Be satisfied with Led memories (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

I HAVE to disagree with Jonothan Holt (Letters, Nov, 19). He seems to treat Led Zeppelin like some porcelain doll to be put on a shelf as a treasured memory. Up until the 2007 reunion, this was valid, but the band that appeared onstage at the O2 was a living, breathing entity described by Plant last autumn to the UK Guardian as being full of "maturity, beauty, **** and power." That new version of Led Zeppelin deserves to live and grow. In 2003 Robert Plant said he would like to work with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones but he was waiting for them to provide him with new music. Now they are willing to do that and with the one drummer who could fill John Bonham's shoes, yet he's declined. That's certainly his right but please stop perpetuating this myth that what he's doing instead with Alison Krauss is "breaking new boundaries." Doing cover versions of forgotten American roots music with an established bluegrass artist is hardly new or groundbreaking! It's a novelty, like the first Honeydrippers album in 1984. As for its success, 1/2 to 2/3 of the Raising Sand album sales occurred during the hype-ridden period prior to the Led Zeppelin reunion. After that, the album sank on the charts.

Like it or not, Robert Plant will always be known as the "singer for Led Zeppelin." He can spend the rest of is days trying to distance himself from that role, but he's been trying to do so now for nearly three decades yet it's still his greatest claim to fame. I have been a fan for 30 years and I'm quite disappointed that Plant is turning down this one great last chance to do what he does best and instead he's opting to continue pretending he's George Jones to Alison's Tammy Wynette. They're not bad role models, but why not just be himself?

Steve Thomson, Montreal, Canada

Because Led Zeppelin are the most influential rock band of all time I think they should all tour as Led Zeppelin once again and give the younger generation that wern't around at the time of led zeppelin (who must make up a decent majority of the fans) a chance to experience a live Led Zeppelin gig. with most of the chart music now days being so awful I think we desperately need a chance to see this amazing band live.

What made Led Zeppelin so great was that they did exactly what they wanted without worrying what anyone else thought. If Robert does what he wants now, against his fans' wishes then surely he's staying true to that principle. Anyway, who wants to watch someone performing something they're not enjoying and why would a true fan wish that upon him?

If you don't like what he's done with Alison Krauss, The Honeydrippers, Melvyn's Marauders, The Band Of Joy, Robbie Blunt, The Men From Monmouth or Hossam Ramsy, that's your choice - and in many cases, your loss, I think.

I'm sure he's not losing too much sleep over it, though. He has every right to be a happy man and he's certainly done his bit towards making the rest of the world happy. So put on "Ramble On" and grin from ear to ear!

Neville Farmer, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman, Wyre Forest