Re: Page denies Zep reunion rumors

["John Bindon" <john_bindon@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Right!!  It always saddens me when I read time and time again, that >they
>don't want to get together for old times sakes.  We all know no one can
>replace Bonzo, but I bet Bonzo would want them to give it a go, just >to 
>show
>the world that there is still magic with these men when they get >together.
>I wouldn't want them to call themselves Led Zeppelin, because without 
> >Bonzo
>they are NOT Led Zeppelin, but simply Page/Plant & Jones would be >great.
>Show the world how to rock n roll the right way :) Boys.


I have to disagree with most of this statement because after reading through 
the Q Zeppelin special issue, something became even more evident to me than 
before.  Seeing those photos drove home the point to me that Led Zeppelin 
was more than just a band, it was an era or attitude in a sense.  Throughout 
the 70's, Zeppelin was able to dominate the world of music.  I don't really 
know how to express my thoughts on this except that their entire career from 
start to finish was magic.  What Peter Grant had them doing in terms of the 
music business was unprecedented which added to the power and mystique of 
Zeppelin.  There was a definite underground, rebellious element to the music 
of Zeppelin which transferred over to their audiences.  Basically a no 
frills, balls to the wall display of sheer musicianship and force.  Reunion 
efforts would be completely lost through the way music is spoon fed to 
listeners today "Led Zepplin Reunion 2003, Brought to you by your local 
Cadillac and GM dealer."

I've seen Page/Plant in '95 and '98 and Jones' solo tour.  While they're all 
gifted musicians, I don't think any amount of musicianship can make up for 
all the factors that were just right for them in the 70's.  There are too 
many reasons to list of why a reunion tour by the remaing members would not 
be the same.  Whether it's Dave Grohl, Jason Bonham, or even a resurected 
John Henry Bonham on drums, Led Zeppelin as I and many others have come to 
love and obsess over is no more.

Look at what disasters Live Aid and the Atlantic 40th were for these guys.  
Yeah, I guess you could say it was technically Zeppelin but these shows were 
worse than any trainwrecked show from '77 or '80.  Pure and simple it was 
manufactured music that came from there amps just so it could be called a 
Zeppelin reunion.

Would I up to $1000 US to see a reunited "Led Zeppelin"?  Probably, but 
that's just because I suffer from sever Led Poisoning.  Am I completely 
against the idea of the surviving members getting back together?  No, but I 
wouldn't want to see them billed as Led Zeppelin playing their greatest hits 
or watch them try to fill arenas as they once did.  Instead, I think they 
would be better respected and possibly more well received if they were to 
tour small clubs, playing completely new material.  Doing this would not 
compromise their ability or reputation as musicians and songwriters.  It'd 
be a great chance for them all to work together as they explored each others 
musical interests (which is how Zeppelin was able to produce so much music 
in the first place.)  Robert could do his old folk tunes, Jimmy could play 
the riff heavy stuff that's been waiting to get out of his system since they 
ended with ITTOD, and just give Jonsey his truckload of instruments from his 
solo tour and see what he comes up with, I'm sure it will be fantastic (just 
no singing though, please.)

As I've grown older with Zeppelin I've come to the realization that what 
makes Zeppelin so valuable is the fact that it's gone.  Same as a '58 Les 
Paul, valuable because the supply's so sparse.  If all members had survived 
or even if they got over there differences and reunited, it would never be 
the same as the magic that made them Rock Gods of the 1970's.