LED ZEPPELIN DENY 2008 TOUR RUMORS + OTHER UPDATES

According to an article at MonstersandCritics.com, an aide to Led Zeppelin claims “no decision has been made” as to whether they will follow up their comeback concert at London’s O2 arena on December 10 with a globetrotting series of shows. The rumor mill swirled last week after Cult singer Ian Astbury announced at a show in Cincinnati that The Cult would open a 2008 tour for a band whose name had an “L” and “Z” in it. Jimmy Page himself seems to think a reunion is inevitable; “It’s a bit selfish to do just one show. If that’s it, we probably shouldn’t have taken the genie out of the bottle.”

But Led Zep fans will have to wait at least a little longer to see their heroes, as Robert Plant has announced that he will tour in early 2008 with Alison Kraus to promote the pair’s wildly successful collaborative CD Raising Sand. Even so, we think it’s pretty far-fetched to imagine a full tour wouldn’t happen in these reunion-happy times.

In related news, The UK’s The Sun reports that the band is having to rearrange some classic tracks to accommodate Page and Plant’s physical limitations due to age. The band has been rehearsing some songs in a lower key because 59-year-old Plant’s voice is deeper. Says the sun, “He and guitarist Jimmy Page have had a few heated discussions about the upcoming gig. Jimmy is a bit rusty and Robert has been struggling with the high notes. To avoid any embarrassing vocal wobbles with the world watching, they decided it would be best to transpose the songs in a lower key.”

Jason Bonham was unavailable for comments as to whether he would have to transpose his drum parts.

-VN