New Led Zeppelin On The Way? Jason Bonham Hints At 'Jam' Sessions With Jimmy Page -- But Not Robert Plant

Drummer admits he doesn't know what will come of 'new material.'
By Chris Harris


Jason Bonham
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images

On Friday morning, mere hours before he was due to take the stage with classic rockers Foreigner at Detroit's GM Renaissance Center, drummer Jason Bonham — the son of late Led Zeppelin kitman John Bonham — told Jim Johnson and Lynne Woodison of local rock station 94.7 WCSX that he'd be an ex-member of Foreigner as of September 1. But that's not the only thing he said.

Much to the delight of Led Zeppelin fans everywhere, Bonham revealed that he's been meeting up with Led Zep guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones in recent months and that they've been "trying to do some new material and writing."

It was the first time since Led Zeppelin announced they would re-form for a single performance (which happened late last year at London's O2 Arena, in honor of the late Ahmet Ertegün, who signed the band to Atlantic Records in 1969) that anyone connected to the band has confirmed publicly that new music could be on the horizon for the iconic rockers. While the bandmembers have stopped short of definitively ruling out such a reunion, singer Robert Plant insisted in the wake of last year's show that he intended to focus on promoting and touring behind his critically lauded album with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, Raising Sand.

Not that Bonham knows what — if anything — will happen with the new material he's been working on with Page (who collaborated with pop singer Leona Lewis on an uneven version of Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" at the Olympic closing ceremonies in Beijing on Sunday night) and Jones. He said he just shows up and takes his seat behind the kit.

"I've been over [to England] a couple of times," Bonham said. "I've been working with Jimmy and John Paul and trying to do ... some new material and some writing. I don't know what it will be, but it will be something. At the moment, all I know is I have the great pleasure to go and jam with the two guys and start work on some material. When I get there, I never ask any questions. If I get a phone call to go and play, I enjoy every moment of it. Whatever it ends up as, to ever get a chance to jam with two people like that, it is a phenomenal thing for me. It's my life. It's what I've dreamed about doing."

He said it's still too early to tell what will become of these "jam" sessions, but admitted that the "possibility of doing something is in the cards. I really felt it was in the cards from the moment we walked offstage at the O2." Bonham also explained that, before there could be a Led Zep LP, "lots of politics [would need to] get ironed out," but added that recording with Zep is "something I've always wanted to do."

Bonham noticeably didn't mention frontman Plant's name during the discussion. A spokesperson for Page's management had no comment on the matter, and a spokesperson for Jones' management could not be reached by press time.

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Lady Gaga's 'Judas' Video Will Be 'A Roller-Coaster Ride,' Creative Director Says

'I'm so excited for how riveting, energetic and electric the record is, something really phenomenal,' Laurieann Gibson says.
By Jocelyn Vena


Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

It's an exciting time to be a Lady Gaga fan. This week, the pop star released her much-anticipated "Born This Way" video and walked the runway and previewed her track "Government Hooker" at a Thierry Mugler fashion show. And now there are a few more details about her next Born This Way single, "Judas," and its video.

"We're already getting ready to go into rehearsal [for the video]. She's like, 'I'm all ready to start 'Judas'!' She's ready," Gaga's creative director Laurieann Gibson told MTV News. "And 'Judas' is exciting for me because we had this amazing artistic approach to 'BTW' and I'm so excited for how riveting, energetic and electric the record is, something really phenomenal. So, visually, the dance, the costuming, the idea of how big we're trying to go, [it's] going to be a roller-coaster ride.

"There is [a director in mind]," Gibson continued, adding that nothing about the video will be ordinary. "What is a traditional music video? Even if we go with a traditional music video, the directors that we love are not traditional, so the idea that they get to collaborate with us means they too want to live outside of what people expect a traditional music video to be."

As for the sound of the song, Fernando Garibay, one of the musical directors on the album, opened up about the RedOne-produced dance tune. "It's a statement about, again I can't speak for her, but what I gather is it's about sometimes not choosing the right choice," he explained. "But you can't deny that the choice is not a part of you and who you are.

" 'Judas' is a dance song, definitely," he continued. "I think 'Judas' is in the traditional RedOne/Gaga vein. It's great because it's a serious message, it's a little playful, but still serious, but still somehow you wind up dancing to it. That's what's great about her music. You know, like, my favorite song of all time, dance song, 'Billie Jean,' is a story you wouldn't think of singing, but then you wind up dancing and singing the lyrics. I think that's the Holy Grail of music for me, which is dance."

Gaga shared lyrics from "Judas" last month, and Gaga's pal and stylist Nicola Formichetti reposted those lyrics on Twitter late Thursday. "I'm just a Holy Fool, oh baby he's so cruel, but I'm still in love with Judas, Baby," he wrote, adding, "JUDAS FASHION. so excited i can't sleep!"

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Justin Bieber Vintage Video: His First Meeting With Usher

Justin Timberlake also wanted to sign Bieber, 'Never Say Never' star said in 2009.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber
Photo: Brian Phares/MTV News

Just as the world was learning who Justin Bieber was, MTV News caught up with the shaggy-haired singer in September 2009. He was gearing up to release his debut album, My World, and plotting his pop-world domination. In the year and a half since that interview, Bieber has done the nearly impossible, launching himself into the pop mega-sphere.

In the chat, Bieber recalled how he and his manager, Scooter Braun, met and eventually got big names interested in signing the teen.

"My manager found me on YouTube. He flew me out to Atlanta for the first time — I'd never actually been on a plane before. He flew me to Atlanta where i was going to the studio to meet some people," he recalled.

"And Usher happened to roll up in his Range Rover. I ran up to him, and I was like, 'Usher, I love your songs. Want me to sing you one?' The politest possible way he could say no, he did. ... I took the hint. I didn't get to sing for him: He had to run into a studio session."

But later, Usher was beckoning the teen back to the ATL. "He actually watched my videos — after my manager got to talking to him — and was like, 'I should have let this kid sing,' and flew me back to Atlanta where I got to sing for him in a proper setting. A week later, I had a meeting with Justin Timberlake, who also wanted to sign me, so they both kind of wanted me."

As the story goes, Bieber went with Usher, and the two never looked back.

"As far as Usher being my mentor, he's definitely given me words of wisdom. I hear it from everybody, but definitely to hear it from Usher is great, just to stay humble and grounded is very important," he explained.

"There's a lot of people, especially young stars, that have gone down the wrong path, and I definitely plan to stay humble and stay grounded and keep my family first, because that stuff really is important in life."

On Friday, Justin Bieber's 3-D documentary, "Never Say Never," opens. The film takes a look at how the teen star worked to hit it big. MTV News has been chatting with him along the way, from the time he first burst on the scene in 2009 until now, as he embarks on a huge 2011 that will include a tour and more new music.

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Christina Hendricks to Star in "Seconds of Pleasure"

Still no word on the future of "Mad Men"? Well, Christina Hendricks isn't worried - as she's signed on for a role in the titillatingly new picture titled "Seconds of Pleasure."

The ensemble drama focuses on a group of people aboard an airplane, with Julia Stiles, Matt Dillon and Kristin Scott Thomas previously tapped to co-star.

Meanwhile, Hendricks' character in the film is a woman who catches her husband in a compromising position.

With production to begin this summer in the UK, Christina is also shooting "I Don't Know How She Does It" with a cast that includes Pierce Brosnan and Sarah Jessica Parker.

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Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami On The Minds Of Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, More

Katy Perry, Ryan Seacrest, Lindsay Lohan tweet support for those affected by the disaster.
By Jocelyn Vena


Smoke rises from a construction site in Tokyo on Friday
Photo: Sankei/Getty Images

The world is still reacting to the news of an 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on Friday (March 11). The devastating quake triggered a 10-meter tsunami that now threatens Pacific coastal areas including Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States. Celebrities have taken to Twitter to share their love and support for those affected by the natural disaster.

"I'm sending my thoughts and prayers and love to those in Japan who are hurting," Taylor Swift tweeted. Fellow pop princess Katy Perry shared a similar sentiment, writing, "My prayers go out to anyone that is being effected by the disaster in Japan. #prayforjapan."

Selena Gomez, who was just in the country, took to Facebook to express her concern. "Wow, I don't even know what to say, Japan. I was just there and you were all so wonderful to me," she wrote. "I am sending all my love, prayers and support."

Justin Bieber also tweeted about the news. "Japan is one of my favorite places on earth. ... It's an incredible culture with amazing people. My prayers go out to them. We all need to help." He added, "#prayforjapan."

"Our hearts and prayers are with all of our BSB family in Japan. We love you all so much. Please try to stay safe. ... Kisses and hugs from us!" the Backstreet Boys tweeted, with their tourmates New Kids on the Block adding, "Our thoughts are with all those around the world affected by the earthquake in Japan."

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest wrote on Twitter, "Glued to TV watching this unreal earthquake footage out of Japan. Sending prayers to everyone affected. Unbelievable."

As the weather threatens his home state of Hawaii, the president tweeted a strong message of support. "Sending condolences to the people of Japan, particularly those who lost loved ones in the earthquake & tsunamis. U.S. stands ready to help."

"Glee" stars Lea Michele and Amber Riley also had kind words for those affected. Michele tweeted, "So devastating to hear about the huge earthquake & tsunami [in] Japan. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone there." Riley added, "Omg my heart goes out to Japan. I pray this devastation stops."

Embattled actress Lindsay Lohan even seemed overwhelmed by the news, writing, "My mommy just woke my sister and i up to this! god bless those that are in fear."

"The images on the news are breaking my heart," Paris Hilton wrote online. "I am so worried for everyone in Japan. My thoughts are with you Japan. God bless you all."

For more information on what you can do to help with earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan head to MTV Act, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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Lady Gaga Talks Paris Fashion Week Appearance, 'Born This Way'

The singer said the philosophy behind the fashion show she modeled at was about being 'really free and really free-minded.'
By Terri Schwartz


Lady Gaga at Paris Fashion Week
Photo: Francois Durand/ Getty Images

Lady Gaga took a break from taking over the airwaves with her new single "Born This Way" to hit the catwalk at Paris fashion week and take a turn as a runway model for her fashion buddy Nicola Formichetti. She wore his clothes at the Thierry Mugler Autumn/Winter 2011 show on Wednesday, and like any Gaga-related production, theatricality and fashionability were in the air.

CNN caught up with the pop star and the fashion designer in Paris to talk about their relationship and the inclusion of Gaga's music in the show. Formichetti had asked Gaga to be the musical director for their runway performance, and insisted that "Born This Way" close the event.

"[I thought that] for a fashion show, maybe he wants something a bit more underground, one of the more avant-garde records from the album, but he really wanted me to use ['Born This Way']," Lady Gaga said in the interview. "He said it represented female empowerment and that's what the song is all about, and I think that's what Nicola is all about, and I'm just really proud to be here."

When asked whether they were ever nervous about the reception of their respective works, Gaga and Formichetti said "no." Their show was, in Gaga's words, all about being "really subjective and really free and really free-minded" and "being proud to be a woman" instead of giving in to the "competition and race" that she felt criticism through the Internet has created.

"Scrutiny is like this massive thing now in this century. For Nicola and I and for everyone that we work with, it's all about your peers, it's about people that you respect. It's about knowing your own strength artistically," the singer explained. "I think if you ever backtrack or if you ever show a sign of insecurity, it shows sort of a weakness in the idea. Stop analyzing everything so much. Analysis ultimately, I think, leads to divisiveness."

When asked to comment on John Galliano, the British fashion designer who was the head designer for Christian Dior until he recently was fired for making anti-Semitic comments, Lady Gaga declined. "Let's skip that question. Let's keep it positive!" she said.

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Ashley Hebert Named New 'Bachelorette'

Ashley Hebert Named New 'Bachelorette'

Ashley Hebert left The Bachelor with a broken heart after Brad Womack failed to give her a rose in South Africa. But now the 26-year-old dental student is getting ready to break a few of her own. Hebert has been named the star of ABC's upcoming season of The Bachelorette, where she will get her own chance at finding her soulmate on reality TV.

"I feel like this season taught me so much about myself," Hebert told People.com, after the news was announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live Monday night. "It primed me for a new relationship. I'm ready to meet 25 new guys. Bring 'em on!" 

Hebert, who was one of Womack's final three women, had a connection with him from their very first date, but she seemed to shut down as the season finale drew closer. But now she's ready to put it all on the line to find her Prince Charming.

"I'm open-hearted and interested in meeting the guys," Hebert says, "and hopefully fall in love." 

But Jimmy Kimmel wasn't about to let Hebert off the hook without asking some tough questions. When he asked her about being dumped by Womack, she insisted it was for the best. "Believe it or not -- despite what you saw -- I just wanted Brad to be happy."

"I heard you tried to kill yourself," Kimmel said jokingly. "No, I just made that up."

"No chance!" Hebert replied. "I have a beautiful future ahead of me, so there's no way."

Watch the clip below:

The new season of the The Bachelorette has already begun filming and will premiere on May 23 on ABC.

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