Although they’ve been officially broken up since 1980, Led Zeppelin actually had the most triumphant year of their career in 2012.
The surviving members — Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones — regrouped last year to prepare and promote the release of their 2007 London reunion concert as a CD/DVD set and feature film (“Celebration Day“). Fans and critics responded with such praise that whispers of another possible reunion album or tour are now swirling around again.
The band was also honored by the Kennedy Center and President Barack Obama last month in Washington. As the three elder musicians sat in the balcony watching an all-star cavalcade of rock stars including the Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock, and Heart pay tribute to them, Robert Plant became visibly choked up.
Tears could be seen in his eyes at the end of a heartfelt version of “Stairway to Heaven,” performed by Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. The moment that brought a lump to everyone’s throats was a surprise guest appearance by late Zeppelin drummer John Bonham’s son Jason Bonham, who suddenly materialized behind the drum kit halfway through the song wearing his father’s old signature bowler hat.
None of the members of Led Zeppelin had been told in advance that Jason was going to be there. They were clearly astonished — and deeply touched — when they saw him take his place onstage. Even Jimmy Page, a man not easily overwhelmed by emotion, had a tear rolling down his cheek.
That moment was just one of many in recent months where Plant and Page appeared to be closer and more in sync with one another than they had been in 15 years, since their last studio album together (“Walking Into Clarksdale“). Although the pair did two solo tours together in the 1990s, John Paul Jones was not included in those creative endeavors, which deepened friction within the Zeppelin family.
Jones was invited to join them at London’s O2 Arena for the 2007 reunion, which eventually became Celebration Day. During their many public appearances together this fall, it was readily apparent that the trio had re-established the chemistry and friendship of years past. All seemed to be forgiven. Jones, Page, and Jason Bonham have stated quite categorically that they would be in favor of a reunion album and tour. But for the past five years, Plant has been the last holdout.
Based on the band’s renewed camaraderie and recent public comments by Robert Plant, that may be about to change.
Could it be that Plant — who always eschewed repeating the past in favor of moving forward with his own solo career — is starting to feel a bit sentimental for the days of Led Zeppelin now? At age 64, perhaps the time has finally come for one final victory lap with his old bandmates. Plant is certainly ready to talk more about it than he’s been in years.
“If anybody wants to write some new songs, I’m game,” Plant said in December.
That’s an intriguing change of tune for the singer, who for the past five years said he was simply too busy with other projects to work with Zeppelin again.
A Led Zeppelin reunion with some fresh, new material undoubtedly looks more hopeful now than ever before. But unlike their 2007 reunion concert, don’t expect an impassioned replay of the old Zeppelin warhorses. Rest assured if they do get back together in 2013, the song will definitely not remain the same.
