It was 44 years ago …they could not continue as they were…

44 years ago this week I vividly remember taking a call from the Musician’s Only paper and being asked for a quote regarding the announcement that Led Zeppelin were to disband.
These were sad times indeed – and it was about to get worse. The whole ‘Zep to split’ story would get buried somewhat when just four days later John Lennon was shot dead in New York…
Looking back at my diary entry for 44 years ago for December 4, it …

 Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening  –  Hard Rock Casino Gary Indiana – November 21 2024 – on the spot report via Ed Bode:

Jason and his band continue to perform the catalogue of Led Zeppelin in a very respectful manner that keeps the music very much alive and well.
This was the second show of his current tour and the band are definitely fresh, energetic, and enjoying what they do.

The set list was  different this time around and included some songs not heard in a long time – , of course there …

ELECTRIC MAGIC  53 YEARS GONE:
November 21st is always a bit of a special date in my calendar year – as it was on this day back in 1971 that I was lucky enough to witness Led Zeppelin live at the Empire Pool Wembley –and as you will read, nothing was ever the same in our house after that. Over the next few days  I’ll be wading through the Empire Strikes Back Tarantura CD box set to recall the night the Wembley Empire Pool was, as the Melody Maker headline ran  …

Robert Plant Presents Saving Grace  featuring Suzi Dian -in Stockton-on-Tees- November 6 2024

On the spot Report by Hiroshi:

The day after I saw Bob Dylan’s scintillating and inspiring performance as ever in Edinburgh on his Rough And Rowdy Ways World Wide Tour, I took a train to Stockton-on-Tees, another rather obscure destination that is a typical choice of Saving Grace’s tour stops. Pre-Zep, Band Of Joy days are here again.

The Globe, though, hosted quite a few hit makers in its long-running history, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. On the …

Robert Plant Presents Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian
On the spot report from Mick Scullion…
November 5 2024
Harrogate Royal Hall
Set list:
The Cuckoo
Four Sticks
Higher Rock
The May Queen
Move Along Train
Orphan Girl
She Cried
Two Coats
Everbodys Song
As I Roved Out
For The Turnstiles
Friends
Encore
I Will Never Marry
Gallows Pole
Oh my goodness, where to start…this ever developing band just sends me somewhere else.
No Product, No Programmes, No Merch …..They just keep moving. Tonight we saw a mélange of previously heard/unheard covers & a smattering of Zep. I’ve taken this band so much to my heart…I said it before but I’ll repeat …

Led Zeppelin Remasters : 34 Years Gone…
Another anniversary the Remasters releases all of 34 years old this week. I absolutely loved that period – it was so incredible to see the resurgence of interest that surrounded them – here’s some 34th anniversary thoughts…
Led Zeppelin Remastered…it was 34 years ago… 
It’s amazing to think that there was a time back in the day, that the only way of hearing Led Zeppelin’s music was via the ten original albums – ie the eight original studio albums, The Song Remains The Same soundtrack and …

Gibson Announces Jimmy Page 1964 SJ-200 and Jimmy Page 1964 SJ-200 Collector’s Edition
 Handmade by the Expert Luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana
This via the official Gibson press release:
Introducing the Jimmy Page 1964 SJ-200 and 1964 SJ-200 Collector’s Edition from Gibson Custom, a tribute to the legendary founder of Led Zeppelin.
NASHVILLE, TN (October 22, 2024) As it celebrates 130 years of music history,Gibson, the iconic global instrument brand, is proud to announce it has expanded its partnership with Jimmy Page, one of the most influential musicians in history …

TBL Archive 1:
On the 54rd anniversary of the release of Led Zeppelin III, here’s my thoughts on the original album and the 2014 reissue:
Led Zeppelin III: Solid gas then… Solid gold now…

THEN:
Led Zeppelin III was my first experience of the anticipation and waiting that would often be required leading up to the release of a new Zep album.
The waiting began in early 1970 and would last a period of ten months.
This anticipation was played out via the pages of the NME music paper as that was my prime source of …

Robert Plant Presents Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian   – Teatro Petruzzelli Bari,Italy –  October 8 2024
This on the spot report of the opening night of their Italian dates by Melvyn Billingham..
A beautiful building and great acoustics. Full house and a great enthusiastic crowd.

Robert in fine form as always and Suzie really is a talent.
The set list included Let The Four Winds Blow, Cuckoo, Friends, Four Sticks and a beautiful version of The Rain Song. Robert had to stop Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down after 30 seconds as the crowd …

Sounds Four Part The Complete Led Zep –  46 years Gone – DL Reflections.
46 years ago this month I had my first Led Zeppelin written work published in a major UK music paper – my research for a 10 year retrospective look back on the band’s career in Sounds was extensively used across four weekly parts. It was an incredible thrill to see my work reach a wide audience and it was the kick start to many great things – here’s how it all came to be…
During 1977 and into …