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Jimmy Page on Zeppelin rereleases, Robert Plant

By WTOP Staff

JOHN CARUCCI
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Since a Led Zeppelin reunion is out of the question, Jimmy Page has done the next best thing — re-mastered the band’s entire catalog.

As a producer on the recordings, Page had many studio takes in his possession. After spending the last few years listening to hundreds of hours of music, nine freshly mastered studio albums will be released in chronological order, three at a time. The first set arrives Tuesday.

In addition, each album includes a companion disc of music previously unheard to give fans “an extra perspective,” Page said.

The legendary guitarist sat down recently with The Associated Press to talk about the rereleased recordings, the band’s legacy and if he’ll ever work again with Robert Plant.

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AP: When you started Led Zeppelin, you essentially wanted to build a new version of the Yardbirds.

Page: The Yardbirds sort of disbanded, and I was disappointed because I thought what we were doing was really good. I thought we were really onto something. I thought I was really onto something with these ideas that I had. I was using acoustic in that band. … But we were caught up in that singles tract, which was so destroying, really. We had to deal with these silly songs where on the flip side of the single, there’d be something that we did ourselves that was more reflective of the band’s character.

AP: Did you ever imagine Led Zeppelin would get as big as it did?

Page: I played guitar all my life, all the way through the Yardbirds, but I knew that for me this was going to be a guitar vehicle, because that’s what I wanted it to be. There is no way I would play guitar like a tour de force like I did in Led Zeppelin. John Bonham, phenomenal drummer, young man with his technique, but do you think he would ever have the opportunity to play like that in another band? Of course he hadn’t. And the same with John Paul Jones — superaccomplished musician, but he’d never had the chance to play like that. Or Robert (Plant). And so these four musical equals, because they were — they were all stars in their own right — could actually play and the synergy that they had was second to none. That’s all there was to it.

AP: After John (Bonham) died (in 1980), tell me why you decided to not continue with the band?

Page: It would be a bit dishonest; it would be totally dishonest. So it took time, a time to be able to reconsider doing anything like that. But of course, we did do it and we did it well. (They reunited in 2007 at the O2 Arena in London.)

AP: Will you make music with Robert (Plant) again?

Page: Robert seems really keen on just wanting to make music on his own without any of his previous band members. It seems quite apparent because I’ve seen him with these projects that come and go during the period where I’ve been dealing with this project, with the exception of the O2 and Celebration Day (when they reunited). … That’s all right because it is what it is. I certainly have some really good ideas.

AP: How did Led Zeppelin control its music as opposed to the label?

Page: It was being paid for, paid for at this end (points to himself), so it wasn’t like going to a record company (and) saying, ‘Can I have an advance?’ At that point, being the guitarist of the Yardbirds after they folded, they wouldn’t have been too encouraging. The only way to do it was to get your own album, and then go to the record company, because when you do that, you can make certain stipulations. That was pretty unusual in those days. It wasn’t done like that.

AP: Will you go back into the studio?

Page: I haven’t recorded the material I got because I haven’t had a unit due to all the comings and goings of these albums. … I want to be seen playing this new material, say next year.

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Online:

http://www.ledzeppelin.com

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Follow AP Entertainment producer John Carucci at http://www.twitter.com/jacarucci

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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