Hancock of the Birmingham Evening Mail (UK) reports a conversation he had with Robert in Bilston on November 6, 2008. Robert indicated that he would be returning to the studio in January to record a follow up to “Raising Sand”

The Evening Mail writes:

Robert Plant tries to avoid questions about his role in the proposed Led Zeppelin reunion tour - but Hancock managed to steer him in that direction at Bilston’s Robin 2 club.

Robert made a surprise on-stage appearance to mark singer Ricky Cool’s 30 years in music and confirmed to Hancock he would not be joining Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham on the road. He said it was partly because he’d be busy working on the follow-up to his awardwinning Raising Sand LP.

“In January, I’m starting to record a new album with Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett,” he revealed, before adding “but I understand that everyone’s got to eat,” implying that the Plant-less Led Zep has his blessing.

But before he joined the Big Town Playboys on stage for a couple of bluesy numbers, he imparted one piece of significant information: “They won’t be calling it Led Zeppelin!