Chances of Led Zeppelin 2009 Tour Shattered

February 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Just days after publicly speaking of a Led Zeppelin Tour without Robert Plant, and even possibilities of a new band name; Manager Peter Mensch sent the world a heart chilling message: “Led Zeppelin are over!”

Rumors began in 2008, after Led Zeppelin performed a reunion tour at London’s 02 in late 07.  Word was Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham were looking to tour once again in mid-late 2009, but vocalist Robert Plant was not interested in another reunion.

Busy touring with Allison Krauss, Plant explained his focus was entirely on that project; and that another Led Zeppelin Tour right now, would just deflate the band’s legacy.
But in September of 2008 the London Sun published the news that Robert Plant, after his unyielding reluctance to take part had Okayed the coveted tour and would be participating in the reunion. The world celebrated the warming news but skepticism of it being just a rumor haunted many.

And so it was. In late 2008 the tables turned with new information that Robert Plant wouldn’t participate; followed by news in January of a Robert Plant-less Led Zeppelin Tour. Manager to the band, Peter Mensch, stated that the band would tour – with or without Plant – and was in the process of looking for a new vocalist. Mensch also mentioned the possibility of the band not touring under the Led Zeppelin name.

Just days after making these statements, yet months into the beginning of this informational (and emotional) rollercoaster, Peter Mensch reported what no Led Zep concert-deprived fan wanted to hear: “Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn’t see them in 2007, then you missed them.” Mensch’s tactful delivery also explained that the band had tried several vocalists, but upon not finding a fitting replacement, they decided not to tour or record altogether.
A sad but wise decision given that Robert Plant’s voice, such as Led Zeppelin’s sound, is complementary, unique and irreplaceable.

According to Billboard, and from Mr. Plant himself, when asked about reforming Led Zeppelin, he only expresses frustration. “. It’s been both frustrating and ridiculous” [to hear rumors of a reunion) he said. This is a clear hint that we won’t be seeing him onstage amongst Jimmy Page, Jason Bonham or John Paul Jones anytime soon, and that it was, after all, just a rumor.

But who is to say the trio won’t be, in fact, playing under a new name; and perhaps releasing a new recording in the future? In my wishful thinking, I hope that if Led Zeppelin is, in fact, over that it won’t necessarily mean Page, Jones and Bonham will not form a new band sometime down the road.

Hopefully, we will get to hear some more from all these talented musicians, on-stage or off-stage; whether it’s under the Led Zeppelin name, or not.

 

 

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Did You Know This?

December 5, 2008 By Leave a Comment
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  • Leo Fender wasn’t a guitarist but a saxophonist. The first product that he manufactured was an amplifier. The aesthetics of Fender’s first amplifier still very much mirrors that of the amps out on the market today.

 

  • The technical denomination of the pick is ‘Plectrum’ from the Greek plektron meaning “thing to strike with”.

 

  • Franz Shuber composed on a guitar hung over his bed as he couldn’t meet the expense of buying a piano.

 

  • Londoner guitar fan Chris Black had a wedding ceremony to marry his melodious and loyal Fender Stratocaster.

 

  • Jimi Hendrix played right-handed guitars, left-handed. In his teenage years, he got expelled from his high-school for holding a white girl’s hand during class.
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How To Play Guitar Like Jimmy Page

October 27, 2008 By 2 Comments
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Hi All,

This lesson is how to play guitar like Jimmy Page. Before we start the video lesson of how to play ‘A Whole Lotta Love’ here is a bit of history of the band for you.

Led Zeppelin- Divided They Stand

Led Zeppelin formed in September of 1968 in London, England. Still considered one of the greatest bands of all time, Led Zeppelin introduced the music world to a fusion of sounds that would later become a genre in itself. With strong blues and folk influences, a guitar-driven sound of heavy riffs and acoustic undertones, the versatile Led Zeppelin presented themselves as the precursors of heavy metal and the innovators of classic rock.

The beginnings of the music group dates back to early 1968, when Jimmy Page left the band ‘The Yardbirds’ and began recruit of a new ‘super band’ with prime credentials: Robert Plant (vocals, harmonica), John Paul Jones (bass, guitar), John Bonham (drums, percussion) and Jimmy Page (guitar). After consolidating its members and under the management of Peter Grant, the band performed their live debut in the University of Surrey on October 15th, 1968. It wasn’t long after their first public appearance that they released their first, self titled, album in 1969. An immediate success, the blues-influenced album compiled distorted, extravagant guitar sounds that later proclaimed the band as the forefathers of heavy metal.

While they toured promoting their first album and building their infamous reputation, the group began working on their second album, ‘Led Zeppelin II’. Filled with assertive sound variations of blues and even more belligerent guitar compositions, the compilation confirmed the bands heavy metal inclinations as well as the member’s inherent talent; subsequently sustaining their rapidly attained success.

Remaining faithful to their heavy style of play the band released ‘Led Zeppelin III’ in 1970. The album encompassed more Celtic influenced sounds, lighter, acoustic rhythms and the occasional aggressiveness, authentic to their first two works.

Immediate popularity brought upon the band increased media and critic attention. Despite the public’s devotion many critics came to deem Led Zeppelin as “overrated”, which encouraged the band to release their next album under no title or band name soughing to prove their music notorious.  So they did. Commonly referred to as ‘The Runes”, the fourth album included many of Zeppelin’s legendary songs, including ‘Stairway to Heaven’, regarded still today to feature one of the greatest guitar solos of all time.
Although the group’s popularity had already soared after their first three albums, it wasn’t until the fourth one that they reached their peak, proving their music timeless and the critics wrong. Their descent, however, slowly followed and despite the release of five more albums post-apogee, although selling well, didn’t attract the attention that the first four engrossed. Within these albums the versatility of the band became a lot more apparent causing many followers to stray away from the band’s ever-changing style. In addition, some members’ struggle with substance abuse and family issues interfered with the band’s proper operation, aiding in their slow coming fall.

‘Physical Graffiti’, released in 1975 after ‘Houses of the Holy’ (1973), was the most popular of their post-peak releases as it caused all of Led Zeppelin’s previous albums to re-enter the top-200. Later came ‘The Song Remains the Same” (1976), ‘Presence” (1976) and finally “In Through the Out Door” (1979).
It was in September of 1980 that the bands true demise occurred, when Jason Bohnam’s alcoholism took his life. Choking on his own vomit he died of asphyxiation, causing Led Zeppelin to, finally, disband.

Led Zeppelin’s career lasted a meager 12 years but their impact in music history went further than they could possibly imagine. The true precursors of heavy metal, Led Zeppelin re-wrote the blueprint of rock and roll and prompted the sovereignty to fuse different musical genres into one. One of the biggest influences in pop culture and for many music enthusiasts to this day, a band that has truly stood the test of time.

Did you take that all in? Good! Then, on with the lesson

Here is the backing track for you

whole-lotta-love-backing-track

to download backing track (right click ‘save target as’ )

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