We all have favorite bands.  For those of us reared in the 70’s and 80’s we’ve likely got favorite bands that have lost members due to various reasons:  artistic differences, solo careers, bad breakups, substance abuse issues, death, etc.  As a fan I’ve got mixed feelings about bands that have carried on without key members.  Some I’ve been fine with as I was not as familiar with their earliest incarnations at the time (AC/DC, Genesis), some I’ve supported due to band infighting (Queensryche, Van Hagar), some the jury is still out (Van Halen/Roth reunion, but minus Michael Anthony), and some I’ve been saddened by (Sabbath reunion with Ozzy after Ronnie James Dio’s passing).  But one where I must give respect where respect is due…  the non-reunion of:

Yeah, for you sticklers out there I know this graphic has Bonzo’s symbol on it but that’s part of the problem, especially in the eyes of the one that seems to be holding up any sort of reunion:  Robert Plant.  But I must give the man major props for not wanting to reunite.  I think in some ways maybe he would like to do something; in a recent interview with Uncut magazine he made comments about “giving a whirl” to any acoustic music that Jimmy Page may have laying around but that seems to have fallen on deaf ears.  However, it seems Page may have other ideas as to what type of music he would like to pursue especially with his recent comments about starting a new band and performing material spanning his entire career.  And who knows where John Paul Jones would fit in to any of this?

So let’s step back almost 34 years ago now to a tragic moment in Zep history by posting the following quote:  “We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend, and the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were”.  The death of John Bonham brought a most insurmountable end to the band back in 1980 that in at least one band member’s eyes (Plant) is too much to overcome.  Plant and Bonham were mates pre-Zep and had an unshakeable bond that only death could break.  Sure, there have been one offs here and there (Live Aid, Atlantic 40th anniversary bash, RRHOF, Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert) and Page/Plant efforts (Unledded, Walking To Clarksdale), but Plant has been coy about reunion talk for years.  Much of this certainly comes down to the passing of Bonzo but as time has worn on the expectations have become much too great.  Plus, I feel Plant would like to rejigger the Zep machine and restructure songs similar to their Unledded work or how they’ve been broken down on his most recent solo tours.  I just don’t think he wants to be a carbon copy of his “Golden God” persona.  The “Celebration Day” release from the Ertegun concert was a nice glimpse of the past and seems to be a bit of closure for him.

Would I like to see a reunion?  Yeah, although I’d love to hear some new material with whatever they do.  And there’s the rub…  just what could they do that would even come close to the glory days?  Do I want another “Whole Lotta Love”?  Do I want another “Ten Years Gone”?  Do I want another “Stairway”, or “Achilles”, or even “In The Evening”?  Yeah kinda, but that’s some lofty expectations and that’s also me being a selfish fan.  But that’s also asking a whole lot of a group of men that are quickly approaching (or are) 70 years of age.  Shoot, I’d love to hear something like “Wonderful One” that they did for Unledded.  I think they could accomplish that but who knows how many that would please-  we all have our own personal views as to what “Led Zeppelin” is.

So in closing, I respect Robert Plant’s decision not to be “part of a jukebox” and crank up the Zep machine again.  I will continue to enjoy his solo albums (check out “Lullaby… And the Ceaseless Roar”, it has some really good stuff on it), although I would love to see him do a rockabilly type album a la The Honeydrippers again.  As for Page, I just want him to do SOMETHING again once all of the remasters are complete.  And don’t forget about John Paul Jones!  Outside of Zep diehards, he is an unsung talent that’s been involved in a number of cool projects over the years from his solo work to working with Diamanda Galas.  Here’s hoping Josh Homme calls him and Dave Grohl and puts out another Them Crooked Vultures release!

Can we all live with this as the last on stage performance?