LED ZEPPELIN TO REUNITE FOR AHMET ERTEGUN TRIBUTE SHOW

Jason Bonham talks about the hold-out of Robert Plant for a Zeppelin reunion, and recalls his memories of 2007’s reunion show in support of Ahmet Ertegun, wh…

Hailed as one of the most significant figures in the modern recording industry and a member of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, Ahmet Ertegun who was influential in bringing the careers of many artists to the forefront of society will be honored with a tribute show on November 26th, 2007 at the O2 Arena in London. Ertegun, who passed away after falling and hitting his head backstage at a Rolling Stones Show in October of 2006, was instruemental in singing a multitude of artists to Atlantic Records, which he founded. Artists from The Drifters, The Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett to Led Zeppelin, all the way to one of his last artist signings, Scottish vocal sensation Paolo Nutini.

Set to perform at Ahmet’s tribute show will be Pete Townsend of The Who, Foreigner, Bill Wyman and The Rythym Kings, Paolo Nutini and the much talked about reunion of Led Zeppelin. So what’s Paolo’s thoughts about performing alongside Led Zeppelin, which will be the most historical Rock N Roll Reunion in history.

“I knew more and more vocally Plant does, I mean he was just so impressive that I think he sang with such emotion and these days especially. I don’t know songs that are my favorite ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’ I remember the first time that I watched them perform that on footage tape. It was unbelievable man. So, songs like that and I knew there bigger hits since I was a child. I was sixteen when I started to listen to the records more and I knew songs like I don’t know ‘Moby Dick’ and ‘Thank You’ all these different songs. Yeah, that’s it they’re all masterpieces. They’re all works of art. That’s Led Zeppelin.”

We caught up with Paolo Nutini to get his thoughts on the legendary Ahmet Ertegun, who helped out Paolo’s career at the start.

“He certainly does. Everyone you meet I think that have been around since the 60’s and 70’s they know Ahmet. Ahmet in some way helped them. Whether it was not directly, I think if he liked your band and you weren’t part of a company he would certainly talk you up. He would certainly, I think he just appreciated the music. It’s a priveledge to have even known the man to be honest with you.”

Although the surviving members of Led Zeppelin performed at Live Aid in 1985 with Phil Collins on drums and in 1988, for Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert, with Bonham’s son Jason, on drums, the last full concert Led Zeppelin performed at was in Berlin in 1980, which was just before founding drummer John Bonham passed away. Peforming on drums at Ahmet’s Tribute show will be Jason Bonham, along with the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones. Robert Plant had this to say about Ahmet “During the Zeppelin years, Ahmet Ertegun was a major foundation of solidarity and accord. For us, he was Atlantic Records and remained a close friend and conspirator. This performance stands alone as a tribute to the work and life of a longstanding friend.”

The performance by Led Zeppelin will coincide with the release of their upcoming two-CD best of compilation, titled ‘Mothership,’ which will be released on 13 November. Although Led Zeppelin hasn’t announced any plans for an official reunion tour after the one off show in London this November, rumor has it that if all goes well, the band would possibly by open to a 2008 tour. Profits from the show will go towards scholarships in Ertegun’s name in UK, the USA and Turkey, the country of his birth and tickets for his tribute show will only be available to those who register on a dedicated website, ahmettribute.com, and will be limited to two successful applications per household.