Robert Plant Turns Down Almost $800 Million to Reform Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant reportedly turned down £500 million (approximately $795 million) to reunite Led Zeppelin. According to The Mirror, Plant was offered a contract for 35 dates in three cities–London, Berlin and New Jersey–by Sir Richard Branson and ripped it up in front of surprised promoters. The other members of the group all agreed to the deal.
The tour would have earned Plant along with Page and John Paul Jones £190 million each before tax, with drummer Jason Bonham accruing a wage to perform the 35-show run with an option for an additional 45 gigs in five venues.
Branson, the Virgin tycoon and lifelong fan of the band, was ready to rebrand one of his jump jets “The Starship” to fly the group around the venues. The Mirror reports that Page, Bonham and John Paul Jones signed up immediately, while Plant requested 48 hours to think it over before ultimately rejecting the offer. A source close to the band reportedly said that “they have tried to talk him round but there is no chance. His mind is made up.”
Led Zeppelin disbanded following the death of John Bonham in 1980. They recently reunited in 2007 for a one-night-only show at London’s O2 Arena.