Pribek

Two stories, found at Contact Music, involving some big time names.

First, it’s looking more and more like, Led Zeppelin may be moving on without Robert Plant.

But Page’s manager, Peter Mensch, is adamant the group is capable of surviving without Plant.
He says, “People don’t really understand it. Jimmy Page has been playing guitar professionally since he was 16 years old. Jimmy Page likes being a musician. That’s what he does! He doesn’t want to be a race car driver or a solicitor.
“They decided that if they could find a singer that they thought would fit their bill – whatever their bill was at this stage in their career – that they’d make a record and go on tour… That’s what Jimmy Page does.”

The fact that it’s Page’s manager talking give it some substance on the surface.

The safe bet would be to hire a Plant clone, call it Zep, play the hits and take the money. Go to YouTube, like Yes and Boston and Journey did, find the best impersonator out there and cash in on the feel good story. But, that wouldn’t be Led Zeppelin now would it?

The other option, the musically valid one would be; find an original voice, that fits what Page, Jones and Bonham are working on that brings something new and individual to the table. Don’t call it Zep, make a true musical statement, don’t pander to the audience, and risk commercial failure.

Which way do you think they will go.

Next, Michael Jackson allegedly plans to give away the golden goose out of guilt.

MICHAEL JACKSON will bid to end his long feud with music legend SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY by leaving him the BEATLES back catalogue in his will, according to reports.

The former pals fell out in 1985 when Jackson beat MCCartney and John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, in the race to snap up the rights to 200 of the Fab Four’s hits.

They collaborated on 1982 single The Girl is Mine, but have barely spoken since, with MCCartney feeling he was betrayed by his friend.

The 66-year-old explained his frustration in a past interview, saying, “You know what doesn’t feel very good, is going on tour and paying to sing all my songs. Every time I sing Hey Jude. I’ve got to pay someone”.

Hey Sir Paul, why don’t you just sing all of Buddy Holly’s songs, you own them?

You know what this reminds me of? I have this mental image of Warren Buffet telling his kids; “Kids, I think you need to make your own way. I’ve decided to give all the money to the richest man in the world, Bill Gates”.

From the Robert Plant Newswire.

Queen Elizabeth II’s 2009 New Year Honours list includes Robert Plant. Robert has been named Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The award is for services to music.

There are five grades of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in decreasing seniority: Knight Grand Cross (GBE), Knight Commander (KBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE). Recipients of these awards are nominated by the government and by the public. They are then selected by committees made up of civil servants. The Queen bestows the honors. Only the Knight orders may be called “Sir”. Other orders have no title, but may add the letters after their names.

What? No “Sir” for Robert Plant?

Good work Mr. Plant you are almost a knight.

How does this work, can he still go up a notch? Can he still reach Knighthood?

How does Bono rate a “Sir” and not Robert Plant? Sir Bono.

Is Ringo a Sir?

Sometimes the bass player will just let you know how it is. This one comes from the esteemed John Paul Jones and it’s regarding the much anticipated Led Zep reunion and, the status of the front man, Robert Plant. From eGigs.

“As you probably know, Jimmy, Jason and I are actually rehearsing and we’ve had the odd singer come in and have a bash. As soon as we know — which we don’t — we will let you know. But we really hope that something is going to happen soon because we really want to do it and we’re having a lot of fun, actually, just rehearsing. Jason is actually tremendous… And what we’ve done so far sounds absolutely fantastic. When it does come, it will come, and you’ll know about it.”

“We really wanna do something and Robert doesn’t want to do this, at least for the moment. I don’t really know what his plans are. He really doesn’t want to make loud music anymore. We do. I mean, I love acoustic music, but it doesn’t stop me from turning something up.”

See, there you have it. It isn’t about obligations with Allison Krauss, it isn’t about a 360 deal, and it isn’t about the money. It’s because the dude doesn’t want to play loud music anymore. And, you got to respect that, you know? You got to say; “Rob, go your way bro’. Go get you some Fishman transducers and some hot pickers, maybe even a dobro guy, and scrub up some tunes. But for me, let the place start jumpin’ to the Hi Watt amps.”

I’m with you JPJ. Long live rock!!