Led Zeppelin continue search for singer

John Paul Jones confirms shock plans

Michael Leonard, Mon 27 Oct 2008, 12:07 pm UTC

Will Page and Jones tour as 'Led Zeppelin'?

Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones has confirmed that that he, guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer Jason Bonham are looking for a new singer.

Led Zeppelin – with John Bonham's son Jason on drums – reunited in December 2007 for an appearance at London's O2 Arena.

Recent reports suggested that Page and Jones in particular were keen to play live once again, with a full tour, but singer Robert Plant made it clear he would not consider touring again with Page and Jones for the next two years.

However, John Paul Jones has now confirmed that an active search for a new frontman is continuing.

During a weekend Q&A session at the Manson's Guitar Show, Exeter, UK, Jones said:

"As soon as we know who it is, we'll let you know." John Paul Jones on a new 'Led Zeppelin' singer

"As you probably know, Jimmy, Jason and I are actually rehearsing and we've had the odd singer come in and have a bash. As soon as we know - which we don't - we will let you know. But we really hope that something is going to happen soon because we really want to do it and we're having a lot of fun, actually, just rehearsing.

"Jason is actually tremendous... We really wanna do something and Robert doesn't want to do this, at least for the moment. I don't really know what his plans are. He really doesn't want to make loud music anymore. We do. I mean, I love acoustic music, but it doesn't stop me from turning something up. And what we've done so far sounds absolutely fantastic. When it does come, it will come, and you'll know about it," said Jones.

Jones added that once a singer was confirmed, a tour would then be planned. Jones also indicated during the interview that there could well be a DVD of Led Zeppelin's O2 show released.

While that does not reveal much, it does confirm the search is continuing despite Robert Plant's refusal to take part.

Twisted Sister's Dee Snider recently claimed Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy would be the new singer. More ludicrously, the UK's Daily Mail newspaper claim Aerosmith's Steven Tyler has been rehearsing with Page, Jones and Bonham.

Could Page and Jones really go out as Led Zeppelin with a different singer? Or would they need to use a new name?

Jimmy Page turns 65 in January 2009, Jones will be 63.

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User comments (7)

65Casino

43 weeks ago.

Acedrums.... you seem to talk out both sides of your ... well, butt. From the greatest legacy of any rock band... neglecting and then crapping on the legacy of 3 guys that pack a lot of talent... not the guitarist he used to be. You would crap your pants if you got on stage and had to play with him or say Clapton, Beck, John Paul, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, or as they say... the list goes on and just wish you had that kind of energy.
And after visiting your MySpace... they all seem to be your mentors. If you favor their sounds and music... is Chelsa Burns or any other new band for that matter, just another cover band of sorts? Wanna be Stones, Zep and the like? Where is your original sound? Not on your MySpace... you sound a lot like some of the bar bands here in the states... a dime a dozen with overtones of the late 60's thru the 90's.
To be honest, I enjoyed your sound, but the lyrics lack the depth of the old / new days.
And you mention they have lost their looks... sheesh... have you looked in the mirror lately? What look is that you have? Deja vu. JPJ's bass lines - anyone can play them live... and in caps, please do not release an album... it will sound dated and cheesy...you left out the part of "just roll over and die you old ass hazbeens"... but thanks for the lessons you gave us...
Lets put your new album out (oh sorry...you don't have one?) and Queens cheesy crap... who is gonna be able to buy that new shiney set of drums or shiney new guitar to put in that shiney new limo... Guess who I put my money on...
I guess once you hit 40, you will get crap like this but just once I would like to see one of you piss your pants getting on stage with an old timer.
Don't quit your day job.

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Alberto

44 weeks ago.

I think it's not a good idea. Page isn't the same guitarist he used to be.

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ros47ie

Tue 4 Nov 2008, 6:55 pm UTC

Its very interesting I wonder just who owns the Led Zeppelin name,is it messers Page/Jones

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fatherjack

Tue 28 Oct 2008, 9:50 am UTC

Could this be part of the reason the Foo Fighters announced they were taking a break for a while?
I agree that they shouldn't use the Led Zeppelin name, but it'd be nice to see if they've still got the creatibe spark for a new album, and maybe someone like Dave Grohl would be a help in that respect.

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AJM

Tue 28 Oct 2008, 9:42 am UTC

Quite happy for Page + Jones to tour and make albums with with whoever they want. However, rather dissapointed if they use the Led Zeppelin name to do so. When it was Page + Plant a few years back they managed okay without calling themselves Zeppelin and no one much minded.

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Cowbell

Tue 28 Oct 2008, 9:34 am UTC

It'll never happen in a million years, but I'd love to see Symphony X's Russell Allen take on the vocal duties - the best singer in modern rock & metal by a country mile IMO. They sometimes do a fantastic (but brief) cover of Immigrant Song live as well. Myles Kennedy would be cool, but really wouldn't want to see Steven Tyler with them...

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acedrums

Mon 27 Oct 2008, 5:16 pm UTC

I wish they wouldnt tour. This is ridiculous, do they have no integrity? They have the greatest legacy of any rock band and they seem, with the exception of Robert, all to happy to take a shit on it. Led Zep simply isnt Led Zep without Plant. Page is not the guitarist he used to be, JPJ wrote amazing basslines but anyone can play them live, and Bonzo is dead. As they have neither their energy or their look anymore this tour will essentially seem like a very highly budgeted covers band. Whomever they get to sing, be it Myles or anyone else will be on better form than the band, yet that just serves to make the whole thing more of a joke. Ultimately I have no doubt that anyone that watches this gigs with an unbiased eye will leave feeling that they have just seen a covers band. AND PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT RELEASE AN ALBUM. It will sound dated and cheesy, just as all albums by old rock bands do. I mean just listen to the new Queen record. What a pile of cheesy crap.

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