It was 43 years ago …they could not continue as they were…

43 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 Zepplin 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 43 years ago for December 4, it …

Robert Plant & Saving Grace On The Spot Reports:

On the spot report: Robert Plant presents Saving Grace in Gateshead, November 20th, 2023, by Hiroshi

Saving Grace at The Glasshouse (former Sage) in Gateshead on Monday night were magnificent as they always had ever been. Even more so than before. They are another band of joy, shifting space and bringing strange sensations. This is my fifth time I saw them after 2021 and 2022, and it is amazing to recognize the way Team SG have continuously upgraded the show, not only the …

More on the spot reports…

Robert Plant Presents Saving Grace Featuring Suzi Dian:

Cambridge Corn Exchange – Friday November 17 2023

To Cambridge for a final sighting on this UK tour of the remarkable Saving Grace.

It was great to have the good lady Janet with me – this was her first Robert Plant gig since 2002 –the Storytellers filming for VH1 all of 21 years ago.

In that time since I’ve added another 45 gigs to my overall tally of 127 occasions of seeing Robert perform live – tonight was gig number 128 and …

Robert Plant presents Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian UK tour on the spot reports…

New Theatre Cardiff – November 15:
Just back from something of a whirlwind trip to Cardiff – and what another amazing night in the company of Robert Plant and Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian…

The Cardiff New Theatre was a suitably intimate venue for a night of sheer magic.

So many moments to savour…

The masterful vocal interplay between Robert and Suzi. The sheer perfection of the whole band’s musicianship. The subtle chorography and lighting that ends certain songs – I’ve …

Jimmy back on stage!
Jimmy Page made a surprise on stage appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in New York last Friday. He initially appeared on a video link to induct Link Wray and then took to the stage to perform Link’s Rumble ..
Jimmy Page commenting on his appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame… 

I was asked to induct Link Wray into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame @rockhall; a guitarist, instrumentalist and songwriter that I’d admired from the very first taste of the …

 
Robert Plant presents Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian…UK tour opening night 
Review and pic via Stewart Gunn
Brighton Dome – November 1st 2023
Setlist:
Gospel Plow, The Cuckoo, Let The Four Winds Blow, Friends, Unknown gospely song, featuring the hall filling voice of Matt Worley to great effect Too far from you. Suzi on lead vocal Dimming of my light? A new original? After Robert sang the line “The dimming of my light” in the coda, several in the crowd shouted . “ Never”. Everybody’s Song, It’s A Beautiful Da, The Rain Song, As …

Robert Plant at the Cancer Awareness Trust with Andy Taylor October 21 2023…Stairway To Heaven first performance since 2007…

The former Duran Duran guitarist Andy has been having serious cancer health issues and staged this special concert to raise money for the Cancer Awareness Trust. it was staged at the Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds.

Robert Plant was a special guest and incredibly, he chose to perform Stairway To Heaven for the first time since the Led Zeppelin 02 reunion concert in 2007.

This is an incredibly emotional watch as are his words …

Mr. Jimmy film screenings…
It’s been quite a week with two screenings of the Mr. Jimmy film. I attended the Saturday afternoon screening and the Wednesday  premiere.
At short notice, the director Peter Michael Dowd asked me to be involved in the Q and A session that was arranged for after the Wednesday screening.
it was fantastic to meet Peter and hear of his journey in the making of the film – here’s how it all went…
Wednesday October 18:
Great night at the Olympic Studios Cinema for the screening of the Mr. Jimmy film.
 

The …

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James ;Bucks’ Burnett R.I.P…
I am so very sad to hear the news of the sudden passing of James ‘Bucks’ Burnett aged 64…

A wonderfully eccentric larger than life character – a man of great standing in the Zep and Who communities and so much more

I’ve been in touch with Bucks for many a year – I met him when he came over the Led Zeppelin 02 reunion show 2007. On that occasion he wore a stunning suit adorned with Houses Of The Holy album over images.

There was just so much to …

Mr. Jimmy Film UK Premiere Screenings…
The acclaimed Mr. Jimmy film has two UK premiere screenings lined up at the Olympic Studios London Cinema
Saturday October 14 at 4pm
Wednesday October 18 at 8pm
Here’s the info…

Akio Sakurai has dedicated his life to honoring Jimmy Page. For 30 years he recreated vintage Zeppelin concerts note-for-note in small Tokyo clubs. Moving to L.A. to pursue his tribute dream, cultures clash and Akio’s idyllic vision meets reality.
Starring: Akio Sakurai, Rie Nakahara, Toshio Suzuki, Kiyomi Osawa, Junko Sakurai, Shinji Kishimoto
Director: Peter Michael Dowd
Writer: Peter Michael Dowd
Running Time: …