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The Led Zeppelin reunion tour rumour bandwagon has been going on for months now, with twists at every turn. Since the band played together at the 02 Arena late last year, there have been calls from band members and fans alike for a full world tour to take place.
September saw a flurry of activity. First we heard news that Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham had issued an ultimatum to Robert Plant telling him to get on board or be replaced. Then came a report that Plant had indeed signed on the dotted line, a report proved false by Plant himself when he categorically stated he wouldn’t be involved with Led Zeppelin for at least the next two years.
The latest newspaper reports suggest that the new singer who has been rehearsing with the band is Myles Kennedy, a singer I’ve never heard of but who currently fronts Alter Bridge. After Plant’s refusal to play ball, it seems the rest of Led Zeppelin, plus Myles Kennedy, are making plans to head out and play live.
MuchMusic got the scoop after one of its reporters interviewed Dee Snider of Twisted Sister. He shares a manager with Plant, and claims to have inside knowledge of the current state of play. According to Snider, the following describes what happened between Robert Plant and the rest of the band.
“We’re all rehearsed, we’re ready to go. Here’s a gazillion dollars on the table.”
“If you don’t do it, we’re going out with this kid. And he can sing the shit out of Zeppelin And they’re gonna hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, ‘OK’, and step in.”
“Before having the lead singer of Alter Bridge out with John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Jason Bonham.”
Snider may not be the most credible source but why would he lie? The Guardian reports that his version of events is also backed up by Kevin “The Caveman” Shirley, who wrote a blog post as long ago as September 23rd claiming:
“Heard a very troubling rumour – there is a singer from a Florida heavy metal band who is pretty close to becoming My-Fave-Band-Ever’s singer. As the old one has a separate happening career. I have to admit to shock, shock, shock.”
It all adds up to strong evidence of not only the ultimatum having taken place but Kennedy being the new singer. Which is quite shocking. Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant? Could it really happen?
I can’t believe that Robert Plant has said no to reforming the greatest rock band ever, but even more unbelievable is Led Zeppelin reforming without him and getting a replacement in to sing instead. It’s just unfathomable to imagine Led Zep without Plant at the helm.
In the same way that Queen suck without Freddie Mercury, Led Zeppelin just won’t be Led Zeppelin without Plant involved. If this tour does happen with Kennedy at the front of the stage, then I won’t be buying tickets. What’s the point when I’ll just be seeing three quarters of the band and paying through the nose for the privilege. I may as well see a tribute act for a couple of dollars instead.
[Photo Source: From Newscom with permission]
cara
vc nau sabe o que um vocalista nas oitavas
se ver a musica na maior performace Led Zeppelin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4lHNMqWZg0
além do melhor cantor que ja vi
toca e sola na guitarra
se escultar o alter bridge
concerteza vai ver uma banda que nunca vc viu antes
i am like alter bridge forever boys,!
Have you guys seen the footage of a 1970 concert at The Royal Albert Hall where they do Bring It On Home? Robert was so much more than just a singer; he was the life and soul of that band; the centre. His harmonica playing, dancing/grooving/feeling the music and vibe and incredible charisma were spell-binding. And this was before MSG and tight pants. He was obviously always going to be a huge success. That kind of beauty-in voice, spirit and physicality-is so rare. Yes Page was terrific, too, but without Robert I would not want to see a Zeppelin concert.
Myles Kennedy is an amazing vocalist with an incredible 4 octave range. If any one can fill Plant’s shoes, he can. Listen to Alter Bridge on youtube and be amazed! Iv’e seen them live 4 times and he never fails to deliver. Not only that, he is a really nice ,kind ,humble guy.Oh and did I mention what a brilliant giutarist he is? He actually used to tutor the guitar.
If I may, interject another argument for using Myles.
The point of a tour is to hear the musicians who made that music that you love on record..to go out and hear them play it live. Heres the problem with Zep:
John’s gone, but I think his son taking over the family business for a year or two to allow a new generation to hear his music is something he would approve!
The problem with Plant and his age is that 90 percent of zeppelin vocals are sung in a rare powerful falsetto/head voice that Plant obviously lost the ability to use sometime in the late 70′s due to lack of vocal training and constant abuse (it’s a fragile ability to be able to sing like that).
Anyone who heard the 02 perfromance can attest that thought its one of plant’s best in this decade, he still has lost half of his register.
So if its your wish to watch Plant stand on stage with Zep but don’t care how the performance sounds and bask in the novelty, obviously you would not get that with Myles. But what you will get is a better performance as I can attest to after seeing Alter Bridge perform “Rock and Roll” live. He is amazing. Myles would give a performance more worthy of your ticket price in my honest opinion.
I love Plant and Zep, but I gotta side with the musicians who want to go out and perform rather than the one that wants to sit on his ass. I know how it feels to want to play and have a member be a jackass and not be a team player. It’s not the original Zep, no. But Page and Jonesy were very much masterminds of their music and I think they have the right to stake claim on their band despite critics.
This may be what these guys need to do as musicians to retire and eventually pass on without regret…to not have to wonder..”What if we went out and played this music for people all over the world again? Would it have been some of the most rewarding moments in our lives? Would it have brought joy to many?”
I think deep down inside Plant knows he cant sing those songs every night on a tour. If he does he better enlist a world class vocal coach like Brett Manning or Seth Riggs to go on tour with him.
So my advice to Zep:
Save the bribery cash for lawyers to take the Zep name on tour. You got most of the living individuals who made this band and music willing to go and I don’t want to see Plant perform with his heart not in it.
My two cents
Myles Kennedy is an incredible singer and the front man for the band Alter Bridge who used to be Creed and Im sure you have heard of them. He has a very similar style to Plant and can sing the hell out of Kashmir. Search it on youtube and you will be impressed. I would pay to see them. Alter Bridge is the best band on the planet right now and has a big following world wide. I saw them in concert and Myles voice is flawless live. He really has a 4 octave range.
I’ve actually have heard Myles Kennedy on the Alter Bridge records and I can tell this guy can do more than just being a ‘replacement’, he is also very advanced guitar player. If you like zep then you’ll definitely like Alter Bridge and wonder why they aren’t more famous. Check this link out if you wanna know what I’m saying:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz_j7nVCJJ0
PS- the first half of the guitar solo is Myles’
it’s obvious some people are and some are’nt gonna like it but its all oppinion, plant moved on page didnt, dont complain cause no one seemed to care when they played with jason b at the o2 arena, you cant say led zeppelin isn’t led zeppelin without plant because even with him there still not, it would be a lot cooler to see them with plant but he moved on, wait and hear kennedy and see if he’s any good then you can say you liked robert plant better, i know i will but they’ll be better than any of that shit rock that artists come out with today, beside’s there givin you a chance to see jimmy page and john paul jones play zeppelin
I’m COMPLETELY intruiged with the idea of Zep with a new singer. You people are part of the reason rock sucks today. ITS MUSIC, not your mom and dads marriage. If Plant is done fine, but if Page isnt, why shouldnt he move on with someone else? Are you writing an abridged history of Zep? If so, add another chapter. or dont! But thats your choice, stop making ridiculous, absolute statements for everyone else. You sound like my granfather.
I totally agree, you are right all the way
Hmmm. If you remember a few years back, Jimmy Page did a tour with the Black Crowes and Chris Robinson apparently did Robert Plant’s part rather well.
There’s no reason to believe that this new mutant band will be called Led Zeppelin, and I hope it won’t be! Having said that, creating a new entity would free them up to write new music without the legacy of Zeppelin to protect – everything Brian May and Roger Taylor did wrong by reforming Queen.