I have a fair few autographed items by Robert Plant in my collection – but pride of place goes to something he signed for me on a piece of Plaza Hotel paper a few hours after Led Zeppelin’s concert at the Festhalle Frankfurt on June 30th 1980.
It says simply ‘’It works…contrary to public opinion – Robert Plant’’
That statement might be something of a mantra to his life.
A life that today reaches the milestone age of 60.
Public opinion has not always lent its ear easily to Robert Plant’s single minded musings. …

To mark Robert’s 60th birthday we are conducting a poll to determine the Vital Vocal Performances as voted by fans across the world.
To take part list your ten favourite Robert Plant performances in order of preference.
These can be drawn from every aspect of his career – from pre Zep days, through the Zeppelin albums and on to his solo career up to his collaboration with Alison Krauss. You might want to use the 60 at 60 listing in TBL21 as a reference although selections are not limited to this list …

Jimmy Page has been lined up to appear at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on Sunday August 24. He is due to take part in an eight minute segment signifying the handover to London for the 2012 games. Some reports link him with a duet performance with X Factor winner Leona Lewis though no official confirmation of this has been forthcoming as yet.
LINKS …
GIGWISE 
MIRROR

There have been more birthday celebrations here with the boy Adam reaching his teenage years. That’s just about the age I was when Led Zeppelin came calling. Adam has so far resisted such temptation, though he can drum out a mean Bonham like back beat to Immigrant Song. He has however showed much commitment to that other Lewis household pastime – the support of Tottenham Hotspur FC. In fact he does so with a passion and knowledge that shames his old dad somewhat.
As a birthday treat the good lady and …

Rumours of a proposed Zep reunion show at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium have been denied in news stories circulating on the web this last week as follows: 
Legendary rockers LED ZEPPELIN have not booked Wales’ Millennium Stadium for a comeback gig, the venue’s manager has confirmed.
The veteran rockers reformed last year (07) for a one-off reunion concert in London, and rumours of a possible world tour have dogged the band ever since.
The group was recently rumoured to have reserved a date at the Cardiff, Wales venue for a concert in 2009 – …

Sad to read of the death of legendary soul man Isaac Hayes age 65. His Oscar winning theme to the movie Shaft was one of the records played shortly before Led Zeppelin came on stage at the famous Electric Magic show of November 21 1971. Three days later at Manchester’s Free Trade Hall, Jimmy even incorporated a segment of the track within Dazed And Confused. It remains one of the true iconic theme tunes of all time. 
Dave Lewis

Robert Plant appeared on stage with Fairport Convention at the annual Cropredy Festival on Saturday night.
Introduced by Dave Pegg during a segment acknowledging the 30th anniversary of Sandy Denny’s passing, Robert performed Battle of Evermore with Kristina Donahue handling the Sandy vocal lines. At the close of the song Robert said a few words about Sandy which was followed by a moving visual tribute to the strains of Sandy’s Blackwaterside.
Thanks to John Parkin

29 years ago today I was in a field awaiting the live return of Led Zeppelin.
We got to the Knebworth site at 7am on the Thursday determined to soak up all the pre-gig atmosphere and be as near to the front as possible. Our early stake out was rewarded a few hours later when by chance we happened to be on the Knebworth House forecourt as a cream Cherokee jeep swung around and stopped. “Which way’s the stage area mate?” called a voice from inside.
I’d know that Midlands accent anywhere…for …

The Led Zeppelin Memories In Music Exhibition is now open to the public at Knebworth House. The proceeds of all donations / raffle-prize money going to the ABC Trust, Action for Brazil’s Children.
Scheduled to run from August 1st to September 3rd and opens from noon to 5pm daily. Ticket prices are: £9.50 adult / £9 seniors and children / £33.00 family ticket. Visit www.memoriesinmusic.com for further information.

The recent Foo Fighters live shows at Wembley Stadium which included a guest appearance of Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones is to be released on DVD on August 23rd. The 18 track set comprises of material from their June 6th and 7th dates. Full track listing is …
‘The Pretender’
‘Times Like These’ 
‘No Way Back’ 
‘Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up Is Running)’ 
‘Learn To Fly’ 
‘Long Road To Ruin’ 
‘Breakout’ 
‘Stacked Actors’ 
‘Skin And Bones’ 
‘Marigold’ 
‘My Hero’ 
‘Cold Day In The Sun’ 
‘Everlong’ 
‘Monkey Wrench’ 
‘All My Life’ 
‘Rock And Roll’ 
‘Ramble On’ 
‘Best Of You’