Jones said he, guitarist Jimmy Page and Bonham's drummer son Jason were keen to get out playing concerts again -- and were not hanging around waiting for Plant to change his mind.

"We are trying out a couple of singers," the 62-year-old said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great and we want to get on and get out there."

Jones said the band were not searching for a Plant replica.

"It's got to be right. There's no point in just finding another Robert," he said. "You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band.