Exploring New Musical Avenues: The Making of No Quarter with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant
On this day in 1994, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin came together to record a portion of their album No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded. The album featured a mix of classic Led Zeppelin songs and new tracks, accompanied by a Moroccan string band and an Egyptian orchestra. The recording process took place in three different locations, including Marrakech, Wales, and London, where they performed in front of a select audience.
While the No Quarter sessions marked a reunion of sorts for Page and Plant, it was not a full Led Zeppelin reunion as John Paul Jones, the third living member of the band, was not involved in the project. Jones was reportedly disappointed to learn about the reunion through the press rather than being contacted directly, especially since he had contributed significantly to the title track, "No Quarter."
Page and Plant's collaboration on No Quarter was not about reviving Led Zeppelin but rather about exploring new musical avenues. The idea for the project stemmed from an offer by MTV for an Unplugged special to Plant. The duo saw this as an opportunity to work together and create something fresh, rather than trying to continue the legacy of Led Zeppelin on their own.
Despite having shared stages in the years following John Bonham's passing, Page and Plant had not engaged in meaningful conversations until the planning stages of No Quarter. This project allowed them to reconnect not only musically but also personally, leading to the formation of a new musical entity, Page & Plant. The duo would go on to tour and release another album before parting ways in 1998.
In conclusion, the recording of No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded in 1994 marked a significant moment in the musical journey of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, showcasing their ability to create new music while honoring their Led Zeppelin roots.