Led Zeppelin done, Jimmy Page's manager says

Despite rumors over past months that the remaining members of Led Zeppelin would record new material and tour after replacing frontman Robert Plant, "Led Zeppelin are over," said Jimmy Page's manager to MusicRadar. "If you didn't see them in 2007, you missed them. It's done. I can't be any clearer than that."

This comes just after contradictory news on Wednesday that Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham were ready to move on without Plant, according to statements by Page's manager, Peter Mensch, to BBC 6 Music.

After Plant opted out of a rumored 2009 tour with the band, speculation began that Led Zeppelin would go on without him, perhaps even with Alter Bridges' Myles Kennedy stepping up to the mic.

And although Plant declined to get on board, it only makes sense that the rest of the band would continue making music, Mensch said Wednesday.

"People don't really understand it," Mensch said. "Jimmy Page has been playing guitar professionally since he was 16 years old. Jimmy Page likes being a musician. He doesn't want to be a race car driver or a solicitor."

Leading up to Zep's reunion show in 2007, Page, Jones and Bonham rehearsed together without Plant and had a good time doing so, Mensch said.

"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," Mensch said.

The search to find a replacement for Plant, however, was unsuccessful, Mensch told MusicRadar.

"They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out," he said. "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."

Fair enough.

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4 Comments

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By Rich on January 9, 2009

overrated.
there i said it.

By Darcy McGee on January 9, 2009

Lord, I HOPE they're gone. I get so tired of bands breaking up then getting back together to relive the glory days.

Robbie Robertson makes a comment in The Last Waltz that he just couldn't see himself doing it for more than the 16 years he'd already done it. They were all tired...they all agreed....

and yet...

Just like major league sports and salaries though, if the fans weren't willing to pay the bands wouldn't do it.

I for one respect artists who don't sell out, which is why I still dig Neil Young who's never stopped and never stopped experimenting, and Jeff Tweedy who keeps moving forward...

By Jason on January 9, 2009

Plant probably realizes there's no way he could do a whole summer of screeching-weasel Led Zep vocals. His shows with Alison Krauss were amazing and a good fit for his aged voice. He's moved on.

By AJ on January 15, 2009

To the comment above.. Zeppelin has never reunited for touring purposes. They reunited for charitable events, where other artists were on the bill. Can you blame them for looking into touring again? The show for Ahmet was a HUGE success. I give Robert credit for staying committed to what he was already invovled with. If he chose to do it it would be for the money. If they were to do it, I believe it would be solely for the joy of making the music. If it was for money, Jimmy, Jason, and JPJ would be pulling their hair out for a singer and not ending their effort.

Led Zeppelin was one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever. They did it with little air-play. They did it with few "middlemen," they did it better than everyone else. They did it THEIR way.

I would have liked to see them re-unite for a tour. I am sad it will not happen. But, I respect the reasoning and the lack of desperation. Bands like the EAGLEs did it for the money..they hate one another!

At least Zeppeling bowed out gracefully with their legacy in tact.