Rock wrap: That Led Zep reunion, Metallica, Pumpkins

Robert Plant (centre) says he won't be repeating his Led Zeppelin reunion with John Paul Jones (left) and Jimmy Page (right).

Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant has heaped scorn on talk of the group reuniting, and took a swipe at other ageing rockers who go back on the road just to make money.

Plant, who played a one-off concert in 2007 with his former band mates in London, has long made his feelings clear about a getting back together, rebuffing overtures from lead guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones.

He did not mince his words in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine promoting the release of earlier recordings by the band, which split up in 1980.

"You're going back to the same old s***," he told the magazine in a London interview.

"A tour would have been an absolute menagerie of vested interests and the very essence of everything that's s***ty about about big-time stadium rock. We were surrounded by a circus of people that would have had our souls on the fire," he said.

"I'm not part of a jukebox," Plant declared.

Asked if he was not tempted by the huge fortunes that other ageing rockers make on tour, he said: "Good luck to them."

"I hope they're having a real riveting and wonderful late middle age," he sneered, without mentioning the any performers by name.

"Somehow I don't think they are."

Last week Led Zeppelin unveiled two previously unheard recordings ahead of the re-issue in June of the band's first three albums.

Meanwhile, Page is set to release an autobiography.

The guitar great has "curated and captioned" his official photographic biography, titled Jimmy Page, and the book is set for release on October 14.

"I've been asked on a number of occasions to do a written book and I thought of the other side of the coin," he said.

"I thought it would be unique to have an autobiography in photographs, charting my whole musical journey."

Page spent months looking through his archives to create the "photographic essay". The book will feature over 600 photographs.

"(This is) the definitive visual and historical record of a remarkable life," a press release says.

"The chronicle of a life in music, by one of the world's most iconic guitar players."

In addition to Page's own photos, and those chosen from various sources including fans and magazines, his book showcases "a collection of iconic portraits and rare images by over 70 of the greatest names in rock photography".

"I wanted to make it as thorough as possible, so that meant trawling through all the thousands of files that photographers had taken, and pulling from my personal collection as well.

"It's the most complete document that there's ever going to be because of the amount of time that I've put into every aspect.

"You see this young man growing, from when I'm a choirboy - and took my guitar along to see if I could tune it up from the organ - right through to almost yesterday.'

Metallica for Glastonbury

US metal giants Metallica will play this year's coveted Saturday night headline spot at Britain's Glastonbury festival.

It will be the four-piece's first appearance at the legendary festival, held in south west England, following The Rolling Stones' Worthy Farm debut last year.

The band took to Twitter, writing: "Worst kept secret in rock and roll is now confirmed ... see you at @GlastoFest on June 28th!"

Arcade Fire and Kasabian are the two other headline acts, while the Pixies, Jack White and Dolly Parton are some of the other artists playing the main stage.

Elbow, The Black Keys, Robert Plant, Blondie, Massive Attack, M.I.A and Skrillex will also perform at the festival over the weekend of June 27 to 29.

Organisers had kept the main act a secret.

Tickets for the 135,000-capacity event sold out in October in record time - one hour and 27 minutes - although any unwanted tickets will be resold this month.

Other acts announced include Blondie, Lilly Allen, De La Soul, Goldfrapp, Jake Bugg, Lana Del Ray, Disclosure and Rudimental.

The Smashing Crue?

Smashing Pumpkins have enlisted Motley Crue legend Tommy Lee for the band's upcoming ninth album.

Frontman Billy Corgan has posted a snap of himself in a recording studio with Lee and revealed the drummer will perform on all nine tracks slated to appear on the band's next record, Monument To An Elegy.

Alongside the image, uploaded to the band's official website, Corgan writes, "Here's a shot from the mission out west. Just finished round 1 of tracking drums with Tommy Lee for the new Smashing Pumpkins album. Shockla-locka-boom. Yes, that T Lee for all 9 songs of Monument To An Elegy."

Lee's band Motley Crue are gearing up to hit the road for a farewell tour with Alice Cooper later this year.

AFP/AP/AAP