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Led Zeppelin Robert Plant and Jimmy Page

Zep without Plant

Page's manager discusses possible tour and album for Zep mark II

07 January 2009 - Legendary rock manager Peter Mensch has been discussing his client Jimmy Page's plans to reform Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant.

According to Mensch, Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham - the son of original Zep drummer John Bonham - look likely to tour, and there's even talk of recording an album.

“People don’t really understand it,” Mensch told 6 Music, “Jimmy Page has been playing guitar professionally since he was 16 years old. Jimmy Page likes being a musician. That’s what he does! He doesn’t want to be a race car driver or a solicitor.

“So they [Page, Jones, Bonham] did the show with Robert Plant; they had a really good time rehearsing, the three of them, before Robert showed up.

“And they decided that if they could find a singer that they thought would fit their bill – whatever their bill was at this stage in their career – that they’d make a record and go on tour.

“And I support that because, why not? That’s what Jimmy Page does. That’s his job, his hobby, his vocation.”

"They decided if they could find a singer that they thought would fit their bill... that they’d make a record and go on tour."
Peter Mensch

Mensch – whose company Q Prime also represents Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snow Patrol – also revealed that the band have yet to find a replacement for Plant: “John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page enjoy playing with each other, Jason Bonham is a really good drummer so why not? We just need to find a singer.”

Despite a list of rumoured vocalists that includes Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Chris Cornell from Soundgarden and Myles Kennedy from relative unknowns Alter Bridge, Mensch wouldn’t confirm any names.

“I can’t comment on any rumours right now,” Mensch continued, “It’s gonna be a long and difficult process. And we’re not soliciting people! So don’t call me about it!”

Similarly, it’s not known whether the new outfit would be touring under the banner Led Zeppelin or a new name.

A reaction

Since this story was first published (7 January), Peter Mensch spoke to MusicRadar.com saying that there are now no plans for a reunion without Plant.

"They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out,” he explained. “That was it. The whole thing is completely over now. There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it."

Mensch concluded: "Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn't see them in 2007, you missed them. It's done. I can't be any clearer than that."

Back in September 2008, singer Robert Plant said he had no plans to work with Led Zeppelin while he was recording and touring with the bluegrass singer Alison Krauss, with whom he created the Mercury nominated album Raising Sands.

To hear more from this interview listen again to the Music Week or download the Music Week podcast.

Matt Everitt

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Comments so far

zeppelin44 panama city fl
you know we listen to the back in the dats Led Zeppelinabd love it, but ther will never be another Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham or Paul Jones. As much as we love them all respect goes out to Robert Plant as he needs to fullfill all of his obligations, and after that maybe we will see him in the limelight of Led Zeppelin. As far as the rest of the band, my god Jimmy we love you and will always listen to you as you are the GREASTEST GUITARIST EVER!!!!!!!!!!! We go back to the very first days of Led Zeppelin and LOVE every minute of it. ROCK N' ROLL will alwats be a part of US. WE LOVE YOU GUYS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chachie, lawrenceburg tennessee
Jimmy you have always had a talent of getting what you want,Robert belongs with ZEP,you know it.

Zlaya, Sarajevo
It's better for them not to reunite without Plant as Led Zeppelin. Look what happened to Deep Purple and Black Sabbath - consistency in "marks" made Zeps ahead of Purple and Sabbath, nothing else.

Dominic La Rosa from Sydney
I think J,page should care about his Fans more & dig into his Archives by haveing a yearly release to make up of the long years of nothing. Sure,he did give us 2DVD % CD,but time is going by & its not enough for a thirty year gap,repeats that are not different versions does'nt COVER IT,nothing can replase the origenal ZEP years now with or with out Plant.

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA
ZEPPELIN COMPLETELY OVER NOW??!! RUBBISH, RUBBISH AND MORE RUBBISH!!!!! IT'S A (SMOKE SCREEN)..THEY WILL REUNITE...BUT NOT RIGHT NOW...AS FAR AS A PUBLIC OUTCRY...MR. PAGE. MR. JONES, AND MR. BONHAM, JR. ALL HAVE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF TALENT...(YES PLANT, TOO)...AND JUST BECAUSE PLANT IS TOURING WITH ALISON DOES NOT MEAN THEY CANNOT DO SOMETHING ON THERE OWN!!! NICE TRY MR. MENSCH...BUT HERE IN AMERICA NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE YOUR STATEMENT!!! HAD IT COME DIRECTLY FROM JIMMY PAGE THEN PERHAPS...NICE TRY...IT SURE QUIETED THE (MILLIONS) OF FANS WORLDWIDE AND THE PRESS DIDN'T IT??!! (THERE'S A FEELING I GET WHEN I LOOK TO THE EAST)...(AND IT MAKES ME WONDER)...WELL GUESS WHAT PETER??!! MILLIONS MIGHT BE QUIET NOW BUT THEY DON'T FOR A MINUTE BELIEVE YOU!!!! "RED" 01/14/2009

Ron "led-head"Budden.Lansing,Michigan.
It's A shame,But either way I would Go see the show Ether way.I wish all member the best of luck in ether path they take.I look for what happen-happen? I be the first to see them.

Lena
When was the Mensch interview taped?

Hanky Panky/LA
All getting rather boring chaps. Dont think you would have done this in the "70s. There is just so much rubbish out there that noone has knocked you off your pearch. Wonderful being a bully isnt it? The talent is there, they just werent allowed to come through and now we have to live with another Kylie Minogue...Boooooooring. What are you going to call the new band with perhaps David Coverdale? Led Zimmerframe?!!

John Jenkins, Swansea
It is still Led Zeppelin, even if Percy says no. If bands had to scrap names every time someone leaves, then we wouldn't have AC/DC, Blach Sabbath, Rush, Deep Purple, The Who, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Iron Maiden, The Rolling Stones,etc. Time to move on.

Warren
I think it would be fine if they did it but called it something else, ie: "Zep Mark II". It's not like they would have any problem selling out stadiums anyway.

timmy /new zealand.
There's been a lot of talk about ;No Robert plant = No Led zeppelin.But I cant help but wonder.If Jimmy page and Robert plant are still talking to each other ;as Robert has publicly said that they are.Could it be possible for Robert to write the lyrics for any songs that the band were to record and there for having his name credited to the "new songs".would this be enough to technically still be able to use the Led zeppelin "name"?.

John McGarry, Brampton, Ontario
I don't think that you will EVER FIND anyone that will foot the bill on Robert Plant. That will never happen unless a miracle occurs, anyways Led Zepplin is not Led Zepplin without Robert Plant.

Frank Enscense
Unfortunately most of Jimmy's solo excusions have been rubbish, he needs Plant's strong ego to balance out his own grandiouse view of himself.

Storby-Texas
This is the worst idea I've ever heard...any configuration sans Robert Plant could never EVER be considered Led Zeppelin. It just sounds like Jimmy Page is ready to whore his talents out to make a buck.

Jen
That's Just awful. Plant is the voice of Led Zeppelin. I think this will ruin the legend and status of LZ if they taint their history with something like this. Then ended when John died because they knew that was it for them. They should have stopped there. Page is just too greedy.

Amyâ€”Denver, CO (the initial U.S. LZ tour locale)
C'mon, Rob. You are the voice of LZ, and no one could ever take your place. Give your fans a new reason to wake up in the morning!

Chav, Youmom
Just put Page with the Black Crowes again,dammit

James Martin Philadelphia, PA
Without Plant, this venture would be a complete and utter misguided travesty. Why don't you try David Coverdale again, Jimmy! A total sham.

John Stossel
Wow dude, no way, that is WAY too cool!

Ivan, Belgrade
Heh, Coverdale would come to mind as a perfect choice. He already has a good history with Page, and unlike Plant, he still has an awesome voice.

Tim Bird, Helsinki
But it's not Led Zeppelin, is it? Couldn't possibly be.

B_Boy Leeds
They should get a decent female vocalist in my opinion...never much liked Robert Plant in the first place