Neil Young ‘tried to reform Led Zeppelin’ after impromptu performance with legendary group

An attempt to reform legendary rock group Led Zeppelin was carried out by Neil Young after the band briefly reformed.

The Harvest and After the Gold Rush songwriter managed to pull Robert Plant and Jimmy Page back together for a one-off jam session. The performance, however, nearly led to the group reforming, with Young as a guest member. It would not be the first time Young has performed with legends on stage, having previously appeared alongside Bob Dylan, as well as recording with David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash A full reunion for the Immigrant Song hitmakers was not on the cards though, despite Young’s best efforts in getting the group to reform.

A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction provided Led Zeppelin with a reason to get back together, and joined by Young, they performed for attendees of the 1995 ceremony. It marked the first time Page and Plant had performed as Led Zeppelin since 1988, with both men disparaging the performance as of little worth. Page described it as a “foul” gig, and it seemed the group would never perform again.

Despite this disgust at their last performance, Page and Plant were convinced to get back together under the Led Zeppelin name for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perr joined them for the first of two sets at the ceremony, while Young would join for the second set.

The band also welcomed John Paul Jones back to the group, while John Bonham’s son, Jason, drummed with the group. It was the second set of the evening which had the band feeling somewhat differently about their abilities as live performers, especially when compared to their disastrous Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary appearance.

According to Jimmy McDonough’s Neil Young biography Shakey, bringing Led Zeppelin back together was such a surprise for Young, he wanted the band to continue. He performed When the Levee Breaks with the band and was so satisfied with the collaboration he was hoping it would carry on.

Plant even sang a section of For What It’s Worth, the Buffalo Springfield track, as tribute to Young. But a full-blown reunion was not to be for Led Zeppelin, who would not perform together again until 2007. It would mark their first full-length gig in twenty-seven years, and the group has not performed since.

Fans of Led Zeppelin and Young were stunned by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance, praising the overlap of incredible instrumental talent on show. One fan wrote: “Just when you thought you knew everything, something else comes along.

“I had no idea that Neil Young had ever jammed with Led Zeppelin. This has just made my day. I respect all of these guys. A great performance.” Another thrilled listener added: “Who would think this combo. Glimpse of heaven?”

A third shared: “Neil Young is on fire here! Totally lost in the music! Look at the faces of Jimmy and Robert at six minutes in! They’re loving it! Incredible performance indeed. Love how Jimmy grabs hold of Neil at the end as he walks off.”