20m fans bid for Led Zeppelin
2007-09-14 09:36
London - About 20 million fans have tried to get tickets for Led Zeppelin's one-off comeback concert, a spokesperson for the gig said on Thursday.
The rock legends are reforming for a tribute concert at London's O2 Arena on November 26.
The former Millennium Dome venue in Greenwich can hold up to 20 000 people.
The three surviving members of the hard-rocking British band are to play together for the first time in 19 years in tribute to Ahmet Ertegun, the late founder of the Atlantic Records label, who signed the group in 1968.
About 80 000 fans per minute are trying to register for tickets at the www.ahmettribute.com website, said internet service provider Pipex.
'Be patient'
Demand for the £125 tickets also crashed the O2 Arena website.
"The message is to be patient. The website will be open until midday (1100 GMT) on Monday, September 17 for anyone wanting to register," said a spokesperson for the concert.
"It is not 'first come, first served' and all successful applicants will be entered into the ballot for tickets to be drawn at random."
Led Zeppelin split in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham, who famously choked on his own vomit following a drinking binge.
Singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones, with Bonham's son Jason on drums, will headline the gig.
The Who
The Who's Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, rock band Foreigner and Paolo Nutini will also play at the tribute from British artists who worked with Istanbul-born Ertegun.
Since Bonham's death, the remaining three have reunited only twice before, to play the 1985 Live Aid concert in Philadelphia and an Atlantic Records anniversary gig in 1988.
Led Zeppelin have sold more than 300 million albums worldwide.
The band were not keen on releasing singles, but their best-known songs include Stairway to Heaven, Kashmir, Whole Lotta Love, Rock 'n' Roll, Nobody's Fault but Mine and Communication Breakdown.