October 29, 2009 10:30

Led Zeppelin replacement singer idea 'fell by wayside'

Them Crooked Vultures' John Paul Jones speaks about new project

Photo: Getty Images

Led Zeppelin's plan to find a replacement singer for Robert Plant "fell by the wayside", bassist John Paul Jones has explained.

The bassist, now playing in Them Crooked Vultures with Dave Grohl and Josh Homme, said that despite he and guitarist Jimmy Page auditioning potential frontmen, they couldn't agree on a new band member.

"Jimmy and I rehearsed a bit with [drummer] Jason Bonham and we couldn't really agree on singers and that fell by the wayside," he told BBC 6 Music. "Then this [Them Crooked Vultures] came along and, to be honest, I'm really happy."

Jones was keen to heap praise on Foo Fighters drummer Grohl, saying it was a pleasure to play with him in the new outfit. "I immediately recognised that this was a drummer that was a) really good, b) groovy and c) listened. All those nice things that bass players like in drummers," he explained.

Them Crooked Vultures release their self-titled debut album on November 17. Listen to the album's first single, 'New Fang', by clicking on the video below.