Is This The End For The Who?

The Who’s Pete Townshend has told Rolling Stone magazine that The Who might be done since his tinnitus has returned. The Who had a busy year planned but Townshend states that the band cannot continue if his tinnitus remains a problem. He told Rolling Stone, “If my hearing is going to be a problem, we’re not delaying shows. We’re finished. I can’t really see any way around the issue.” 

Townshend will test an in-ear monitor when The Who perform Quadrophenia on March 30^th at London’s Royal Albert Hall as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust concerts. If the experiment fails, that performance will likely close the curtain on The Who’s career. The Who formed in the early 1960s in London and have been working on and off since their so-called “farewell tour” in 1982. 

For more on this story, see the articles from RollingStone.com, XFM London, and NME.com. 

In other Who-related news, Roger Daltrey told BBC 6 Music that he’d like to work with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. Daltrey said: 

“I’d love to do something, I’d love to do an album with Jimmy Page. He needs a singer to drive him. I’m a great blues singer.

“I don’t sing the blues with The Who, but that’s what I used to be before Townshend started writing. I used to be a great blues singer.” 

For more on this story, see the article from BBC 6 Music. 

Last week, Daltrey also did an interview with Geoff Lloyd of the UK radio station Absolute Radio. During the interview, Daltrey discussed The Who’s performance at the Super Bowl, Depeche Mode’s show at Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust, the difficulty of organizing the Teenage Cancer Trust shows, Noel Gallagher’s first post-Oasis shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust, finally getting the Arctic Monkeys to play the Teenage Cancer Trust shows, The Who’s upcoming performance of Quadrophenia for the Teenage Caner Trust, his disgust with Twitter, and other subjects. Curiously, Daltrey did not address Townshend’s recurring hearing problems that may force an end to the band. To watch the interview, click below: 

Jimmy Page to Move On without Robert Plant and John Paul Jones

Jimmy Page is tired of waiting around for another Led Zeppelin reunion. In his own words, he’s ready to rock on-stage in 2010.

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“We’re running up to Christmas now and next year I have every intention of playing music live and manifesting it. I’ve got the music waiting, and that’s what i’ll be doing. It’s been two years since the 02, so it’s time to do that.”

Page doing the music of Zeppelin solo sounds awfully good to me. “Black Mountain Side,” anyone?

Lips of Anvil to Bring Back the Dildo Prop?

Jimmy Page had his violin bow. Lips Kudlow of Anvil had his dildo.

Years ago Lips of Anvil retired said dildo because it offended some fans, and he didn’t want to piss off any would-be fans. Fans were sacred to Anvil.

Now with all the success of the band doc Anvil! The Story of Anvil, Lips tells the Village Voice he may take the Dildo out of retirement,

This is the most famous we’ve ever been — ever — in our whole 30-year history. With what’s coming with all this, I think the dildo will return.

The Village Voice treats this as a must-see movie — but I already figured that one out.

The Voice also recommended seeing the 80s broadway musical Rock of Ages, stating the musical goes from “its so-bad-it’s good to good.”
Growing up in the 80s, I might take their advice on both. Afterall, I like to reminisce and I like the cheese factor.

Jimmy Page’s Autograph Most Treasured

It seems that among living rock stars, Jimmy Page’s John Hancock is the most prized (and expensive).

One of the reasons for that is the sad fact that, according to houndstv.com, Page and the other members of Zeppelin were voted worst autograph-givers. Page actually stated recently:”I’m kinda finished with that.”

Nice.

Isn’t that kinda what Plant said to him about recording with Led Zeppelin again?

btw, the best autograph-signer was Angus Young of AC/DC (looking pretty hardcore in photo below).

For related items that you may enjoy:
• Download Guide to Alice Cooper (PDF download)
• Check out the book on classic guitars: “Classic Guitars, Identification and Price Guide,” By Nick Freeth
• And click here to check out the latest Goldmine record price guides

Happy Birthday, Jimmy Page!

65. Wow… with the heart and energy of any 25-year old.

What more can I say? I love this effing guy… ever since I was a young kid. God Bless.

To celebrate, start with the video below; then go here for Jimmy Page’s astrological chart; or add Jimmy as a friend at his MySpace page: www.myspace.com/lzlzlz; or go to a dedication site like www.jimmypageonline.com and www.jimmypage.co.uk; or enjoy all the multimedia Jimmy organized at Zeppelin’s official site: www.ledzeppelin.com. We celebrate Jimmy, only a day after his manager says “Led Zeppelin are over.”

Well, his music will live on, with or without the LZ reunion-tour.

WTF? Jimmy Page’s Manager Now Says Led Zep Won’t Tour Or Record

What a difference a day makes.

Just yesterday, the music world was abuzz with the talk of who would replace Robert Plant (pictured above) as the vocalist in the band featuring his Led Zeppelin cohorts Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham. The talk was stoked by comments from Jimmy Page’s manager, Peter Mensch, to BBC 6 Music. Then, later yesterday, Mensch pulled a complete 180, telling MusicRadar.com:

“They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out. That was it. The whole thing is completely over now. There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it.

“Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn’t see them in 2007, you missed them. It’s done. I can’t be any clearer than that.”

Mensch’s stunning reversal from his comments to BBC 6 Music have left many scratching their heads. Is he serious this time? Or was Page upset when he read Mensch’s comments and told him to issue a retraction? This bizarre story just gets stranger and stranger.

When he was asked what Page will be doing this year now that the Led Zeppelin reunion is off the table, Mensch stated, “Fuck if I know. I’m waiting to hear.”

Maybe tomorrow, Mensch will reveal that Led Zeppelin’s new vocalist is William Hung!

For more on this story, see the articles from MusicRadar.com and XFM London.

Also, see the piece from MusicRadar.com revealing how the BBC 6 Music interview with Peter Mensch was months old.

Jimmy Page’s Manager Discusses A Led Zeppelin Without Robert Plant

Speaking with BBC 6 Music, Jimmy Page’s manager, Peter Mensch, discussed the possibility of Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham touring and possibly recording a new album with a singer other than Robert Plant. Mensch stated:

“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.

“So they [Page, Jones, Bonham] did the show with Robert Plant; they had a really good time rehearsing, the three of them, before Robert showed up.

“And 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.

“And I support that because, why not? That’s what Jimmy Page does. That’s his job, his hobby, his vocation.”

Mensch also revealed that Page, Jones, and Bonham have not yet found a replacement for Plant. Mensch said, “John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page enjoy playing with each other, Jason Bonham is a really good drummer so why not? We just need to find a singer.”

Steven Tyler, Chris Cornell, and Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge are three singers rumored to be interested in deputizing for Plant. Mensch would not conform anything about the identity of a singer, saying, “I can’t comment on any rumors right now. It’s gonna be a long and difficult process. And we’re not soliciting people! So don’t call me about it!”

Mensch’s company, Q Prime, had previously issued a statement that said the new band would not be working under the Led Zeppelin name.

I really hope they don’t pick the horrible Steven Tyler. That would be a nightmare. Chris Cornell would be a far better choice. I’m not familiar with the work of Myles Kennedy, so I can’t really say whether or not he’d be suitable.

At least there has been no mention of David Cover Version . . . uh, I mean David Coverdale. That would truly be awful.

For more on this story, see the articles from BBC 6 Music, XFM London, and NME.com.

Final Nail in the Coffin: Robert Plant Says He is Too Old to Be Touring With Led Zeppelin

There will be those who read this blog who will give Robert the thumbs up for this statement. I have to read their comments constantly about how 60-year-old men should not be playing Led Zeppelin’s brand of rock and roll.

Robert Plant, the voice himself, seems to agree with them:

“Do you know how long it took me to climb up onto the stage here – and it’s only four steps.”

Plant was on-stage via BBC Radio Wales, interviewed by actress Ruth Jones who plays Nessa in Britian TV’s “Gavin and Stacey.” As a non-Brit, I have NO idea who that is, however (maybe John Curley can help me here?).

Plant also says that he remains in contact with Page:

“I still see Jimmy quite a lot and he’s very complimentary and supportive of what I’m doing.But we are in different places now and you have to go on to do different things.”

It’s too bad. Zeppelin reunion tour would have been the perfect ending for legendary band and its fans. Now it’s not going to happen.

Note to Jimmy: Please put out another live DVD of the old footage then! We know you have it.

How Jimmy Page Almost Broke His Neck Jamming with Poison

Poison vocalist, Bret Michaels, tells a story to the SacBee about a Jimmy Page jam session with Poison that nearly turned bad. Here’s an excerpt:

“Jimmy Page came onstage with me,” says Michaels, “and I had always been a Zeppelin freak. The place went insane. I was unbelievably excited, getting to play rock ‘n’ roll with Page. And on top of that, he was going to play my brand-new Les Paul (Gibson guitar). It was the greatest day of my life.”

But Page, the legendary lead guitarist of Led Zeppelin, had not been warned of the pyro pit. Poison concerts included huge pyro shows and “there were these huge holes on stage to hold the fireworks. Page began moving toward one and it was like one of those scenes in a movie with the character going slow motion to try to stop a disaster. ‘Nooooooo,’ I was yelling, but he went down, luckily not landing on the fireworks, luckily not injuring himself, even though he fell 6 to 8 feet. My Les Paul snapped in half, but he got back up and continued to play with us.”

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Pay Their Respects to Rock Drummer, Michael Lee

Drummer Michael Lee‘s passing (Nov. 24) was taken hard by many in the rock world. He played with such heavyweight bands as Thin Lizzy, Aerosmith, Guns ‘N’ Roses, and, notably, Page and Plant. Also, The Cult, Little Angels, The Quireboys, Echo and The Bunnymen, Bon Jovi, Lenny Kravitz and many more.

And Jimmy Page, once literally seen as a hermit, came to the funeral to pay his respects (above, and you can actually buy this image here).

Robert Plant also paid his respects by floral arrangements. The card read:

“What a waste. Too soon. I’m so sorry, I always enjoyed your enthusiasm and ideas. Robert P”.

“What a waste” may not be seen as the most elegant words by some people, but it does show not only Robert’s heartfelt sympathy but also his anger at losing a friend so young (reportedly, 39).

No floral arrangement, nor card, from Axl Rose has been mentioned by the press.

Page is aging graciously, but looking his years nonetheless.

Michael Lee’s obituary can be read here. RIP