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Led Zeppelin Struggle In Rehearsals

They're finding the hits hard...

  • by Daniel Melia
  • Sunday, November 25, 2007
  • Photo by: PR Photos
  • filed in: Rock
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Led Zeppelin have been forced to change the arrangement of their classic hits for their upcoming reunion show because Robert Plant can no longer reach the high notes.

The band have apparently rehearsed several songs in a lower key as a result of Plants voice getting lower since the last time they played together.

According to the Sun the rehearsal haven’t been going well for guitar maestro Jimmy Page either.

A source told them: "Jimmy is a bit rusty and Robert has been struggling with the high notes. To avoid any embarrassing vocal wobbles with the world watching, they decided it would be best to transpose the songs in a lower key."

The show takes place on December 10 at the O2 Arena, lets hope they’re not too rusty by then!
(11)
  • I have been a huge Zeppelin fan since I was 12 (1979), and the sad reality is that Robert Plant has had difficulty hitting the high notes since at least 1975 (see DVD clips from Earls Court). As for Jimmy Page, at his very best in concert he could be incredibly brilliant but also very erratic, which was a testament to his fearlessness. I hope that the boys pull of something special on December 10, but it could just as easily be a gong show given the high expectations. Expect Jonesy to do well.

    ~ by tjamon 11/25/2007

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    • This really shouldn’t warrant the publicity the shear fact that The Zep are coming back together to do even it is only for 1 night is a fantastic thing in itself, so they haven’t played together for a long time - what about all the other artists that now transpose their hits to make things Sound Better!!Rod Stewart - The Stones, Paul McCartney and that is what is is, It will be different it has to be and in my mind sometimes thats not a bad thing - Cut them some Slack and enjoy the

      ~ by D pandier 11/26/2007

  • I think it is great that they are playing again...If people do not want to see them because they are having a hard time reaching some higher notes the solution is easy. Do not go see them! I beleive that they just need to get back in the swing of things and it is just a matter of time before they will rock again. I love to see older rockers prove people wrong. Good Luck Led Zeppelin, I hope I will get a chance to see you guys again!

    ~ by LaLainya 11/25/2007

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  • Yes, time has past. Page was such a spontaneous guitar player. He Just cant cut it anymore. Drugs were also a integral part of his performance. Plant has evolved in his vocal performing in a fantastic way. Jones is a fantastic musician and will be a strong point of the show. Jason bonham is no comparison to his father who was the kingpin, the most important member of the band holding it all together. Sadly this show will be lame by Zep standards and a bit of a sell out for commercial reasons.

    ~ by Counterpoint 11/26/2007

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  • Don’t believe it!! Robert Plant is not an idiot, and he has enough suss to alter the tracks without changing keys!! As a singer myself (who does many Zep covers), it’s not difficult to realise that anyone trying to do Plant’s Zep vocals as per album would not get around a world tour in once piece, hence the need to change melodies a little. They are not a bunch of poor boys anymore, and to remedy this they would simply have to tune down, not change key. Gutter press rumour, me

    ~ by Phil Rowe 11/26/2007

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  • The solution is easy. To get those vocal sounds on record and in concert, Plant has relied on EQ, the harmonizer, vast amounts of digital echo, compression and other effects. Crank up the MAC and let’s party. Pride is a waste of time, give the people what they want. We have made them rich beyond their wildest dreams, we are due a tour at least.

    ~ by XL K9 11/26/2007

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  • I read months ago special bass guitars were being built to bring the key down a bit so it was known from the outset that this was needed; not something they discovered part way through rehearsals. And let us not forget, Robert has been singing Zep songs in many performances since Zep folded back in 1980 so he knows what is happening to his voice. I am sure it will be a stunning performance. One that I am not lucky enough to attend.

    ~ by John Broadway 11/26/2007

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  • as for plant not hitting the high notes I was there in 1975 and I sure didn’t notice it, but I was also at their last ever uk gigs at Knebworth in 1979(both weekends)and planty did struggle a little, fast forward to page and plant in the nineties and he sounded fine again! lets face it even on an off night there isn’t a band on the planet that can live with zeppelin and believe me I’ve seen them all, so roll on world tour 2008!!!!!

    ~ by Chris 11/26/2007

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  • Who cares whether or not Plant can hit the high notes. I was born in ’79 so I never experienced Zep live but have seen both Page & Plant tours which brought me to tears I was so over-whelmed. Nobody is better at live performance than these guys. Perfect blend of studio-to-spontaneity. Everyone gets old and everyone knows it will never be like 60’s or 70’s again. Does that make it any less special? I think not.

    ~ by EFinch 11/26/2007

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  • Is it LIVE or is it MEMOREX?! WE WANT REAL LIVE LED ZEPPELIN!! WE DONT WANT COMPUTER AIDED JESSICA SIMPSON BS! BOLLOCKS TO the previous poster! ZEP IS A REAL ROCK’N’ROLL BAND...WARTS AND ALL WE’RE WITH YOU!! HAMMER OF THE GODS! ZOSO!

    ~ by TrickyTolles64 11/27/2007

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  • I think they will be incredible. just wait..

    ~ by Damain 11/27/2007

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