Down Like A Led Balloon?

So the rumour is Midland rock legends Led Zeppelin are set to follow up their O2 Arena reunion shows with a full UK tour next year? My immediate reaction was that this was great. But then I got thinking (always a dangerous thing) that perhaps this isn't manna from heaven as some people believe the news to be.

Firstly, there's no point me getting excited because the tickets will probably sell out within a nano-second of going on general sale. In these cases I ALWAYS miss out (White Stripes in Wolverhampton 2001, Glastonbury 2003 and Sex Pistols in Birmingham earlier this year, to name three).

And secondly, do I really want to see a band potentially sully their legacy with shows not up to their records. Yes, their O2 shows were well received but those were supposed one-offs - could they sustain it over a number of shows, up and down the country?

Unlike the Rolling Stones or Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin have not continued to tour relentlessly and the magic of the band has been sustained. I love their records and, sure, would love to have seen them in their 70s pomp but I'd be too worried that they wouldn't match up to my hopes and expectations in 2009. In fact, I've spoken to Dylan fans who saw him for the first time within the last few years and they were left gutted because he clearly wasn't as good as he was back in his prime.

Of course, they could come back and be brilliant. But they could end up being a shadow of their former selves and that would be a terrible shame.