There are two kinds of legendary rock bands; those that are still touring, and those that are constantly rumored to reunite and play together again. Led Zeppelin falls into that second category. They can’t fully reunite, as drummer John Bonham is dead, but they did play a one-off reunion show in 2007, with Bonham’s son Jason filling in on the drums. It is through Jason that rumors of a possible reunion for Led Zeppelin has risen once again.
Asked about the possibility of Zeppelin playing once more, Jason Bonham said, “In my heart of hearts… I do believe we will play together again. It remains to be seen if it will be in public or privately, but I do think we will play again.” Of course, the notion of Zeppelin playing again in private is not exactly exciting, and this is also just the word of one guy, and arguably the least important part of a Led Zeppelin reunion. Others have been less enthused at the notion.
Robert Plant decided to step away from the band after that reunion show, and guitarist Jimmy Page has plans for a solo tour, unrelated to Led Zeppelin, in 2016. When Rolling Stone interviewed Page in 2014, he was, shall we say, less optimistic than Bonham about a reunion, stating, “A tour would have been an absolute menagerie of vested interests and the very essence of everything that’s sh*tty about big-time stadium rock. We were surrounded by a circus of people that would have had our souls on the fire. I’m not part of a jukebox.”
Bonham also mentions a previous occasion when Led Zeppelin almost toured without Plant, and they auditioned possible replacements, including Steven Tyler of Aerosmith fame. In short, Jason Bonham thinks Led Zeppelin will play again, but he may be the only one.
(Via Rolling Stone)
