Britain's BBC Radio 5 Live have reported that the reformed Led Zeppelin seem likely to tour after onstage remarks from The Cult's Ian Astbury at a Cincinnati show. MTV also reports the gossipy rocker's remarks that his band will return to the city to open for a band beginning with L and with a Z in the name on MTV.
Yesterday, the BBC's rolling news radio station featured an interview with former Guns N Roses Les Paul wrangler Slash, who revealed his disappointment that Australian dates would mean he couldn't attend the O2 arena show by the reforming enormo-monsters of rock.
That London date, a December 10 tribute concert for Atlantic Records' supremo Ahmet Ertegun has sparked an internet ticket frenzy with plenty of frustrated fans railing at Zep's decision to only play it just one more time. Despite tantalising hints at a more complete tour in various interviews nothing has been confirmed, and Astbury's remarks remain an unconfirmed leak.
A full tour would amount to a licence to print money for surviving Zeps and their support act, merchandisers, enormo-dome owners, and so on, and so on.
But are we missing a trick? A swift trawl of myspace comes up with French alternative rockers Lizard Queen at the head of a 10 page list of bands who would easily fit The Cult's spelling tease. Despite tantalising hints at a more complete tour in various interviews nothing has been confirmed, and Astbury's remarks remain an unconfirmed leak.
Article comments
1 - Donald Gibson
Well, it was also reported (I think by MTV) that, after Astbury announced the Cult's opening for a band with an "L" and a "Z," someone in the crowd had enough sense to scream "Led Zeppelin," to which Astbury nodded in agreement and raised his arm. I don't think that's a confirmation, but it's a positive sign.
-Donald
2 - Glen Boyd
I saw Zeppelin four times when they were originally around (which if nothing else, proves only that I am old), and they never used opening acts. It was always a three hour plus extravaganza, which to me makes Astbury's comments at least a little suspect.
Still, if Page and Plant have patched things up with John Paul Jones (which it sounds like they have), they'd be nuts not to do it. This would probably be the biggest reunion tour ever -- far outshining the recent Police trek. I just hope Page is up to it -- on his last couple outings he didn't look or sound all that good.
-Glen
3 - Donald Gibson
I have a feeling that if Pink Floyd decided to tour with Waters, Gilmour, Wright, and Mason, that would be the only outing that could rival a Zeppelin reunion tour.
And I'm already locked in for 3 Springsteen dates and one night of the Clapton/Winwood shows in NYC next year, so I'm hoping these mammoth reunions get spaced out a bit, if only for the mercy of my wallet.
-Donald
4 - Glen Boyd
Donald,
A Floyd tour with Waters on board would be bigger than anything ever, period. I just don't see it. Gilmour doesn't need the money, and from everything I've gathered he pretty much hates Waters guts.
By the way, I'm doing three Bruce shows myself (Seattle, Portland, Vancouver) so I feel ya about the pocketbook hurting. I'll be out about $600. before its all said and done. But worth every damn penny of it. Radiohead are touring next year too, but at least they keep their prices down to about the $50. range. Zeppelin I am betting tops $200. a pop easy. Since I've seen them, I may even sit the reunion shows out.
-Glen
5 - Donald Gibson
Bandmates hating each others' guts never stood in the way of the Eagles cashing in...
-Donald
6 - Glen Boyd
True enough. But I think that the Eagles really do look at their reunion as more of a business proposition. Those english guys have more of a tendency to let silly things like art and friendship to stand in the way. I remember when I was watching the brief Floyd reunion at Live 8, and it was really apparent that Gilmour didn't even want to look in Waters direction. I think the personal bullshit runs really, really deep with those two.
Now, if only somebody could dig Lennon and Harrison up...
-Glen
7 - lono
I have been watching this very closely, almost minute by minute. I am prepared to announce that I DO believe this will happen. Page was interviewed on Wednesday and asked about the Cult and tour rumour. He said something cryptic like "only time will tell".
I honestly see no point in having the Cult open. no no no. You do a 'evening with Led Zeppelin'. Why belittle the momentousness of this event by having an opening band, sharing the stage, or sharing the money.
Knowing how abosutely HUGE this will be, they can only play football stadiums. There is literally no point in playing all the shitty sounding basketball arenas that the other bands play. A summer tour, about 15 to 20 dates, exclusively in football stadiums (which his how the Dead toured, and Floyd, too). They could net a million bucks a night.
that is just ticket sales. think of the merch and how much the CD sales would rise. each living band member could walk away with 100 million bucks after doing this a year.
Jimmy Page strongly agrees, mind you. He believes it is pointless to do all this work for one show. See his words:
"It's a bit silly not to because there is such massive demand," Page told the magazine. "It's a bit selfish to do just one show. If that's it, we probably shouldn't have taken the genie out of the bottle."
The Zeppelin will fly the US. The question is the execution. if they opt to do basketball arenas, tickets will be about $150 each, and they would have to play a week in each city. why bother. Arenas universally hold upwards of 20,000 folks. Football stadiums... about 75,000
so they can crank one of those out in the 20 biggest markets. Charge $75 a piece and still make a killing. I know Plant is concentrating on his Allison Krauss tour and Jonesy has been repeatedly dicked over by the other two. This kinda money bridges everything. For this kinda money, I would hug George Bush... and vote for him.
8 - Glen Boyd
I think your dead on Lono except when it comes to the ticket price. Zeppelin tix are gonna top $200. easy, no matter where they play. If McCartney and the Stones can do it, Zep certainly knows that they can.
-Glen
9 - I KILLED BILBO
WHO CARES! MANY PEOPLE DO, I KNOW THIS MUCH, BUT SERIOUSLY, THEY SUCKED 22 & 19 YEARS AGO WHEN THEY PLAYED LIVE AID AND THE AR40TH. PAGE'S BROKEN FINGER WILL NOT HELP MATTERS MUCH. 65 YEAR OLD BONES DON'T HEAL LIKE 31 YEAR OLD BONES....OR HOWEVER OLD HE WAS IN '75 WHEN HE SMASHED HIS HAND GOOD. PLANT'S VOICE CAN'T HOLD UP. THEY MUST BE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY WITH THE UK TAX SYSTEM SO HIGH. YEP, LED-HEADS A REUNION 15 YEARS TOO LATE. IF THEY TOUR, THEY'LL ONLY REVEAL HOW FAR THEY HAVE FALLEN FROM THEIR ONCE GREATNESS AND I HOPE STEPHEN DAVIS IS THERE TO WRITE ABOUT THAT ONE.