TBL ARCHIVE SPECIAL – PHYSICAL GRAFFITI THE 2015 REISSUE/STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN – IT WAS 55 YEARS AGO/SIMPLY LED BACK TO BELFAST 2001 – IT WAS 25 YEARS AGO/ DEBORAH BONHAM BAND LATEST/MILANO 1971 BOOK/EPiC ELVIS IN CONCERT FILM/DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE
Physical Graffiti it was 51 years ago…
It’s been a week of here of celebrating the 51st anniversary of Physical Graffiti and I’ve been playing various versions of the album and rounded up the reviews and wallowed in the sheer nostalgia of such a great period so here’s various snapshots of what I have felt and still feel about my favourite album of all time – and maybe yours too…
Right…let’s go eleven years back to the 2015 reissue and how it was celebrated on the TBL website……
So some DL thoughts:
To backtrack : My Physical Graffiti:
Physical Graffiti. The very title indicated something mysterious and special when I first saw it announced in the NME in late ’74. Then there was the waiting. Ah yes the waiting. Initially it was set for November 29th 1974. That date passed and nothing. Then it was going to be January 10th 1975 and so it went on until finally on a grey February morning, I took receipt of the record boxes delivered that day at WH Smith where I worked. And there in a parcel marked WEA/CBS Distribution was a box full of that beautiful double album. Had it out of the box immediately –took it down the pub lunchtime to show Dec, oh yes this was the big one – a massive outpouring of new Zeppelin music.
It ushered in a memorable year that would peak with those five glorious days in May. Since then Physical Graffiti has been a constant in my life. Not long after its release, the WEA rep kindly gave me the original sleeve artwork mock up which still takes pride of place in my collection. On holiday in Spain that year I could not resist handing over a pocket full of pesetas for the Spanish pressing. I have it on cassette and 8 track cartridge. When I first got a CD player in 1988 it was the first CD I purchased. The emergence of the Tangible Vandalism rehearsals bootleg in the early 80’s was a shot in the arm in a less than vibrant Zep period, and the first time I heard the 33 minutes of outtakes that surfaced in 1997 remains one of my most memorable listening experiences.
Then there have been the numerous live Graffiti moments -selections from Physical Graffiti played live over the years have also provided some of my all time fave gig going moments.
Ten Years Gone and Sick Again at Knebworth, Trampled Underfoot at Leicester University in ’88, Kashmir at MTV Unledded, The Wanton Song at Later With Jools, Night Flight at the ULU in ’98 , In My Time of Dying at the 02 Reunion.
On Saturday February 22nd 1975 Alan Freeman previewed five tracks from the album. The previous night I’d had the Old Grey Whistle Test taped on a cassette to hear the previews of Houses Of The Holy and Trampled Underfoot. I was out at the Rainbow grooving to Black Oak Arkansas at the time.
On that Saturday Alan aired Custard Pie, Night Flight, The Wanton Song, Down By The Seaside and Sick Again in that sequence with no break. As Robert uttered the opening line ‘’I received a message from my brother across the water he sat laughin’ as he wrote the ends in sight’’ I remember exclaiming ‘’Oh that voice!’’ in excited wonderment.
In today’s internet driven world of instantly accessible everything, it’s easy to forget the impact a mere record could have.
A mere record? Physical Graffiti was and could never be a mere anything.
It’s a living breathing masterpiece.
So happy 49th birthday Custard Pie, The Rover, In My Time Of Dying, Houses Of The Holy, Trampled Underfoot, Kashmir, In The Light, Bron Yr Aur, Down By The Seaside, Ten Years Gone, Night Flight, The Wanton Song, Boogie With Stu, Black Country Woman and Sick Again.
These 15 performances continue to enrich my life and thousands of others across the globe.
To backtrack : Their Physical Graffiti:
In the scheme of things the timing on the recording of this album was just so right.
There was nothing like the pressure they had in following Zep IV with Houses Of The Holy. The lukewarm press reaction to Houses would only spur the four to greater on stage heights. The touring period from March in Europe through to the lengthy US jaunt in the summer of ’73 saw Led Zeppelin perform to overflowing audiences with increasing confidence.
There may have been a period of burn out following the US tour – the initial sixth album sessions were scrapped due to John Paul Jones illness/reticence – but it can be clear that the vigour and vitality they displayed during that US tour was more than in evidence when they came to park Ronnie Lane’s mobile studio outside Headley Grange in early 1974.
The decision to work at their own space with no pressure of a tour to prepare was a crucial one. Jimmy’s wry comment that ‘’1974 didn’t really happen’’ was a something of a smokescreen – as creatively it very much did happen and it would set the seal on a six month period in 1975 that would see them conquer America yet again and present five shows at London’s Earls Court that really did capture them at the peak of their powers.
All this and Physical Graffiti too. A double album idea that Page had been eying for some time as he commented recently:‘’ I hoped it was going to be a double album because other people had put out double albums and I thought it would be good to do that. I knew that we already had material left over the material was coming out and it was clear that we were working towards a double. I did want to do a double album that would really show a working band at a really creative process”.
The eight recordings honed at Headley Grange were merged within seven older tracks held over from previous albums. We now know that had been the clear intention with Houses Of The Holy as Page recently revealed ‘’ It was left off the Houses Of The Holy album on purpose. It was saved for whatever the next album was going to be which turned out to be Physical Graffiti’’. The rest…they were never mere leftovers as such a thing did not exist. These were quality ideas ready to be unleashed
All that was required was a final mix and a song selection and sequencing. This is where Physical Graffiti really triumphs
You could just never envisage Physical Graffiti not being played in the sequence that Jimmy Page prepared back in 1974. .
It’s akin to a whole symphony greater than the sum of its parts – take any song away and it loses its thread.
So let’s be under no illusion, the arrival of this new remastered reissue is principally all about those 15 tracks – the Companion Disc is of course a very welcomed dessert but the main course kicks right off with track one side with a chew of the Custard Pie and closes with the brutal last gasp salute of Sick Again.
And that my friends, is the way to listen to Physical Graffiti – there’s no cherry picking required. It’s the whole first course in one sitting and no messing. That is the way it should be.
This is no mere nostalgia trip. Physical Graffiti could be no mere anything. It’s a living breathing beautiful sounding testament to the sheer greatness of Led Zeppelin.
Every facet of the spectrum beautifully detailed – every moment wonderfully sequenced.
Moments to marvel at ….
Custard Pie
Just so much raunch to the riff and John Bonham’s jigging hi hat driving it all the way through… and the solo cuts in across the speakers with so much verve and swagger.
The Rover
Utterly fucking sensational. The drum sound – on first play it took my breath away simple as that.
In My Time Of Dying
The forcefulness of that opening drum part…it has to be heard to be believed. The clarity of the bottleneck parts – we are right there in that hall in Headley. The echo on the first solo…glorious.
Houses Of The Holy
So much brightness and colour in the lyrics and performance.
Trampled Under Foot
Jones’s clavinet all the way through – pure musical arranging brilliance.
Kashmir
The moment they come out of the middle sequence and that elongated Plant howl…oh yes!
In The Light
We now know how much work went itto n this with varying tempo changes. The closing two minutes with Page’s multi overdubbing cascading around Bonzo’s drumming might be the best two minutes of their recorded career – here it sounds utterly sensational. As does the opening drone.
Bron Yr Aur
Acoustic perfection…
Down By The Seaside
Love the keyboard sound from JPJ, now even more accented.
Ten Years Gone
The intro – totally stunning…
Night Flight
”Oh mama well it must be time….” what a vocal.
The Wanton Song
The way they come back from the Leslied guitar effect solo back into the riff.. masterful.
Boogie With Stu
The percussion at the beginning now more powerful than ever.
Black Country Woman
The mandolin so precise.
Sick Again
The final onslaught from John Bonham ..oh yes!
The Companion Audio Disc:
Brandy & Coke (Trampled Under Foot – Initial Rough Mix) 5.39:
To me this has the feel of of a radio friendly single mix – and hearing Brandy & Coke aka Trampled Underfoot in this way makes Zep sound like the greatest singles band ever. Imperious funk meets revved up riffing with refreshing clarity…
Sick Again (Early Version) 2.22:
There’s a also a delightful ‘’wooshing’’ effect on the riff at 0.55. Overall this flexing of the riff foundation brings out the melodic tendencies of Page’s plangent riffing. You really want this to go on for another ten minues. Wonderful work in progress riff exercise for a sometimes underrated part of the Graffiti wall..not anymore..
In My Time Of Dying (Initial Rough Mix) 10.48:
A cleaner intro – the vocal coming in with added clarity to the version we know. Double tracked at times. The delicacy of the bottleneck parts are more evident. Jonesy’s bass accentuated behind the bottleneck riff parts is also high in the mix. As it moves into it’s stride, Robert’s vocal are striking clear and crisper providing a real live in the studio atmosphere. Mesmerisingly spacey mix of a towering performance…
Houses Of The Holy (Rough Mix With Overdubs) 3.51:
What we have here is a rough mix with overdubs and it’s a fascinating listen – Robert’s initial vocals have less echo and are pleasingly upfront and clear. Bonzo’s cowbell is much more pronounced in this mix. The backing vocal ”oooh oooh” is also higher in the mix and you can clearly hear a tambourine as additional percussion towards the close. Jimmy had yet to layer on his solo and it fades at 3.51. Bright and breezy mix of one of their most commercial outings…
Everybody Makes It Through (In The Light Early Version/In Transit) 6.29:
The complete alternate version that was previously bootlegged on the Physical Graffiti outtakes that surfaced in 1997.
A totally different work in progress arrangement with John Paul Jones’ Elizabethan harpsichord keyboard sequence being later replaced by the drone links. The closing moments from 5.42 to 6.29 with John Bonham’s relentless drum fills are some of the very best applied to any Led Zeppelin track. Those that have heard it before already will know this is a phenomenal piece – those that haven’t… well the pleasure will be all yours -it’s just sensational. An unabashed joy from start to finish – this pleasingly inventive initial arrangement adds new colour to the canvas of one of their finest achievements …
Boogie With Stu (Sunset Sound Mix) 3.39:
The mandolin is well to the fore in this mix – you can hear the precise plucking right from the off while the piano and vocals are both further back in the mix. A barrelhouse of mandolin and piano led fun…
Driving Through Kashmir (Kashmir Rough Orchestra Mix) 8.41:
That intro is immediately grandiose -the vocal remains in the centre of the mix while in the riff parts and the strings are more prominent. From 4.06 to .25 it sounds altogether crisper and chunkier and all beautifully dramatic and the closing orchestral overdubs are clearer going into the fade. Progressive rock in the true sense of the word and this mix is further confirmation of the fact that this composition remains the pride of Led Zeppelin…
Summary:
Put simply – the paintwork on this particular piece of graffiti remains as fresh as ever… 49years on it sounds magnificent…
Dave Lewis -February 2015
Physical Graffiti Week – my Facebook posts:
Wednesday February 21:
Kicking off a week here of celebrating the 49th anniversary of the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti – my all time favourite album.
So on the player the Tangible Vandalism double album bootleg which has various rehearsals from the recording sessions at Headley Grange in early 1974.
When I first got this in the early 1980s it opened up a new level of appreciation for Physical Graffiti. You can clearly hear the seeds of greatness being planted…what a creative Zep period it was….more celebrations of Physical Graffiti to follow…
Thursday February 22:
DL/TBL Physical Graffiti throwback…celebrating the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti 49 years ago this week…
On the player – Mojo proudly presents Physical Graffiti Redrawn…
The excellent various artists album made available to mark the 40th anniversary and reissue of Physical Graffiti in the April 2015 issue of Mojo as a cover mount CD or mail order 2 LP set – the vinyl version is superbly packaged and includes a repro Zep Earls Court 1975 poster.
The entire double album is re- presented in full with performances from White Denim, Blackberry Smoke, The Temperance Movement and Laura Marling and more …all adding to the celebration of my favourite album of all time…
Thursday February 22:
DL/TBL Physical Graffiti throwback…celebrating the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti 49 years ago this week… retro advert – ‘’Zeppelin Crazy’’ – what a headline – I vividly remember buying this issue of Melody Maker – the anticipation was building….
DL/TBL Physical Graffiti throwback…celebrating the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti 49 years ago this week…
Friday February 23:
DL/TBL Physical Graffiti throwback…celebrating the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti 49 years ago this week…
On the player –the brilliant Companion Audio LP from the Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti 40th anniversary super deluxe box set. This includes Everybody Makes It Through the fantastic early version of In The Light…
Friday February 23:
DL/TBL Physical Graffiti throwback…celebrating the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti 49 years ago this week…
It was nine years ago today – the release of the fantastic Physical Graffiti 40th anniversary reissue on Monday February 23 ,2015 and I spent the day in London reveling in it all…
Here’s the scene in HMV in Oxford Street with my very good friend Dec.
It was fitting he should be there on the day of this reissue appearing as 40 years back in 1975 almost to the day, I was with Dec when the Physical Graffiti album was released.
It was also our last meet in London before Dec moved to Ireland…a day of high emotion all round…
Friday February 23:
TBL Physical Graffiti throwback…celebrating the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti 49 years ago this week… it was eight years ago today – the release of the fantastic Physical Graffiti 40th anniversary reissue Monday February 23 2015.
Part of the record company promotion for the reissues was to create strategic stencils advertising the albums on random pavements around central London.
Seven years ago today it took a fair bit of walking before I came across the Physical Graffiti stencil just off Wardour Street – fittingly really as it was not far from the old Marquee club where Zep played some of their earliest gigs in 1968…
Friday February 23:
DL/TBL Physical Graffiti throwback…celebrating the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti 49 years ago this week…
It was nine years ago today – the release of the fantastic Physical Graffiti 40th anniversary reissue Monday February 23, 2015.
I spent the day in London reveling in it – I decided to take in a couple of Zep London landmarks – this is in Gerrard Street where the four members who would become Led Zeppelin convened at number 39 in August 1968 to conduct their first rehearsal…
Friday February 23:
DL/TBL Physical Graffiti throwback…celebrating the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti 49 years ago this week…
It was nine years ago today – the release of the fantastic Physical Graffiti 40th anniversary reissue Monday February 23 2015.
I spent the day in London reveling in it all and I decided to take in a couple of Zep London landmarks.
This is in Windmill Street off Tottenham Court Road where in early December 1968, the four members of Led Zeppelin convened for a photo session at the offices of the Impact Agency.
The photographer Dick Barnatt also took a photo of them leaning against a Jaguar car. When I interviewed Dick for the TBL mag in 2013, he thought the car may have belonged to John Bonham but he wasn’t sure.
It’s an iconic group photo and it was great to be in such an historic Zep landmark on the day of the 40th anniversary reissue of Physical Graffiti nine years ago today…
Saturday February 24:
On the player loud and proud ..what else…Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti as released 49 years ago today. I purchased it from WH Smith’s where I worked on the record department – and got to keep the press release we had sent to the shop as well
This is the original copy I purchased back in 1975 and It still sounds amazing – as it would – it’s my favourite album of all time. A few pops and crackles only adding to its authenticity
Over the 15 tracks this double album contains every aspect that made Led Zeppelin so special…then, when I was 18 years old and now I am 67… for me they are, were and always will be the best…
Saturday February 24:
DL/TBL Physical Graffiti throwback…celebrating the release of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti 49 years ago this week…
Loading up the 2 CD edition of Physical Graffiti in the double jewel box. This was one of the first Zep CD transfers by Barry Diament at Atlantic Studios.
I have a bit of an affinity for this version as it was one of the first CDs I ever purchased after I got a CD player in 1988.
Back then I was very excited to be playing my fave album of all time on this new compact disc format.
However, it was not the greatest quality transfer and I was a bit disappointed to say the least to find the studio dialogue segment after In My Time of Dying (‘’Cough’’) completely omitted – it’s been reported that Diament has claimed he was not responsible for the edit and worked from the tapes Atlantic supplied at the time.
These early transfers were done without any band involvement and Jimmy would take control again in May 1990 when he began a remastering project at Sterling Sound with George Marino engineering – the initial results being the Remasters and 54 track box set issued in October of that year.
I did a feature on the Led Zeppelin catalogue on CD published in July of that year for Record Collector, unbeknown that Jimmy was working on the remastering – my review of Physical Graffiti was quite kind to the 1987 version awarding an eight rating for CD sound quality.
There would be better versions on CD ahead but back in 1988 it was a thrilling novelty to hear Physical Graffiti on the new digital format…
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN AT 55 – TBL 55TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL:
55 years ago this month on March 5 1971, Jimmy Page strapped on a newly acquired Gibson double neck guitar and played the first chords of a new lengthy composition in front of an audience for the first time.
The occasion was Led Zeppelin’s opening date on their UK tour at the Ulster Hall Belfast.
The song was Stairway To Heaven…
So here’s a celebration of this 55th anniversary of a special song.
TBL Archive Special Part 1:
Belfast and Stairway To Heaven -it was 52 years ago…
March 5 marked the 54th anniversary of the milestone Led Zeppelin performance at the Ulster Hall Belfast
Here’s a review from TBL 15 of the then newly surfaced Belfast March 5th 1971 tape:
March 5th tape ensures this historic night will never be forgotten
Led Zeppelin on stage at the Ulster Hall Belfast, March 5th 1971. Photo G. Irwin.
Led Zeppelin’s decision to visit Belfast as part of their spring 1971 UK tour was heralded as a very brave move back in 1971. Few rock artists included it on their intinery due to the escalating political situation and threat of rioting. Earlier in the year T.Rex had pulled out of a planned appearance in Belfast. The Zeppelin concert itself was played out to the background of far off Friday night disturbances in the troubled parts of the city.
Until recently the only recorded remnant of that Irish visit was their March 6th date at Dublin’s Boxing Stadium. Now in a perfect piece of timing, a very rare recording has emerged of the Belfast Ulster Hall show. It was captured by one Norman Hanna – 20 years old at the time. He smuggled-in a newly purchased Phillips cassette recorder and taped the show some two thirds of the way back with the cassette machine positioned on the floor.
Unsurprisingly this newly discovered tape has been negotiated into the hands of the ever enterprising Japanese label Empress Valley and will probably have emerged by the time you are reading this as a deluxe four CD set containing the Belfast and Dublin shows.
The set will include a fourteen page booklet with photos and press cuttings from their Irish shows. This includes reproduction extracts from the review of the show featured in the Northern Ireland newspaper City Week.
Of the fifteen UK dates that comprised the Spring ’71 Back to the clubs tour only the aforementioned Dublin show and the officially released April 1 BBC In Concert recordings have emerged until now. This Belfast recording is therefore most welcome.
The tape recording quality is fair to good for the time – a little distorted and with occasional interference but mostly very listenable.
The most striking aspect of hearing it is the sheer force and determination in their playing. This opening night of their ’71 campaign was their first gig in over five months -the longest lay off so far in their career. It followed an eight week period of intensive recording sessions for their fourth album conducted at Island Studios and on location at Headley Grange.
It’s evident they were itching to air the newly recorded material in a live setting. Before those historic premieres we hear them storm through the then customary Immigrant Song/Heartbreaker opening.
Witnessing this in the Ulster Hall must have been extraordinary. Plant extends the vocal shrieks and the Page solo is just completely out there. Off mic you can occasionally hear the excited babble of Irish accents from the crowd. Then it’s a relaxed run through of Since I’ve Been Loving You. Plant on absolute peak form attaining the high pitched notes with ease. Black Dog is the first of the new songs employing the opening riff of Out On The Tiles. It’s back to the greatest hits for a no-nonsense, compact, Dazed And Confused.
,
More history making follows: Stairway To Heaven live performance number one. A straight rendering slightly tentative with Page playing the unfamiliar, but soon to become more than familiar, tune on the newly acquired Gibson double neck guitar. It suffers slightly here due to cuts and a high pitched sound from the original recording.
Evidence that the softer side of their playing as deployed on Zep 3 would still be present on their forthcoming album was duly demonstrated by the performance of the new Page/ Plant composition Going To California.
The more familiar Zep 2 standards What Is And What Should Never Be and a powerful Moby Dick take us into the finale – the now expected Whole Lotta Love medley including Let That Boy Boogie, Honey Bee and The Lemon Song.
The encores are just plain shattering. A thrashing Communication Breakdown followed by the debut live performance of Rock And Roll – then known as It’s Been A Long Time. A final welcomed bonus brings this historic recording to an end. There’s quite a delay before they get around to performing and it’s evident they are trying to work out what to play. They opt for a rarely played post 1970 version of Bring It On Home performed in a unique delivery sans vocals and harp in the final section.
“If everybody was like this to each other every day there would be no problems,” Plant can be heard to inform the audience just before the second encore. A nostalgic and relevant comment of the times.
Which is exactly what this Belfast discovery represents. It’s a true document of the band at a crucial moment.
Flushed with the massive success of the past, fresh from a welcomed lay off and enthused by the studio sessions that provided yet more new on stage impetus, this is prime 1971 Led Zeppelin.
In short, this tape is a brilliant reminder of how good they were at that stage of their career. Freeze-framing a period when they were receiving deserved mass popularity and acclaim at a time when they were also producing some of their most powerful and vital work.
Incredibly it all happened 30 years ago. The Belfast people haven’t forgotten. Thankfully, the emergence of this tape will make sure they never do.
Remembering Led Zeppelin at the Ulster Hall 1971: Recalled by those that were there…
“The concert was absolutely unbelievable, I was 15 years old and so close to my idols. I was in the seats behind the stage. It is just a moment of great posterity for me in terms of the age I was and seeing the band I loved. I also saw Zeppelin at Earl’s Court but it could never match the intimacy of that night in the Ulster Hall.” Noel Thompson, now a BBC Newsnight reporter.
“It was brilliant. In those days nobody played Belfast unless they were Irish like Taste or Thin Lizzy. To see Led Zeppelin was so enjoyable. It put Belfast-on the map. Stairway To Heaven did not stand out on the night, but I later saw them perform it to 100,000 fans at Knebworth. A lot different to the 1,500 who saw it in 1971.” Mervyn Jones, now a Belfast Councillor.
“When I heard Stairway performed that night I knew it was something special. We were in the front row of the balcony. Whenever I hear that song the memories of that night in Belfast come flooding back to me.” Trevor Haslett, Killinchy
……………………………
The way we were…March 1971
Here are some of the events that were happening 54 years ago as Led Zeppelin toured around the UK….
LED ZEPPELIN 3 WAS STILL IN THE UK TOP 30 ALBUM CHART.
GEORGE HARRISON WAS AT NUMBER ONE ON BOTH THE SINGLES AND ALBUM CHARTS WITH MY SWEET LORD AND ALL THINGS MUST PASS
THE ROLLING STONES KICKED OFF WHAT MANY CONSIDERED WOULD BE THEIR FINAL UK TOUR AT BRISTOL’S COLSTON HALL
IRON BUTTERFLY, THE BAND ZEPPELIN SUPPORTED ON THEIR FIRST US TOUR, ANNOUNCED THEY WERE DISBANDING
THE UK WAS EXPERIENCING ITS FIRST MONTH OF DECIMILISATION AND STILL IN THE THROES OF A GENERAL POSTAL STRIKE
NEWLY RELEASED ALBUMS INCLUDED NICK DRAKE’S BRYTER LATER, THE FACES’ LONG PLAYER AND SOFT MACHINE FOUR. NEW SINGLES JUST OUT INCLUDED JOHN LENNON’S POWER TO THE PEOPLE, DEEP PURPLE WITH STRANGE KINDA WOMAN AND BOB DYLAN’S IF NOT FOR YOU
CHOICE GIGS OF THE MONTH INCLUDED CURVED AIR AND GENESIS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX FOR 62 NEW PENCE AND HAWKWIND AND THE PINK FARIES AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON.
ON TV ATOMIC ROOSTER AND LEON RUSSELL WERE GUESTS ON BBC2’S DISCO 2 WHILE THE ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW INCLUDED RAY CHARLES, ELTON JOHN AND CASS ELLIOT
NEW FILMS AT THE CINEMA INCLUDED LOVE STORY STARRING RYAN O’NEAL AND ALI MACGRAW AND BARBARA STREISAND IN THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT.
IN FOOTBALL, FOLLOWING THEIR GIANT KILLING FIFTH ROUND 3-2 VICTORY OVER LEEDS IN THE FA CUP, COLCHESTER WERE BEATEN 5-0 BY EVERTON IN THE SIXTH ROUND. IN THE SAME ROUND ARSENAL DEFEATED LEICESTER 1-0 IN A REPLAY ON THEIR WAY TO SECURING THEIR CUP AND LEAGUE DOUBLE.
……………………
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN AT 55
Back in 2011 I conducted a poll amongst TBL readers to determine the favourite live version version of Stairway To Heaven…here’s the results:
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: THE TBL 40th ANNIVERSARY POLL:
Today we celebrate what is arguably their greatest song by announcing the results of the TBL Stairway To Heaven 40th Anniversary Poll
And the winner is….
Many thanks for the great response to the Stairway To Heaven At 40 Poll.
We can reveal that the fans choice for the greatest version live version of their greatest song is……..
Earls Court May 25th, 1975 – the DVD version
This is the version that was produced by Jimmy Page and can be seen and heard on the 2003 official Led Zeppelin DVD
In second place…
Madison Square Garden July, 1973 – the Song Remains The Same soundtrack version
Fans have displayed great loyalty for the official original live version as produced by Jimmy Page for The Song Remains The Same soundtrack album.
In third place…
Knebworth August 4th, 1979
More lasting affection for one of the most celebrated of Zep appearances.
In fourth place…
Long Beach June 27th 1972 – as produced by Jimmy Page for the How The West Was Won live album released in 2003.
In fifth place…
BBC Paris Theatre In Concert April 1st 1971 – officially released on the BBC Sessions album in 1997
Here is the complete Top 20 listing of the favourite live versions of Stairway To Heaven as voted by readers of the TBL website
1: Stairway To Heaven – Earls Court May 1975 DVD version
2: Stairway To Heaven – Madison Square Garden July 1973 –
From The Song Remains The Same soundtrack album
3: Stairway To Heaven – Knebworth August 4th 1979
4: Stairway To Heaven – Long Beach June 27th 1972 as released officially on
How The West Was Won
5: Stairway To Heaven – BBC In Concert April 1st, 1971 – as released officially on the BBC Sessions set in 1997.
6: Stairway To Heaven – Earls Court May 24th, 1975
7: Stairway To Heaven – 02 Arena December 10th 2007
8: Stairway To Heaven – Berkeley September 14th 1971 – from the Going To California bootleg.
9: Stairway To Heaven – LA Forum June 23rd 1977 – from the For BadgeHolders Only bootleg
10: Stairway To Heaven – Berlin July 7th 1980
11: Stairway To Heaven – Knebworth August 11th 1979
12: Stairway To Heaven –Madison Square Garden February 12th 1975
13: Stairway To Heaven – Vienna March 16th 1973
14: Stairway To Heaven – Jimmy Page ARMS Royal Albert Hall September 1983
15: Stairway To Heaven – Seattle Kingdome July 17th 1977
16: Stairway To Heaven – Belfast Ulster Hall March 5th 1971
17: Stairway To Heaven – LA Forum June 3rd 1973 from the Three Days After bootleg
18: Stairway To Heaven – LA Forum June 21st 1977 from the Listen To This Eddie bootleg
19: Stairway To Heaven – Zurich June 29th 1980
20: Stairway To Heaven – Budokan Japan, September 23rd 1971
And here is the winning choice: Stairway To Heaven as performed by Led Zeppelin at Earls Court – May 25th 1975
I recommend you take 10 minutes and 27 seconds of your time to marvel in the glory of this astonishing performance on YouTube:
View it at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxfniXCwrJA
Clock the genius at:
00.36: The camera pans on to Jonesy as he plays the plaintive keyboard opening.
At 3 minutes 18 – and Robert’s ‘’Baby baby’’ pleading.
At 4. 06 – Robert’s spontaneous ‘’Priceless’’ after the ‘’Do you remember laughter’’ line.
4.30 – Bonzo’s timely entry.
5.23 – the line ‘’You head is humming and it won’t go –in case you don’t know’’ accented by Bozo’s bass drum.
5.31 – Robert’s moving ‘’Dear PEOPLE can you hear the wind blow and did you know – OUR stairway lies on the whispering wind’.
5.48 – the first crescendo as Jimmy hoists the Gibson double neck high
and then on into what must be one of the finest pieces of live performance in their history.
6.14 – as Plant clusters around Jimmy as he switches necks for the scintillating solo.
7.22 – as the pictures crossfades to Robert banging the tambourine totally lost in the world of Led Zeppelin.
7.51 through to 8.59 as Page delivers a sublimely lyrical solo that again has Plant lost in the music and John Bonham…dear John, behind it all totally on the groove – this sequence brings a lump to my throat every time.
9.00 – the final glorious run in.
9.38 ‘’Never roll people …please don’t make me roll’’.
9.49 – the camera captures Jonesy in that Spanish jacket…
10.02 – Robert’s sings the final line we all know so well and it echoes across the eerie wastes of Earls Court…and into eternity…
Led Zeppelin – Stairway to To Heaven Earls Court
…And that is the greatest live performance of a song that has been now been enthralling us for 40 years – as voted by TBL web readers.
Postscript 2026
Stairway To Heaven – still the pure essence of Led Zeppelin
Long may it reign…
Dave Lewis 2026
TBL Archive 2:
SIMPLEY LED BACK TO BELFAST – 25 YEARS GONE:
This TBL Archive feature looks back to the events that took place on the 30th anniversary of that first airing of Stairway To Heaven.
25 years ago popular tribute band Simply Led came up with a very clever idea – they decided to book the Ulster Hall in Belfast to perform a special anniversary concert 30 years ago to the very day Led Zeppelin had staged that opening night of their UK tour when Stairway To Heaven was first played – and in the very hall that first echoed to the sounds of what would become such an iconic composition.
I was invited to go over to cover the event for TBL – it was a fantastic success. There was a genuine sense of history in being in the vicinity where Led Zeppelin had performed all those years ago. Simply Led played superbly and the people of the city were incredibly friendly and receptive. The comment from one fan afterwards ‘’Thanks for bringing Led Zeppelin’s music back to Belfast’’ said it all.
There’s always a poignancy about reflecting on this occasion as sadly, Simply Led’s drummer Paul Kelvie passed away in 2006 and last year Andy Adams also sadly passed away.
So this piece is dedicated to the much missed Paul who 24 years ago along with Eddie Edwards, Keith Lambert and Phil Eldridge reunited the Led Zeppelin fans of Belfast in fitting style –all in the very place where Stairway To Heaven was first performed live. It was a unique occasion and I feel so privileged to have been in attendance…and this is also dedicated to the late equally much missed Andy Adams…
Remembering Led Zeppelin at the Ulster Hall
Belfast Re-unites Under Simply Led
March 5th 2001: Another cold Monday. Another journey. Today I’m bound for Belfast to celebrate a very special Zeppelin related anniversary. For 30 years ago on this very day Led Zeppelin took a Trident Hovercraft across the Irish sea to perform what would be their only concerts in the Emerald Isle. On the evening of Friday March 5TH 1971 they performed their opening show of the so called “Back to the clubs tour” at the Ulster Hall, Belfast. During their set that night they unveiled a new composition due to appear on their forthcoming fourth album. It was called Stairway To Heaven. Five million radio plays later…
30 years on the London-based tribute band Simply Led have hit upon a very novel and ambitious idea. Tonight they will perform a special anniversary tribute concert at the Ulster Hall – scene of that history making evening for Led Zeppelin back in 1971. Particularly ambitious when you consider this is only their second gig together.
Tribute bands of course are now an accepted part of the live gig scene. Any half renowned or much missed ex-mega group has anything up to half dozen would be copyists trouping up and down the pub circuit. Zeppelin are well served and I have immense respect for the likes of Fred Zeppelin, Whole Lotta Led, Boot Led Zeppelin Let’s Zep who pack ’em in week in week out.
Simply Led’s Belfast plan, as I said, is massively ambitious, and they have done their homework. Singer Keith Lambert had come over a month back to launch the idea at a press conference which garnered much local coverage. Ticket sales have been brisk with already 600 sold. Bass and keyboardist Eddie Edwards assures me they have rehearsed intensely to do the real thing justice on the night. For my part it’s an opportunity to support Eddie, a long-term TBL associate (notably his Song Remains dissection in TBL 13) and spread the TBL word in a new territory. Despite the foot and mouth scare and the freezing weather, the flight out of Luton goes to plan and I meet up with the band around mid day. It’s great to see Andy Adams (pictured here with Eddie) is in tow to lend them a hand and we walk down with Eddie to view the Ulster Hall in the afternoon. Morale is well high by this time – ticket sales have exceeded all expectations with a good chance of over 1,000 likely to witness the show.
As we walk around the balcony of the grand hall it begins to get exciting. There is a genuine sense of history about the place which is smaller than I expected and one of the most impressive venues I’ve ever seen. The vantage point over the stage up on the balcony is superb and you can’t help thinking how incredible it must have been to have viewed the original 1971 show from up here.
Eddie and his boys are understandably more than nervous as they arrive for the soundcheck and run down extremely competent versions of Heartbreaker and The Wanton Song amongst others. Paul let me get behind the drum kit and it was a big thrill to look out at the view John Bonham himself would have had on that night of 30 years ago.
Andy and I set up a display and stall in the foyer and head over to the pub for some pre -gig banter with the local Irish contingent already in. Everyone is really friendly and so keen to witness tonight’s celebration. Over at the Ulster Hall a couple of hundred fans are snaking their way around the hall eager for the doors to open.
There’s already a great sense of occasion in the air. Original 1971 promoter Jim Aiken comes over to view the scene. “This is so special to be witnessing this again,” he tells me. “I can remember how excited we all were to get them here at the time. Nobody apart from Rory of course and a few others bothered to play Belfast. We still talk about the night Zeppelin came…”
It’s a wonderful cross section of fans who mill around the foyer. The elders who remember that momentous night 30 years ago, some bringing their off-spring’s to hear the songs that made such a troubled place at one with itself all those years back. There’s also lots of younger fans in attendance not even born when Zeppelin played their final gig in 1980. It makes for a very boisterous atmosphere and from the moment Simply Led take the stage and chug into the Immigrant Song/ Heartbreaker double whammy that was a staple part of the ’71 Zep set, well that sense of occasion is duly shared by band and audience alike.
I must say that in the weeks leading up to the gig 1 had my doubts that they could pull this off convincingly. It’s a pleasure to be proved so wrong. A combination of this being the right anniversary at the right time in exactly the right place makes the next couple of hours an absolute joy.
This is no mere tribute concert. This is an event and Simply Led rise to the occasion.
Highlights: Guitarist Phil Eldridge’s fluid Gibson work during Over The Hills, Keith Lambert’s pleasing ad-libs (“Acapulco gold”) and pre-’73 high vocal register, Paul Kelvie’s drumming superb throughout the show – as good a Bonham-inspired performance you will see this side of Michael Lee. Eddie Edwards strong feel for Jonesy’s musicianship evident in a compact No Quarter and an ambitious and suitably emotional Stairway. Finally a rousing Whole Lotta Love and Rock And Roll brings to a close a striking performance. Throughout it all I couldn’t help thinking that right here in this very hall exactly 30 years to the, moment Led Zeppelin were making history. I’m sure it was an emotion shared by many in attendance. The atmosphere as the crowd spill into the foyer is a joy to be part of. It’s more than evident that Simply Led have captured the spirit of Zeppelin very well indeed.
Back stage the band themselves are justifiably triumphant. “They’ll never believe this back home,” says Eddie. And I guess unless I’d witnessed it myself I’d probably have been of the same opinion.
As I mentioned earlier the fundamental reason this all came together was the location and timing. Coupled of course with Simply Led’s enthusiasm, musical prowess and sheer determination to pull it off.
Belfast was a very special gig for any band back in those troubled times of ’71. For a band of Led Zeppelin’s stature to come and perform here was a real event. On tonight’s turnout that gesture way back in ’71 has obviously not been forgotten by the people of Belfast.
The whole evening is wonderfully summed up by the excited comment of one of the elder generation of Zep fans here tonight.
“Thanks for bringing Led Zeppelin’s music back to Belfast,” he tells Andy on the way out. It’s an accolade echoing throughout this historic venue. And that’s some accolade for a tribute band playing only their second gig,
Simply Led have every reason to feel very proud of themselves because tonight in Belfast they paid homage to a very special concert in Led Zeppelin’s history.
And in doing so they reunited the people of Belfast just as the real thing had done on a similar cold Irish night 30 years ago. It was simply remarkable.
Dave Lewis, March 6 2001
Simply Led Belfast March 5th 2001 -Paul Kelvie, Eddie Edwards, Keith Lambert, Phil Eldridge
With thanks to Eddie Edwards and Keith Lambert
Dedicated to Paul Kelvie 1961 – 2006 and Andy Adams 1961 – 2021
Check out Eddie Edward’s superb dissection of various Led Zeppelin releases at
http://www.thegardentapes.co.uk/
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“A powerful rock band steeped in the primal intimacy of the Blues”
https://wegottickets.com/f/15686
21 Apr BARNSLEY Cubley Hall, Penistone UK
https://wegottickets.com/event/683804
23 Apr SCOTLAND The Green, Kinross UK
https://www.ents24.com/kinross-events/backstage-green-hotel-kinross/deborah-bonham/7375211
25-26 Apr ORKNEY Blues Festival UK
https://www.orkneyblues.co.uk/
28 May WORCESTER Huntingdon Hall UK
https://worcestertheatres.co.uk/huntingdon-hall/whats-on/deborah-bonham-band
12-13 Jun NORWAY Mjøs Fest Lillehammer
https://www.facebook.com/groups/40280275783/19 Sep FRANCE Lyon03 Oct FRANCE (22) St Brieuc
11 Dec DARLINGTON
24 Apr IBIZA Costa Festival
02-04 Jul NEW FOREST Folk Festival
BLUES MATTERS MAGAZINE
Sad news to report:
I am so very sad to learn of two passing’s of much loved TBL people
Firstly long time TBL subscriber and lovely lady Joyce Keyes has passed away. Seeing her distinctive writing on many an envelope always gladdened my heart. Our sincere condolences got to Norman and all family and friends…
Equally sad has been the news of the passing of Rhian Vincent. Rhian was the wife of another long time TBL supporter and friend Brian Vincent.
I met with Brian and Rhian at the Robert Plant Saving Grace gig in Cardiff in November 2023 – sauch a great night with so many lovely memories.
Our hearts and condolences go out to Brian and all his family and friends.
Led Zeppelin Milano 1971 book:
Alberto Lo Giudice has been in touch to spread the word on his new Led Zeppelin book Milano 1971. This is an extensive account of the infamous Zep appearance at the Vigorelli Velodrome in Milan on July 5 1971 – a gig that was halted due to riotous scenes. It features many previously unseen black and white photos on and off stage across 108 pages.
Limited to 200 copies the price is €50 each and shipping will depend on where you live.
For full details contact Alberto via email at:
Sunday March 1:
Sunday March 1:
Marking Roger Daltrey’s 82nd Birthday – and loading up the brilliant live San Francisco 1971 2 CD from the superb Who’s Next box set…
Remembering late great Rory Gallagher on the occasion of his Birthday so on the player the brilliant 1972 Live In Europe album…
Monday March 2:
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Until next time…
Dave Lewis – March 5 2026
TBL website updates written and compiled by Dave Lewis
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