So that was the year that was….2019…
On the Zep related front, Jimmy’s display of guitars and amps at the Play It Loud Instruments Of Rock’n Roll Exhibition in New York  was very well received by all that viewed. Robert Plant alternated between projects providing many UK fans an up close and personal experience with Saving Grace. His Digging Deep podcast has been an enlightening listen. John Paul Jones wowed the 100 Club audience in London in early March with a stunning collaboration with Thurston Moore and Steve Noble. JPJ …

SINCERE THANKS FROM DAVE AND JANET:
”In the light you will find the road…”
Janet and I have been absolutely overwhelmed and humbled by the many Facebook messages and offers of help and support in the light of a couple of very tough weeks that saw Janet break her leg and myself facing up to some long standing mental health issues.
We would like to sincerely thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all the kindness and support we have received. This has provided so much inspiration and strength for …

MESSAGE FROM DAVE LEWIS:
I have to say things have not been so good here recently.
On the night of Sunday December 8, unfortunately Janet had a fall which resulting in her breaking her leg – specifically the femur bone in her hip. Janet had an operation last Tuesday for it to be pinned and began the long road to recovery
Firstly I am very happy to say that Janet is now thankfully back home from hospital.
However, I have been feeling in an anxious and often depressed state recently and witnessing Janet’s accident …

 
 
Led Zeppelin Reunion for Ahmet Ertegun at the 02 Arena – 12 years gone…
Pic by Dave Linwood.
Twelve years ago today on Monday December 10, 2007, thousands of lucky fans converged on the O2 Arena in London to witness the live return of Led Zeppelin for one night only – in memory of Ahmet Ertegun. Millions more across the world tracked the unfolding events via texts and online reports.
It remains perhaps the most significant night in their history, as fans young and old were able to see and understand – either by …

Deborah Bonham new album and tour dates for 2020:Here’s the details…    
Deborah Bonham and her band have a new album lined up for 2020 and have announced the following tour dates for the new year as follows:
23 Jan WIMBORNE Tivoli Theatre UK
www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk24 Jan LONDON BLUES FESTIVAL, Under The Bridge Chelsea, UK
www.underthebridge.co.uk/events/jbf-bernie-marsden/25 Jan GIANTS OF ROCK FESTIVAL, Minehead, UK
www.bigweekends.com/your-break/198457/ 28 Jan MILTON KEYNES The Stables
www.stables.org 07 Feb FRANCE L’Espace Culturel , 7 avenue de Villeroy Mennecy (91)
www.mennecy.fr/-Spectacles-

08 Feb TBC France

21 Feb BEWDLEY St George’s Hall, Worcs
www.thehall-bewdley.org.uk 22 Feb TBA23 Feb KINROSS …

Michael Putland 1947 – 2019:
I was very sad to hear the passing of another iconic rock photographer Michael Putland aged 72. During the 1970s, his work was a staple feature in the UK music press. When I was editing the Five Glorious Nights Led Zeppelin at Earls Court 1975 book for Rufus Stone I had access to his amazing Led Zep Earls Court photos many of which were featured in the book – including the cover shot .
I was lucky enough to meet him at the Led Zeppelin From The …

Terry O’Neill…1938 – 2019…
Like countless others across the globe, I was very sad to hear the passing of Terry O’ Neill aged 81 – a truly  iconic photographer..
I was lucky enough to have access to his amazing Led Zeppelin photos taken in 1975 and 1977 when I edited the Led Zeppelin Live 1975 –1977 book for Iconic Images…including this brilliant Jimmy Page cover shot from the Led Zeppelin Earls Court performance on May 23 1975.

After I had completed editing the Led Zeppelin Live 1975 -1977 book for Iconic Images last …

My thoughts on the new Robert Plant Interview in this month’s Classic Rock:
A very good interview with Robert Plant by Rob Hughes in the new issue of Classic Rock – though I was surprised there was no direct mention of his Saving Grace project. There’s a heart-warming story of how John Bonham got him back in to the fold for ‘’one morel flurry ‘’with Zep, a good overview of his early solo career with rightful credit to Phil Collins, tales of performing on Top of The Pops, plenty of accolades …

David ”Front Row Dave” Beesmer RIP:
Like so many of us, I was very sad to hear the news of the sudden passing of David ”Front Row Dave”Beesmer aged 54.
Dave was well known in the Zep fan community as ‘’Front Row Dave’’, so called for his knack of always being there or thereabouts at concerts – notably the Led Zeppelin reunion show at the 02 in 2007. Dave was interviewed on BBC Breakfast the day after the show. I was lucky enough to meet him before the Celebration Days London premiere …

Led Zeppelin CAT Club 50th anniversary Led Zeppelin II event at the Tap & Barrel Pontefract:
Last Tuesday I travelled up to Ponterfract to present the Led Zeppelin II 50th anniversary celebration at the CAT Club at the excellent Tap & Barrel pub.
On the night it was a great turn out and what I can say – listening to Led Zeppelin II on record uninterrupted in like-minded company was like hearing it for the first time all over again. Side One – from the cough and riff entry of Whole Lotta Love …