While the other members of the group, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham had signed on, the 66-year-old musician tore the deal papers, reported Contactmusic.
"Jimmy, John and Jason signed up immediately. It was a no-brainer for them but Robert asked for 48 hours to think about it. When he said no and ripped up the paperwork he had been given, there was an enormous sense of shock. There is no way they can go ahead without him. They have tried to talk him round but there is no chance. His mind is made up and that's that," a source said.