Robert Plant Reportedly Refused $800 Million Paycheck for Led Zeppelin Reunion

Robert Plant, the former frontman of classic rock band Led Zeppelin has turned down a massive payday to rejoin the band.

Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin Records, had been attempting to get the group back together for a 35 date reunion tour. Former members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones had already signed on, and Jason Bonham, son of Zeppelin’s late drummer, had been signed on to take his father’s place as he had in some of their other reunions. Allegedly, when Plant met with band members, Branson and a group of promoters just two days ago, he aired his displeasure at the idea and ripped up the proposed contract that was worth $800 million. The reasons why are not entirely clear, and Plant’s publicist has gone on record saying the news of incident was “rubbish."

The band was together for twelve years until breaking up out of respect for John Bonham, their drummer, who passed away in 1980. Zeppelin has reunited on a few occasions—Live Aid in 1985, Atlantic Records’ 40th Anniversary in 1988, their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1995—and most recently a 2007 show at London's O2 Arena in honor of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, who initially signed the band in 1968.

Zeppelin was known for the power sounds and riffs, as well as blending different genres such as folk, country, psychedelic, prog rock, blues, hard rock and metal into a unique catalogue that made them one of the best bands in music history. They’ve also been accused of stealing music from little known blues musicians and smaller bands they once toured with.

Many have drawn parallels between Zep’s “Stairway to Heaven” and “Taurus” by Spirit while other songs such as “Bring It On Home,” “The Lemon Song,” “Whole Lotta Love,” “Boogie with Stu,” “Dazed and Confused,” “Since I’ve Been Loving You,” and “In My Time of Dying” were seen as either derivative or outright copies of songs by Moby Grape, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson, Chester Burnett, Jake Holmes, and Ritchie Valens. Almost all of these people/groups have filed suit against the band at some point in the last forty years.

Many fans have pointed to the band’s often tumultuous history to explain Plant’s dismissal of the $800 million payday, claiming that the band has more or less hated each other since the late 70s, citing numerous incidents of arguments that made its way to public knowledge. At their Hall of Fame induction ceremony John Paul Jones went up to the mike and said, "Thank you, my friends, for finally remembering my phone number,” referring to his being snubbed during Page and Planet’s UnLedded project in 1994—and causing annoyed and awkward looks from Page and Plant when it was brought up. Others point to the creative difference Page and Plant experienced over the years including arguments over playing “Stairway,” (Plant wrote and hated “that bloody wedding song.”) and financial disputes as well.

Plant is currently on tour with his band the Sensational Shape Shifters, promoting their album Lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar.