London radio is abuzz today of an impending announcement of the reformation of Led Zeppelin, for at least a one-off concert.
The 70s supergroup disbanded in 1980 following the death of their drummer John Bonham. The surviving members decided to discontinue at that point, claiming that the band died with Bonham.However, they have reformed on two occasions since. The first was the 1985 Live Aid concert. Phil Collins replaced Bonham but the band didn't like the performance and refused to allow it to appear on the recent Live Aid DVD. The second occasion was for the Hall of Fame induction in 1995.
Robert Plant & Jimmy Page have also toured together as Plant & Page performing a near complete Led Zeppelin setlist but without the classic 'Stairway To Heaven'.
The November show will be held at London's O2 stadium (formerly the Millenium Dome).
The line-up will be Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones with Bonham's son Jason expected to be announced as the drummer for the show.
While the announcement is yet to be made, newspapers in London today are carrying advertisements for a package deal for the show including accommodation.
Led Zeppelin formed in 1968. The name came from a snide comment by Who drummer Keith Moon who claimed they would sink like a "lead zeppelin".
Led Zeppelin are the biggest hard rock act of all time.
Albums sales in the USA are:
Led Zeppelin (1969) 8 million
Led Zeppelin II (1969) 12 million
Led Zeppelin III (1970) 6 million
Led Zeppelin IV (1971) 23 million
Houses of the Holy (1973) 11 million
Physical Graffiti (1975) 16 million
Presence (1976) 3 million
In Through The Out Door (1979) 6 million)
Drummer John Bonham last day on earth was September 24, 1980. On the way to rehearsals, he had four quadruple vodka shots and a ham sandwich. He continued to drink on the way to the studio but was unable to continue the sessions. He was taken to bed. The next day he was found dead. Bonham was 32 years old.
The cause of death was listed as asphyxiation from vomit.
