The Daily Swarm

The Sun [UK]:

LED ZEPPELIN frontman ROBERT PLANT is to be given an ultimatum by his bandmates – join us on tour or we’ll replace you.

Zep guitarist JIMMY PAGE, bassist JOHN PAUL JONES and drummer JASON BONHAM have been busy recently rehearsing in West London’s Ritz Studio and using stand-in vocalists.

And one American singer has been so impressive the other band members are confident they could hit the road next year WITHOUT their iconic frontman.

Brummie-born belter Plant has refused to take part in any practice sessions as he is currently committed to his side project with country singer ALISON KRAUSS.

A source said: “Jimmy, Jason and John are determined a tour will go ahead next year.

“They’ve been rehearsing frequently in London and the band is really gelling.

There’s an American guy who has been standing in for Robert regularly and doing a great job.

Jam Showbiz:

Rocker Robert Plant has not ruled out another reunion with his band Led Zeppelin – insisting it’s the bureaucracy involved that puts him off the idea.

The Kashmir hitmakers have been dogged by rumours of a world tour since they reformed for a one-off gig in London last year – their first concert in 19 years.

But singer Plant, who is currently touring with bluegrass star Alison Krauss, has so far refused to agree to hit the road with the legendary group again.

And he insists it’s not the idea of a reunion which he is opposed to – it’s the paperwork that accompanies every live show.

He tells Britain’s GQ magazine, “The endless paperwork was like nothing I’ve experienced before. I’ve kept every one of the emails that were exchanged before the concert and I’m thinking of compiling them for a book, which I feel sure would be hailed as a sort of literary version of Spinal Tap (semi-fictional heavy metal band featured in spoof documentary This Is Spinal Tap).

“Led Zeppelin’s never been about the fans. We’ve always been about four guys coming together to make thrilling, disturbing rock ‘n’ roll. On our own terms.”