Led Zeppelin: The Reunions

Although everyone is all up in arms about a possible failed reunion, there have been attepmts to bring the band back. Even Robert and Jimmy tried out the full fledged reunion with tour and album. So far, nothing has stuck and through their past events, it's doubtful any reunion attempts will ever work out.

Live Aid, 1985
This was the first time Led Zeppelin reunited after Bonzo's death and the event was broadcasted around the world as a part of the world famous concert. Jimmy's guitar was out of tune, Robert's voice was weak, Phil Collins could never live up to Bonham, and the audio setup was failing. After all of that, the show wasn't that bad and the band had a good time. After renditions of "Rock and Roll", "Whole Lotta Love", and "Stairway to Heaven", the band looked poised to come back and rise to the top again. Unfortunately, the attempt to play a show the next night proved disasterous and reunion plans were scrapped.

Atlantic 40th Anniversary, 1988
The band once again came together with Jason Bonham, son of John, on drums. The audio engineering again failed (Jimmy's guitar was barely audible). Robert seemed dissatisfied and bored playing the old songs. Robert did it for Ahmet Ertegun and was more interested in his solo performance during the same show.

Jason Bonham Wedding, 1990
They played at a wedding. Nothing big and no future plans possible

Knebworth, 1990
Robert had Jimmy come on-stage with him. Nothing would materialize from this reunion either.

MTV Unplugged and No Quarter: Unledded, 1993
Robert and Jimmy (no John Paul Jones) were approached about being in the MTV Unledded program. They agreed but they wanted to go beyond the simple studio performance that most acts had done. Robert and Jimmy wanted to take their songs from the Zeppelin years and remake them with a Middle Eastern twist. They also wanted to travel to Morocco to get inspired by their music and create new songs with authentic artists of the area. Three different parts of the program were created: Welsh quarry scenes, new songs performed with Morrocan musicians, and a performance in London with the London Metropolitan Orchestra and an Egyptian drum group. All of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page's work paid off. The show was a hit, the record sold well, and they had a great world tour. Then...

Walking Into Clarksdale, 1998
Robert and Jimmy recorded a bit of a flop. The record had some highlights (mainly "Most High" and "Please Read the Letter"). Unfortunately, Jimmy and Robert were going in different directions and the producer (Rick Rubin) was going a third direction. Robert wanted the blues-mideast fusion while Jimmy focused on the blues rock and Rubin tried to bring them into the 90's with a hard rock sound. The band behind Jimmy and Robert just didn't measure up and the album sold poorly. After another successful tour, Robert and Jimmy separated again possibly ending one of the last real chances to bring the band back together.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1994
Led Zeppelin entered the Hall of Fame in 1994 as one of the best selling groups ever. John Paul Jones came along and didn't show much of a problem with the fact no one called him about the Unledded project. The band came together with Jason on drums again and help from Aerosmith and Neil Young. The band played well but it was clearly another one time deal.

Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert, 2007
After 9 years, Robert finally agreed to another reunion show to honor the man who signed Led Zeppelin to their deal with Atlantic and also guided him through his solo career. They were close friends and Robert always held Ahmet back from convincing him to rejoin with Jimmy and Jonesy. Of all their reunions, this one was the best. They were sharp, clean, and ready to go for the show from their first song. The band looked poised to take the next step and travel the world. Then, Robert's album with Alison Krauss was a huge hit. He wanted to work on the Memphis music that inspired his earliest work and Zeppelin seemed like a step backwards. He wanted to focus on a new aspect of his musical inspiration.

After many reunions, the band has yet to sick together for more than a show. Robert has been the main reason a full-fledged reunion hasn't materialized. He runs his own ship and he doesn't want to be under anyone's watchful eye again. Jimmy is the leader of Led Zeppelin so I doubt that he'll be able to convince Robert to agree to a long tour. One day it could happen, but Robert has to be in dire straits to do so.