Led Zeppelin News

Looks like Led Zeppelin’s appetite for rock is well and truly back.

We can exclusively reveal that the legends - who staged a triumphant “one-off” gig at the O2 this month - will be the headline act at the Bonnaroo festival in the US next year.

The festival runs from June 12 to 15 in Tennessee - and if all goes smoothly they may even hit the road and tour.

An insider told us: “This is the news that will drive their fans absolutely wild.

“They have been bombarding their website to get back together for good but only Robert Plant wasn’t keen to commit.

“Now he’s had a change of heart and if it goes well they are also talking about touring.”

The band have a huge following and continue to influence today’s young bands - sometimes in very mysterious ways.

Up and coming band Van Tramp were stunned when they realised they were rehearsing in the studio next to the legends. But Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were even more impressed. They asked a studio assistant: “Excuse me, who’s that playing in Room 4? They’re great!”

And when Van Tramp left that night they discovered their debt for the session had been cleared - most likely by their hero Plant.

The boys - Tim Howar, Patrick Mascall, Andy Tinning, Mike Potter and Guy Snelgar - were overwhelmed.

A pal of the band said: “They were rehearsing at The Ritz studios in Putney and couldn’t believe their eyes when they realised that the men walking down the corridor to the studio next door were none other than Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.

“The band wanted to go and introduce themselves but they were too shy. But when they had packed up their gear and went to pay, they were told by the assistant that a certain long-haired blonde man had approached her at the desk and asked who they were.

“They believe Robert Plant then cleared their studio debt. They couldn’t believe it!”

The indie rock group release single Help Me Make It next month. If Led Zep’s opinion is anything to go by, it could be a very happy new year for them.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/2007/12/31/led-zep-for-festival-89520-20270256/

Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant has the beard of the year, according to the Beard Liberation Front, an informal network of beard wearers.

Liverpool football manager Rafael Benitez came second, with third place shared by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and cricketer Monty Panesar.

They were followed by comedian Russell Brand and author Michael Rosen.

The prize is designed to highlight those who promote “a positive image of hirsuteness” in the public arena.

Plant, who was clean-shaven in Led Zeppelin’s 1970s heyday, was seen sporting a beard at the band’s reunion gig in London earlier this month.

Beard Liberation Front organiser Keith Flett said: “The winners this year have stylish beards and are promoting a new 21st Century image of the hirsute.”

Panesar, who plays for England, won the award last year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7162740.stm

According to TechWhack.com, Amazon has announced that they are now offering Warner Music Group music — including selections from LED ZEPPELIN and METALLICA — on their Amazon MP3 music download service.

Amazon claims that their catalog of mainstream artists — which is free of digital rights management (DRM) software — is the biggest offering of its kind on the Internet.

Apple iTunes is the largest digital media store on the web but majority of the content offered through it is DRMed.

DRM-free music purchased from Amazon is compatible with almost any portable media player capable of playing MP3 files.

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=87376