Led Zeppelin, Not Coming to a Rhythm Game Near You

If you asked any serious rock fan what band they want to see in the next Rock Band or Guitar Hero, “Led Zeppelin” would come spilling from their lips.  And I fully agree with them.  Who wouldn’t want to play those booming riffs present in Led Zeppelin songs?  Unfortunately, it looks like we will not be playing “Stairway to Heaven” on our fake guitars any time soon.

In a lengthy article on The Wall Street Journal that was mostly focused on the release of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (snore), there was an interesting tidbit about Led Zeppelin and their absence from rhythm games so far.  According to them, although Activision and EA have vigorously pursued a deal with the band, Led Zeppelin has continually refused.  Are they holding out so one of the two companies offers them more cash?

Not at all.  “It ain’t about the money,” says Peter Mensch, partner of Q Prime Management, who manages Led Zeppelin, along with other bands, such as Metallica.  According to Mensch, the band is very reluctant to allow outsider access to the band’s master tapes.

However, the band doesn’t seem to have a problem licensing their music out.  So we could get a cover of “Stairway to Heaven”, right?  Wrong.  EA and Activision have both stated that Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero IV will have only master tracks in the game.

So, at the moment, it looks like there is no Led Zeppelin in sight for gamers.  Unless, that is, either Activision or EA break their word (not impossible) or Led Zeppelin will loosen their grip on those original tapes (highly unlikely).