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The Runaways Lita Ford Was About To Play Bass In Led Zeppelin

by Insta of Bass
February 25, 2023
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It may seem unfathomable to imagine Led Zeppelin without John Paul Jones, but with The Runaways Lita Ford, but by 1973, after five albums and constant traveling, Jones desired a break from the band. “We were all exhausted and under pressure, and it simply came to a head,” he explained to Mojo in 2007. “I didn’t want to cause harm to the group, but I also didn’t want my family to come apart.”

The Runaways

During this period, Robert Plant pondered replacing Jones with Lita Ford, lead guitarist for The Runaways. Ford stated in a 2013 interview with BraveWords: “They came to the Starwood Nightclub. They shook everyone’s hands, and a large crowd formed around us while we took photos. We gave them a Runaways t-shirt, which they wore. And Robert Plant compliments me on my guitar skills. Would you like to be a bass player for Led Zeppelin?’

Ford also revealed Plant’s offer in her novel, Living Like a Runaway. “He asked if I could play the bass guitar.” ‘Who is it for?’ I inquired. ‘Led Zeppelin.’ He could have been drunk or pulled my leg, but he seemed dead serious then.”

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Despite accepting Plant’s offer, The Runaways Ford hesitated to follow through on the invitation. “I didn’t even bother,” she admitted. “I’m a massive fan of John Paul Jones, one of my favorite bassists.

I couldn’t see myself replacing him, but the fact that they considered having a female in their band was quite extraordinary.”

Despite rumors that he had obtained a new position as choirmaster at Winchester Cathedral, Jones chose to continue with Led Zeppelin. “It was a joke,” he explained later. “‘Do you like being on the road?’ remarked someone.” I replied, ‘No… I spotted an ad for an organist job near the cathedral, and I will apply for it.’ It was one of those occurrences.”

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Jones also communicated with Zeppelin manager Peter Grant at the time. “It was the pressure,” Grant said in his book From A Whisper to a Scream, according to author David Lewis. “Jonesy, he was a family man. By that point, the security situation in the United States had become absurd. We began receiving death threats.”

Jones was instructed to take a few weeks off while Grant spread rumors about his illness. That appeared to work, and Jones finally returned when work on Physical Graffiti began.

Living Like a Runaway, Lita Ford’s 2016 memoir, Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin, and From A Whisper to a Scream by Dave Lewis are all available for download from Amazon.

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