Led Zeppelin tickets frenzy from a fan's perspective

I’m sure you all have heard the news by now: Led Zeppelin are about to return.
The last time the mighty Led Zeppelin played together was a gig in July 1980 in Berlin, Germany, two month prior to the untimely death of their drummer, John ‘Bonzo’ Bonham.

Almost 30 years after his death and only a handful of short re-union gigs, including 1985 Live Aid with Phil Collins behind the drum kit, in 1988 at the 40th birthday celebrations of Atlantic Records with John Bonham’s son, Jason taking over the drum duties of his father and at the private wedding of Jason Bonham.

Led Zeppelin’s loyalty to Atlantic Records is what gets Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John-Paul Jones once again back together.
In 2007, the Led Zeppelin will fly for one-time only in tribute to Atlantic Records founder, supporter and close friend of the band, Ahmet Ertegun. Once again, Jason Bonham will take the seat behind the drum kit. It’s family business, as usual.

I hope I’ll be lucky to snap-up a ticket for their reunion gig at London’s O2 Arena but it will be tough. Apparently no less than 20m fans signed-up for the 20.000 available tickets. Madness!!!!!!!! The Spice Girls “only” had 1m fans signing-up for priority bookings.

But the Led Zeppelin frenzy shouldn’t come as no surprise to me. Of course, everyone wants to see Led Zeppelin. They are the ultimate Rockband. Their infamous hedonistic lifestyle on tour has created more myths than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones put together. It’s rare that a band makes wild backstage headlines, while also being highly regarded for their musicianship. And what musicians they are! Jimmy Page is remains one of the most influential guitarists of all time, while Robert Plant, John-Paul Jones and John Bonham are equally regarded on their respective instruments. John Bonham’s drum beats spring to mind. Just think of his huge beat on their cover of ‘When the Levee Breaks’. That beat has been sampled by countless rap and hip-hop artists, including the Beastie Boys’ ‘Rhymin' & Stealin’ on their 1986 debut ‘Liscence To Ill’.

So, yes – looking forward to this gig but I realise my chances are slim. Sadly, the Robert Plant dismissed rumours about a possible full tour. Hence the London gig at the O2 Arena will be a one-off occasion. The O2 Arena is big, but far from being big enough to cater for every Led Zeppelin fans the world over. In order to get a ticket, fans had to pre-register and were chosen randomly by ballot, similar to the ticket system used for 2005’s Live8 concert in London.

Anybody reading this, have you registered? Any luck? I’m not going to ask you to donate your ticket, but if you feel like giving a fan (aka me…;) a Led Zeppelin ticket, I won’t hold you back.
In an interview with the BBC today, Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, revealed how much even he is looking forward to see the Led Zeppelin gig. Mick said, “It’s been a long time in the making. (…) And then I heard this awful rumour that they would only do half an hour. If I remember correct, the drum solo was about half an hour long - and I’m not exaggerating. They were really that long! But I’m sure they’re going to play longer. Surely they’ll play two hours. (…) If I’m here in London I’ll definitely go. (…) It’s a fantastic band.”
So there’s hope. Maybe Mick knows something we all don’t. Maybe, maybe a tour? Fingers crossed!