Led Zeppelin’s 50th anniversary in 2018 to be celebrated with 'a series of high-profile events'
Led Zeppelin’s record label Warner Music Group are planning a “series of high-profile events” in 2018 to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary.
Unofficial fan site Led Zeppelin News has published a letter written by Tim Fraser-Harding, who is President, Global Catalogue, Recorded Music at Warner Music Group, to Redditch Borough Council urging them to give their backing to a John Bonham statue in the legendary drummer’s hometown.
As well as confirming plans to unveil the statue in Redditch in May to coincide with what would have been Bonzo’s 70th birthday, Fraser-Harding notes that this is just one of “a series of high-profile events” planned for 2018.
He adds: “We would be delighted to mention any new memorial in (John Bonham’s) home town as part of our extensive outreach to media and fans worldwide.”
Supported by the Bonham family and Warner Music Group, an application for the John Bonham statue was submitted to Redditch Borough Council this month.
According to Led Zeppelin News, the council will decide whether to grant approval at a meeting on Wednesday 11th October.
The full letter from Tim Fraser-Harding to Redditch Borough Council reads:
"Dear Cllr Hartnett,
"Re: Memorial for John Bonham
"I am writing to you in support of the campaign to build a memorial in Redditch to John Bonham, the legendary drummer from Led Zeppelin, one of the most important bands in music history.
"As you may know, 2018 will mark the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation and Warner Music Group is planning a series of high-profile events to mark this auspicious occasion. We would be delighted to mention any new memorial in his home town as part of our extensive outreach to media and fans worldwide.
"I know through long experience how dedicated Led Zeppelin fans are to the group and I am sure that many would be interested in visiting a memorial to John. Music tourism is increasing worldwide and Redditch has an opportunity to attract visitors through its association with a band that has such a huge global following.
"While the John Bonham Memorial Fund is privately raising money for the design, build and maintenance of the memorial, I understand that it is asking for the council to provide land to place it on, as well as granting it planning permission.
"I urge you to ask your fellow councillors to vote in support of the memorial at your forthcoming planning committee. This would mean that the memorial could be unveiled in May, for what would have been John’s 70th birthday, and in time to be part of the band’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
"Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
"Yours sincerely,
"Tim Fraser-Harding
President, Global Catalogue, Recorded Music
Warner Music Group."
You can see a photo of the letter here and images of a small-scale model of the proposed statue here.
Planet Rock has collated a gallery of rock stars immortalised as statues featuring Lemmy, Ronnie James Dio, Freddie Mercury, Rory Gallagher, Phil Lynott, Bon Scott and more, which you can check out below.