.

That’s $14 742 US ladies and gentlemen!
Granted, part of the demand comes from perceived scarcity. That’s why they will probably keep the tour small. It adds to the mystique... Led Zeppelin have wisely stayed aloof, cultivating an almost supernatural aura with the help of the relentless classic rock radio hype machine.
The time to do it is certainly now, while the demand is there and while they’re still healthy enough to do it...

Get ready.

From the Rumour Mill

2008-01-15T16:06:00.000-05:00

Here's something I have heard, but it is no more than a rumour:

Led Zeppelin could do up to 20 dates at New Yorks Madison Square Garden, with apparently 10 dates booked (as in, will happen), and five dates on either side of the ten tentatively set as add on dates if necessary.

Band Meeting in Near Future

2008-01-10T00:27:00.000-05:00

Reports are that John Paul Jones has, under duress we are sure, admitted that a Led Zeppelin band meeting will be held sometime in January. It sounds like so little, but the meeting is reportedly to weigh their options and their are really only three credible options:

1)It was fun, lets do it again in thirty years
2) lets do a few shows
3) lets tour

So let the speculation begin.

Happy Birthday Jimmy Page

2008-01-09T00:52:00.000-05:00

Born this day in 1944 he's the founder and musical heart and soul of Led Zeppelin and the model that millions of guitarists have used in their own playing, both as a player and a performer.

He is, in the opinion of this blog, the greatest rock and roll guitarist and one of the most interesting and intriguing people alive today. Furthermore:

Happy 64th birthday Jimmy, and thanks for the memory.

Led Zeppelin Hottest Event of 2007

2008-01-08T09:53:00.001-05:00

The Led Zeppelin reunion concert at the 02 arena in London, England was the hottest even of 2007, according to Joe Cohen, CEO of Seatwave, an online fan-to-fan ticket exchange. The average ticket price was £7,525, which is roughly $14, 890.

Led Zeppelin 2008 Tour Advertisement

2008-01-05T10:06:00.000-05:00

You have to wonder what this Israeli ticketing web site knows that the rest of us don't.

h/t Product Shop NYC and Rolling Stone

Zeppelin at Bonnaroo: a rumour: inaccurate

2008-01-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

The man in charge of publicity for the Bonnaroo festival this June says reports that Led Zeppelin will play there this summer are "inaccurate."

Ken Weinstein, president of Big Hassle, a publicity firm for the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival says:

“It’s still a rumor and the information in the Mirror is inaccurate... I speak on behalf of (promotor) Superfly and AC Entertainment.”

Will Plant/Krauss Tour interfere with Zeppelin fans plans?

2008-01-03T11:53:00.000-05:00

With mid to late June dates being thrown around as "confirmed" Zeppelin dates, it seems a good idea to watch the dates for the Alison Krauss and Robert Plant "World Tour." So far, according to the Raising Sand website, there are 11 dates, all in May.

This world tour takes Plant/Krauss from England to Whales, Germany, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and back to London.

Small world.

The tour ends May 22nd, giving three weeks before the Bonnaroo Festival on June 12 - 15th. Or if you are like me, and don't buy the Bonnaroo rumour, but think maybe the Glastonbury festival on June 27 - 29 is more likely, that gives Plant 5 weeks to ready for a tour.

All this, of course, assumes that Plant and Krauss will not add any dates to their world tour. That's the thing to watch for: once Krauss and Plant book into June, all those Zeppelin speculations go out the window, at least for the summer.

Happy Birthday John Paul Jones.

2008-01-03T11:48:00.000-05:00

Born this day in 1946, he put the Mellow in Yellow and the Led in Zeppelin. A soft spoken man with a bass that growls, and a deft touch on the keyboard, John Paul Jones today turns 62.

A very happy birthday Mr. Jones. My birthday wish for you is that you get to spend the year travelling the world with some old friends, and making a big pile of money in the process.

Jason Bonmham out, Dave Grohl in?

2007-12-31T10:01:00.000-05:00

Don't bet on it, but this report was laugh out loud funny:

Rumours are sparking that Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl may get the job of Led Zeppelin drummer.

The group, who recently performed at a charity gig at the 02 Arena, are rumoured to go on a full reunion tour next year.

Even though Grohl praised Jason Bonham's drumming at the charity gig, he is apparently desperate to get the chance to drum with the legendary group.

An "insider" source told the Daily Star “While he loves playing with Foo Fighters, Dave would drop anything to be part of Zep’s shows.”

Anyone who attended the Dec 10th show can vouch that Jason Bonham was very good and not in need of replacing. Further, he's the one Zeppeliner who could use the pay-day a tour would give.

But what's funny is the suggestion that since Grohl is "desperate to get the chance to drum with the legendary group," and that he would "drop anything [Foo Fighter's] to be part of Zep’s shows," then somehow that means Zeppelin is looking to have Grohl play with them.

Here's a prediction: If Zeppelin tours, Jason Bonham, and only Jason Bonham, will be the drummer.

The Rumour That Won't Go Away

2007-12-31T09:51:00.001-05:00

It is being reported, again, that Led Zeppelin is set to play the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee on the June 12 - 15th weekend. The reports say, as was widely suggested, that Robert Plant was the lone holdout previously, but has changed his mind after the success of the 02 show on Dec 10th.

Reports further suggest a world tour is in the works:

All ticket sellers have been told a world tour will take place, there's just some ironing out of contracts to be done. They are already talking about playing venues like Knebworth, Glastonbury and even returning to Madison Square Garden in New York where they played their legendary shows in 1973

With Bonnaroo rumours for mid-June, and Glastonbury rumours for the end of June, things are starting to take shape, at least in a conspiratorial sense.

2008 - 09 Tour Will Happen

2007-12-20T13:56:00.000-05:00

Reports are starting to emerge, and gel together, that after Robert Plant is done with his Alison Krauss commitments, Zeppelin will tour.

This is one of many news sources I have seen in the last 48 hours saying basically the same thing:

Rumours of a worldwide LED ZEPPELIN tour following their triumphant one-off reunion gig earlier this month (Dec07) are true, according to a source close to the band ... a source close to the rockers has confirmed they are in negotiations to put on an 18-month world tour extravaganza later next year (08). The pal tells British newspaper the Daily Express, "It will kick off at next year's Glastonbury after Robert Plant has finished touring with American country star Alison Krauss..."

The truth is you can't hide a tour the size of Zeppelin for long, and team Zeppelin looks like it's ramping up for this summer (the Glastonbury festival is June 27 - 29). Eighteen months is a full on, going everywhere tour, not a bunch of well chosen shows.

With confirmation earlier in the week that Zeppelin was negotiating to perform at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the rumours are starting to have the smell of validity to them.

Lets hope, at least.

Review: 02 Concert

2007-12-13T04:55:00.000-05:00

It’s been a busy few days in London, and I apologize I haven’t gotten around to a review earlier. Better late than never &tc. I suppose.Lets start with getting the negatives out of the way.

1) Organizationally, this was a disaster. Three-hour line-ups to get your tickets, followed by one-hour line-ups for tee shirts. Want a coffee while you’re in line, even that line-up was an hour long. The Starbucks people at the 02 didn’t expect to be busy when 20,000 people would be lining up for tickets?

2) One entrance, one exit from the building, even if that meant walking cattle like for 10 minutes around the building on the inside. And the “after party” line up stretched in front of the one exit in the place.

3) I got on the internet the first night, within hours of the first e-mails going out. Our seats in the nosebleeds where bloody partially obscured by hanging monitors, such that I assume John Paul Jones was in attendance, and Robert Plant looked more like Ichabod Crane then the Viking others are describing him as. Our side stage tickets also didn’t allow us to view, what others have told us, was an incredible backdrop show going on behind the band. It should also be noted that “fans” got to stand on the floor, or sit in the 400 “nosebleed” section. The best seats in the house went to VIPs: so much for that big load of crap coming out of Harvey Goldsmith’s office that this was for the real fans only. Real fans were shunted into lineups or aside while the VIPs got a huge number of great seats.

Now for the good: Led Zeppelin. The band was great. Musically they were very tight, Jones and Bonham connecting very well throughout the show. There was the odd false start to songs, and once during Dazed and Confused when the rhythm section seemed to not be connecting, but such points are nit picking, were short lived and understandable for any band that hasn’t played together for a while. They were otherwise very tight and very good.

Song wise, there was discussion that some songs were being re-arranged to suit Robert Plant’s vocals. If that was true, it was only noticeable on The Song Remains the Same, which sounded rather flat and uninteresting. A song that is usually bright and lively it was the opposite, very probably a victim of re-keying. Otherwise the songs themselves were very good and the set list strong.

Ah, the set list. One worry I had going into this show was that Jimmy Pages joke about Dazed and Confused, No Quarter and Moby Dick would take up over an hour of the show. It’s not 1977, I am not on acid and a 20-minute drum/violin bow on a guitar/organ solo is not cool. But Zeppelin understood this, and the solos were minimized. Yes, Page pulled out the bow, but a 19 minute Dazed and Confused not just makes sense, but was great, and the same applies to a shortened No Quarter was also a highlight. Moby Dick wasn’t offered, and in fact, wasn’t even joked about.

Complaints? One, well two: it really wasn’t long enough. By the time it was over it just felt like they were hitting a groove. I know the old show biz adage about leave them wanting more, but it felt like half a show somehow. It was a touch over two hours long, so it’s not really a complaint, but it really seemed as if it was a short show. Most bands after that long I think, “Finally.” Zeppelin, it’s “what? That’s it?” The second complaint? After bitching in the last chapter about solos, I shall now be entirely inconsistent. Page never played White Summer (nor did he pull out his blue and white Danelanctro guitar). I have always liked that piece, and it’s short enough and such a solid lead in to Kashmir that I wished he had. That is, however, mere quibbles.

A special note about Jason Bonham, who was incredible. Word is he had to be practically dragged on stage, ½ before show time telling the boys, between pukes, he couldn’t do it. He did it in spades however. He was brilliant, I think the best drummer I have ever seen. If not that, I have never seen a drummer dominate a show musically like he did. Some people after the show even saying he was better than his father, and he was good enough that I can believe it. This is a guy who is clearly wasting his talents playing with Foreigner. I noticed about five songs in, between songs Jimmy Page walked over to the drum riser and smiled at Bonham, who gave the thumbs up back. And at shows end during the final bow, Bonham got down in front of the other three and did a “I’m not worthy” bow: he was worthy.

In final, I haven’t seen a review that gave this show any less than a five out of five, one giving it a six. I will not disagree with either, going unqualified with a 5 out of 5. Here in England there are even some calling it the greatest concert ever. I have been trying to decide if I have seen better, and can’t think of any. Even if there was a better one in my past, the fact I can’t immediately decide so means this was plenty good.

No, I won’t equivocate: this was a great concert by a great band that was in great form. I simply can’t imagine how good these guys would be after a few shows to get the groove going. If they do tour, and it would be a crime if they don’t, I want to see them again mid tour. They would be an unimaginable force of music.

Concert Memorabilia Available on-line

2007-12-10T03:28:00.000-05:00

Tee shirts, pro grammes and mugs from the Ahmet Ertegun concert, the same ones made available to those in attendance, the same ones we all stood in line for an hour for yesterday, can be had on-line here.

The House of the Holy

2007-12-09T05:22:00.000-05:00

Zeppelin to play Bonnaroo?

2007-12-04T09:29:00.000-05:00

This report first surfaced on the weekend, but I didn't buy it, so I didn't post it. I have changed my mind - I will post it: still not buying it.

Led Zeppelin will play its first U.S. show since July 24, 1977, this June at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tenn., according to an email published in industry commentator Bob Lefsetz's newsletter.

The best part of the story?

The report also says Metallica will headline the event.

Led Zeppelin and Metallica will play the same event, and Metallica will headline? Think even the guys in Metallica would believe that line?

Bonnaroo takes place in June in Tennessee, and is one of those all weekend events: bring your tent and sleeping bag middle aged Zeppelin fans! It runs from Thursday evening until Late Sunday and has six stages. John Paul Jones was all over last years Bonaroo, playing with Ben Harper, Government Mule, Uncle Earle and Gillian Welch (video of which are all available at youtube).

News from the last week

2007-12-03T08:46:00.000-05:00

It's been slow posting the past few days, but their were a couple of items that deserved attention:

First comes word that rehearsals go poorly. Robert Plant is struggling with the high notes and Jimmy Page is having trouble with the re-arrangements they have had to do to for Plant's singing difficulties.

That itself may not really be a story, but when this emerged a day earlier, suddenly something is up:

LED ZEPPELIN frontman Robert Plant has told Rolling Stone magazine that he plans to hit the road in early 2008 with bluegrass star Alison Krauss to promote the pair's collaborative CD, "Raising Sand". In addition to the "Raising Sand" material, they'll perform songs from their catalogs — including LED ZEPPELIN's "When the Levee Breaks" and "Black Dog"

As rumour always suggested a tour would be decided based on how things went for the 02 show, and the 02 rehearsals appear to be going poorly, you have to wonder if Plant has bailed from any possible tour.

The Robert Plant Alison Krauss report lists a tour starting in April and through he summer, which pretty much rules out a Zeppelin tour.

Meanwhile Plant is adamant that there will be no Zeppelin tour:

There’ll be one show and that’ll be it. We need one last great show because we’ve done some [reunion] shows and they’ve been crap.

I hate to say it, but a Zeppelin tour looks less likely as this week begins than last.

And in the "oooh, it really makes me wonder" department, will the boys be sending five copies to their mothers?

Jason Bonham interview

2007-11-27T19:24:00.000-05:00

A million thanks must go to Zeplady over at Royal Orleans, who posted a Jason Bonham interview from the December 2007 edition of Rhythm Magazine:

http://www.royal-orleans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=29125

Highlights:

Robert (Plant) and I went out for dinner in February, socially, because we hadn't been that close for years. There was no talk of a Zep reunion and we had a really deep, heavy conversation going back to the moments before dad died. It was a beautiful but sad experience, to watch somebody that loved dad dearly, his best friend, choke up and tell me something he probably thought he would never have to. We needed to speak frankly, gloves off. I spoke my piece and he answered back with his version, which was not pretty for me. But at the end we walked out stronger and definitely mates.

[the first rehearsal] ... was a magical and emotional day. June 10th. We'd been emailing back and forth, 'What shall we start with?' When we got there we did songs not on my list. Typical! 'Houses of the Holy' and 'Custard Pie'. Then we did 'Kashmir', which was phenomenal, and at the end Jimmy shouts, 'Well done, Jason, come here, give me a hug'. And Robert goes, 'Yeah! Sons of Thunder!' It was really touching, something I'll never forget. Jimmy said, 'That sounded as good as any time we played it...

The atmosphere is going to be like England winning The World Cup, emotions are going to be high. I keep having these visions of being there and coming to the point where we do a certain song, which will remain nameless, and trying to figure how to get through the start of it without breaking into tears...

Read it all, it's worth it.

No Tour...

2007-11-26T19:00:00.000-05:00

...says biographer Stephen Davis. Author one of the definitive Led Zeppelin tomes, Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga, Davis says. "My sources say it's not going to happen":

Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham's son Jason are all on board, Davis said, but Robert Plant isn't interested. "Robert's a wonderful guy and a great singer, but he's an old hippie and just doesn't want to do it."

What's interesting is this is the second significant Zeppelin writers who say no tour, with Ritchie York saying a few weeks ago that a tour was a no go.

Davis also mentions that Hammer of the Gods will be released in a fourth edition in a couple of weeks (just in time for a) the concert b) Christmas).

Should Zeppelin Tour

2007-11-26T16:18:00.000-05:00

While many in the media and on the internet, myself included, have been opining on whether Zeppelin will tour, few have asked the interesting question Should Zepplein tour?

The Deadbolt's Reg Seeton dared ask the question, with some interesting observations (emphasis mine):

The obvious question...Why now?

For years (even decades), Led Zeppelin fans have been begging for a reunion tour with the late John Bonham's son, Jason, on the skins... The... question is: Why now? Why, after so many years of fan demand, is this even a consideration? Wouldn't the band and the fans have been better served by a Led Zeppelin reunion years ago? Even with Jason Bonham on drums, will the band be able to deliver an intensity that they could have given fans ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago?

Given the fact that it would be a lot easier for Page, Plant, Jones, and Bonham to simply hang out in the studio instead of racing around the world, a new album might be the better option for the aging rockers. Still, after you kick out a new album with new tunes, how do you avoid the demand to tour in support of the new effort?

Despite our hopes and concerns, the fact is that no one knows whether Page, Plant, Jones, and Bonham even want to go out on tour with each other...

The whole thing is worth reading, a thought few of us have had in the ensuing rush to save funds for the upcoming (fingers crossed) tour.

Jimmy Page Interview

2007-11-23T18:49:00.000-05:00

Jimmy Page sat down on Monday with BBC's Breakfast TV interviewer Fiona Bruce. Here is the interview in two parts:

New Song Not a Mystery

2007-11-21T15:49:00.000-05:00

Warning - possible setlist spoiler

Yesterday all the media sites were rather breathlessly reporting that Jimmy Page had stated that Led Zeppelin would play a song never played before song. Turns out this isn't really news, nor mysterious, as Page had already revealed the song in the January 2008 issue of Guitar World the magazine where last week it was being reported Jimmy was hinting about a possible tour.

Here's another quote from the same interview, regarding the mysterious, never before played song:

One surprise is that we're going to play "For Your Life," which we've never played in concert. I don't think we've played it any other time than when we recorded it. It's quite a tricky piece of music, so I'm pleased we're doing it.

And the first song they rehearsed?

... I think it was "Houses of the Holy."

Yes But, How's The Finger?

2007-11-20T19:41:00.000-05:00

Tour and setlist speculation aside, and those issues are fun, the real issue is how is Jimmy Page's finger. The show has been put off once, further delay would be a nightmare for many ticket holders. So Jimmy, the finger, is it OK? Things are good?

Apparently, ye s:

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has explained that his injured finger - which had been the cause of his band's O2 Arena show postponement - is now better and the band will resume rehearsals this week.

The guitarist, speaking to Reuters, assured fans that his finger would be fine for ther concert, scheduled to take place on December 10.

"I suppose something like a Zeppelin reunion wouldn't be right without a bit of drama," he joked.

"This is two to two-and-a-half weeks from the injury and there we are, it's doing that," Page continued, wiggling his finger. "It's going to be fine for the concert. It's just a bit bruised and a bit painful, but it's going to be fine."

OK, if you have a ticket, you can now breathe.

2008 tour with The Cult?

2007-11-20T19:28:00.000-05:00

It's hard to imagine not wanting to see Zeppelin, but having The Cult on the bill is close to enough reason. Close, but not quite!

According to Cult lead singer Ian Astbury, "we're opening for a band you may have heard of ... the name starts with an 'L' and has a 'Z' in it."

Maybe more interesting is the response from camp Zeppelin:

Zeppelin's spokesperson added that no decision has been made on any Led Zeppelin tour.

No decision on a tour? I thought, no was firmly led to believe, December 10th was a one off, no questions asked. That's been the official word all along. Suddenly, "no decision has been made"? That's a big change in position, and it can mean only one thing - a tour is closer to happening today than it was yesterday.

Led Zeppelin To Tour In 2008 -- With The Cult?
Cult singer announces that band is opening tour for Zeppelin -- during club show in Cincinnati! -- reps for both bands offer no comment.

CINCINNATI — It was one of those moments where all you can do is look at the guy next to you and wonder, "Did he really just say that?"

Is it possible that Ian Astbury, lead singer of '80s rock powerhouse the Cult, spilled the beans on the biggest secret in rock — during a club show in Cincinnati?

"We'll be back next year," a breathless Astbury said midway through the band's gig at Bogart's nightclub Saturday night. "Because we're opening for a band you may have heard of ... the name starts with an 'L' and has a 'Z' in it." Stunned looks bounced around the room until one sweat-drenched superfan shouted out the obvious: "Led Zeppelin!" Astbury, his eyes hidden behind dark shades, nodded affirmatively and stuck his hand in the air triumphantly before plowing into one of the band's signature Zeppelinesque rockers.

When asked about Astbury's seeming confirmation of the world tour, spokespeople for the Cult and Zeppelin both declined to comment. Zeppelin's spokesperson added that no decision has been made on any Led Zeppelin tour and the band is focusing on its appearance at the Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert in London on December 10; a Cult spokesperson declined to answer questions about Astbury's comment...

Zeppelin to Play New Song

2007-11-20T19:19:00.000-05:00

or just one they have never played live before?

Jimmy Page has stated the band rehearsed a song they never performed before:

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 dates from when the band was together between 1968 and 1980. It's a really intense number.

He is already on record as stating they rehearsed Houses of the Holy, did they ever perform that song live? If so, Fool in the Rain strikes me as a good choice: it still gets radio play and Robert Plant performed it with Pearl Jam in 2005 at the House of Blues in Chicago.

Perhaps, however (and a lot of websites seem to be interpreting the comments thus) he means a new song, never performed, never recorded.

Three weeks until we have the answer.

Review: Led Zeppelin Mothership DVD

2007-11-16T14:00:00.000-05:00

There are two different Mothership packages available, the regular 2 CD edition, and the deluxe 2CD + DVD edition. The deluxe edition comes with a two hour DVD that features concert footage from previous DVD releases. The question the Zeppelin fan will be asking himself as he writes out his Christmas list this year is: standard or deluxe?

The answer is actually simple, if you have the last Zeppelin DVD release, Led Zeppelin, released in 2003 save your money: you already have everything on this DVD. Everything!

This DVD is just a rehash of material, without noticeable improvement in quality. It covers everything from the Albert Hall shows to Knebworth. What it doesn't have is anything new. Further frustration is that some of the material, specifically, Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop and the Ocean are from the MSG shows that will be released again next week on the updated Song Remains The Same set.

However, if you don't already own the previous DVD and aren't really interested in five-hours + of video, you might find this disc suffices nicely. It does provide a good set of songs, covering most of the major songs from Zeppelin's different eras. For an extra $5.00, many may find this is a better deal than paying full price for the previous collection.

One word of warning. Moby Dick and Dazed and Confused are only partial songs, having been edited down to make them fit on the CD. If you want the 20 minute drum solo, wait until next week.

Track Listing

1. We’re Gonna Groove
(Royal Albert Hall)
2. I Can’t Quit You Babe
(Royal Albert Hall)
3. Dazed & Confused (Royal Albert Hall)
4. White Summer (Royal Albert Hall)
5. What Is & What Should Never Be
(Royal Albert Hall)
6. Moby Dick (Royal Albert Hall)
7. Whole Lotta Love (Royal Albert Hall)
8. Communication Breakdown
(Royal Albert Hall)
9. Bring It On Home (Royal Albert Hall)
10. Immigrant Song (Audio: 1972 /
Pics, Australia 1972 Super 8)
11. Black Dog (Madison Square Garden)
12. Misty Mountain Hop (Madison Square Garden)
13. The Ocean (Madison Square Garden)
14. Going To California (Earls Court)
15. In My Time Of Dying (Earls Court)
16. Stairway To Heaven (Earls Court)
17. Rock And Roll (Knebworth)
18. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
(Knebworth)
19. Kashmir (Knebworth)
20. Whole Lotta Love (Knebworth)

Zeppelin at Glastonbury 2008?

2007-11-16T01:18:00.000-05:00

This story seems to be a nothing story, but part of the point of this blog is to sort through the rumours and analyze what may be going on with Led Zeppelin.

It is being reported that Led Zeppelin is in negotiations to play the 2008 Glastonbury Festival at the end of June.

Led Zeppelin have been in negotiations to headline next year’s Glastonbury Festival...

The rock legends have apparently been in talks with Glastonbury head Michael Eavis about the mouth-watering prospect. They have even give the Worthy Farm owner a price for performing at the June event.

Despite the early talks, the NME claims that the negotiations have broken down after the rock outfit’s representatives named too high a price...

The problem with the story is that it originated at NME, but has already been pulled at NME.com. This strongly suggests the story may have been erroneous. None the less, I will be watching this story closely to see if it has any legs.

Led Zep Go Back to the Future

2007-11-14T09:25:00.000-05:00

The current thinking in the music biz is that Vinyl records are back, and the next big thing. Reasoning is that they are gaining traction amongst younger fans, the CD's convenience has been replaced by the MP3's super convenience, better packaging in albums, and that long rumoured warmer sound.

I mention this because Led Zeppelin will be releasing Mothership and the new Song Remains the Same on vinyl record.

Mothership will be a 4 LP audiophile quality vinyl with collectible memorabilia listed at $75US. It is set for a March 31st release date, and can be pre-ordered now from Acoustic Sounds for $60.

Track Listings

Side one
Good Times Bad Times
Communication Breakdown
Dazed And Confused
Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

Side two
Whole Lotta Love
Ramble On
Heartbreaker
Immigrant Song

Side three
Since I’ve Been Loving You
Rock And Roll
Black Dog

Side four
When The Levee Breaks
Stairway To Heaven
The Song Remains The Same

Side five
Over The Hills And Far Away
D’Yer Maker
No Quarter

Side Six
Trampled Under Foot
Houses Of The Holy
Kashmir

Side seven
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Achilles Last Stand

Side eight
In The Evening
All My Love

The Song Remains The Same will also be a four LP set (I am assuming audiophile quality as well) available on March 31st - pre-order for $60.

Track Listings

Side one
Rock And Roll
Celebration Day
Black Dog (including Bring It On Home)
Over The Hills And Far Away

Side two
Misty Mountain Hop
Since I’ve Been Loving You
The Ocean

Side three
The Song Remains The Same
The Rain Song

Side four
No Quarter

Side five
Dazed And Confused (Part 1)

Side six
Dazed And Confused (Part 2)
Moby Dick

Side seven
Stairway To Heaven

Side eight
Heartbreaker
Whole Lotta Love

Note that Dazed and Confused will be broken into two parts, reaching across side 5 and side 6. That is certainly not an improvement over the original release, but also serves to remind us of vinyls limitations.

Review: Led Zeppelin Mothership

2007-11-13T11:05:00.000-05:00

Putting together a Led Zeppelin greatest hits package is a daunting task. They were never a hit single band, so the obvious, "these 20 songs sold the most singles/reached highest on Billboard" simply doesn't apply. And while such songs do exist, Zeppelin released 10 singles, it is too few, and not at all representative of the Zeppelin output. Ironically, one of the songs that did chart, In Through The Out Door's Fool in the Rain didn't even make the cut.

A second method would be to use their songs that have become Zeppelin standards, either then or now. Certainly at present some songs get more radio play than others: D'yer Maker; Kashmir; Rock and Roll; Black Dog; Stairway to Heaven; All My Love; Immigrant Song and Whole Lotta Love are all here. Again the missing element from this requirement is Fool In The Rain. Further, you could add in the songs that would have been considered musts on a Zeppelin compilation in their heyday: Ramble On; Dazed and Confused; Heartbreaker; Over The Hills and Far Away; Achilles Last Stand and No Quarter are also all here. But such a list doesn't explain Houses of the Holy, Night Flight or When the Levee breaks making the list. Surely by any of the above two standards, Dancing Days would be here before Night Flight, even if I personally would chose the latter.

What the members of Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, did do was chose the songs themselves, for their own reasons. Thus what we end up with is an a eclectic mix that showcases a band that was, at it's best, eclectic. Many of the song choices can be argued on their own merit, what can not be argued is the final product, which takes you chronologically through each of Zeppelin's 8 studio albums (there is no material from Coda, Zeppelin's post Bonham collection of outtakes). The history of Zeppelin, while incomplete, is covered throughout this set. The only complaints really amount to songs that could be added in, but not really at the expense of anything on the list. Really, what I am asking for here is a three CD set, which is probably more than necessary.

Finally a word on the re-mixing of the set, which has garnered much attention. While the sound is crisp and clean, what it really sounds to me is over-compressed. I kept reaching for the treble slider on my CD player, trying to get more high end, even though it was already on high. And Plant's voice sounds uninterested, as though he is going through the motions. There is something dead sounding about the songs. Yes it's sonically better sounding, but some life has come out of the songs. Not a lot, not enough to ruin the set, but it's noticeable.

One final moan: the packaging. I bought the special edition set, with the DVD included (review coming later), and found the CD's, DVD and booklet difficult to get out of the sleeves. The package is a cardboard, with slots on top for removal. It won't be long before the package is damaged as it is all far too tightly packaged, and getting it back in was even harder.

Overall though, these are mere issues. It is a well put together set that has two+ hours of great Zeppelin music on it. It works very well, and will be an integral part of my future collection - 4/5.

Standard Edition:

Disc One

1. Good Times Bad Times
2. Communication Breakdown
3. Dazed And Confused
4. Babe I’m Gonna Leave You
5. Whole Lotta Love
6. Ramble On
7. Heartbreaker
8. Immigrant Song
9. Since I’ve Been Loving You
10. Rock And Roll
11. Black Dog
12. When The Levee Breaks
13. Stairway To Heaven

Disc Two

1. Song Remains The Same
2. Over The Hills And Far Away
3. D’Yer Maker
4. No Quarter
5. Trampled Under Foot
6. Houses Of The Holy
7. Kashmir
8. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
9. Achilles Last Stand
10. In The Evening
11. All My Love

Deluxe Edition Same as standard plus

Disc Three: DVD (Deluxe Edition)

1. We’re Gonna Groove
(Royal Albert Hall)
2. I Can’t Quit You Babe
(Royal Albert Hall)
3. Dazed & Confused (Royal Albert Hall)
4. White Summer (Royal Albert Hall)
5. What Is & What Should Never Be
(Royal Albert Hall)
6. Moby Dick (Royal Albert Hall)
7. Whole Lotta Love (Royal Albert Hall)
8. Communication Breakdown
(Royal Albert Hall)
9. Bring It On Home (Royal Albert Hall)
10. Immigrant Song (Audio: 1972 /
Pics, Australia 1972 Super 8)
11. Black Dog (Madison Square Garden)
12. Misty Mountain Hop (Madison Square Garden)
13. The Ocean (Madison Square Garden)
14. Going To California (Earls Court)
15. In My Time Of Dying (Earls Court)
16. Stairway To Heaven (Earls Court)
17. Rock And Roll (Knebworth)
18. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
(Knebworth)
19. Kashmir (Knebworth)
20. Whole Lotta Love (Knebworth)

Tour News from Guitar World

2007-11-13T09:46:00.000-05:00

If Led Zeppelin is a democracy - then count Jimmy Page as a ya vote:

It's a bit silly (for only one date) because there is such a massive demand. It is a bit selfish to do just one show. If that is it we probably shouldn't have takebn[sic] the genie out of the bottle... (Guitar World)

Of course, Zeppelin is not a democracy, and Robert Plant has been the guy who refuses for years. None the less, it sounds like there is lobbying going on, and when the boys saw the reaction the news of the 02 show got, they have to be considering it.

Or put another way, that's one vote we got, now the lobbying of the others can begin.

Why Zeppelin Will Tour

2007-11-12T09:42:00.000-05:00

I have said all along I think a tour is going to happen. You don't rehearse for weeks for a one off show. It just doesn't make sense. Now there's more reason to believe, as an interview with local Zep-a-phile (here in Toronto anyway) Michael White raises some interesting stuff:

He knows that Jones has commissioned a special bass, with a longer neck and two extra frets, to compensate for age-related limitations in Plant's vocal range. And he's pretty sure that the band needs the six weeks it has scheduled for rehearsals to re-arrange its songs to suit the playing style of Jason Bonham.

Do you order a new bass for a one off show? While the latter part is speculation on White's part, it makes some sense.

With Plant you never know, and any kind of tour could go off the rails at any moment, but I agree with Michael White, there's a tour comin'.

Whole Lotta Bluegrass

2007-11-11T20:10:00.000-05:00

John Paul Jones jamming on mandolin to Whole Lotta Love with The Duhks at Merlefest 2007 in April.

Mothership Review

2007-11-08T00:12:00.000-05:00

The first reviews of the new Zeppelin compilation, Mothership, is in.

Uncut's David Cavanagh seems to be giving it many thumbs up.

Zeppelin's greatest hits, what's not to like?

Zeppelin Goes Satellite

2007-11-08T00:02:00.000-05:00

One question comes from todays announcement that XM Radio is launching an all-Zeppelin radio station on their satellite network (channel 59). Each report I have read suggests this hints at a tour, but the first thought I had was, broadcast of the 02 concert.

A live broadcast of the reunion concert seems the perfect fit for a satellite station and I'd bet part two of this announcement comes within days of the stations launch later today.

Left Hand, Pinky Finger

2007-11-07T01:20:00.000-05:00

The official word is out, the broken finger is Jimmy Pages little finger on his left hand. And how did he break it? Stumbling around his garden in the dark, according to AFP/Google News.

Hopefully that will put an end to the suggestion that there was no broken finger.

More Tour Rumours

2007-11-06T23:32:00.000-05:00

Jimmy Page appears to be opening the door for a tour, if only the rest of the guys would play along:

At the moment, I'm told we're doing one gig. That's a bit unfortunate for all the people that would have liked to have seen us, but I can understand why some of the other members don't want to be touring.

It's no real secret that by "some of the other members" Page really means Robert Plant. However, John Paul Jones in an interview with Ritchie York last week suggested he wasn't too keen on touring.

I would wager a guess that Jason Bonham is in, and Jones could be convinced, if only Robert Plant, who has been the only hold out before, would agree.

Last word to Jimmy Page:

I knew there would be a demand for tickets but I hadn't expected that sort of overwhelming demand. It's wonderful that people hold Zeppelin in that sort of regard... It's amazing, daunting, harrowing, beautiful--and it's a one-night stand. And I've learned that nothing is impossible

Jimmy Page Message to Fans

2007-11-06T23:27:00.000-05:00

From JimmyPageOnline.com:

As you all know by now I was regrettably put in a situation where I had to postpone my performance at the Ahmet Ertegun Benefit show, on November 26th, due to a fractured finger. We have now rescheduled this show to take place, at the same venue, on December 10th.

In doing so I was very conscious of the fact that many people are travelling great distances to attend. I do want to let everyone know that this decision was unavoidable. My apologies to anyone who has been inconvenienced by this change.

I would also like to thank everyone else involved for their help with making this change. Harvey Goldsmith, the trustees of the Ahmet Ertegun Foundation and, of course, the other artists who so willingly agreed to join us on the show.

I look forward to the 10th December!

Jimmy Page

Should the Concert be Cancelled

2007-11-06T09:28:00.000-05:00

That's what some Led Zeppelin fans are suggesting, according to music site NME. Their mail bag, so they say, is being overrun with fans complaining about the postponement, with the general theme seeming to belong to this selfless soul:

Jen Ryan, meanwhile, a fan from New York, was even angrier, as she won't be able to afford to pay for new travel costs.

"People have planned their travels from all over the globe, myself included, to come to this once in a lifetime show!" she wrote. "This reflects poorly on the charity and Led Zeppelin's commitment to it.

"It would be more admirable for them to cancel altogether, as most people who have tickets will not be able to make a rescheduled trip - me being one of them! Shame on Led Zeppelin!"

While I concur with Stephen Brennen from Boston:

With a show that is a one-off performance, these guys should be in a freaking padded room until three minutes before the show!

Cancel the show because Jen can't make it? Please! Why should the rest of us have to suffer just because she hasn't got the wherewithal to make changes to her plans. Does this also imply that if Jen hadn't gotten a ticket in the first place the show ought to have been cancelled, the ticket lottery re-drawn.

Jen from New York, here's the deal. I have been waiting for this one for 30 years for this one. Sorry you couldn't make it, but why exactly, should that mean that I can't go?

More here.

Also, I do hope there's no truth to the rumour, here, that there is no broken finger, just a promotional tour for a Robert Plant Alison Krauss album. A lot of people have been put out considerably by this delay, and if it was unnecessary that would be a rotten thing.

Jason Bonham's New Drum Kit

2007-11-04T23:58:00.001-05:00

It seems Jason Bonham has decided on a set of Ludwigs for the reunion concert December 10th. These pictures of Jason, taken by renowned photographer Ross Halfern, show Jason with a set of transparent drums, and a gorgeous mural on the bass drum based on Zeppelin's 1st album.

It is a great series of pics, be sure to check them all out.

Jimmy Page Breaks Finger - Concert Postponed

2007-11-01T20:35:00.000-04:00

It was announced today that Jimmy Page broke his finger and the concert has been rescheduled for Dec 10th:

The Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert, originally scheduled for Monday, November 26th ... has been postponed until December 10th due to Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page fracturing his finger.

The specialist treating Mr. Page said, “I have examined the fracture to Mr. Page’s finger, and it is my opinion that with proper rest and treatment, he will be ready to resume rehearsing in three weeks time, and thus able to perform on December 10th.”
ALL Tickets for the November 26th show will be valid for the rescheduled date.

Any customers who are unable to attend the rescheduled concert on the 10th December should apply for a full refund of the ticket purchase prior to midday (UK time) on November 14th 2007.

Any tickets made available as a result of refunds will be offered to ballot winners selected at random from original registrations after the 15th November 2007.

Good luck to everybody who has flights &tc. booked. It's costing me an extra 400 bucks (next time I'll make sure I don't pick scummy airlines) to move my flight plans. That much closer to Christmas, look for hotels to be more expensive as well.

Happy Halloween Zeppelin Fans

2007-10-31T20:22:00.000-04:00

Rumours of Tour Surfacing.

2007-10-31T20:10:00.000-04:00

According to MusicNews.com, Led Zeppelin is ramping up tour preparations:

According to sources, strong rumors suggest that LED ZEPPELIN live dates are being planned for next spring.

A block of dates at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey have been reportedly put on hold for June.

It is also said that merchandise is currently in production in Asia.

As an aside, I have heard that it's an open secret in the concert biz that somebody has attempted to book a 17 day block of dates at Madison Square Garden. How many acts could fill that kind of dates?

h/t CB Music

Ritchie Yorke interviews John Paul Jones

2007-10-26T11:00:00.001-04:00

Ritchie York, who goes back a long way with Zeppelin, (I have a book by him, The Led Zeppelin Biography, dated 1976) has an interview with John Paul Jones in which it is suggested Jones says - read his lips - no new tour!

The article in the Brisbane Times, Led Zeppelin's Back, features a sit down chat in London with Yorke and Jones. According to Yorke:

Unlike the various other bands currently squeezing superannuation funds from reunion tours, the Zep team (a) doesn't need the money, and (b) values far too deeply the extent of their creative contributions to rock 'n' roll to jeopardise it.

You could reasonably assert that it is the purity of their brand - not tarnished by hasty reunion efforts or other tawdry endeavors - that is responsible for the awesome 20-million on-line enquiries about ticket sales when the November 26 concert was announced.

While there is no direct quote from Jones regarding touring - We will not tour dammit - Jones does discuss how things are progressing:

Well yes, we are pretty excited about this and also a bit daunted...

But we know how to deal with it...
We're totally sure that this is the right thing to do, and we are taking it very seriously...
The only trouble we had at the first rehearsal last week was remembering in some songs 'did it go this way, or was there another chorus?'...
I don't want to be on stage at the Dome thinking like that. I want to be just so familiar with the material - so that we can give a proper performance rather than just remember how this or that song went...
Initially I was invited to join in a memorial concert for Ahmet in New York performing with the likes of Ben E King last January. Then Robert let it be known that he would rather do something for Ahmet in England...

Originally we were going to play the Royal Albert Hall, along with another night with some other acts. Then the Royal Albert was deemed too small and it moved to the Dome...
At first, we would be playing 40 minutes, then it went to an hour. I was a bit reluctant along the way because I wasn't sure whether I wanted to part of getting that whole circus on the road again. But I was persuaded to try out a rehearsal to see if we really wanted to play together...
That first rehearsal this month was just amazing, it took us back to that first meeting in '68. So we decided to go ahead and we will be putting in some serious rehearsal sessions right up until the show itself.

While Yorke is a credible Zeppelin source, nowhere in that article does Jones say "No Tour," although that by no means suggests he didn't say it.

Raising Sand: Review

2007-10-23T18:52:00.000-04:00

Reviews I have read keep calling the Robert Plant Alison Krauss collaboration an odd pairing. Inevitably they site Krauss as Bluegrass, Plant as rock or "bluesy rock" as one review put it. These comparisons miss one important point: Led Zeppelin had a strong folk element. Plant is an excellent folk singer, and it is in that folk voice that Raising Sand, the new Robert Plant/Alison Krass CD that's released today, works best.

Influenced with folk, rock and roll and country, Raising Sand is a collection of interesting and well chosen songs. But the real surprise is how well these two voices work together. As I mentioned off the top, conventional wisdom is that this is an odd paring. Yet somebody heard something between these two, because their voices harmonically combine beautifully to create a unique sound.

For Plant fans it is worth noting that this may be his best effort in a while, certainly superior to the previous Strange Sensation efforts.

Best songs: Stick With Me Baby for harmony between the two voices and Rich Woman and Fortune Teller for Plant vehicles. The CD finishes off with duet Your Long Journey, which puts Plant back in his Led Zeppelin III saddle, and Krauss in her home territory, with the result of the best song of the album.

Overall, a good CD that when I first heard about it I thought would be a pass, but definitely isn't.

Requisite reunion concert connection: The two voices work together so well, in the right way, that it wouldn't be inappropriate to have Alison Krauss join Zeppelin onstage at the 02 to perform Battle of Evermore - certainly better her than John Paul Jones. More on that idea on
a later post.

Zeppelin: Coming to a Mobile Phone Near You.

2007-10-21T15:06:00.000-04:00

I start this blog by blowing my own horn, sort of. Yesterday, on another blog I write, I made this observation:

Led Zeppelin... one of the last bands to make their back catalogue downloadable, this week announced that they would begin to do so.

Hopefully this means an end to those Kashmir polyphonic ring tones and we can get some real Zeppelin on our cell phones.

Today comes word that this is exactly what will happen:

Hot on the heels of the news that Led Zeppelin will make its vast music catalog available online, starting with an exclusive U.S. mobile agreement with Verizon Wireless, comes word that O2 has snagged the rights to offer the catalog to cell phone customers in Britain.

Like Verizon Wireless, O2 will offer Zeppelin ringtones and other mobile features. Customers who download Zeppelin ring tone will be entered into a drawing for one of six tickets the company is giving away to the sold-out show—one of the most highly anticipated rock concerts in years.

Move over Foo Fighters, my cell phone's getting A Whole Lotta Love.

The official Header

2007-10-20T23:51:00.001-04:00

Here's the official blog header, which is a cut of the fourth floor of the Physical Graffiti cover. This floor was cut from the album cover to square up the building.