Date: Sun, 30 Oct 1994 11:01:49 -0500
From: Steve Kilpatrick
Subject: Plant/Page on Prodigy
Here's the complete Q&A session from Plant and Page's appearance on
Prodigy, the American subscription computer network. Some of the answers
were provided by P&P themselves, others by rock critic Lisa Robinson from
her interview with them.
I found their answers to be highly repetitive and not very informative,
and they tended to ignore parts of the questions. My guess is that a few
questions were hand-selected by a Prodigy employee, they provided some
quick verbal answers, and someone else typed them in.
Steve Kilpatrick
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PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 8:57 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/27 1:38 AM
TO: ALL
FROM: MARK BADERTSCHER (JSPK49A)
SUBJECT: 2 BOTH OF YOU GUYS..
Jimmy,
Where are some of the tour stops? Who will be playing
with you and Robert? Will you include John Paul Jones and
possibly Jason Bonham? I read that maybe he won't be
included for some reason. Will the shows be entirely
acoustic with some new songs? Let me know---Mark
Badertscher.
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 8:58 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:09 AM
TO: MARK BADERTSCHER (JSPK49A)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: 2 BOTH OF YOU GUYS..
Whenever anyone thinks of Zeppelin, they seem to think
somehow that it would be cute if we all got back together
and the drummer's son played drums-- it's not going to
happen. We did it once as a one-off thing more as a token to
his dad. That's how we saw it. We're interested in the
future.
Thanks, Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 8:59 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/26 12:28 AM
TO: ALL
FROM: JEANE HARRIS (NKSK84A)
SUBJECT: A QUICKEY..
Hi Robert and Jimmi,
Cheated to get in the "A's", but had to tell you how
much your 'Unledded' special on MTV meant to us. You guys
still rock...Loved the blusey rendition of "Since I've been
Loving you." QUESTION: May have missed it in the
interviews, but what was the spark that got you two back
together to perform? You guys haven't missed a beat and >>>
gently reminded us all that good music is GOOD music. Taped
your whole segment; movie, Unledded and all videos that my
tape could hold. Thanks again for giving us the best music
around. (still)
Would really be on cloud 9, if I got a reply from
you.. thanks again,
jeane-LA
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 8:59 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:06 AM
TO: JEANE HARRIS (NKSK84A)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: A QUICKEY..
The main criteris in us getting back together after all this
time was that we'd not actually worked together-- we might
have brushed shoulders on certain projects, but we'd never
gotten together on any kind of meat and potatoes thing, and
we wanted to give it a go and see if we could come up with
material that would be fresh and exciting-- not a retread of
the past. Thanks, Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:00 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/29 11:22 PM
TO: PAUL BELFI (GDYM74A)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: ASK PAGE/PLANT
In answer to Paul Belfi, who wrote and asked if we would
tour-- yes, we will, and you'll get old stuff and new
stuff-- like one night we'll do "Black Dog" the way we did
it in 1973, and then the next night we can play it with the
Moroccan ensemble sitting there cross legged with incense
burning.
Robert and Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:01 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/29 11:28 PM
TO: KIM SMITH (DGDJ31C)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: ASK PAGE/PLANT
In response to Kim Smith, who asked what made us decide to
do Unledded:
After fourteen years, we weren't going to get back
together with Zeppelin again. In order for us to work
together again, we had to take our past to rejuvenate it and
have a present and a future. Otherwise, there'd be no
point: we'd be like the Eagles. Thanks, Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:01 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/19 11:32 PM
TO: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
FROM: MICHAEL KELLER (FGGJ47C)
SUBJECT: COVERDALE/PAGE
This question is directed towards Mr. Plant,
Robert, how did your feelings about the Coverdale/Page
collaboration affect the Unleded project?
- Mike the Muskrat
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:02 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:28 AM
TO: MICHAEL KELLER (FGGJ47C)
FROM: LISA ROBINSON (PKNU41A)
SUBJECT: COVERDALE/PAGE
When I talked to Jimmy and Robert, they both were excited
about this collaboration, and Jimmy honestly admitted that
he never had anyone he wanted to work with as much as
Robert. Robert said:
"I hd to go off and write, and hope that in the future I
would be able to write with Jimmy -- but before this,
we were trapped. I mean look at how people obviously get
trapped by their own success. Look at the state of these
sort of aged gods that trumble around now."
Lisa Robinson
Music BB Leader
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:03 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/20 1:43 AM
TO: ALL
FROM: CHRISTINE TRIGILIO (NSJM55A)
SUBJECT: EASTERN INFLUENCE
Hi Robert and Jimmy!
With your last Unledded MTV appearance, it seems that an
east Indian flavor is pervading your musical style. Did that
originate from a spiritual affinity or from another source?
Also, what prompted your reconciliation, if I may be so bold
in asking? With love, Christine
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:03 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:20 AM
TO: CHRISTINE TRIGILIO (NSJM55A)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: EASTERN INFLUENCE
Frankly, it goes without saying, that in the writing
capacity especially, we've never found anyone we could
relate to in the way that we do to each other. We can throw
strange ideas at each other and it's always understood
instantly. Obviously before, we had been trapped by our
success though, and many middlemen who rpesented crass ideas
to us that we didn't want to do. Thanks, Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:04 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/24 10:06 AM
TO: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
FROM: SARAH DURBIN (WNXK48C)
SUBJECT: FUTURE PLANS
Mr. Plant & Mr. Page,
I thought the Unledded show was great! Are there any
plans to record together in the future,and is there any
collaborations in the works (a la "Coverdale/Page")?
Sarah
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:04 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:43 AM
TO: SARAH DURBIN (WNXK48C)
FROM: LISA ROBINSON (PKNU41A)
SUBJECT: FUTURE PLANS
When I asked Jimmy and Robert why they re-did a lot of Zep
material instead of writing all new songs, Robert said:
"The criteria was to represent ourselves to an audience,
and not to develop an entirely obscure program for the TV
special. But the Zep songs we touched on were ones we're
really proud of, and we gave them such a new treatment that
they're virtually new songs anyway. And, some of the
new ideas we had we turned into a few new pieces, and we
have many more ready to work on."
So, my hunch is that there will be more from them in
the future if this tour goes well.
Lisa Robinson
Music BB Leader
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:05 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/24 5:24 PM
TO: ALL
FROM: MIKE CERAGIOLI (UMYX01A)
SUBJECT: JASON BONHAM ON DRUM
Jimmy and Robert, if you are going to do a full reunion tour
, how about Jason Bonham on Drums like you did back about
seven or eight years ago on I think it was a MTV special?
With John Paul Jones as well?
It'll be bigger than the
Stones,Beatles, as a matter of fact It'll be be bigger than
Life! Mike.
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:06 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:17 AM
TO: MIKE CERAGIOLI (UMYX01A)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: JASON BONHAM ON DRUM
No, Jason will not be on drums, that was once - as a nod to
his dad, more than anything else. And as for Jonesy, he's
welcome to come and sit in with us one night or whatever
when we're on tour, but this project wasn't done with him.
It was s singer and guitarist, and frankly, we haven't been
in touch with him and it just didn't factor into the
equation. Thanks, Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:06 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/29 11:30 PM
TO: DANIEL KERSTING (WRJT68B)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: JOHN PAUL JONES
Dan Kerstling asked why we didn't play with John Paul Jones
on the MTV Special, and basically, when we first got
together and started writing, the whole momentum moved so
fast, we were thiking about what we were doing there and
then-- and frankly, didn't think about him. These new songs
weren't written with a four piece in mind, it was done as a
guitarist and singer. Thanks, Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:07 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/18 10:11 AM
TO: ALL
FROM: STEVEN MINSKOFF (FGWV05A)
SUBJECT: LED ZEP LIVE ?
Dear Mr. Plant and Mr.Page,
Thank you for all the wonderful songs you have given us!
I do have a question in regards to any future plans for
either a propper live cd or video? I know you guys want to
go foward, but there really is aneed for a great live cd or
video! Bootlegers have been making a killing on you guys
and you should put them all to rest with a great live !
package! It really would also be a great tribute to Bonzo
I have always read how much you guys did not care for The
Song Remains the Same! I wish you much success with the new
cd and will be the first one to own it! I saw you guys many
times and it really is a shame that this younger genneration
has know clue how great you guys where live!
Thank you again,
Steven Minskoff
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:07 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:39 AM
TO: STEVEN MINSKOFF (FGWV05A)
FROM: LISA ROBINSON (PKNU41A)
SUBJECT: LED ZEP LIVE ?
I know for a fact that there is a TON of live Zep material
in the can, and when I asked Jimmy about it, he said the
same thing he did to an answer to a note here-- "Why would I
want to wade through all that old stuff when I'm so
excited about what we're doing now???"
But one day....he might.
Lisa Robinson/Music BB Leader
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:08 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/29 11:33 PM
TO: JOSEPH BARDI (TXSG18C)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: LIVE ZEP MATERIAL
Joe Bardi asked about a live boxed set, and to be honest,
the last thing we want to do now is wade through all that
old live material when we're writing new stuff together;
it's much more exciting.
Thanks, Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:08 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/18 6:38 PM
TO: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
FROM: JOHN FRUSCIANTE (YSVR62B)
SUBJECT: LIVE-DRUMMERQUESTION
Hi guys. I have a question. I heard you guys may be
touring live. If so, do you think you may be able to find a
good replacement for the late, very great John Bohnam? Or
do you already have somebody to fill the void? Just askin'.
Thanx.
John
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:08 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:30 AM
TO: JOHN FRUSCIANTE (YSVR62B)
FROM: LISA ROBINSON (PKNU41A)
SUBJECT: LIVE-DRUMMERQUESTION
If you see all the notes answered by Robert & Jimmy, you'll
see what they have to say about Bonham, but basically, what
they told me isa that it has never come up -- he's not going
to be part of the Page-Plant reunion collaboration tour or
any other albums. My guess is they'll use Robert's drummer
who was on the Unledded special.
Lisa Robinson/Music BB Leader
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:09 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/20 12:23 PM
TO: ALL
FROM: JIM FITZPATRICK (MWRF30B)
SUBJECT: MY THOUGHTS.....
Ever since I heard Going to California the magic of Zeppelin
has enchanted me. I can't get enough of it. I don't want
to be one of those petty fans, though. I understand the
music came from a human mind. Robert, Jimmy, is the thrill
gone? Do you still have the emotion? And finally, do you
think that there's a place for me in the whole grand scheme
of things? My age, being 13, is a factor. If this note
were answered, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
-Jim Fitzpatrick
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:09 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:06 AM
TO: JIM FITZPATRICK (MWRF30B)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: MY THOUGHTS.....
Jim,
We wanted to get together and see what we could do,
without any crass commercial ideas being presented to us
by middlemen. And when we kicked off the first day with
three new ideas, two of which are on the show and the
record, the fact that we were able to blend together
musically before even asking how the families were-- well,
that was pretty important and obviously special.
Thanks,
Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:10 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/19 3:57 PM
TO: ALL
FROM: MITCHELL COHEN (MBWC59B)
SUBJECT: NEW ALBUM????
Are there any chances of a new album from you two?? God
knows that would excite many zeppelin fans.
-Black dog
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:10 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:17 AM
TO: MITCHELL COHEN (MBWC59B)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: NEW ALBUM????
The album from the Unledded special will be out Nov. 8th,
and we may have more in the future.
Thanks, Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:11 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/23 4:35 PM
TO: ALL
FROM: EVAN PARNESS (TVPV74C)
SUBJECT: REUNION
HOLA. YOU GUYS KICK MAJOR A$$. HOW COME YOU DIDN'T USE JOHN
PAUL JONES AND JASON BONHAM FOR THE REUNION? IS IT TRUE YOU
GUYS ARE GOING ON TOUR?
FROM,
HEAVY AND METAL
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:11 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:34 AM
TO: EVAN PARNESS (TVPV74C)
FROM: LISA ROBINSON (PKNU41A)
SUBJECT: REUNION
Robert talked quite frankly about having a reunion tour with
Jimmy and not doing it as Led Zep:
"We existed as a four piece all those years ago," he said,
"and I don't think we should be considered a four piece like
that again. Our songs can be interesting and elaborate
without keyboards all over the place, and besides- it makes
sense to give the old songs the best treatment we can, and
in the 70's we were a four piece rock band, and now we're
two writers who play in a four piece rock band doing
something different."
Lisa Robinson
Music BB Leader
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:11 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/22 9:15 PM
TO: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
FROM: KENNETH HASS (YHGT16A)
SUBJECT: WELCOME BACK!!!
Thanks for getting back together again. I`ve been a fan
for years and being only 21, I never had the chance to see
Zepp in it`s prime. I just have one question, in the album
"LED ZEPPELIN III" there is a wierd droning noise that
segues from the ending of "Friends" into the beginning of
"Celebration Day", what exactly was used to create that
sound and what was the actual reason for it? Also if you
go out on tour next year will you be playing at Shea Stadium
here in New York?
Thanks for 25 years of great music, you guys are the
original hard rock troopers!!!
Ken in NYC
The Zeppelin soars again!
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:12 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:37 AM
TO: KENNETH HASS (YHGT16A)
FROM: LISA ROBINSON (PKNU41A)
SUBJECT: WELCOME BACK!!!
When I talked to Robert and Jimmy, they talked a lot about
doing a tour differently than the "bigshot" days, as
Robert put it, so that makes me think that they will do
smaller places when they tour. Probably arenas, I don't
think they can get away with theaters-- although the way
they were talking, I'm sure they'd like to. Of course, they
are going to bring a string section and lots of those
Eastern musicians with them, so.....it could be expensive.
But no, I don't think you'll see them at Shea Stadium unless
I'm very wrong, but I'd be surprised.
Lisa Robinson
Music BB Leader
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:12 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/18 5:21 PM
TO: LAUREN BACALL (STAR99B)
FROM: SHAY JOHNSON (ATMS73B)
SUBJECT: WHY GET THE LED OUT?
Why don't you guys want to be called Led Zepplin anymore?I
assume this due to the Mtv special 'UnLEDded'.Also have you
ever worked with David Bowie or Mick Jagger?
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:13 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:15 AM
TO: SHAY JOHNSON (ATMS73B)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: WHY GET THE LED OUT?
We didn't call ourselves Led Zeppelin because it's not Led
Zeppelin-- it's not a four piece writing together like Zep
was; it's a guitarist and singer working together. We didn't
want to be suckers to our former success.....let other bands
do that.
Thanks, Robert & Jimmy
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:14 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/28 6:25 AM
TO: ALL
FROM: KEVIN CASSIDY (BJBC10A)
SUBJECT: `DRUGS AND CREATVTY?
Dear Page and Plant,
Do you write and perform better while straight or under the
influence???? If so what works well for you and what
doesn't????? I'm not promoting dugs!!!!!!!
Kevin
PRODIGY(R) interactive personal service 10/30/94 9:14 AM
MUSIC
TOPIC: PLANT-PAGE
TIME: 10/30 12:12 AM
TO: KEVIN CASSIDY (BJBC10A)
FROM: PLANT PAGE (ROCK99E)
SUBJECT: `DRUGS AND CREATVTY?
In the Zep days...everything was blown out of proportion,
and drug abuse was part of it. The music is more coherent
now, and not affected by any of that and not corporate abuse
or any of the indulgences that come with that kind of
bigshot fame....
Thanks, Robert & Jimmy