Zeppelin to go back on the road

Robert Plant has ruled himself out of further collaborations with the band

Rock legends Led Zeppelin are planning to tour and record but without frontman Robert Plant.

Bassist John Paul Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought after Plant ruled himself out.

The last time the band performed together was at the O2 arena in London in December 2007.

Speculation has since been rife that the surviving members of the band, with Jason Bonham, son of their late drummer John Bonham, would go back on the road.

It's sounding great and we want to get on and get out there John Paul Jones

Jones, speaking at a guitar show in Exeter, Devon said: "We are trying out a couple of singers.

"We want to do it. It's sounding great and we want to get on and get out there."

He said that he and guitarist Jimmy Page along with drummer Jason Bonham did not want a replica of Plant.

He said: "It's got to be right. There's no point in just finding another Robert.

"You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band.

"There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be on board."

He described the one-off show at the O2 as "wonderful".

He said: "The most pleasure is making music. I love listening to it, but nothing as much fun as having an instrument in my hand and communicating with people."

He said preparation for the London show had been "very hard work", but everything had clicked on the night.

"It felt like the next night of the last tour."