Lord David Cobbold, owner of the Knebworth House estate and instigator of the Knebworth concerts back in 1974, was the guest on Radio 4’s long running Desert Island Discs programme today. He talked affectionately about the history of the house and concerts. There was name check for Zep during the introduction by presenter Kirsty Young and his choices included Pink Floyd’s Brain Damage and Paul McCartney’s rendering of Hey Jude live from Knebworth in 1990.
Co- incidentally the show aired one year to the day of the Then As It Was …

Above:  The Knebworth 31st Anniversary Revellers  – TBL Totnes HQ Wednesday August 4th 2010 – DL, Cliff Hilliard, Tom Locke, Terry Boud and Mark Harrison.  Photo by Adam Lewis
The last few days have been dominated by a wave of nostalgia for the 31st anniversary Knebworth. I’d intended to mark the occasion on the site and with a few Facebook postings but it all became a bit more than that.  The response to the postings has been quite amazing – maybe I should not be too surprised about this reaction, as …

31 years ago today, Led Zeppelin performed their first show in the UK for four years when they made a triumphant comeback at Knebworth.
To mark the occasion here’s the second of our TBL Archive Knebworth Specials:
SEEING WAS BELIEVING:  THEN AS IT REALLY WAS….
Think of Knebworth and the images remain vivid:  The campsite, Tommy Vance’s Friday night rock show filling the air, chants of ‘’Zeppelin’’,’’Zeppelin’’ ,the early morning rush for the gates, the long wait during the day ,Skynyd’s Tuesdays Gone fading from the PA. the screen unfolding…and there performing The …

To mark the 31st anniversary of the final UK Led Zeppelin concerts, here’s the first of the series of TBL Archive Special retro features on Led Zeppelin at Knebworth.
All text is taken from the book Then As It Was –Led Zeppelin At Knebworth 1979 – if you haven’t indulged in this as yet, now is a timely moment to do so.
The  limited edition hardback edition is still available but hurry as the stock is selling down. All books are individually numbered and personally signed by the author – see the …

The UK’s leading classic rock radio station Planet Rock will premiere “One Last Soul”, the first single taken from the forthcoming Black Country Communion album on Monday August 2nd at 6pm GMT on ‘The Nicky Horne Show’.
The song makes its radio debut ahead of the album which is released in the UK via Mascot Records on Monday September 20th. Listeners will be able to tune in to Planet Rock in the UK on DAB Digital Radio, on Sky 0110, Virgin Media 924, Freesat 730, iPhone and online at www.planetrock.com

Robert Plant and the Band of Joy
Bayfront Park Amphitheater, Miami
Saturday, July 31, 2010

Picture by James Brosher
Review by Lee Zimmerman from The Miami New Times.com  
Robert Plant is born again. Well, okay, perhaps not in the religious sense…. Although in Saturday night’s spectacular showing, he and his magnificent Band of Joy did a fair amount of testifying via some gospel-tinged material. Rather, he’s been reborn in the sense that the one-time rock god has descended from Olympus to purvey a style considerably more down to earth.
He’s gone from wailing British blues …

This review and picture by Shawn Geurin
Robert played to a sold out crowed of predominately 50 year olds. Last time he was in Tampa was 1998.  Rumored he spent part of the day walking Clearwater Beach.  Same 1:45 minute set. Sound was outstanding from 5th row, not obnoxiously loud. Robert was in great mood, very little talking though.  He sounded excellent.  A few mis-steps along the way (abbreviated Tall Cool One and Over The Hills transition).   Gallows Pole lacked the thunder I was longing for.   Robert allowed time for each member …

I can remember a fair few Robert Plant new single premieres down the years.
Hearing an advance tape of Big Log in June 83 and knowing it would catch the summer mood. Being totally mystified by Pink And Black when it was first aired on the Whistle Test. Heaven Knows played on Radio One’s review show Roundtable and being given a thumbs up by Bee Gee Barry Gibb. 29 Palms heralding the Fate Of Nations era on a bright April morning.
This week Angel Dance was added to the list. Being out …

Pic by John-David-Mercer-Press-Register
The internet is currently full of Robert Plant delights  including a continuing flow on YouTube of fan footage from the US shows including this excellent piece from Stubbs BBQ in Austin.

There’s also an  exclusive preview of Angel Dance ,the first single from the forthcoming Band Of Joy album.  To listen to this  follow the link to Rollingstone.com Angel Dance
Rounder Records have released a EPK with an interview with Robert and more exclusive preview cuts from the album including the superb “You Can’t By Me Love”. This can be …

I regret to announce that due to unforeseen problems with the venue, the planned TBL Travelling Riverside Fan Gathering due to be staged in Eton near Windsor on September 25th, 2010 is being cancelled.
Alternate venue options have not proved viable leading to this unavoidable decision.
I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and I will of course be issuing full refunds for all pre booked tickets purchased. I will be writing to all those fans that have pre booked to organise refunds as a matter of urgency.
This decision has not …