Drew McConnell - the bassist from Babyshambles - asks whether the upcoming Led Zeppelin reunion is valid given that the original line-up will never be complete without John Bonham.In an interview with NME, McConnell says:

If they want to do it then why not? I’m a bit worried about them doing it without Bonham,” he said. “But I’m a big fan - particularly ‘Houses Of The Holy’ (1973 album). A lot of their records border on that supergroup pomposity, but I love this one as it’s (recorded) live and you can tell how much Moroccan squidgy they’ve been smoking and it sounds fucking great.

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Rumour has it that the venerable members of Led Zeppelin  might record some new material in the wake of their November reunion show.

Here’s what Jimmy Page apparently said to a Canadian newspaper:

The veteran rock band’s guitarist Jimmy Page said he would be “really surprised if there wasn’t”.

“We’re musicians - as we’re playing we’ll probably be coming up with all manner of things,” he told Canadian newspaper The Winnipeg Sun.

“That will be fun. Let’s do the O2 show, shall we? And then we’ll speak to you afterwards,” added the musician.

I don’t doubt that they’ll probably jam a little, but new Led Zeppelin material is highly unlikely - for a number of reasons:

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2007 is definitely a watershed moment in post-Led Zeppelin history. Not only do we have a one-off gig by the remaining members of the band, but there’s a new ‘Best Of’ compilation, Mothership coming up for release. The biggest news of all is that the band have finally succumbed to releasing their music via digital downloads.

This is a big deal for Led Zeppelin. Remember, this is a band who refused to release singles in the UK and who thought that their albums should be experienced as a complete package.

Now, people will be able to buy selected tracks individually. I hesitate to say ‘fans’, because any self-respecting fan will have the entire back catalogue anyway! Imagine buying The Rain Song without having Over The Hills And Far Away. Or Stairway To Heaven not being preceded by The Battle Of Evermore.

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Bow your heads in sadness my friends, because Robert Plant himself has said that Led Zeppelin will not be doing a full tour in the wake of the Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert in November.

The Daily Express report Robert Plant has denied there will be any full-blown reunion:

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We reported back in June that Led Zeppelin were reuniting for a one-off show. Today, we’ve learned that the venue and the date for the reunion gig have been confirmed.

As we expected, the show will be a tribute to Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun who died last December.

Other artists known to be on the bill are Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini, the last act Ertegun worked with.

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OK. Sit down. Breathe. According to the rumours, Led Zeppelin have agreed to reform, possibly for a tour. This year.

According to the Mojo blog, they “have spent the last few weeks in dialogue about reforming the band and have rehearsed with drummer Jason Bonham“. Jason is the de facto stand-in for his father John, the original Led Zeppelin rhythm machine.

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