Update: Robert Plant’s publicist denies the incident.
Just about everyone who has appreciated music over the past forty years has come across the rock gods, Led Zeppelin. Their towering energy defines their music, and paved the way for so many artists after them. Who wouldn’t want to see the three living members of this band, reunited and reliving some of rock and roll’s greatest songs?
Robert Plant, that’s who. In a stunning move, Plant shredded an $800 million reunion contract, offered by Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Atlantic. The other members, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, were on board, as was late drummer John Bonham’s son Jason, who has filled in for his father in the past. The contract had the band playing 35 shows in three locations, including London, Berlin, and New Jersey.
A pretty straightforward way to make an insane amount of money. Right? Wrong.
The Mirror broke this story, with a source saying, “When he said no and ripped up the paperwork he had been given, there was an enormous sense of shock.” The source added, “There is no way they can go ahead without him.”
Branson was even planning to rebrand one of his jumbo jets as the “Stairway to Heaven,” but for now, Plant remains stubborn. “They have tried to talk him round but there is no chance. His mind is made up and that’s that.”
While it’s certainly understandable that Plant wouldn’t want to relive his past glory days (he has discussed this point extensively, in recent years), fans worldwide would have enjoyed seeing Led Zeppelin give it one final go.