So that was the year that was …and in terms of being a Led Zeppelin fan -it’s been a simply incredible 12 months.
The arrival of the first three Led Zeppelin album reissues in June followed by Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy in October caused much excitement.
A live album from 1969, unreleased music , alternate versions and mixes – and Jimmy Page undertaking a promotional campaign of some magnitude.
Through his relentless telling of what happened in the studio and how, we all now understand the process Led Zeppelin undertook to create this …

So this is Christmas…
Christmas Eve is upon us it’s that final rush to get everything sorted for the next few days.
As is customary on Christmas Eve here – I’ll be wearing my Led Zeppelin Winterland 1969 tie brought for me by Larry Ratner in 1992 (hi Larry!) After all the intense TBL activity of recent weeks, it will be great to unwind today in the company of visiting friends and along the way a beer or two may be drunk in one or two local pubs.
And what a period of …

With Christmas nigh on upon us – here’s a Zep related book that comes well recommended:
Hipgnosis Portraits: Aubrey Powell – Foreword by Robert Plant (Thames and Hudson)
The Hipgnosis design team of Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell,  Storm Thorgerson and Peter Chrstopherson were responsible for countless iconic album sleeve designs and posters. In this weighty hardback volume, Aubrey Powell narrates the story of how they came to produce this starling body of work.
Aubrey was working on this book when I interviewed him back in the spring of 2013. The end result is a fascinating snapshot of in progress sketches, …

TBL celebrates Led Zeppelin at the 02 –seven years gone:
One concert…one night…one event…seven years gone…seven million memories: 
Here are my initial post gig thoughts that were posted on the TBL website the day after:
WELCOME TO PLANET ZEPPELIN – IT FELT PRETTY GOOD UP THERE….
INITIAL O2 THOUGHTS…
Just got back from Planet Zeppelin. That’s the only appropriate phrase to describe the incredible vibe that has prevailed at the Millennium Dome / O2 over the past two days.
Where to start?
The amazing experience of being lucky enough to attend the open rehearsal on Sunday afternoon.
The …

Jimmy Page Book Stamping Event at Waterstones Piccadilly – December 2nd, 2014. 
On Wednesday I was in attendance at the Jimmy Page Waterstones book stamping event.  There was a good turn with fans travelling for as far as Germany and Sweden. Jimmy took time to engage with every fan who came forward with a book to sign listening intently to the comments and accolades. – it was a joy to watch the reaction of those in attendance who got to meet him. I had a quick word with Jimmy and he told me he …

Jimmy Page London Book Signing Details:
Jimmy Page is appearing at Waterstones, Piccadilly on Tuesday December 2nd. He will be hand-stamping copies of his photographic autobiography with a personalised ‘Zoso’ stamp, unique to this location.
Here’s the info via Waterstones:
WATERSTONE’S PICCADILLY
Tuesday, 2 December 2014, 1:00PM
We’re delighted to host one of the world’s most iconic guitar players, who will be hand stamping his book ‘Jimmy Page’ with a stamp unique to this event. Access to the queue will be on a first come first served basis. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment. The …

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters – Cambridge Corn Exchange  -November 20th 2014:
”I don’t need Bluegrass – we have green grass here”
Setlist;Friends/Spoonful/Turn It Up/Going To California/Let The Four Winds Blow/Rainbow/
What Is And What Should Never Be/No Place To Go/Babe I’m Gonna Leave You/Little Maggie/
Fixin’ To Die/You Shook me – I Just Want To Make Love To You-Whole Lotta Love-Who Do You Love
Encores; Poor Howard/Rock And Roll
Just back from another excellent night in the company of the Sensational Space Shifters. It was good to catch the show outside of London …

Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters: The Roundhouse London  – November 12th. 2014: 
Set List: Friends, Spoonful, Turn It Up, Jam (Arbaden (Maggies Baby)), Going To California, Embrace Another Fall, Rainbow, What Is And What Should Never Be, No Place To Go, Babe I’m Gonna Leave You, Little Maggie, Fixin To Die, Wanna Make Love To You/Whole Lotta Love/ Who Do You Love
Encores
Stolen Kiss, Rock and Roll
Gary Foy Observations:
We travel long and far to Chalk Farm, London and for what seems to be Roberts’s regular home lately, the Roundhouse, with …

 
Opening night of the Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters UK tour – on the spot report and photos via Richard Grubb for TBL
Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters – Newport Centre – November 9th, 2014
Setlist: No Quarter, Poor Howard, Thank You, Turn It Up, How Many More Times, All The King’s Horses, Black Country Woman, Embrace Another Fall, What Is And What Should Never Be, Rainbow, Fixing To Die, Whole Lotta Love
Encores: Nobody’s Fault But Mine, Little Maggie
27 years after my first live Robert Plant experience on …

 TBL 38 Out On the Streets:
TBL 38 is out on the streets. All UK copies have been despatched and I am now processing all Europe, America and overseas orders to   go out over the next few days.…hold on – it’s coming your way soon…..I think the wait will be worth it…
So after 113 days of toil, the results are finally there to be read – here’s some initial reaction:
Got my first copy today!……quality quality…content and production…..packed with great stuff  – Paul Hagen
Got ours today Dave, brilliant stuff many thanks –  Julie …