Plant-less Zeppelin gig draws criticism

LONDON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Led Zeppelin's former tour promoter said he doesn't see the point of the British rock band's planned reunion without front man Robert Plant.

Bassist John Paul Jones recently told the BBC the surviving members of the band are meeting with singers to replace Plant, who has said he is too busy with other projects to rejoin the iconic rock group. Jones said the remaining members plan to record a new album and go on tour as Led Zeppelin.

However, their former promoter Harvey Goldsmith told the British broadcaster, "I certainly don't think they should do a big tour because I can't see the point of it."

While Goldsmith acknowledged there may be "some opportunities" for a reunion without Plant, he told the BBC, "I doubt it will be called Led Zeppelin."

"I just think it's a lot of talk, I think it's wishful thinking. Whether they all come together and do something in the future, they may," he said. "I think some of the band really want to go out and do it and other parts of the band need to understand why they're doing it, and if there's no compelling reason to do it, then they shouldn't do it. I think that there is an opportunity for them to go out and present themselves. I don't think a long rambling tour is the answer as Led Zeppelin."

The band, including Plant, performed a wildly popular one-off concert in London last December. It was their first show in 19 years and rumors claiming they plan to get back together have been rampant ever since.