Robert Plant turns down $800 million for Zeppelin reunion

LONDON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A tabloid news report claiming Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant turned down $795 million from Richard Branson to reunite the band is "rubbish," Plant's publicist said.

The Daily Mirror claims Branson offered £500 million (roughly $795 million) to the band in exchange for Zeppelin playing 35 dates in three cities: London, Berlin and New Jersey. The billionaire reportedly was planning to let the band use one of his jumbo jets, saying he'd rename it "The Starship" and would sell seats on the plane to fans for £100,000 each.

He was even going to title the plane's staircase the "Stairway to Heaven," after the famous song. The money would have been split between the three remaining members. The late drummer John Bonham's son was to play with the band, according to the MIrror.

"They have tried to talk him round but there is no chance," UK's The Daily Mirror claims a source said. "His mind is made up and that's that."

The Mirror said fellow bandmates Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones agreed to the tour immediately, as did deceased drummer John Bonham's son Jason Bonham. Plant put the plans to a halt by ripping up the contract in front of the would-be tour promoters.

The Mirror's report apparently isn't that far from reality, it just has a lot more flourish. Band member Jimmy Page told the Guardian newspaper earlier this year that "Everyone would love to play more concerts for the band. [Robert's] just playing games, and I'm fed up with it, to be honest with you."

At the end of September, Page said a reunion was no longer "a possibility or on the cards."