Led Zeppelin confirm reunion gig

Led Zeppelin confirm reunion gig

The surviving members of legendary rock group Led Zeppelin are to reform for a star-studded tribute concert in London.

Singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones will play at the show to remember the late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun.

The one-off concert, the trio’s first performance for 19 years, will take place at the O2 arena on 26 November.

Tickets will cost £125 and be allocated by ballot. Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and Paolo Nutini will also perform.

Ertegun, who signed Led Zeppelin in 1968, died last year.

The place of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980, will be taken by his son Jason.

Plant said: “During the Zeppelin years, Ahmet Ertegun was a major foundation of solidarity and accord.

“For us, he was Atlantic Records and remained a close friend and conspirator. This performance stands alone as a tribute to the work and life of a longstanding friend.”

The news is likely to spark a huge rush for tickets as devoted fans scramble to get into what could be the band’s last show.

Tickets will only be available to those who register on a dedicated website, ahmettribute.com, and will be limited to two successful applications per household.

With their pounding, blues-influenced anthems and explosive stadium shows, Led Zeppelin paved the way for artists across the worlds of heavy metal and alternative rock.

Their best-known songs include Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, Kashmir and Communication Breakdown – although they never released singles in the UK.

Led Zeppelin’s last full concert was in Berlin in July 1980 – two months before John Bonham died.

‘Whole set’

Page, Plant and Jones performed at Live Aid five years later, and also get back together at a concert to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Atlantic Records in 1988.

But a rift between Jones and the other two band members opened after Page and Plant started working together without him in the 1990s.

Rumours of a reconciliation surfaced several years ago, leading to speculation about a reunion.

Harvey Goldsmith, who is promoting the concert, said that he had originally asked the three band members to play a 30-minute set.

“Jason Bonham became part of the catalyst, and they did a week’s rehearsal,” he said. “We had a meeting and Robert turned around and said we’re not going to do 30 minutes, we’re doing to do a whole set.”

“It’s a day I never thought would come,” said Dave Lewis, editor of Led Zeppelin fan magazine Tight But Loose. “The four people on stage in 2007 – wake me up, I’m dreaming!”

The concert coincides with the release of a new two-CD best of compilation, Mothership, on 13 November.

Profits from the show will go towards scholarships in Ertegun’s name in UK, the USA and Turkey, the country of his birth.

His wife Mica said: “He would be very proud that Led Zeppelin have chosen to reunite and headline a benefit concert in his name featuring so many of his friends.

Goldsmith said Ertegun “became a friend and was my mentor”.

“Our industry deeply misses such a giant of music,” he said. “It is a fitting tribute that these great artists have all come together to perform in his memory.”

He also warned that tickets being sold on the black market would be cancelled.

Paolo Nutini, Ertegun’s last UK signing, went on to score a hit album last year.

“He touched my life with his amazing personality and opened a few doors when I was starting my career,” he said.

“He was a special guy, a real gentleman and it’s such a shame he’s gone but a massive tribute that all his music lives on – and will do forever.”

Story from BBC NEWS

Published: 2007/09/12 17:17:05 GMT

© BBC MMVII

So, who wants to buy my soul for £125?

I’m really not kidding. For Sale. The soul of William Charles Forbes. Price: the £125 I need to enter the ballot for a ticket.

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