Jimmy to tour in 2011

[sutherland1]

Where did you get your info that it was Coverdale's idea or that he insisted they play large halls? I would think Page had also wished to play large halls, but as we know the American tour was quietly cancelled before it even started due to low interest. Yes, many of the Firm shows were half empty; it's normal....any big band breaking apart and touring as indivulas in a newer band would experience the same thing. There is just little interest in someone who is not vital to current trends. I disagree that Page could draw large crowds by himself. Robert could because he has been far more active and to some clever manuevering has (in my opinion) "sold out" to the commercialism of American mainstream by teaming up with Allison Krauss and "going bubblegum" )yes, gone gone gone video makes me ill...how embaressing!) and hitting the tv circuts and talkshows..... I think the grammys he won made him feel a bit awkward and one reason he moved on from Allison; maybe. It got him back in the limelight, but performing on the Grammy's TV show to such a cheesy commercail hollywood crowd had to have been a bit embarressing for Robert! Anyhow, Jimmy is not vital nor has he connected to new fans of a new generation. Jimmy willl not sell out like Robert, yet will not even attempt to try anything new. He is just a face that shows up at awards and on magizine covers. He doesn't do anything musically. There is no way he could just put together a band and sell out a 20,000 seat arena unless Robert was on vocals. Robert came to his rescue in 94 when his drawing power was wanning some himself and they basically used each other to get some interest back. Jimmy has never been a sellout and to some degree Robert has. I think Jimmy will do Zeppelin or nothing. He likely has new material, but no way to convey it the way he wants, which is to large stadiums only with Robert on vocals. Jimmy does not play nor will not play small halls. Yeah, I've been frustrated with Jimmy and disappointed over the past 10 plus years but have accepted that he is out to protect the Zeppelin flag and will not do anything to diminish it, even if its all in his mind. Yes, Jimmy is stuck in the past with no way out. He doesn't have the energy to recreate himself nor should he at age 66. I don't expect anything from him.

It was actually David Coverdale who insisted they play arena-sized venues in '93. Jimmy was up for anything but David was adamant and ultimately it cost them both a USA tour.

[SteveAJones]

Where did you get your info that it was Coverdale's idea or that he insisted they play large halls?

David Coverdale. He insisted upon "arena sized venues", whereas Jimmy was more flexible. I'm simply presenting a fact, not assigning blame for why their 1993 USA tour collapsed. So now I'll leave it for others to debate if Jimmy is averse to small venues now, but he wasn't then nor in the past (early/pre-Zeppelin). If anything, he's averse to playing anywhere.

[Justfred]

Jimmy couldn't sell out big halls(MSG). What guitarist could who does not sing. Clapton could. Beck cant.Clapton could sell out (MSG) anytime,and I'm not a Clapton fan at all,but at least hes out there. Robert could play big venues . John Paul Jones solo couldn't (He doesn't sing) Robert Plant is always out there . John Paul Jones is even out there . Its not just Jimmy Page ego living in the past, but he has no new songs. Let him rest on his laurels.

[Chap]

Jimmy seems very attached to doing something epic. The book, the O2, even the unleaded thing with exotic musicians from far away places--it all has to be larger than life. Perhaps I am overly deconstructing here but I see Jimmy as being supremely dissatisfied with those times in his career where he put something out there that didn't feel right as opposed to those times where he was locked in. I feel like the guy is just dead set against producing anything that he isn't completely satisfied with. I could see him doing a small venue, but it would have to be some kind of scenario where he was creating some epic version of a small venue gig. Jimmy is happiest when he is in total control--of his music, his schedule, his image. In the early days, he is a master in the studio--obsessing over getting every sound just right. Good on him for that! But is studio recording even a viable business anymore? My prediction is that if we see anything from Page in the future, it will be all about quality control and therefore will take the form of one-off events. Frankly I think a tour has too many variables to appeal to Jimmy.

That being said--I have always thought that two of Page's strongest bits of solo material were his film scores of DW2 and Lucifer Rising. If Page is anything as a composer it is "evocative". I think a dream gig for our old friend would be the film score for the upcoming Guillermo Del Toro/James Cameron production of H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness. I would love to see what he would do with that.

[mstork]

I saw 5 of Jimmy's shows with the Crowes, all in small to mid-sized venues. I've never seen him have so much fun and be so quick to smile on stage. I don't know why Jimmy hasn't toured in so long, but I'm quite sure an insistence on playing arenas and stadiums is not the issue.

[Jahfin]

I disagree that Page could draw large crowds by himself. Robert could because he has been far more active and to some clever manuevering has (in my opinion) "sold out" to the commercialism of American mainstream by teaming up with Allison Krauss and "going bubblegum" )yes, gone gone gone video makes me ill...how embaressing!) and hitting the tv circuts and talkshows.....

Plant a "sellout"? If anything, working with Alison Krauss was a great risk both artistically and commercially. It showed that neither artist were afraid of going out on a limb. Leading up to the release of Raising Sand, lots of people scoffed at the idea. That it went on to be such a huge success took everyone by surprise, not least of all, Plant and Krauss themselves.

I think the grammys he won made him feel a bit awkward and one reason he moved on from Allison; maybe. It got him back in the limelight, but performing on the Grammy's TV show to such a cheesy commercail hollywood crowd had to have been a bit embarressing for Robert!

Embarrassing? I've seen nothing in interviews that would even remotely indicate that he was embarrassed. If anything, he was as surprised as anyone else that the album was so warmly received. If you'd bothered to read (or watch) any of Plant's recent interviews, he says exactly why a second collaboration with Alison Krauss didn't work out and it had absolutely nothing to do with being "embarrassed" by the recognition Raising Sand received.

Anyhow, Jimmy is not vital nor has he connected to new fans of a new generation.

You might wanna watch It Might Get Loud and/or check sales figures for Mothership before making such statements. Even without all of the publicity the 02 concert received in the press, Led Zeppelin makes new fans every time one of their songs gets played on Classic Rock radio.

[chimp]

Said this before, but, The FIRM must return, I was travelling the other day and was playing their concert from LA forum 1986, superb set, really enjoy listening to this, even whilst stuck on the M25 as I was

[Henrik]

Jimmy has never been a sellout and to some degree Robert has.

Please do elaborate... Robert refused to play Zep songs live for many years and has only performed Stairway to Heaven in full three times since John Bonham died, all three at Led Zeppelin reunions. Despite him being asked about it ad nauseam. Doing the Krauss collaboration was a huge risk (As Jahfin pointed out) both for his credibility and attendances. Alot of people raised eyebrows at the announcement of that album, but they made it work. I was a the RP+AK show in Oslo in 2008 and I can tell you that there is no way that any of them alone could have sold out that venue (as they did), Krauss was virtually unkown here and Robert usually plays much smaller venues when he comes here, large theaters/halls and such below 2000 usually. For the record I can tell you that neither Rush in 2007 or Deep Purple in 2009 managed to sell out the venue that RP+AK packed to the brim. And they did that by the merits of their album alone.

[Cecil.]

Still think during 2011 I will read a interview with the words "new album" "want to get out and play""this year" as far Jimmy's comments go.

Whether that happens well....

[sutherland1]

Plant teaming with a world renowed artist such as Allison Krauss was not a risk. It was mainstream Americana. It WAS a sellout in my opinion; a well played out sell-out. He could and did sing in lower keys and just made himself look sexy behind a cute blonde. If u don't thing the video "gone gone gone wasn't cheesy then your pretending. Jimmy had to be just laughing his butt off. Robert sold out pure and simple and then pulled back wisely. It was not going out on a limb! He sang other peoples songs in lower keys with a very talented and respected artist. No risk at all!! A second go around with Allison didn't happen because RObert did not want to be mainstream - plain and simple! I have seen all interviews and such. Why would he tarnish himself and say he was embarressed? You could see it on his face at the Grammy's. He was very uncomfortable being there; a place you will never see Jimmy! Jimmy is not vital today and I stand by that; hes not! Unless its Zeppelin repackaged nobody is out there humming Firm songs or anything else he's done.

Plant a "sellout"? If anything, working with Alison Krauss was a great risk both artistically and commercially. It showed that neither artist were afraid of going out on a limb. Leading up to the release of Raising Sand, lots of people scoffed at the idea. That it went on to be such a huge success took everyone by surprise, not least of all, Plant and Krauss themselves.

Embarrassing? I've seen nothing in interviews that would even remotely indicate that he was embarrassed. If anything, he was as surprised as anyone else that the album was so warmly received. If you'd bothered to read (or watch) any of Plant's recent interviews, he says exactly why a second collaboration with Alison Krauss didn't work out and it had absolutely nothing to do with being "embarrassed" by the recognition Raising Sand received.

You might wanna watch It Might Get Loud and/or check sales figures for Mothership before making such statements. Even without all of the publicity the 02 concert received in the press, Led Zeppelin makes new fans every time one of their songs gets played on Classic Rock radio.

[ninelives]

Plant teaming with a world renowed artist such as Allison Krauss was not a risk. It was mainstream Americana. It WAS a sellout in my opinion; a well played out sell-out. He could and did sing in lower keys and just made himself look sexy behind a cute blonde. If u don't thing the video "gone gone gone wasn't cheesy then your pretending. Jimmy had to be just laughing his butt off. Robert sold out pure and simple and then pulled back wisely. It was not going out on a limb! He sang other peoples songs in lower keys with a very talented and respected artist. No risk at all!! A second go around with Allison didn't happen because RObert did not want to be mainstream - plain and simple! I have seen all interviews and such. Why would he tarnish himself and say he was embarressed? You could see it on his face at the Grammy's. He was very uncomfortable being there; a place you will never see Jimmy! Jimmy is not vital today and I stand by that; hes not! Unless its Zeppelin repackaged nobody is out there humming Firm songs or anything else he's done.

Jimmy and John Paul Jones were in attendance at the Grammy's the year Led Zeppelin won the lifetime achievement award. Jimmy has also been seen at other award ceremonies.

I'm not going to waste my time arguing your bit about Plant selling out - how you can classify Alison Krauss as mainstream is beyond me and how working with an artist in a completely different genre for both of them is selling out, well I can't fathom it.

[Cecil.]

While Robert & Jimmy argy bargy is all well and good. Jimmy New Album chances of this decade?

[Henrik]

Plant teaming with a world renowed artist such as Allison Krauss was not a risk. It was mainstream Americana. It WAS a sellout in my opinion; a well played out sell-out. He could and did sing in lower keys and just made himself look sexy behind a cute blonde. If u don't thing the video "gone gone gone wasn't cheesy then your pretending. Jimmy had to be just laughing his butt off. Robert sold out pure and simple and then pulled back wisely. It was not going out on a limb! He sang other peoples songs in lower keys with a very talented and respected artist. No risk at all!! A second go around with Allison didn't happen because RObert did not want to be mainstream - plain and simple! I have seen all interviews and such. Why would he tarnish himself and say he was embarressed? You could see it on his face at the Grammy's. He was very uncomfortable being there; a place you will never see Jimmy! Jimmy is not vital today and I stand by that; hes not! Unless its Zeppelin repackaged nobody is out there humming Firm songs or anything else he's done.

Ok, so the Gone Gone Gone video is cheesy, and somehow that is selling out?

And you must be a huge troll, are you seriously suggesting Robert was embarassed working with Alison? Robert must be one hell of a sociopath to fake the enthusiasm he displayed during the concerts with AK.

In Europe, Americana and Alison Krauss are not mainstream, and I suspect only in certain regions of the United States as well. Funny how he has continued on a similar musical path and still uses Buddy Miller from his "sell out" days with AK.

[Reggie29]

With all due respect Alison was not "world renowned" at least here in Oz, until she teamed up with Robert.

Opinions are just that and not necessarily fact.

Plant selling out?

To whom or to what?

[tom kid]

From the last few posts in this thread I have determined that sutherland1 or whatever his name is an absolute tool!

[Jahfin]

Plant teaming with a world renowed artist such as Allison Krauss was not a risk. It was mainstream Americana. It WAS a sellout in my opinion; a well played out sell-out.

Alison Krauss is a niche artist at best, same as "Americana" is a niche genre, it's far from mainstream. If it were mainstream, Uncle Tupelo, Neko Case, Whiskeytown, Son Volt and Alejandro Escovedo would all be household names but they're not. If anyone stood to benefit from the collaboration it was Alison since far more people have heard of Plant.

A second go around with Allison didn't happen because RObert did not want to be mainstream - plain and simple! I have seen all interviews and such.

Apparently you haven't or you'd know that Plant and Krauss reached an impasse in the studio during the recording to the follow up to Raising Sand. If was because he was afraid Americana was becoming mainstream then why did he cut a second album in that vein with such Americana stalwarts as Buddy Miller and Patty Griffin?

Why would he tarnish himself and say he was embarressed?

Because he wasn't embarrassed. Humbled or overwhelmed maybe but embarrassed?

You could see it on his face at the Grammy's. He was very uncomfortable being there; a place you will never see Jimmy!

Really?

John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards.

[Jahfin]

From the last few posts in this thread I have determined that sutherland1 or whatever his name is an absolute tool!

The more accurate term would be "troll". Their overtly weak argument also seems more than vaguely familiar so that would seem to indicate yet another banned member that has chosen to return to the board yet again.

[sutherland1]

We can agree to disagree. Your attempts to justify your position indicates to me you would applaud any and all members of Led Zeppelin no matter what they do. And Plant and Krauss never went in the studio to record! That just shows me your reaching like many of your other posts. This board is really full of blind mice; those who just want to believe!

The more accurate term would be "troll". Their overtly weak argument also seems more than vaguely familiar so that would seem to indicate yet another banned member that has chosen to return to the board yet again.

[leding lady]

Unless its Zeppelin repackaged nobody is out there humming Firm songs or anything else he's done.

Wanna bet?

[Jahfin]

We can agree to disagree. Your attempts to justify your position indicates to me you would applaud any and all members of Led Zeppelin no matter what they do. And Plant and Krauss never went in the studio to record! That just shows me your reaching like many of your other posts. This board is really full of blind mice; those who just want to believe!

Every post you've made so far is a "reach", I'm just not saying where. Got any more misinformation you'd like to share with us?

From wmmr.com:

ROBERT PLANT SAYS THAT 'RAISING SAND' FOLLOWUP WAS LEFT UNFINISHED

9/14/2010

Robert Plant says that he and Alison Krauss actually started recording their followup to 2007's Grammy Award-winning Album of the Year Raising Sand, before ultimately abandoning it. Today (September 13th), Plant and his revamped pre-Led Zeppelin group Band Of Joy release their self-titled debut set.

Plant told us that after the runaway success of Raising Sand, he and Krauss simply needed time away from the project before truly starting anew: "Well, we got to talking about it and we got to sharing a bunch of ideas, and we got to go into the studio and trying some of them out. And it was particularly challenging to try and follow Raising Sand, probably so soon after we finished working on the project. So, perhaps we didn't give it enough space, anyway. Y'know, we reached a point where we knew we'd have to kind of hook up later on."

[chillumpuffer]

I saw the outrider tour on it's final outing in Manchester and it was fantastic. A medium ish venue of a couple of thousand. Never really understood why he never did anything after that as a solo performer because he was far better than all the times that i saw Robert Plant in the eighties.

Still that was 23 years ago and that must tell you something.

[MadScreamingGallery]

As long time fans who consider Jimmy one of the greatest musicians in the world, my friends and I believe that whatever he wishes to do and however he chooses to live his life, as long as it brings him happiness and peace of mind, we are content. My friends and I don't believe he needs to announce or "admit" anything to anyone other than himself or those within his circle of family and close friends. Jimmy Page long ago gave us more than we ever could have wished for or dreamed of. A lovely and very special man to whom we wish love and light and good health, always.

God Bless You Jimmy.

[Avacado]

Not only did Robert try to record again with both Allison and T-Bone, but he and also Allison tried to do some sort of recording with Daniel Lanois. I think at one point, he even sent her in alone to try out some stuff with Lanois and nothing ever came of it. There are photos somewhere on the net of her doing recording sessions with Lanois. Robert also recorded with him and Trixie who is Daniel's singer in Black Dub and nothing ever came of that. What I believe is that the Raising Sand got way more recognition that he ever imagined and I don't think he really wanted to do a follow up to it. I didn't see Raising Sand live but I did watch many YouTube shows and I noticed his enthusiasm starting to wane with the latter shows and him seeming to be frustrated with her not really being able to follow what HE wanted to do vocally, by his facial expressions. From what I read and from what he said himself, he wanted to do more of HIS style and she didn't want to and rejected the songs he brought to the table. I really believe Raising Sand was a vehicle for her rather than Robert and T-Bone managed to come up with just the right music to suit HER style. Of course, Robert went along with the music and he excelled at the particular style but it wasn't really HIS style. IMHO, he needed to work with people who could be more spontaneous, handle many different styles/genres of music and have more of an edginess to their style. Robert is NOT really ready to be doing "easy listening music" at least not at this stage in his life. (BTW, THAT was how a radio DJ referred to the Raising Sand stuff when I called requestiing BOJ songs.) Robert sell out? NEVER. BUT he's also not going to compromise his art and talent to suit some else's limitations. AND BTW I also think a lot of BOJ has that same Raising Sand "feel" because he was trying to possibly kill two birds with one stone. Keep the Raising Sand fans happy BUT ALSO bring in the newer, edgier stuff that is going to evolve into something far greater and more imaginative.

[ninelives]

Not only did Robert try to record again with both Allison and T-Bone, but he and also Allison tried to do some sort of recording with Daniel Lanois. I think at one point, he even sent her in alone to try out some stuff with Lanois and nothing ever came of it. There are photos somewhere on the net of her doing recording sessions with Lanois. Robert also recorded with him and Trixie who is Daniel's singer in Black Dub and nothing ever came of that. What I believe is that the Raising Sand got way more recognition that he ever imagined and I don't think he really wanted to do a follow up to it. I didn't see Raising Sand live but I did watch many YouTube shows and I noticed his enthusiasm starting to wane with the latter shows and him seeming to be frustrated with her not really being able to follow what HE wanted to do vocally, by his facial expressions. From what I read and from what he said himself, he wanted to do more of HIS style and she didn't want to and rejected the songs he brought to the table. I really believe Raising Sand was a vehicle for her rather than Robert and T-Bone managed to come up with just the right music to suit HER style. Of course, Robert went along with the music and he excelled at the particular style but it wasn't really HIS style. IMHO, he needed to work with people who could be more spontaneous, handle many different styles/genres of music and have more of an edginess to their style. Robert is NOT really ready to be doing "easy listening music" at least not at this stage in his life. (BTW, THAT was how a radio DJ referred to the Raising Sand stuff when I called requestiing BOJ songs.) Robert sell out? NEVER. BUT he's also not going to compromise his art and talent to suit some else's limitations. AND BTW I also think a lot of BOJ has that same Raising Sand "feel" because he was trying to possibly kill two birds with one stone. Keep the Raising Sand fans happy BUT ALSO bring in the newer, edgier stuff that is going to evolve into something far greater and more imaginative.

A second album with Alison never materialised because they felt the songs weren't "there" for them. Whether it will happen down the line remains to be seen. Robert brought some of those songs to the table when they were choosing material to record. He also had an active say in the ones Alison and T Bone suggested. It was very much a collaboration and both of them have said the songs challenged them because it was out of each of their comfort zones. That was what inspired Robert so much - to be doing something so completely different. Alison too.

I don't think Band of Joy sounds at all like Raising Sand

[gazz]

I don't think Band of Joy sounds at all like Raising Sand

Oh, i don't know .....they're both incredibly dull.......