There are sometimes (most times) when only Led Zeppelin will do.
That’s the way it was last night. Coming back from an intensive fourteen hour day at work, an inspired soundtrack was required. Hitting the wheel of the iPod to albums…there was only one thing for it. Presence by Led Zeppelin and fuck did it hit the mark.
At the right time and in the right mood these seven tracks sum up what this band means to me more than any other record they made. From the sheer exhilaration of Achilles (just …

Forty years ago this month Jimmy Page’s new group were ensconced in Olympic Studios recording their debut album. Reason enough to dig out that Zep 1 vinyl (my favourite version is an original US pressing on Atlantic SD 8216 with heavy duty cardboard cover).
I’ve also had on that amazing outtake session on the Olympic Gold bootleg CD with raw versions of Babe I’m Gonna Leave You and You Shook me. My they were rocking back then…
The 40th anniversary celebrations culminate here at the November 7 Convention at the Fairfield Hall …

With so many rumours and counter rumours floating about, it’s been a job to keep up with the ‘’Will they or won’t they’’ saga in recent weeks. It was therefore something of a relief when official word came through via the Robert Plant web site of the singer’s own intentions.
Given the comments Robert has given in various interviews since the 02 reunion, perhaps it was no real surprise that he has made the decision not to re group with Jimmy JPJ, and Jason.
The big issue now of course is what …

Sometimes only Nick Drake and Frank Sinatra will do.
It’s been the forlorn melancholy tones of those late lamented singers that has soundtracked the last few days here. After the high emotion of Sam’s leaving at the weekend (and boy was it emotional) the more sensitive parts of the Zep catalogue would have been too much to take (Ten Years Gone? – not right now thanks)
So it’s been Way To Blue, Pink Moon, River Man,I Was Made To Love Magic, Northern Sky etc and Frank Sinatra’s desolate latter era album She …

Picture the scene.
A backstreet pub in downtown Bedford last Friday afternoon.
In comes the weekly karaoke team to set up their 4 to 7 pm slot.
I’m there with my good friend Max about four pubs in on our annual bike ride pub crawl. The Karaoke leader kicks off with Bolan’s Get it On.  Another chap gets up to deliver The Eagles Already Gone. Abba and Dido tunes are duly hammered out. Then it happens. I spot Led Zeppelin’s Ramble On amongst the karaoke catalogue that adorns our table. ‘’Are …

DL 52 at 52
It’s been something of a whirlwind couple of weeks – loads on at work – Sam preparing for UNI, Adam back on the football pitch (in the pre season friendly he looked well sharp with a play maker role looking promising). Two weeks ago was the good lady Janet’s birthday and a lunchtime Sunday roast family meal out was most enjoyable. As was a trip to Hitchin the day before where the sun shone for what might have been the last time this summer  – one of …

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. …

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 …

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 …

Well the life laundry clearing of the loft hasn’t thrown up that Houston 1977 videotape…but I did find a host of cassettes – hundreds of the buggers. Was the day when these spools of joy were at the centre of our collections.  Easy to copy, easy to swap and trade and easy to send in the post. There was always immense anticipation when you pulled open a package of freshly recorded Memorex /TDK / Phillips / musicassettes to give them there full name.How can such a much loved format become …