Should Led Zeppelin Tour in 2008?
by Reg Seeton

Can Led Zeppelin, one of the most popular and influential rock bands of all time, pull off another tour? Forget the fact that the original bandmembers (excluding the late John Bonham) haven't performed together in almost 20 years, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page gave fans a psuedo-version of Led Zeppelin back in 1995 with their "No Quarter" World Tour. At the time, many wondered if Plant could hit the high notes and deliver the same vocal intensity that made the band a household name in the '70s. As it turned out, Plant and Page reinvented themselves by tweaking classic Zeppelin arrangements within a more fluid and meandering Middle-Eastern sound to accomodate for their maturation. In the end, it worked. Despite a few kinks here and there, it was an amazing. Despite the lack of John Paul Jones on bass, fans got what they wanted while Plant and Page walked away with their "legend status" still intact. Although fans didn't get a full-blown Led Zeppelin reunion, it was definitely a win-win scenario for both the fans and Page and Plant.

As for the rumors of a new Led Zeppelin world tour after the band's performance to celebrate the life of late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun on December 10, a 2008 world tour might not be the smartest move. Then again, the timing might not be better. As recent new reports have suggested, it appears Page and Plant have been addressing issues related Plant's voice while rehearsing for their upcoming reunion gig. Although we've been enduring the same recycled rumors for years, that Robert Plant can no longer hit the high notes, at what point do the long-standing rumors start to become a reality?

If the rumors of a 2008 Led Zeppelin tour do come true, fans might want to rearrange their own levels of expectation to meet the apparent organic changes within the band in order to pull off the one-time tribute gig at London's O2 Arena. Remember, it's 2007 not 1977 and Plant shouldn't be expected to hit the same high notes as he did in his twenties. After all, the guy's 59. As we all know, though, change is a good thing and the music world is a much better place with Led Zeppelin than without.

Should Led Zeppelin tour the world in 2008?

CONCERNS:

The obvious question...Why now?

For years (even decades), Led Zeppelin fans have been begging for a reunion tour with the late John Bonham's son, Jason, on the skins. It's been one of the biggest musical no-brainers of the last century when talking band reunions. The key question is: Why now? Why, after so many years of fan demand, is this even a consideration? Wouldn't the band and the fans have been better served by a Led Zeppelin reunion years ago? Even with Jason Bonham on drums, will the band be able to deliver an intensity that they could have given fans ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago? From a practical "let's-get-it-over with" standpoint, Plant, Page, Jones, and the younger Bonham could have put together a world tour years ago just to say to the world, "We did it. There you go. Don't expect it ever again." Sure, a series of random one-off reunion gigs makes sense, but a full blown world tour? Why now? There's no denying that the music world is a much better place with a Led Zeppelin tour, but why didn't this happen years ago?

Why "No Quarter" in 1995?

It's hard to believe that it's been twelve years since Jimmy Page and Robert Plant went out on tour together in 1995 for their live "No Quarter" album without Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones. Despite the fan reception and success of the tour, it's still somewhat of a mystery to this day why a real Led Zeppelin reunion tour didn't occur in 1995. It was the perfect opportunity. It still begs the question: Why didn't Page and Plant include John Paul Jones and go the extra mile to enlist Jason Bonham? It's hard to look back on 1995 and not think the entire tour was a missed opportunity for a Led Zeppelin reunion. If Led Zeppelin goes out on tour in 2008, let's hope the three original members coupled with John Bonham's offspring make for a whole lotta love. If anything, let's hope Jones has enough love for his old bandmates after the 1995 snub.

The Global Marathon:

The secret to lengevity for a lot of aging rockers, namely The Rolling Stones, The Police, and Ozzy, has been their ability to stay in decent physical shape. Well, in Ozzy's case it has a lot to do with wife Sharon, but it's astounding that the Stones and Ozzy have been able to tour well past their prime. Didn't Ozzy say in the '80s he was done with touring? Who could have predicted that Keith Richards and Ozzy would still be alive let alone be on tour in 2007. The last time we saw John Paul Jones, the famous bassist looked like he could still endure a world tour. As for Jason Bonham, if he can take a role in a reality show with Sebastian Bach and Ted Nugent, there's no doubt he can win the the marathon of a 100 city tour. The bigger question is whether Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are in decent enough shape to make it to the finish line. Despite the concerns and questions, the answer is simple... if Ozzy can do it, so can Led Zeppelin. If Led Zeppelin does go out on tour in 2008, let's hope it also serves as a wake up call for David Gilmour, Rogers Waters, and the rest of Pink Floyd.

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