Our Take: 'Ded' Zeppelin?

Don't get too excited over rumors of a reunion tour

By: Tyler Angelo / Staff Reporter

Posted: 10/3/08

Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant once again hushed rumors of a reunion tour that British tabloid newspaper The Sun published on Sept. 26. The remainder of the band has been rehearsing with another singer, one they can go on tour with next summer.

Every weekend at night before I go out, I like to get myself in a great mood by putting on some loud, live Led Zeppelin. To me, there is no better-sounding band recorded live.

I follow ultimate-guitar.com daily and every few days they have a news story about a band I like. On Sept. 22, the site had an article describing Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and former drummer John Bonham's son, Jason Bonham, giving singer Robert Plant an ultimatum to come on tour, or he will be replaced.

The site reported the band has been rehearsing songs with an unnamed American singer and that he was doing a great job.

A week ago, I read an article in The Sun with the headline, "Led Yep." The article reported that Plant said yes to a tour. It said the idea of another singer touring with the band persuaded him to change his mind.

Monday, Plant's Web site said that Plant will not be touring or recording with Led Zeppelin.

"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," Plant said.

I agree. As a huge Zeppelin fan, I am sick of hearing rumors and getting disappointed every other week. Ever since the band announced a reunion concert, which took place last December, there have been more and more rumors than ever, and frankly it is annoying. I can imagine Plant is irritated with hearing false reports so often as well.

Fellow Zeppelin fans, don't believe a word about any reunions until you read an official statement on the band's site. Otherwise, you'll get your hopes up so high, they might crash like a lead zeppelin.

Tyler Angelo can be reached at 581-7942 or at trangelo@eiu.edu.