Robert Plant, frontman of iconic rock band Led Zeppelin, reportedly turned down nearly $1 billion to reunite and tour with his former band mates — a claim the legendary singer dismissed as “rubbish.”
The $794 million offer from Virgin founder Richard Branson stipulated the band play 35 dates in London, Berlin and New Jersey, the Daily Mirror reported.
Mr. Branson was also going to let the band use one of his own jumbo jets and rename it “The Starship,” the Daily Mirror reported. The jet staircase would also be dubbed the “Stairway to Heaven.”
Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones agreed to the tour, as well as the son of deceased drummer John Bonham. But Mr. Plant tore up the contract in front of Mr. Branson, a source said.
“They have tried to talk [Mr. Plant] round but there is no chance,” the source told the Mirror. “His mind is made up and that’s that.”
But Mr. Plant discounted the report altogether, issuing a statement to The Guardian through his publicist describing it as “rubbish.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.