Robert Plant: Led Zeppelin's 50th anniversary is '38 years of darkness for John Bonham's family'
Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant says he’s not excited about the “hullabaloo” surrounding the band’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
In an interview with MOJO Magazine, Robert says that he’s sure “some great things” will come out of Led Zeppelin’s continued half-Century celebrations this year, however in the absence of John Bonham the occasion is tinged with sadness.
Asked if he’s excited by the legendary band’s landmark, Robert said: “No. It just makes me realise how time flies and how long John Bonham has not been with us and what a price to pay for the whole f***ing thing.
'''To have gone through car wrecks (Robert was injured in a car crash in Rhodes in 1975) and losing my child (his son Karac died from a stomach virus aged 5 in 1977) and then losing the guy (John Bonham) who tried to help me get back into a creative place after losing my boy ... So really, everything is fine.
“It's 50 years but it's not 50 years - it's 38 years of darkness for a family (Bonham's). So all that hullabaloo is great and I'm sure there'll be some great things to come out of it.”
Reflecting upon Jimmy Page’s promised special releases to mark the anniversary, Robert added: “I really can't wait to hear them - I might even get a free copy.”
Already this year, Led Zeppelin have released unheard versions of ‘Rock and Roll’ and ‘Friends’ on 7” vinyl for Record Store Day and in March they released a remastered edition of their 2003 live album ‘How The West Was Won’
The band’s first ever official illustrated book, the aptly titled Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin, will be published by Reel Art Press on 2nd October 2018 – 50 years to the month since the band changed their name from The New Yardbirds to Led Zeppelin.
John Bonham will also be immortalised with a statue in his home town of Redditch to mark what would have been his 70 birthday and also Led Zeppelin’s 50th anniversary festivities.
Speaking exclusively in issue six of Planet Rock Magazine, Jimmy Page said there will be a brand new Led Zeppelin live album released at some point this year and he foresees that there will be 'new' Led Zeppelin product emerging over the next decade.
“I can't give the game away, but there's a recording that’s another multi-track that we'll release,” Jimmy said. “It's so different to all the other things that are out there. It's another view compared to How The West Was Won or The Song Remains The Same.
“I'm looking forward to people hearing that. There's a lot of stuff to come out, a number of releases. I'd like to say that they'll be coming out over the next 10 years. There's more to come for sure.”
Robert Plant headlines Bluefest at London’s The O2 on Friday 26th October where he appears alongside Van Morrison. Tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now.