Led Zeppelin reunion takes London
Rock icons Led Zeppelin will reunite Nov. 26 at London's O2 arena to headline a concert in honor of the late Atlantic Records founder, Ahmet Ertegun.
Surviving members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones will take the stage together for one night only with Jason Bonham, the son of late Zeppelin drummer John Bonham.
"During the Zeppelin years, Ahmet Ertegun was a major foundation of solidarity and accord," Plant said in a statement. "For us he was Atlantic Records and remained a close friend and conspirator--this performance stands alone as our tribute to the work and the life of our long-standing friend."
The show will feature UK acts that Ertegun worked with during his 60-year career, including Pete Townshend, Foreigner, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, and Paolo Nutini, who was the last British artist to receive mentoring from the legendary record exec.
Due to the anticipated heavy demand, tickets for the show will be available by ballot only. Fans should register their names at the Ahmet Ertegun tribute website, where concert-goers will be chosen at random. Those who do score tickets, which cost around $250, will be limited to two per household.
Profits from the concert will go to the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund, which provides students with annual scholarships to universities in the UK, US and Turkey, according to a press release.
Atlantic Records was known as a rhythm and blues label in the '50s and '60s until Ertegun signed Led Zeppelin in 1968. He guided the band into icon status, selling more than 300 million albums worldwide, according to a press release.
Ertegun, who also founded The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, died last year at age 83.
In addition to the live reunion, Led Zeppelin has set a Nov. 13 release date for a double-disc, best-of collection titled "Mothership." That will be followed Nov. 20 by a newly remixed and remastered version of the band's 1976 concert documentary, "The Song Remains the Same." The film/soundtrack set will include six previously unreleased tracks.
Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980 following Bonham's alcohol-related death. Page and Plant have continued to work together on various projects over the years.
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