What an end to the week…I’m sitting on the bus proof reading TBL 20 when I look up to find the guy in front has his laptop on, and I’m thinking how come I’m still in the paper world? Then I clock the screen to find he’s looking at a selection of naughty pics – and I think fuck the proof reading!
Whoever you were, thanks for brightening up an otherwise dismal week, if the magazine’s full of mistakes – sorry!
Saturday night and the XYZ boys and ladies converged on the …

A lot going on recently with the first topic being the Uncut interviews. All three reflected the dilemma they face of what might happen next. Robert’s interview with Allan Jones was by far the most compelling. His rare examination of his complex relationship with Jimmy was most enlightening.
“It went off the rails in the end because everybody got a little too relaxed and little too haywire. For me then, it didn’t really work from ‘77 onwards. However there were moments at Knebworth that were spectacular. But the price you have …

Another hectic week for us all as we complete the text and layouts for TBL 20 (out in mid April) and spend the weekend reading the proofs before it goes to the printers.
This week I’ve been in touch with Graeme Hutchinson who is well up for staging the previously mentioned Zep Fan Convention in London. Graeme hopes to have news of a venue soon with a projected date of mid October. More on this as it unfolds. Another UK attraction this year will be the Zeppelin Memorabilia Exhibition being staged (very appropriately) at Knebworth …

What a week as I got well stuck into a major appreciation of John Bonham’s drum craft that will be a feature in the next issue of TBL 20 (April) as we approach what would have been his 60th birthday. This meant digging out loads of Zep stuff to listen intently to his contributions. What an enjoyable process that has been. A welcome opportunity to marvel again at his percussive skills.
He really was such a driving force – a few examples that I rediscovered:
We’re Gonna Groove at the …

I’ve done some pretty crazy things over the years in pursuit of Planet Zeppelin … zipping off to see Plant at the Hammersmith Odeon three hours after the birth of Samantha in 1990 is definitely up there in the “What on earth was I thinking of?” category … as was the decision to fly over to Istanbul to see the last two nights of the Page & Plant Eastern European tour.
For it was ten years ago today on March 5th 1998 that the Foy’s and myself landed in Istanbul to …

After all the pre and post Christmas activity it’s been good to catch a few days off. The signs of fatigue were well apparent recently when the boy Adam found me slumped on the TBL office floor after falling asleep reading the paper.
Dad you need a rest….
I even had a Saturday off yesterday, the first since September and did what normal people do (ie those that don’t work in retail!) at the weekend – a pub meal lunchtime with the good lady, a walk in town (couldn’t resist buying …

To the smoke yesterday to meet up and interview Mark Norton and Mike Warry of the Think Farm design team. Mark was responsible for the superb graphics that featured on the backdrop screen at the O2 show. Both offered an illuminating insight into the creative process that led to the hugely impressive production seen on the night. Their exclusive thoughts will form part of the extensive 02 aftermath coverage in the next Tight But Loose magazine. Be sure not to miss it.
Research into various Zeppelin topics also led me back …

Well I survived  the Wallbanager day out – my good friend Phil lasted until 5pm before he asked the customary question ‘’Where’s my Earls Court tapes? ( Haven’t found them yet but the search is on)
It was back in Bedford at midnight and then (rather foolishly) a curry to finish – bed at 2am, up at 5am work at 7. Don’t ask me how. Then it was back to reality the next afternoon with Spurs dismal result at Man United. Then we were a minute off giving them a scare …

Well I survived  the Wallbanager day out – my good friend Phil lasted until 5pm before he asked the customary question ‘’Where’s my Earls Court tapes? ( Haven’t found them yet but the search is on)
It was back in Bedford at midnight and then (rather foolishly) a curry to finish – bed at 2am, up at 5am work at 7. Don’t ask me how. Then it was back to reality the next afternoon with Spurs dismal result at Man United. Then we were a minute off giving them a scare …

There wasn’t many times Bonzo got it wrong on stage with Zeppelin but you have to say describing that football was a load of bollocks at Earls Court on May 24 1975 was one of them.
For how can this beautiful game be thus described when it produces nights like Tuesday down at the Lane. Being a Spurs fan carries with it a certain inevitably of disappointment – not so against Arsenal this time around and that remarkable Carling Cup semi final 5 -1 victory will long be remembered, and for …