No Led Zeppelin Reunion: Robert Plant Tears Up $800 Million Contract
Editor’s Note: the original source article for this story, published by the Mirror, has been deleted from their Web site. The Guardian has since heard from Robert Plant’s PR folk, who called the story “rubbish.” Looks like we’re all a little dazed and confused…
The song may remain the same, but the pay was just not enough.
Ultimate Classic Rock is reporting that Plant, 66, tore up a contract presented by Virgin owner Richard Branson valued at $800 million. The contract would reunite Plant with guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham, son of original drummer John Bonham for a one-time, final Led Zeppelin tour covering 35 cities.
Sources report that Page and Jones had already signed the contract and were on board with the project. Bonham was to be paid a set salary for his participation, while the other three were set to split the rest of the large fee evenly.
Plant was offered the contract, then asked for two days to think about it. It seemed that all were ready to embark on this new journey, when Plant, out of the blue, tore the contract up in front of Branson, his former bandmates, the media and promoters that had gathered to report on the reunion that will never be.
“They have tried to talk him round but there is no chance,” a source tells the newspaper. “His (Plant’s) mind is made up, and that’s that.”
The last time Led Zeppelin played as a unit was back in 2007 on a day that they christened “Celebration Day.”
Page Six is reporting that while Plant stated he would need at least two days to think about the proposal, Page, Jones and Bonham signed on to do their part immediately. Plant, however, had been reluctant recently to have anything to do with Led Zeppelin, Plant has been on tour since the end of summer with his latest album, Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar.
Branson was more than prepared to sweeten the pot. He had already had the idea to rechristen one of his jumbo jets “The Starship” to taxi the band around for the 35-city tour. Branson was going to rechristen one of the staircases inside the jumbo jetliner ‘The Stairway To Heaven” after their most iconic hit. Not even that helped.
“Even his (Branson’s) money was not enough to get Plant to sign up,” the source said. The tycoon was doubly upset, not only by Plant’s tempestuous refusal, but in tearing up the contract in front of the band and promoters.
Formed in 1968, Led Zeppelin was the seminal musical act of its day. Plant, Page, Jones and Bonham skyrocketed to superstardom that lasts to this day. Just 12 short years later, drummer Bonham died in a drunken stupor, choking on the aspirated material in his throat.
As of this article, Plant will continue touring for his album, and the fans are left to wondering what might have been.
Editor’s Note: the original source article for this story, published by the Mirror, has been deleted from their Web site. The Guardian has since heard from Robert Plant’s PR folk, who called the story “rubbish.” Looks like we’re all a little dazed and confused…
[Image courtesy of Spin.com]
