The Story Behind the Led Zeppelin Reunion: Is a Tour Next?

Led Zeppelin will reform for a one-off show at the O2 Arena, London on November 26th. “They’re going to play all the great songs that everybody wants to hear,” said promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who brokered what must surely be the Holy Grail of rock reunions. “They are the last great rock gods that remain to be seen,” Goldsmith added. “I have a feeling that this is going to be the largest demand for one show in history.”

Having been approached by the widow of the late record company executive Ahmet Ertegun to organize a tribute concert, Goldsmith began negotiating with the managers of the surviving members of Led Zeppelin — Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones — and the manager of drummer Jason Bonham, the son of the late John Bonham, to see if a reunion was possible. After several weeks of discussions the band finally assembled in a rehearsal studio on the outskirts of London in June to see if they could still play together.

The initial plan was for them to work up a half-hour of material to play as part of a gala concert. But after a week of rehearsals, Zeppelin announced that they would be willing and able to perform a full two-hour set. The November 26th show will feature warm-up contributions from Billy Wyman’s Rhythm Stars, Pete Townshend, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini. But there is no mistaking what the star attraction will be. Speculation that other Zeppelin shows and possibly even a full reunion tour will follow is running high. “You have to take it one step at a time,” Harvey said. “Obviously there is a sense of frustration for all the fans around the world who can’t get tickets. I hope they do something else. But I hope they do it because they’re really enjoying it and because this show is fantastic.”

Fans wanting to purchase tickets priced approximately $250 must register at www.ahmettribute.com, where their names will be entered in a lottery. 14,500 tickets will be made available in this way, according to Goldsmith.