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Led Zeppelin to tour with Robert Plant replacement

Band confirm they are after a new singer

October 28, 2008 | 51 Comments
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Led Zeppelin will tour with a replacement for founding singer Robert Plant, bassist John Paul Jones has confirmed.

Earlier this month it was reported that the rock legends were rehearsing with singer Myles Kennedy after Plant refused to consider touring with the band.

Jones has now told BBC Radio Devon that the band are trying out "a couple" of alternative singers for a proposed tour.

"We want to do it," he explained. "It's sounding great and we want to get on and get out there."

The bassist added that he and his bandmates were not after a Plant soundalike.

"It's got to be right," Jones said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be on board."

There has been speculation about the possibility of a full Led Zeppelin tour since they played a reunion show on December 10 last year at the London O2 Arena.

Robert Plant ruled himself out of a tour by releasing a statement last month saying he would not be part of any such plans.

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Comments (51)

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Freiherr

Oct 28, 2008

"It's got to be right" ? Ha, ha, ha!Zeppelin without Plant ! I will just keep listening to the LPs and reminisce about the former legends that were Zeppelin.

evokoder

Oct 28, 2008

Oh dear!

bragdad

Oct 28, 2008

uh-oh, this will be terrible, its sad enough not being able to have John Bohnam, but no Plant!!!!! Remember The Doors & Queen touring without their lead singers, people will go, but its never a good idea! Just wait for Plant dammit!!!!!

chrispaz

Oct 28, 2008

No no no!!! For god's sake, don't be so fucking foolish! For years, Led Zeppelin retained their dignity by refusing to compromise the great legacy that they had, while other rock dinosaurs have disgraced themselves by touring with replacement singers (Queen, INXS, The Doors). Going on tour without Robert Plant would be a real insult, and it will be utterly disastrous. A lot of people thought that even playing the o2 show without Bonham was bad enough, but this really is a step too far. No one else can sing those songs, and shame on them for even suggesting it. Jimmy Page is my musical hero, but he's gone down in my estimation for this.

sgows

Oct 28, 2008

sacrilege how can they do this

waspmonkey

Oct 28, 2008

Oh dear....they'll tour and they'll sell out wherever they go, but Zeppelin without Plant? Just wrong.

GreshamFlyer

Oct 28, 2008

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

jeepcat

Oct 28, 2008

I post on articles I don't care about. Like this one. How long can these rumours be fanned for?

lukey45

Oct 28, 2008

Does this story make anyone else feel sick?

Orangeboy

Oct 28, 2008

Is this April the 1st? How ridiculous. Plant's voice is half of what made Zep who they were. It simply isn't Led zeppelin without him.What the others have done, is completely isolate themselves from Plant, he will never join them again now, and so hopes of a proper Led Zeppelin reunion have been completely destroyed. It's like Queen without Freddie Mercury- travestyInxs without Michael Hutchence- desperateOasis without Liam Gallagher.These people don't need the money, so why don't they just do their own thing individually?However, I think Plant is a grumpy old sod for not agreeing to a few dates. Something has definitely ruffled his feathers- literally feathers with his dated haircut.

jeffn

Oct 28, 2008

Why do bands do this?! They must have enough money, and all this will do is provide a dirty little footnote to an otherwise shining legacy. Hands up for another Queen and Paul Rogers? Nobody... thought not.

frano1991

Oct 28, 2008

wow why cant plant stop being a willy head and tour with his buddys?

20legend

Oct 28, 2008

Yes! Get in! Robert Plant shouldn't hold them back

austrian_zeppelin

Oct 28, 2008

Let's hope they don't jeopardize their reputation and come up with something inventive. If they do a career retrospective of their individual careers (yardbirds, the firm, coverdale page, black crowes and other solo projects) with a few zep numbers thrown in for good measure then nobody can accuse them of selling out, and I sure will be there on as many occassions as possible.However if they go down the Queen & PR route then I would really be upset, cause Zeppelin has always been different, and while the reunion with bonzo's son on drums was as close as it could get, without Robert Zeppelin it ain't and so they shouldn't treat it like that.But i am confident that Jimmy (who was always the driving force behind the groups activities) will not do anything to harm his heritage so all should be fine....

epiphonelespaulio

Oct 28, 2008

"...but everyone has to be on board."hmmcome on led zep

D. Conka

Oct 28, 2008

It just wouldn't be Zeppelin, it's the same as the Who playing without Keith and John, here's hoping they don't go ahead with it, it wouldn't be right.

madlee29

Oct 28, 2008

Bit like ACDC without Bon Scott as well!!!!!!!!!!!

zoso_02

Oct 28, 2008

I am astonished at the overwhelmingly negative comments. For a start, Led Zeppelin is basically Jimmy Page not any of the other members. Notwithstanding the magic of the togetherness of all four members. Put it this way, would you rather see Jimmy Page and JPJ play together again or not? Do you want to hear a new album that they produce, or not? It's a no brainer as far as I am concerned. It may be different from Zeppelin with Robert Plant but it will certainly be fantastic and ecstatically received. Go an enjoy it!

baronsaladback

Oct 28, 2008

I never thought they were capable of stooping this low. Even their intergrity has a price, it seems.

Orangeboy

Oct 28, 2008

It's not the same as The Who situation, because whether you like it or not Roger and Pete are and were always the main two in the band. And ACDC actually got better with Don Johnson.

Jam Kid

Oct 28, 2008

It's only music. In 40 years time bands will still be touring with Led Zep songs and no-one will be grumbling that Plant ain't there. If he doesn't wanna do it, it's his prerogative.

Kights

Oct 28, 2008

It hurt in 1980 but the right choice was made then , why is only one person doing the right thing now ? Well done Robert . If I see you tonight I'll shake your hand . In their own words "What Is And What Should Never Be"

bragdad

Oct 28, 2008

zoso_02, are you insane? "Led Zeppelin is basically Jimmy Page"!!!??? Zeppelin was always about the strengths and talent of each individual member, thats what made them unique!!!

bragdad

Oct 28, 2008

orangeboy......."Don Johnson"?????

callaby

Oct 28, 2008

zoso_02: you're obviously a Page fan, and he is one of the greatest guitarists of all time, but Zeppelin was definitely not a one man band, they were so brilliant because of the musicianship of all the members- just because you are the lead guitarist in a band, doesn't mean you are the most important part.

cancelmysubscription

Oct 28, 2008

zoso_02 you actually made me laugh, jpj and page played with the foo fighters at wembley, what was it? awful. its not zeppelin without robert plant, it wasnt even zeppelin without bonzo but i suppose his son is almost a poetic replacement. if you think zep was just page then your mental mate sorry. this tour shouldnt happen, EXACTLY like the doors without morrison and densmore, shambles.

chrispaz

Oct 28, 2008

I agree with callaby. zoso_02, you're talking absolute rubbish. Led Zeppelin is not just Jimmy page. If it was, he would have carried on with another drummer after Bonham died in 1980. But they made the decision to stop because it wasn't the same without Bonham. And besides, Plant wrote most of the lyrics anyway. All the members brought something unique to the band, and to say Led Zeppelin was just Jimmy Page is stupid and undermines the contributions of the other 3 members.

Willy Plonka

Oct 28, 2008

Fuck Robert Plant. He owes it to the Millions and Millions of People that have brought the endless compilations, re-hashes, DVD's and Greatest Hits. He owes those people something. I couldnt give a shit if Plant wasnt in the band, good luck to Page and Jones, If any of you have heard any bootleg, Plant sounds shit in almost all of them, i know, I have 50 plus said bootlegs. Fuck him, and fuck his silly Country and Western charade.

Bitchy McNasty

Oct 28, 2008

Okay, so Robert Plant decides he doesn't want to play ball, so the others just have to stop in their tracks, roll over and die? Nope. I'll pay good money to see them with whatever vocalist they choose, or no vocalist at all. While Robert was very important to their sound, he is by no means irreplaceable. And if he doesn't want to play the boys, then he can sit home and bump uglies with Alison Krause.

Orangeboy

Oct 28, 2008

BRAGDAD-- Yes Don Johnson, who was in the band for two weeks, and then Brian Johnson joined. Call yourself an ACDC fan? Haha, yeah, have no idea where I got Don Johnson from. Good name though.

madlee29

Oct 28, 2008

orangeboythanks for that Don Johnson funniest thing ive heard all day.Looks like im going to see ACDC with the lead actor from Miami vice.Cool if ACDC can do it with an actor then Zep can do it with anyone too!

acedrums

Oct 28, 2008

I wish they wouldnt tour. This is ridiculous, do they have no integrity? They have the greatest legacy of any rock band and they seem, with the exception of Robert, all to happy to take a shit on it. Led Zep simply isnt Led Zep without Plant. Page is not the guitarist he used to be, JPJ wrote amazing basslines but anyone can play them live, and Bonzo is dead. As they have neither their energy or their look anymore this tour will essentially seem like a very highly budgeted covers band. Whomever they get to sing, be it Myles or anyone else will be on better form than the band, yet that just serves to make the whole thing more of a joke. Ultimately I have no doubt that anyone that watches this gigs with an unbiased eye will leave feeling that they have just seen a covers band. AND PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT RELEASE AN ALBUM. It will sound dated and cheesy, just as all albums by old rock bands do. I mean just listen to the new Queen record. What a pile of cheesy crap. Willy Plonka, oh dear.

mushythebeatle

Oct 29, 2008

what a scandal!!! McCartney and Ringo will be going out as The Beatles next. What is it with these old guys? They seem to be on a mission to destroy their own legend - if Plant aint ready then WAIT! Don't be another INXS!!!!!

Lycius

Oct 29, 2008

I agree about ACDC Orangeboy, and I think they hit their heights when they got Tubbs in on drums, and Angus traded his schoolboy outfit for some smart yet casual linen beachwear.

dazman80

Oct 29, 2008

Please please please tell me this really WONT happen, I would be devastated. All you people who are going on saying " oh, led zepp isnt just about robert plant, page and jones can carry on without him", THEY CANT!!!!! you can replace a guitarist and a bass player, you cant replace the man who sings the fuckin songs!! There is only one voice for Led Zepp and thats Robert Plant. End of discussion.

onceyourelost

Oct 29, 2008

It's just them playing music live. Everyone's so anal about it.

verymetal13

Oct 29, 2008

Oh for Fucks Sake Will you all just grow up its only a band who cares? ......and queen with Paul Rogers is great because they play Alright Now with no hint of irony.

adrianwildsmith

Oct 29, 2008

Well they might take on another singer... but that won't make them Led Zep. Bloody stupid. I mean can you imagine the stones without Mick Jagger? Don't do it boys... or at least call yourselves something else. How about "Pet Terrapin"?

Bryan Robson

Oct 29, 2008

dog shit..it will be as bad as Queen! saying that Queen with Freddie were shit aswell

o White Widow o

Oct 29, 2008

I always liked the fact that Led Zep would never reunite after their drummer died,it gave them and their music integrity and the band were respected.The Doors and Queen have proven its a bad idea IMO,i got my live dvds to listen to remind me what a great band they really were,i think they are taking a big shit over their legacy,its all bout the benjamins,shame.

thevoiceofraisin

Oct 29, 2008

To all those who don't want them to tour without Mr Plant - he was temporary singer for so long and it's not difficult to see why. When a band as amazing as Mssrs Page, Jones & Bonham jam out, you really don't want some hippy chanting "See saw Majory Daw" and "NnnnnnnnnnananananananaNobodysfault"" all over the top - just look at the evil glances from Page on all the Live DVDs. Plant is not an integral part of Led Zep and he knows it. His vocal range has gone and he would be a pathetic shadow of his former self, which was that great anyway.

AJdrumer4ever

Oct 29, 2008

what the hell no way they can' t do it coz they have bin together 4 ages and Plant takes a key roll in the band itself. when bonham died they all desised to stop and the reunion went down a storm but now i think that if they tour without him then alot of the fans will not want to go. i feal like it is one of the worst ideas. and dont go make an album without him ! sucks it should be all or none.

gmarg

Oct 29, 2008

Page-Plant & Jones chose John Bonham's son as Zep's drummer and that was a good decision because Jason is a good drummer. Now Jason Bonham should refuse to play in Led Zeppelin without Plant as singer.That's the least he should do to honour his dad memory and also Plant's acceptance of him as the group's drummer. Let Page find another drummer also... There must be a better drummer than Jason...

LINK2K9

Oct 29, 2008

Fuck it man, it's not like they still have John Bonham as well. I'll pay good money just to see Jimmy Page play Zeppelin tunes, at this point if Rob don't give a fuck about singing in Led Zeppelin I don't give a fucking either.

snoopy8880

Oct 29, 2008

Alot of people are saying things about Queen touring without Freddie.Im guessing none of them have been to see Queen + Paul RogersWell I have and even without Freddie the show was quality.Of course with freddy it would have been better and most Prob the best gig ever, but the songs still mean the same and unfortunatly its impossible to have Freddie back so no point dreamingAs for Ledzep, they should do what they want. I think they should wait till plant can join them, but its not my band to decide.If you dont want it, dont buy it, and dont go and watch it. leave that to the people who do want it and want to keep the music alive

GayMessiah

Oct 29, 2008

I ain't a fan of Led Zep and so while I can see how upset folks are about Plant not being present, I really don't think you can compare this to the recent Queen+PR and Riders on the Storm tours. For one thing both of those groups could NEVER have the original line up - Mercury and Morrison are both deceased so I certainly don't have an issue with them wanting to look to the future and going forward with new lead singers. I saw Riders in 2007 and even without Jim, it was an amazing experience to see them play LA Woman and all my favourites. Plus, Paul Rogers never even attempts to be Mercury, he's himself and that is why Queen+PR works so well... As a fan, yes be upset not to see a band return to their former glories but don't shoot them down for wanting to move forward.

Orangeboy

Oct 29, 2008

Brian May should be rounded up and put in the stocks for what he has done to Queen. I'd be first in line to launch stuff at him. What would I throw? Cabbages, hot bovril, and gravel. Knobhead,

jedzxor

Oct 29, 2008

WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Maybe they should get Paul Rogers too...then It would be like a Firm reunion.I heard they were practising with Steven Tyler

ledzep09

Oct 30, 2008

Jmarg, I believe Robert Plant used to tour with Michal Lee (Unledded), who by the way, is fantastic. But I also believe that Jimmy Page used Jason Bonham in his previous tours, so, not so sure that Jason Bonham would turn his back on Jimmy. Besides, Jason Bonham seems to be the one who's most excited of all by the prospect of touring. Once again, any chance to slam Jimmy Page in support of Robert Plant. Whatever ...

heyheymama

Oct 31, 2008

It is all good as long as the name Led Zeppelin is not used. Jimmy Page is back. The man has found and reclaimed his mojo and he knows it and yes he is not getting any younger. Throw in JPJ plus the talent and kinship in the likes of JB together on stage...for any serious fan of MUSIC, this is heaven. I would pay top dollar to witness, hear and experience talent of this caliber together creating music. As far as RB...WAKE UP! he has not really wanted to be a part of Led Zeppelin since 1977. In 1980 it was over, he was done. All the reunions, etc since then have been done for career and ego. His career is hotter right now than it has been in a while, he does not need another round of Led Zeppelin to be in the limelight. I hate to say it, but the voice is pretty shredded. I fear any prolonged live singing at Zeppelin volumes would do him in and call to the front that he just ain't got it no more, etc...Let's all embrace the long awaited return of the angel with the broken wing to the forefront of LIVE music.

The Beej

Jan 8, 2009

Plant can't sing the cool songs anymore.....so why do the songs have to suffer.........there is SPIKE SETTLES from the Baltimore group NEVER NEVER.....he can make Led Zepppelin relive the the glory days of past.....find out