Jimmy Page says 'no' to Led Zeppelin reunion
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NEW YORK (AP) - Led Zeppelin will not be reuniting anytime soon.
That message came through loud and clear Tuesday with sarcasm, stoic silence and even the occasional barb at reporters who dared to ask. Just the mention of the topic set off lead singer Robert Plant at a news conference for the band's upcoming concert film, "Celebration Day."
But at the film's premiere later in the evening, guitarist Jimmy Page set the record straight, sort of, about a potential reunion.
"I think it's disappointing for people when the answer is no," Page said. But he later added: "That's what it is now."
"Celebration Day" covers their 2007 reunion concert at London's 02 Arena. Original members Plant, Page and John Paul Jones, as well as Jason Bonham, the son of the late John Bonham, played the one-time tribute concert to honor Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun.
"Once the idea was proposed, 'Would we do the concert?' It had to be Jason," Page said.
Since the death of Bonham in 1980, the band has played only a handful of gigs, with the 2007 tribute concert being the last time. The group enlisted the younger Bonham, a successful drummer in his own right, to play with the band.
On the red carpet, Bonham said he understands why the fans want something more from the band, but feels there's good reason to put it to rest.
"I think it's probably frustrating to the public when they see how good it is, and they go, 'Why won't you do anymore?' They don't get it," Bonham said. "But you know what, there's a time, and for me it's when John Bonham was in Led Zeppelin."
Jones, the band's bassist, eloquently said all the band's energy went into that performance.
"We focused on the show and that was it. Fortunately it was on film," Jones said.
Page was conscious of Led Zeppelin's uninspired performance at the Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary concert in 1988. So the band rehearsed for about six weeks before the London show.
"You have to understand, any other group would be a doing a warm-up gig, and then they would have like two or three concerts in a row. We could have done more than one, with the demand, but we only had one shot and we had to be super-duper confident on it, and it went well," Page said.
During a news conference earlier in the day, the band became uncomfortable with a question about "anticipating something bigger for the band."
"We've been thinking about all sorts of things, and then we can't remember what we were thinking about," singer Plant said testily. He then referred to this reporter by the pejorative term "schmuck."
As the questions mounted about anything to do with their future, the band responded with silence.
At one point, Page mentioned that the reunion concert was five years ago and that if there was a chance they were reuniting, people would have heard about it.
"Seems pretty unlikely, doesn't it?" Page said.
"Celebration Day" will be released worldwide on Oct. 17 on 1,500 screens before its release on DVD on Nov. 19.
That message came through loud and clear Tuesday with sarcasm, stoic silence and even the occasional barb at reporters who dared to ask. Just the mention of the topic set off lead singer Robert Plant at a news conference for the band's upcoming concert film, "Celebration Day."
But at the film's premiere later in the evening, guitarist Jimmy Page set the record straight, sort of, about a potential reunion.
"I think it's disappointing for people when the answer is no," Page said. But he later added: "That's what it is now."
"Celebration Day" covers their 2007 reunion concert at London's 02 Arena. Original members Plant, Page and John Paul Jones, as well as Jason Bonham, the son of the late John Bonham, played the one-time tribute concert to honor Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun.
"Once the idea was proposed, 'Would we do the concert?' It had to be Jason," Page said.
Since the death of Bonham in 1980, the band has played only a handful of gigs, with the 2007 tribute concert being the last time. The group enlisted the younger Bonham, a successful drummer in his own right, to play with the band.
On the red carpet, Bonham said he understands why the fans want something more from the band, but feels there's good reason to put it to rest.
"I think it's probably frustrating to the public when they see how good it is, and they go, 'Why won't you do anymore?' They don't get it," Bonham said. "But you know what, there's a time, and for me it's when John Bonham was in Led Zeppelin."
Jones, the band's bassist, eloquently said all the band's energy went into that performance.
"We focused on the show and that was it. Fortunately it was on film," Jones said.
Page was conscious of Led Zeppelin's uninspired performance at the Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary concert in 1988. So the band rehearsed for about six weeks before the London show.
"You have to understand, any other group would be a doing a warm-up gig, and then they would have like two or three concerts in a row. We could have done more than one, with the demand, but we only had one shot and we had to be super-duper confident on it, and it went well," Page said.
During a news conference earlier in the day, the band became uncomfortable with a question about "anticipating something bigger for the band."
"We've been thinking about all sorts of things, and then we can't remember what we were thinking about," singer Plant said testily. He then referred to this reporter by the pejorative term "schmuck."
As the questions mounted about anything to do with their future, the band responded with silence.
At one point, Page mentioned that the reunion concert was five years ago and that if there was a chance they were reuniting, people would have heard about it.
"Seems pretty unlikely, doesn't it?" Page said.
"Celebration Day" will be released worldwide on Oct. 17 on 1,500 screens before its release on DVD on Nov. 19.
Why doesn't Cream do it one more time? As a public service for crap sake.
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I know they would be very expensive too see, but nickleback would unemployed if young people knew what talent was.
I'll be owning this DVD. Should be fun. My very first concert was LZ summer of 77 at the Kingdome. Sound was not good and the band was in decline at the time... too much hard living I believe. I actually liked the show in 95 at Tacoma dome- Sound was much better and I think they had moved into a little better time in their lives. But damn, fun to go on you tube and look at some of their stuff- I got my mind stuck on "The Rain Song" right now. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeDylD8dV7U
the plant/page show at the gorge was 1998. (got a high quality tape i still listen to) fantastic night. hot temp and a huge moon. page was hot too. they played the tacoma dome in 1995. pretty bad, had the egyptian orchestra and a second guitar player! also saw Zeppelin in their prime. wow, nothing like them. every show was different.
Good for Him! He, Jones, and Plant have earned the right to do whatever the Hell they want with the rest of their lives. The only thing a reunion would do is make a music industry suits and "opinions are like a$$holes" critics a boat load of money and give a bunch of 50 and 60-somethings (like me) a chance to relive our youth while looking like complete jerks.
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I'd rather put Led Zeppelin IV on the stereo at home and crank it to "11."
And on the seventh day they rested...
pejorative term "schmuck." IS CORRECT The Liberal Media beat this band up to the point they decided to not name their Albums.... and the media always riped this band despite their music magic and historic impact to all future music. I had the fortune of seeing them in their hay day. Have not seen anything close except for Lynyrd Skynyrd in their hayday.
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 @Bill Bylthe 'The Liberal Media'...   that's pure idiocy... and guess what that means....
 @Bill Bylthe Someone just HAD to pull a Rush Limbaugh here huh? Couldn't leave it alone, huh? There is a word for that - it is -Â
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schmuck!
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What a coincidence!
Well it certainly is a better reason than the one Plant offered a while back whcih was he didn't like that kind of music anymore therefore he didn't want to do it. I guess this is a little more accepting now. Altho now that we have an actual film, AND a CD coming out, (yeah a CD too, had no idea) I think that's actually a great way to go out, much like Pink Floyd went out at Live*, and how great that was to see those 4 together again.
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BTW, finally a story on KOMO where my Zoso reference bears some relation. LOL!
 @Zoso I do love the fact that David Gilmour still tours with his own gig, much like Roger Waters. Unlike Waters, Gilmour can actually still sing, and very well :) I would love to go see Pink Floyd in concert, obviously won't happen in my lifetime .. haha
 @Rsills82 Is he really? I haven't heard about any tours in the last few years. I would love to see him! I was really depending on him to come here with Rick Wright after the new solo album and tour, especially after watching Remember That Night since that would be about as close to the Floyd as you can get, Echoes was awesome! But after Rick passed, that just hit me! I hope Dave comes here soon!
 @Rsills82 Man, I gotta tell ya that is one of my all time favorite concert films right there! Along side The Song Remains The Same! That was very original and still is!
 @Zoso http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1yxNjU7u_8  I was watching this video the other day, I had to check a few times to see if it's some re-made goofy fake video.. but alas, they are getting so good at re-mastering stuff that this looked more like a spoofy re-make modernized.. it's pretty amazing actually.
 @Zoso It's been a year or two since he's toured I think, but check this link out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY8EwM3vah8 - I'm not much of a fan of the corny dude replacing Roger Waters in this song, but Roger isn't great at that part anymore either =P David Gilmour is perfect in this tour.. I'd love to see him in concert.
I LOVE Led Zeppelin, but have no interest in them having a reunion tour. It's the quickest way to mess up your legacy.  I prefer to remember them as the awesome band they were.
@robert has said many times that he has trouble hitting the old high zepp, notes while the whole band has made ubandantly clear  led zepplin died with john R.I.P,I would love to see the 3 start somthing totally new and if jason is on board all the better,i think that might be the only thing that would keep the 4 of them doing anything musically togetherÂ
Saw Page and Plant at the Gorge I believe it was 1995, correct me if I'm wrong. In my mind, one of the greatest concerts of all time - my time at least. Never saw so many "happy" having fun remembering it all good folks since the 60s/70s. I've got it all right here.
That Gorge Concert was good I was up front at the Gorge but nothing like their full band concerts in the early 70's It was like the Rock Gods of Thor cutting thru our Souls....
 @fyrefawx I saw them twice in 1995, at San Jose Arena and at Shoreline. Brings back great memories. :)Â
@fyrefawx I was there also....great concert. I would pay a large sum to see them again if they could still perform.
Rock and roll was NOT meant to be performed by 65 year old men.Â
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I ran into Robert Plant last year down in Clarksdale, Miss. while I was in town for a huge Blues festival. He looked and acted like life had kicked the crud out of him. Any attempt at trying to recreate what Zeppelin once had would undoubtedly be a huge disappointment. Just leave it alone. No doubt Plant & Page still have legitimate contributions to make to the music scene but I think it would be a big mistake for them to try to make any large scale revisit to their musical past.
 @Petwlkr For the most part, I agree with your statement about 65 year old men NOT performing Rock and Roll.....however, have you seen KISS recently? I grew up listening to them and got a chance to see them a couple years ago in Everett. I figured they'd be a bunch of lackluster old hacks just trying to reclaim their old glory days. They about blew the roof off the place! I've played in clubs with bands 1/4 their age that didn't have HALF the energy. I guess the moral of this story is......never count old men out if they really WANT something.
 @Petwlkr I think it also depends on certain aspects as well though. Example: Roger Waters looks and sounds like total garbage now at his age, but David Gilmour can still hit all the notes, and actually sounds just as refined if not more than he ever has. I am guessing it's just how you take care of yourself. I'd love to see David Gilmour live, but I wouldn't pay money to see Roger Waters live, nor any of those kids that he hired on to sing David's parts on Pink Floyd's songs, you should Youtube it if you haven't seen it, it's just not the same.
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I agree in general though, they are all just getting too old, and coming back will just taint their legendary memories into being some old rockers that just can't hack it anymore.
 @Rsills82 I also think it has a lot to do with whether or not they have been playing all along. Look at the Rolling Stones. Yes they are much older and yes they can't completely replicate their younger days but they still put on one hell of a performance and you don't leave the concert feeling embarassed for them. IMO Plant and Page have been out of the game too long to try and pull off a full scale comeback.
 @Petwlkr I agree with that too, I think they had their shot at fame and fortune, and now it's just time to let it die. They are legendary, they were/are awesome, but they have to actually want to do it to be in it for good, not just for what the fans want.
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Same thing like I said about Pink Floyd. You notice that Roger Waters and David Gilmour don't tour together either :) Â They both at least still get up there and try. I recently Youtubed some of Gilmours tours from not too long ago (last year or so), and he's still got it.. I've always been a big fan of him.
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I'll always enjoy watching old videos/listening to music of Led Zeppelin's, but I don't ever expect them to start touring again. Otherwise it could be like the Eagles, and have like 10 reunion tours and then retire again ;)
I think what people don't understand, and why they don't want to do a reunion tour, is because they just can't do it anymore. Even with "6 weeks" of rehearsal time, Robert Plant still couldn't hit most of the notes for that show, so I get it. I feel for them, as that has to be frustrating as all hell, but there are just some things that you just leave alone. It's not like they weren't a legendary band for long enough or something ;)
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I would love to see them tour again, but I know that they don't want to become one of those legendary bands that ends up sucking and that be their memory. Next think you know you'll see them starting to play at casinos like the rest of the them :) Â
 @Rsills82 Sure it would be nice to see them perform again but I would prefer to think of them as they were and all the memories associated with that time.  Zepplin in a casino is blasphemy.Â
@Rsills82Â Agreed.....I think Plant's pipes cannot perform at the level we would all like.
@MidnightRambler   I did like his voice in Raising Sand 2007 with Alison Krauss. I think he's still got talent. Probably just can't scream it out anymore. ; )
@Rsills82   I went to many a Zeppelin concert in my youth.  I have my memories and I have the music. I'm glad they won't do a revival to ruin it. The type music he does in Raising Sand would have been lost on me then. I enjoy it now though.Â
 @achoo2 I think he still sounds amazing overall, but when it comes to the famous Zeppelin high parts, he has to change it somehow, or do the infamous "having the audience sing it" thing that most singers do when they don't want to try to hit the notes.. I feel bad when I see that, I was watching some videos last night of Scorpions, and Klaus can still hit some of the notes, but not like he used to be able to. He is still impressive though (Compared to most his age).Â
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I think it's more or less one of those perfection things with the artists, if they can't do it right, and perfectly, they would rather just not try. He paid his dues, he did his shows, Plant is good to go. I do think it's relatively funny though that they just get annoyed when fans/media ask if they're going to play more or release new stuff etc, I'd be flattered if I had that many people loving what I do as an artist. But to each his own!
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Sorry for rambling :) /ramble off
But in the early 70's his vocals would slice thru you like a high voltage charge that was magnified with the thunder of John Bonham Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones... It was a pure Music High....
You are correct ...
Come on man!