Are Led Zeppelin still friends? An intimidatingly consistent topic to ponder over, which is significantly clouded by the webs of darkness streaming off the clouds of conflicting reports and opinions regarding the status of the friendship between the four members of Led Zeppelin. It’s not been an easy journey for the four individuals who had to face hindrance after hindrance throughout it’s past four decades, and here we will prepare a detailed analysis of the current status of their relationship.
Led Zeppelin, the legendary British rock band, formed in London in 1968 and grabbed the attention of the world with its majestic rock numbers. The iconic band was a collaboration of four highly talented individuals – John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and the late John Bonham, each contributing his signature style to the band’s compositions.
Soon enough, Led Zeppelin turned to an international sensation due to its superbly master-crafted music pieces, which introduced groundbreaking sounds throughout the globe. Its performances at massive concerts and music festivals solidified its status as one of the best rock bands of all time.
But, as good as Led Zeppelin was, its commitment as a band didn’t last more than 12 years. The band was broken apart following John Bonham’s unfortunate death in 1980. The band released several tracks and albums post-1987, but without the original four, it wasn’t really the same.
Lead singer Robert Plant did collaborate with Jimmy Page to launch a tour in the mid-1990s. But the tour didn’t create any room for John Paul Jones to participate. Plant, Page, and Jones reunited during a VH1 award show in 1994 where together, they performed a song with the Seattle rock group, Pearl Jam.
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have performed together for the past several years, however, it’s been quite a while since the three remaining members, Page, Plant, and Jones have performed together publicly. Led Zeppelin had invited John Paul Jones to perform as the lead with the group in its live concerts in 2007, but the offer was rejected.
Surprisingly, there have been multiple accounts by each of the four members suggesting that there exists no ill-feeling among them. Well, this is indeed great news for all the people out there who had wished for one final reunion of the all-time-legendary band. Although some conversations shared between the original group members have given hopes, the fact that no actual reunion has yet taken place, has ultimately taken a toll on all the aforementioned hopes.
It is safe to say that Led Zeppelin remains to be a friendship amongst four all-time iconic rock stars, but the current status of the group reunion seems to be a pipe dream. However, with the reemergence of the band’s music and performances, it would only be a matter of time before the band reunites if both Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are willing to take the extra step.
Previous Reunions
The previous reunions of Led Zeppelin were very successful, in terms of attendance, performances, reviews, and finances. One of the most popular reunions was in 2007, when the band held their first rock show in over 20 years. This show was held in London at the O2 Arena, and it was a long-awaited reunion for most fans. It was organized as a tribute show for Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, and the band was accompanied by a large choir, orchestra, and a variety of guest vocalists.
The show was a great success, as it sold out in minutes and received glowing reviews from fans and critics alike. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones also performed together for the first time in over 30 years. They received a standing ovation from the audience, and the performance was considered one of the best live performances ever.
The show was followed by a tour of Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America which was very profitable as well. Led Zeppelin grossed a total of $256 million in ticket sales, and the tour was considered to be a great success. The band reunited again in 2011 for another one-off show, but this one did not reach the same level of success as the 2007 show.
Album Reissues
The band’s albums have also been reissued to commemorate their 40th anniversary. The albums, “The Song Remains The Same”, “Houses of the Holy” and “Physical Graffiti” were reissued in September 2014 with some expanded bonus tracks, and these reissues were met with positive reviews. The reissues were well-received, as they showed a renewed interest in the band’s music.
The reissues also showed the members of the band still have a good relationship and still support each other, as they were involved in the remastering and re-recording of the reissues. The reissues were accompanied by a tour, an exhibit in The London Gibson Showroom, and a book titled “Led Zeppelin: All The Songs”, which was a compilation of all the band’s songs and their lyrics. This goes to show that the remaining members are still friends and have been supportive of each other since the band’s break up.
Legacy
Led Zeppelin’s legacy continues to be alive to this day, as their music continues to be influential in rock music. They have often been cited as pioneers in the world of hard rock and heavy metal, and have influenced countless other bands. Their influence can be seen in the popularity of classic rock songs, and the recent resurgence of classic rock bands.
Their influence can also be seen in their frequent collaborations with various artists, such as Kenny Chesney, Whitney Houston, Paramore, and Aerosmith. Led Zeppelin has also been sampled and covered by some of the biggest contemporary artists, such as The White Stripes, Oasis, Jay-Z, and Kanye West. This shows that the band is just as influential today, as they were in the 70s and 80s.
Few bands can claim to have the same kind of influence, as Led Zeppelin, and it is safe to say that the legacy they left behind will be remembered for generations to come. They will always be remembered as one of the most pioneering and influential rock bands of all time.
Conclusion
Led Zeppelin is considered one of the greatest rock bands of all-time and the friendship between its four original members is still strong, even after all these years. While the hopes of a reunion remain alive, no clear indications have been given, and it appears unlikely that it will happen in the near future. Nevertheless, the band’s music still lives on, and its influence in rock music is undeniable to this day.
