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No Live Aid For Led Zep

added 02 August 2004 at 10.58

Led Zeppelin have confirmed they are refusing to allow their performance at the legendary charity fundraiser Live Aid to feature on the forthcoming DVD that will be ready in time for a Christmas release.

The seminal rockers played as part of the Philadelphia leg of the extravaganza with ex-Genesis drummer Phil Collins standing in for late sticksman John Bonham. The performance was notably the first time the band had attempted any kind of reunion performance since the drummer's death.

The Sunday Times reports that the band were unsatisfied with their performance and have vetoed permission to reproduce their set claiming they felt it was below par.

At the time, rumours circulated that the reason for the performance’s lack of focus may have been due to Collins’ jetlag having made musical history playing at both legs of the televised fundraiser. Travelling between countries on Concorde, Collins left directly after performing a string of hits with Sting in London to travel to Philadelphia to perform with Led Zep.

The vetoed performance includes classics such as ‘Rock & Roll’, ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and ‘Stairway To Heaven’.

While a spokeswoman for the band couldn't confirm exactly why the band would not be appearing on the DVD, she did note that "I don't think it is because they don't like appearing on compilations."

The DVD is set to feature 10 hours of footage and will be released just before Christmas on November 1. The Live Aid concerts, organised by Bob Geldof to raise money to provide aid devastating famine in Africa, were staged at Wembley and Philadelphia’s JFK Stadiums on Saturday July 13 1985.

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Jon Ford

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