I took the train from Central London to Gatwick Airport to catch my plane home to the U.S. I have done this over 200 times in the past 16 years and I can almost do the steps with my eyes closed.
As I was leaving the train at Gatwick Airport to make my way to the warmth and gratitude of the Northwest Airlines ticket clerk, I saw an older guy waiting to board the train with what appeared to be a 5- or 6-year-old boy; I figured it was a grandchild.
I brushed past this gentleman, took three steps when I felt I had been hit by a bolt of lightening. That's Jimmy Page!
It was Jimmy Page, founder and lead guitarist of what many feel was the finest rock band of all time -- Led Zeppelin. I looked back as he very gently lifted his grandson onto the train and took his seat. I figured, if not now, when?
I hopped back on and gently asked him "Are you Jimmy Page." He stood up and respectfully said yes while shaking my hand. I was speechless.
Am I a 51-year-old groupie? The train had 15 minutes before leaving to go back to Central London. I asked Jimmy if I could chat with him for a few moments.
He said, "Yes, of course, please sit down. I do not get the opportunity to chat with fans very often," probably thinking -- yeah, a fan this old!!
First question I asked was, "Why don't you guys reunite and tour. Put the great John Bonham's son Jason on the drums? " Jimmy said he would love to tour, but that lead singer Robert Plant was not interested at the moment.
Ever the gentleman, Jimmy said, "You know, I am over 60 years of age, and the rest are approaching 60. We need to do this soon!"
I, being the capitalist, said the money would be extraordinary: sold-out venues, T-shirt sales, CDs, and so on.
Jimmy said since they have allowed Cadillac to use the "Rock n' Roll " song from their fourth album in its ads, several corporate sponsors have emerged to underwrite any tour. When I pressed him, he went on to explain that all costs of touring, like hotels, meals, transportation, stage set-up, engineers, light and sound systems, are all paid for by the main corporate sponsor. I asked which company was most interested?
With a sly smile he said "I cannot say the name, as it's confidential, but they make a very popular mouthwash!"
I was floored. Here was arguably one of the two or three finest guitarists to ever walk this planet, and I was talking corporate sponsorship.
He was as gracious and kind as ever. As the trolley car rolled by, he even offered to buy me a cup of tea! Jimmy Page offered me a cup of tea -- how British.
Jimmy explained that what used to be a break-even proposition -- touring, is now highly profitable with major sponsorships. Amazing, Led Zeppelin and Listerine. What s' next, Pink Floyd and Pampers?
1. Great story Georges, I'm pleased to hear that a guy as famous as Jimmy Page would take the time to chat with a stranger. I would also like to see them tour, the time is right.
2. Sadly, most people have lost sight of the fact that the heart of music is NOT about money. Robert, thankfully, has realized this and does things that are creative, and he continues to move forward and try new things.
Reforming a band just because the members are getting older or the money is there is generally a recipe for disapointment. Were Zeppelin to reform, it would be a no win situation: the band would be vilified for not sounding and looking like they did in 1972, and the fans would be disapointed because it doesn't sound the same. After all, Zeppelin can never exist again as one of the major players is dead.
I applaud Robert for taking his own path and creating some new and different things along the way. Maybe Jimmy should try that. 3.
Thanks to rpf for his incisive and on-the-money comments. First, I am pleased to hear about Jimmy's kindness to a fan. But second, disappointed that he wants to re-form Led Zeppelin without John Bonham; that would not be Led Zeppelin.
I agree that Robert Plant has it correct. I believe that of all the former LZ members, Jimmy feels the need to do this most as Zeppelin was, and always will be his baby, more than the others. With the death of his friend Bonham, a part of him died as he knows that Zeppelin died.
I feel for Jimmy. I just hope he remembers the official comment from the band and manager Peter Grant mere months after Bonham died that they "could not continue as they were" and therefore needed to dissolve the band. Out of respect for Bonzo, they must let it be!
4. Mr. Page did not say anything about the need for money or that "a part of him has died" without Led Zeppelin.
How can two Zeppelin fans be so stupid as to think Jimmy Page needs more money or fame? Jimmy is clearly a kind man and would only like to give the fans that never were able to see the original Led Zeppelin one last chance of seeing the three original members play with their original drummers son on drums. What would be a better tribute to John Bonham and the Zeppelin fans than that?
He is not being a selfish prick like David Gimour and turning his back on all of the fans that helped make him a very rich man and gave him the ability to release his crappy solo albums. Mr. Gilmour has even been quoted as saying he doesn't make music for the fans, but himself.
There is nothing wrong with Robert Plant or David Gilmour moving on, just like there is nothing wrong with giving your loyal fans one last concert tour before it's too late...
5. If you think a band cannot go on without it's original members..
...
.go out and see The Who or maybe The Stones or how about Page/Plant..
Robert Plant talks of not regurgitating old Led Zepplin songs and then promptly goes on a solo tour with over half his set filled with Zep tunes???
?
6. The Beatles, Zeppelin and Floyd are my three favorite bands.
I have been listening to these groups and playing these songs on guitar for 25 years. I will never get to see these bands as there where – but in the past 2 years I have seen Paul McCartney and Roger Waters, ( just bought tickets for his second time around ) and these shows where outstanding. Both have the most amazing musicians and although each totally different – just put fourth a superb live show.
To hear those songs played and sung by each of them – it was truly a trill. So- if Zep had the chance to form under any conditions – I would think it would be such a great opportunity for younger, newer and old fans to see this amazing band live. Waters and McCartney proved to me that being 60 is just a number – I have seen 30 plus concerts – and these guys were almost double the age of the average bands I have seen – and they delivered such a powerful show.
To even see Page and Plant together would be a trill – add JPJ and either Jason or anyone else on drums – a concert you’d never forget. 7. The chance to reform Zep has long gone.
Now it would just be a money making tribute act like The Police and Genesis are now doing. At least Planty and Jones are making new music of worthiness.Personally I'd rather Pagey stuck to making another solo album and doing another great job on more archive material like a few years back.
Watching some more of that really reminds people how great the mighty Zep were and still remain.
8. Methinks they threw the baby out with the bathwater aka Robert decided he did not want to be in Jimmy's band without his old pal Bonzo so he ventured out on his own.
Manic Nirvana was a Zeppeling sounding lp as was parts of Fate of Nations. Along comes Mr Coverdale and he and Jimmy sound great together and go out for a brief tour together. Robert can't stand this and decides to re-unite with Jimmy without Jones.
Three years later they ditch the whole thing because Robert feels like they are just re-inventing Zeppelin eventhough it's Robert's band now. Robert has done some great solo work, but you can do both. Look at the Cream re-union, how brilliant was that.
Then they go off on their own again. I would not expect them to sound the same again, just new in an old kind of way. Zepp re-union won't happen because of Mr Plant.
Jimmy should get another singer and tour with Jonesy, that would be fun.
9. Just a clarifier, the 5 or 6 year old with Mr.
Page was his son not his grandchild. He is a ROCK STAR
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