It used to be that when a band split up, it stayed split up – but these days everyone gets back together eventually, even absurd rock legend-makers Led Zeppelin, who have just announced a comeback show.
Just one show, mind you. All of Led Zeppelin – barring John Bonham, who can't have been too into the idea – are getting back together for one show only on November 26 in London as a tribute to dead Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. Obviously demand will be gigantic for the reformed Led Zeppelin show, which is probably why all tickets are being sold at £125, officially making it this autumn's must-see for people who have a lot of money and yet lack the sense to realise that they're basically going to be watching three very old systematically dismantle their good memories of what the band were like first time round.
The curse of the comeback seems to affect every band around these days – close your eyes and throw a dart into hecklerspray and chances are you'll hit several reunion stories, be it about The Spice Girls or Rage Against The Machine or The Verve – to such an extent that part of us honestly believes that it won't be long before we'll have to inform you that Paul McCartney is getting The Beatles back together again, with John Lennon and George Harrison dug up and operated like particularly gruesome marionette puppets.
And now Led Zeppelin are getting in on the act too. In their prime, Led Zeppelin oozed raw, Earth-conquering power – a byproduct of which was the sort of ludicrous excess and self-important cod-runic mysticism that turned the band into walking punchlines. Now, though, Led Zeppelin are a man who looks like Michael Winner, a shaved Tommy Saxondale and some bloke we last heard playing the mandolin on the radio in such a jaw-droppingly awful way that we honestly thought he was taking the piss. And now that experience could be yours to witness, for just £125. Reuters reports:
The official tickets Web site crashed shortly after the announcement as fans swarmed it for a chance to see the band, known to many of its fans simply as Zep. The concert organizer, Harvey Goldsmith, said he thought it would be a one-off show, not a full-fledged reunion tour, but said the band seemed to be bonding well together again. Bonham's son Jason will wield the drum sticks for Led Zeppelin, joining its founding members: singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones… "This performance stands alone as our tribute to the work and the life of our long-standing friend," Plant said in a statement.
But even though they split up 27 years ago, Led Zeppelin has managed to keep itself busy, whether it's suing merchandise websites or being named as the best fantasy supergroup ever. Oh, and reforming, like the great Live Aid Led Zeppelin reunion with Phil Collins on drums that was so bad that the band refused to allow the performance on the DVD.
Will this Led Zeppelin reunion, slated for the O2 Arena, manage to be better than that mess? Only time will tell, but since a lot of it is going to involve a haggard 59-year-old man singing "I got a little schoolgirl and she's all mine" in the style of a witch arguing with a Currys customer service officer, we're going to withhold judgement for now.
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M Murdoch says
‘All of Led Zeppelin – barring John Bonham, who can’t have been too into the idea’ – how much research did you do before publishing this article?!?
Paul Loughhead says
Wow what a well informed piece! a delight to read and obviously well researched. Led Zeppelin split up 27 years ago after the untimely death of John Bonham.
Maybe this is why he who can’t have been too into the idea !!
This article has been written by a complete cretin and an insensative one at that.
For god sake do your homework or don’t write at all.
Sam says
For Paul and Murdoch: Sarcasm, look it up yeah? And while you’re at it look up the word “humour”
Tim Balcombe says
This is not a tacky money spinning Spice Girls reunion. It is a one off mark of respect to a man to whom the band feel they owe a debt and for a lot of fans it is a once in a lifetime oppourtunity to see the band perform live. The gig will not be frequented only by people with a lot of money either, while £125 may seem like a lot of money for one gig, this is one that I personaly (not a man of great wealth) would happily pay double for as I am sure many other people would. I also find it slightly offensive that you don’t credit the average Led Zeppelin fan with the knowledge that people age, a concept that you yourself seem suprised by.
While I am sure you were looking for a individual take on a news item that has mostly been received happily, you have completely missed the mark and only exposed yourself as being terribly ill-informed.
Mithaearon says
M Murdoch and Paul Loughhead comments, classic way not to get the humour of the article. These comments just made me laugh.
Raul Bustamante says
The author of this article is a complete IDIOT! Led Zeppelin are by far the most admired, loved and talented rock group we have ever known. Stuart Heritage is obviously completely jealous of the success of this band. Whats wrong Stuart? Do you hate the fact that the bands I am sure you like couldn’t hold a candle to Led Zeppelin. This moron Stuart Heritage is part of the press corp that refuses to recognize what the important people who buy albums and concert tickets realize. Led Zeppelin has and always will be cherished and adored as the greatest rock band in history. So, go on printing your feeble attempts to tarnish the shine of this great band and just know your opinion is of no significance. See you at the concert Stuart :-)
JBollocks says
I know this has been said many, many times before, but, can you important fans please drop the;
“you are “obviously completely jealous””? It’s trite.
Yes, we’re all obviously jealous of “work” that involves unlimited sex and drugs, and to a lesser extent, having to play a musical instrument ’til 4am.
Adam Gade says
Haha. Raul you are sooo right. Take that press corps loving, music god hatin’ Stuart! Moron…