ANNOUNCING THE RETIREMENT OF THE TBL MAGAZINE/BOOK UPDATE/LZ NEWS/GOLDEN LION REUNION 41 YEARS GONE/TBL 02 REUNION EVENT 5 YEARS GONE/DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE
Tight But Loose News Update:
Announcing the retirement of the TBL magazine
Established in 1978 as a platform of communication for like-minded Led Zeppelin fans, the Tight But Loose magazine has reached out to over 30 countries around the world in its forty-plus years of publication. But after much soul searching and discussion with Janet and Mick Lowe and not a little sadness, I’ve decided that now is the right time to announce the retirement of the Tight But Loose magazine and cease publication.
The last edition issue of TBL was issue 45, a Led Zep at Knebworth Special published back in September 2019. Since then many things have happened, not least the pandemic and its far reaching consequences. That, and a combination of other factors – designer Mick Lowe’s changing circumstances, health issues here both physical and mental, and the birth of our lovely grandson, has led me to reach the conclusion that producing future TBL magazines is just too much for me to take on. Given the lack of any TBL issues in the past three years, I’m sure that will probably not come as too much of a surprise to anyone.
For many years the magazine has been published via content provided by some crucial contributors, Mick’s design and layout, and my role in all aspects of the administration distribution – this has included sticking labels and stamps on a 1,000 envelopes and physically taking them to be posted (mostly by means of my bike!).
It’s been hugely fulfilling to do this over the past four decades, but with changing values and age (hey, having done this since I was aged 22 and now being an official old age pensioner at 66, I’m not getting any younger!), the plain fact is I just don’t have the time and application to continue with this type of workload. Plus, there’s a need for me to prioritize what’s important and slow down a little bit.
I am of course immensely proud of what the TBL magazine has created and the enjoyment it has brought to so many Led Zeppelin fans. Indeed, if you happen to have all 45 issues you own a unique catalogue in the chronicling of this great band we all love (with early issues typically fetching £100 plus on eBay).
I do intend to make available various back issues I still have left on a first come first basis at some point ahead. I did have a plan to reissue some of the older editions but that has proven difficult to do. I may return to that idea as a “best of” TBL book project.
Given everything going on in my life now, this seems the right time to bring the TBL magazine to a conclusion and it feels the end of an era but and as the great George Harrison once sang, all things must pass…
However let me make absolutely it clear it’s only the physical magazine I am ceasing – this does not mean I am retiring from chronicling the world of Led Zeppelin and my music writings – far from it….
I still aim to produce the regular TBL website updates which contain archive features, latest Zep related news and my diary blog update. In its way this serves as a mini online version of the TBL magazine and provides me with a platform for my writings which I am as passionate as ever to produce.
In conjunction with the TBL website, my own Facebook page is another means of getting my music message out there – this includes my thoughts on Zep and other artist’s releases and reissues, my passion for record collecting, the marking of important rock related birthdays and my regular nostalgic throwback Thursday postings of past retro charts and gig activity.
As for future book projects, my main objective is to work on my DL Memoirs – A Whole Lotta Music and More. I have been a very blessed man in enjoying over 50 years of musical appreciation and I am keen to tell many a story. I am currently about 25,000 words up and am about to enter 1972 so there’s a long way to go. I am not setting a deadline and I will work on it at my own pace so publication is a way off yet. I will report on the progress of this major project as it evolves via the TBL website and my Facebook page.
I did have a plan to produce a Robert Plant photo book but that idea has proved difficult to bring to fruition and remains on hold – as mentioned above, changing circumstances here limits the time I have to apply to research intensive projects and the DL Memoirs is my main written focus ahead.
I would like to offer sincere thanks to everyone who worked on and contributed to the TBL magazine over the years and there are many amazing people who made it happen, in particular Ross Halfin, Mike Tremaglio, Gary Foy, Richard Grubb, Mike Warry, Graeme Hutchinson, Nick Anderson, Paul Sheppard, Stephen Humphries, Jonathan Taylor, Rikky Rooksby Simon Cadmon and Andy Crofts. May I offer an equally sincere thanks to every single person that invested in the magazine and made it such a thrilling and fulfilling outlet for me to be at the helm of for nigh on 44 years.
So it’s goodbye to the physical Tight But Loose magazine, but be assured my passion to present and share the chronicling of the world of Led Zeppelin and the music I love goes on with the same unrelenting enthusiasm that I had when I handwrote the very first issue of the TBL magazine back in 1978.
In effect, the song does remain the same here, albeit in a way that reflects the time and application I can give to share my thoughts on this wonderful music that continues to enthrall and inspire us all.
Dave Lewis – December 14 2022
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Latest book update:
LED ZEPPELIN FIVE GLORIOUS NIGHTS
Five Glorious Nights – Led Zeppelin At Earls Court May 1975
A photographic record compiled by Dave Lewis (Rufus Publishing)
In May 1975, Led Zeppelin performed five momentous concerts at the Earls Court Arena in London to a combined audience of 85,000 fans. This was a band at the peak of their powers slaying the sold out audiences with a nightly marathon three and a half hour presentation of light, sound, power and energy.
There’s no doubt that Led Zeppelin’s Earls Court appearances represented a career high for the band and four decades on, are still held in the highest esteem by the vast following.
Five Glorious Nights –Led Zeppelin at Earls Court May 1975 captures the sheer visual magnificence of the band though the images of some of the finest rock photographers of the era who were right there on the spot to capture rock history.
Compiled by Dave Lewis, this new 320-page revised and expanded edition offers a permanent visual record of a band at their absolute zenith – in a setting that truly justified their status as the world’s greatest live attraction.
It comes in two versions – the standard edition is a 230mm square hardback format in a printed sleeve with slip case and an exclusive Leather and Metal Edition, measuring a huge 375mm square, bound in recycled burgundy leather and supplied in a hand-made aluminum slipcase with a reproduction show poster. Only 100 of these are available and includes the standard edition.
The standard version should ship this month with the deluxe version in January.
For ordering details visit
https://www.rufuspublications.com/rufusbooks/Led-Zeppelin/
Distribution update – the standard edition should be ready for distribution over the weekend
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My plan ahead…
A Whole Lotta Music and More – The Dave Lewis Memoirs
Work in progress…for future publication…
The Our Price record shop chain that Dave Lewis worked for used to have a slogan that read “Mad About Music – See a Specialist’’
It’s an apt description, as for over 60 years Dave Lewis has been mad about music – make that a whole lotta music… and he has also been something of a specialist.
Acknowledged as a renowned world authority on Led Zeppelin, his many widely acclaimed books and magazines on the band have reached out to fans in over 30 countries. It’s an all-encompassing passion that ran parallel with a 35-year career at the forefront of the UK record shop industry.
This is a man who has been is consumed and inspired by so many great sounds, sights, musicians and people…
Now in this enlightening memoir, A Whole Lotta Music and More tells the story behind these inspirations and passions.
It’s a passion that has led him to watching five a side football with Robert Plant, meeting Prince Charles backstage at the Dominion Theatre, leaping on stage to share the spotlight with The Who’s Pete Townshend (while innocently cuffing Roger Daltrey in the process), waving Led Zeppelin off at Heathrow Airport, watching them in Europe from the ultimate vantage point at the side of the stage, receiving a bear hug from John Bonham in a Munich hotel, conducting one of the last ever interviews with legendary Zep manager Peter Grant, co-organising the first ever Led Zep UK Convention that became a Bonham family reunion, being serenaded by John Paul Jones on mandolin in Borders books shop and discussing writing sleeve notes for Zep’s Complete BBC Sessions album with Jimmy Page in a fish and chip shop in Ladbroke Grove…
Over a 50 year period, Dave has chronicled the world of Led Zeppelin from the Empire Pool Wembley across Meadowlands Arena New Jersey to the Bostanci Centre in Istanbul and a tent in Ashby de la Zouch – not to mention a glorious Zep swan song at their O2 Arena reunion tribute concert for Ahmet Ertegun in 2007. As the esteemed co -founder of Atlantic Records once put it “It is a great life – this life of music”
Alongside all that, there’s many a tale to be told from behind a record shop counter. Working in music retail from 1974 to 2009, Dave experienced the retail sales phenomenon’s of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Queen, The Bay City Rollers, Slade, Abba, The Jam, Band Aid, Elton John, Take That, Oasis and many more.
He has also witnessed the changing face of the record industry at close quarters and indulged in much over the counter banter such as the occasion he innocently explained to a customer that the new Four Skins album had been pulled back…
Aside from his association with the members of Led Zeppelin, Dave’s journalistic endeavours have led to him to interview and be in close proximity with the likes of musicians such as Alice Cooper, Brian May, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Roy Harper, Julie Felix, Deborah Bonham, Jason Bonham, Joe Bonamassa, Glen Hughes and Lemmy – adding to that list is the legendary Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant, Who manager Bill Curbishley and pioneering journalists such as Chris Charlesworth, Charles Shaar Murray and Nick Kent. All these liaisons are all faithfully reported in the book.
Football and the varying fortunes of Tottenham Hotspur and England also get a big look in – as does Fireball XL5, The Dave Clark Five, The Daleks, Subbuteo table soccer, Dave’s continual collecting passions and pursuit of LP records, singles and CDs and the love and support of a very good lady.
Drawing on 50 years of personal diaries and a vivid memory, A Whole Lotta Music and More is the story of one man’s unrelenting passion for music and life relayed with much wit, candour and often with a nostalgic tear in the eye…
Dave Lewis continues to be mad about music and more – and is now eager to share his musical and life affirming memoirs that will resonate greatly with many a like-minded soul…
More on this as it evolves …
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Here’s the latest round up from LZ News:
Led Zeppelin
- There are two new episodes of Mark McFall’s Zepfan podcast. In the eighth episode, he interviewed Dogs Of Doom member Eric Levy. And in the ninth episode, he spoke to Trenton Welters who recorded Led Zeppelin’s August 19, 1971 performance in Vancouver, Canada.
Robert Plant
- Robert Plant and several members of Saving Grace turned up at a pub in Shropshire, England at the end of November where they performed with Tommy McLain and C. C. Adcock.
- An expanded box set release of the Honeydrippers album, which was originally released in 1984, is apparently in the works. That’s according to C. C. Adcock, who claimed on Instagram that Fats Domino covers he recorded with Robert Plant in 2006 are due to be on the expanded edition of the album.
- Several songs from Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ recent episode of CMT Crossroads that was broadcast on November 29 are available to watch on YouTube. You can watch “Can’t Let Go“, “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)“, “Trouble With My Lover“, “Quattro (World Drifts In)” and “High And Lonesome” online.
Upcoming events:
December 22 – The paperback edition of “Beast: John Bonham and the Rise of Led Zeppelin” by C.M Kushins will be published.
2023 – The remastered and expanded 30th anniversary edition of “Coverdale–Page” will be released.
February 5 – The 2023 Grammy Awards ceremony will be held. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are nominated for three awards.
Many thanks to James Cook
The complete Led Zeppelin News email goes out periodically. To receive it sign up here:http://tinyletter.com/LedZepNews
Led Zeppelin News Website: Check out the Led Zeppelin news website at
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TBL Archive Special:
Golden Lion Reunion 41 years gone…
December 15 – that is a date that always revives memories of the first public reunion of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones which I was lucky enough to be in attendance.
Here’s the story:
Back in the early months of 1981, Lynn Sizemore who was PR to the Golden Lion Roadies Charity For Children Association, the charity formed from the Fulham pub often frequented by the Zep / Swan Song entourage, approached me to publicise in the next issue of TBL, a children’s charity raffle being held in December.
I was only too willing to help and we began planning how this would all work. The raffle was duly featured in TBL issue 6 which came out in the late summer of 1981. I had a few meetings with Lynn during this period including one memorable occasion at the Golden Lion pub in Fulham. Robert’s sound man Benjii Lefevre was in attendance and I was introduced to John Bindon the notorious London character who had been with the Zep entourage on the 1977 tour and involved in the infamous Oakland fracas. Robert and John Paul Jones had already promised to attend and give prizes out on the night set for December 15th, so it was always going to be a special evening.
Even more so after the call I made to Swan Song the week before the event. Sian at Swan Song informed me that Jimmy was also due to attend. It duly turned into something of a grand Swan Song reunion – in true Zep style.
On the night itself, Peter Grant arrived with Jimmy around 8.30. A combat attired Robert and smartly dressed JPJ were already in tow. Various roadies, Swan Song employees and guests (including Cozy Powell) were there as was John Bindon again. Tom Locke and I spent a memorable night in the pub as Jimmy, Robert and JPJ mingled by the bar and duly got up on stage to present the prizes of Jimmy’s Yamaha acoustic guitar (wonder where that is now?) and a set of personally signed albums. The main winner was an American guy ( pic above) while runner up was, Steve Simmons, a TBL subscriber from Bristol. Here’s a pic below of Steve on stage receiving his prize.
Jimmy looked in slightly better shape than he had in Europe the previous year and told me he was working on the Death Wish 2 soundtrack. As a Christmas present I gave Robert a copy of a large format History Of The Blues book (wonder if still adorns his book shelf?) to which he acknowledged with the classic “Eye Thank yew” catchphrase so prevalent on the Over Europe tour. I took the opportunity to tell Peter and Atlantic’s Phil Carson of my plans to write a major reference work on the band’s music though it would be another eight years on in the Marquee (at a Jason Bonham gig) when I was able to tell the pair of them that the book (Led Zeppelin A Celebration) was soon to be a reality.
It may have been a strictly non playing role, but this unexpected Led Zeppelin reunion was full of warmth and good cheer. Underlying all that though was the definite feeling that they now all had separate plans – Jimmy with the soundtrack, Robert with the in progress recording of his debut album and Jonesy who wryly informed someone at the bar that he was now on permanent school run duty for his daughter’s back in Devon. It would be another eleven years before all three appeared in public together in the UK again to attend the 1992 Q Awards to collect the outstanding achievement award, and another 26 years before they played together on that night of nights in December 2007.
Fast forward to August 29th, 2013 and the Colston Hall Bristol.
As we were making our way into the arena for Robert’s Sensational Space Shifters show amazingly enough I bumped into Steve Simmons for the first time since that night at the Golden Lion back in 1981. Steve was carrying a photo book of the pics he took back then – we had a good old chinwag about how he had been the runner up in the competition and the signed albums he was presented with on that night all of 41 years ago. The first, but not the last grand reunion…
Dave Lewis – December 2022
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”Ahmet We Did it” – Led Zeppelin 02 Reunion Ten Years Gone TBL Anniversary Celebration Day Event – five years gone…
Five years ago on Sunday December 10 2017 Julian and I staged this special TBL ten year anniversary Led Zeppelin 02 event at the Atlas pub in London.
”Ahmet We Did it” – Led Zeppelin 02 Reunion Ten Years Gone TBL Anniversary Celebration Day Event:
The whole story: How we came from the land of the ice and snow to celebrate ten years gone…
It was back in late August when I first began to formulate an idea to have some sort of pub meet to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Led Zeppelin’s 02 reunion concert for Ahmet Ertegun. Rather than sit at home and watch the DVD, I though it would be a lot of fun to stage a fan gathering in London and find a pub venue with a room suitable to show video footage.
I mentioned this to long time TBL supporter Julian Walker. Julian had been involved in some of the one day Conventions Andy Adams and Eddie Edwards ran in the late 90s early 2000s alongside Fred Zeppelin events in Stourbridge. Being a real ale enthusiast, I also knew Julian knew a thing or two about central London pub locations. In September Julian set about finding a venue. A couple in the city proved way too expensive and we were beginning to lose heart.
Our search moved across to the Kensington area when Zep tribute band Boot Led Zeppelin told me they had plans to play a gig on the night of December 10 at Nells Jazz and Blues club venue. The idea at that point was for us to stage an afternoon event in the area and combine that with attending the Boot Led Zeppelin show – for which they would be performing the 02 setlist. We did think of holding it in the actual venue but the Julian then came across The Atlas pub. Just as we approached the pub, the Boot Led Zeppelin gig (through no fault of their own) was cancelled.
Undaunted, we decided that an afternoon and evening event at The Atlas pub in Fulham could work. To that end, I met with Julian in lateOctober to view the pub. With it’s two connecting upstairs rooms ,it seemed perfect for what we wanted. Steph and her staff at the pub were very welcoming and we confirmed it all there and then.
We now had an event on our hands – and my workload instantly increased. I alrady had enough on my plate with the distribution of the TBL magazine issue 43 plus ongoing work on the Evenings With book etc but hey – we had now committed to making something of all this.
Julia and I got down to the finer details. We decided to charge a nominal entry fee to cover our expenses – this was never intended as a commercial venture but we knew there would be costs – the hire of the pub, printing costs, travel etc.
In October we launched it all on the TBL website with tickets available via pay pal. TBL designer Mike Lowe came up with some great visuals and designed a flyer which I distributed to various places notably the Olympia Record Fair in London.
Initial ticket sales were fairly slow and realistically, we predicted we might get as many as 50 – which we both felt would be enough to create a good atmosphere. Choosing a Sunday was never going to be ideal with people due back at work the next day but I was keen for it to be staged on the actual tenth anniversary. I did think the Friday December 8 Robert Plant Royal Albert Hall gig might help us to attract some overseas visitors – which as it turned out, did exactly that.
I was never too worried about a timetable as I knew I had a lot of source material on the 02 Reunion. Julian got in touch with legendary author Luis Rey to come and talk about his Tape Documentary book. I asked Chris Charlesworth to come and do a slot – the former Melody Maker writer/author who was right there in the Led Zep mix of things back in the day has proved to be a very good attraction at a fair few of Zep Conventions I’ve been involved in – stretching back to the 1992 London event. Simon Cadman who had covered the event backstage for Independent radio also agreed to do a spot.
As for footage, the resident man in the know on these things Gary Davies came up with a series of presentations spanning Zep’s career plus plenty of 02 related stuff. Sadly he could not make it himself but his contribution was was absolutely vital in making it flow. Gary also helped devise a quiz that we would run on the day. Thank you Mr Davies…
During November, I worked with Mick Lowe on designing the two sided programme we would give out alongside a TBL faves survey we would conduct. Long time TBL supporter Graeme Hutchinson offered a box of programmes from his Zep Express 2005 convention and this was all planned to be included in a goody bag we would give out to all attendees.
So far, so good. When we had visited the pub in October we had tested the screen via Julian’s lap top. At that point sound was not coming through but as the pub had a fairly substantial speaker set up and we were confident that it would hook up ok. Nearing the event I began getting a bit anxious about this so rather than hope all would be OK on the day, Julian went to the pub last Tuesday to test it all.
Alas, he could not get the sound to work despite trying various methods. I enlisted the help of Richard Grubb – the Cardiff based TBL supporter and a man who I knew might know these things. There then followed series of rather worrying phone and email conversations.
I was still very much ”worried of Bedford” when Julian went back to The Atlas on Thursday to try again. I awaited nervously for his call around 11am -not sure what a plan B might be if it still failed. My mobile rang around then and the plaintive strains of Whole Lotta Love echoed out of it loud and clear. Julian was at the pub and the sound as I could now tell had all linked up – sorted!
That meant I could attend the Friday’s Robert Plant Royal Albert Hall gig in a much improved frame of mind – though disappointingly, the good lady Janet had been suffering a cold all week and had to pull out of attending what would have been her first Plant show since 2002.
Tom came off the subs bench and a great night was had. Before we went over to Kensington for the gig,I went to visit Mike Warry at the Think Farm design studio. Mike designed the Concert File book and Celebration day books and had also been the TBL designer from issue 13 to 16.
Think Farm were the company commissioned to supply the back drop projection at the 02 reunion show. I had got in touch with Mike to see if he could attend the TBL event. Mike could not make it along himself but he very kindly offered us the opportunity to show a slide show of the original storyboards presented to the band at a series of meetings leading up to the gig. He ran all this through me there and then. They looked amazing and I came away knowing we now had another very nice exclusive visual segment to show.
I had been further inspired by the growing list of attendees which included fans from Canada, Norway, Italy and the US. Andy Adams also confirmed his attendance which again I was well pleased to hear.
It was all getting very exciting and all the hard work and effort Julian and I had put in looked set to be all worth it…and then everything turned fluffy white…quite literally.
The Robert Plant gig had been a great night – the pub meet beforehand was hugely enjoyable as was the 120th time I had seen him perform live. I was feeling a little hung over and tired on Saturday morning but there was no time to be tired – there was an event to present…
However….
Snow fall had been reported on Friday in the north of England and the adverse weather was now predicted to hit the south on Saturday. As I packed everything ready for an early start on Sunday the BBC weather forecast for the next 24 hours made very bleak reading. Heavy snow in Bedford from 7am Sunday and throughout the day. Sleet and snow for London.
I had a very sleepless night rising at 5ish not daring to look out the window. When I did…it was not good – not good at all. Snow all around and falling heavily.
This was going to be a very challenging day.
I quickly decided that no matter what, I had to get to the pub regardless of who else turned up. At this point we were really on damage limitation – an early morning call to Julian followed – he was of the same opinion – let’s try and get there and then face the consequences.
So it was at around 8am I took a perilous taxi journey through the falling snow to Bedford train station. Amazingly the trains were all ok and I was able to get into London by 10 am. Julian had also managed to get in without a delay and we met around 11am at The Atlas. Richard Grubb who was staying over from the Plant gig in a nearby hotel also met us then. There was a few worrying minutes when the sound failed to come though but that was soon sorted.
So we were here -the three of us – and if we only watched the DVDs on our own, well so be it and to hell how we get back!
The things we do for Led Zeppelin…and the things others do for Led Zeppelin as it transpired…
As it turned out we were soon not alone. Graeme Hutchinson and Gary Foy arrived to help set up. We had assessed that a fair few of the paid attendees were in the London area and soon enough we had a few more – and then more from far and wide- Luis Rey, Dave Fox, Andy Adams, Simon Cadman, Lee Matthews ,Ian Avey, Sue Wilson, Melvyn Billingham, Guy Haslem, Ian Saikia, Dick Lee, Dave Linwood, Phil Tattershall, Mark Lancaster, Tuhin Chouwdhury, Andrew Doyle, Eddie Edwards, Jonathan Carl and his two friends, Krys Jantzen, Trev Butcher from Cheshire, Amanda Bruckshaw, Franco and his lady from Italy, Adam MacGregor from Canada, Hiroshi, Beth Brenner from Atlanta, Asle Gjeitsund from Norway, Gerd from Germany, Tiina and Kari from Finland, Dave Roberts and wife Cindy from Canada,
There was some fall out of people attending as expected – which was of course was a real shame but by 1.30 we had around 40 people in – certainly enough to make something of it..
And boy did we make something of it.
Maybe it was the fact that we had all made such an effort to get here and we were all determined to now enjoy proceedings…well what can I tell you? It was feel good factor all the way.
The vibe throughout the afternoon and evening was simply amazing. There we were in own own little world -the world of Led Zeppelin and as everybody reading this knows, this is not just a band – this is a way of life.
For the next seven hours our way of life was sharing experiences, listening intently to the guest speakers and revelling in the glory that was Led Zeppelin at the 02 reunion.
I can honestly say, against all the odds, this was the most enjoyable Zep meeting of like minded people I have been involved in for years – going right back to the 92 and 94 London Conventions. Old friendships were renewed, new ones forged, and for all of us the question that didn’t take too much answering was…
How much do we love this band?
A whole lot and that was more than evident from the moment Luis Rey and Andy Adams undertook a hugely enjoyable and passionate talk about Luis’ book and Zep bootlegs and more. Luis colourful prose coming alive before our very eyes, matched with Andy’s always insightful observations. Listening to Luis and Andy made me want to get back home and pull out some of the albums and recordings they were so passionately talking about -and I bet I wasn’t the only one..
All this talk of bootlegs was the perfect lead in for what we presented next. This was a video cut of the BBC 2 24 Hours programme first aired in April 1971.
24 Hours was a sort of Newsnight current affairs programme of it’s day. This particular edition focused on the boom in the sale of bootleg records in London record shops. It featured a short interview with Peter Grant and centred on the dealings of the bootleg king of the day Jeffrey Collins. Collins’ shop was visited by Peter and Richard Cole who er, politely removed the Zep bootlegs they had on sale.
A quick aside – I had invited Richard Cole to come along to the event as he lives not too far away. However, he could not make it – he rang me on Saturday but I missed the call. When he phoned back he shouted at me down the phone in mock anger ”Can’t you put your pint down for one minute to answer yer fucking phone!” Richard, bless him, had actually very kindly rang to wish me all the best for the day.
Back to the story. The film also had quirky interviews with Pink Floyd and John and Yoko (well Yoko, John was in a bag!).
This 24 Hours film went down a storm and we were able to follow it by talking to a man who had been in that Jeffrey Collins bootleg shop and had dutifully reported the Peter Grant story in Melody Maker in his then role as news editor.
So welcome Chris Charlesworth – he was absolutely captivating with his tales of the aforementioned bootleg shop, travelling on the Zep starship, his inner dealings with them plus his new book about Elvis Caught In A Trap. When this man gets to publishing his memoirs I will be first in the queue. No doubt followed by everybody here who thoroughly enjoyed a musical racantour of few equal.
Following Chris’s chat, we aired the fascinating Think Farm storyboard back drop projection slide show.
By then it was late afternoon. We were somewhat behind in the schedule and aware that some people might have to leave early to get trains we decided to run the quiz as a shout out affair.
Eddie Edwards and Ian Avey both did well – through the lyric rounds often proving puzzling. Which brings me to another point about the day – it was filled with lots of laughter and good natured banter. We don’t take all this too seriously – you have to laugh at grown men reciting matrix numbers on a Sunday afternoon! So yes we do remember laughter and that’s always a great thing about these gatherings.
Simon Cadman did his spot unfolding the story of what it was like in the backstage media area during the 02 reunion show. This kick started a general chat amongst us with many coming forward of how they got the ticket etc, notably Adam MacGregor who travelled back then and today from Canada.
We were joined by a couple of much welcomed late comers namely Beth who had just flown in from Atlanta and Gerd from Germany.
At this point, we presented the results of the TBL survey we had asked attendees to complete. Adding up all the voting this is how it all lined up:
Favourite Led Zeppelin 02 Performance – a three way tie between In My Time of Dying, For Your Life and Kashmir
Favourite Led Zeppelin Track – Achilles Last Stand
Favourite Led Zeppelin Album – Physical Graffiti.
Then as a finale, we screened the fan cut of the Led Zeppelin 02 reunion concert in it’s entirety.
For the next two hours and ten minutes we were all totally captivated.
It was like being at the gig as we all enthusiastically clapped every number like we were back there…and that’s how it felt – as one of the reviews I brought along to show proclaimed – ”Popular music does not get any better that this.”
Finally it was time to call it a day -and what a day – fond farewells were exchanged and it was time to clear things up.
I made my way back across London in something of a daze. Luckily, the trains were running fine and I was back in Bedford by 11.30pm
These are mine and Julian’s respective posts on Facebook the next day:
Despite the snow yesterday it was a really good turn out, all things considered.
We didn’t quite have people from 51 countries like the 02 ten years back – but we did have fans from Canada, Finland, Norway and the US. It was great to see Dave Linwood, Phil Tattershall, Eddie Edwards, Mel and so many other long time TBL supporters. Andy Adams and Luis Rey did a great Q and A as did Simon Cadman – and Chris Charlesworth was absolutely captivating. Many thanks to Julian Walker for co organising and making this happen ,Gary Foy and Richard Grubb for their support on the day and Steph and co at the brilliant (mighty arms of) Atlas pub.
Led Zeppelin are not only the best band but they have the best fans and it was a privilege to be in the company of many yesterday as we celebrated that amazing night ten years on – and our love for this amazing band. Absolutely inspiring
Dave Lewis
Both Dave and I are so thrilled that everyone who was able to get to the Mighty Arms of “The Atlas” on Sunday had as great a time as we did. The weather on the day added to the stress of arranging an event like this and trying to ensure everything went as planned. It was not until we all sat down to watch Gary D’s superb reworking of the O2 Arena concert in full that the events of the day, and the great people and many old friends who came along, really sank in on me. Very mo…ving to watch the DVD on the big screen and loud sound, with the enthusiasm, cheering and clapping of everyone in the room. All driven along by Dave’s boundless passion and enthusiasm during the concert! I was just very sorry that my good friend John M in Glasgow, who gifted me a ticket to the original show (£400 from his own pocket), was not there, as he is not well at present. Get well soon John! Thanks very much to everyone who came along, and both Dave and I really appreciate your extremely kind comments and words of thanks. Rest assured this will not be the only time we get together like this!
Julian Walker
Here’s some more feedback from those that were there:
It was a brilliant day Dave. Massive thanks to you and Julian for holding the event. It was great to hear the stories from Chris and Simon, and also the interview with Luis and Andy. Also great to hear all the fan stories shared of their memories of the event. I just cant believe that it was 10 years ago! Ian Avey
Congratulations for a good job yesterday… I think it was a very pleasant gathering and we all had a good time. Well done and I hope there’s another soon. Luis Rey
Thanks so much for a hugely enjoyable event yesterday. It was great to see the old faces and make some new friends as well. I thought the BBC
feature on bootlegs was really interesting. A fine example of the Beeb’s balanced and unbiased reporting (not)! Phil Tattershall
I wanted to say was that it was really good to catch up with a lot of old friends and a big Thank You to Dave Lewis and Julian Walker for organising the whole event. I think everyone had a really enjoyable time. Dave Fox
A truly memorable day Dave , thank you for making it happen with Julian – and your enthusiasm is infectious!
Jonathan Carl
It was great to meet up with old friends and connect with new ones too. Here’s hoping for some great events and more in 2018. Andy Adams
Dear Dave & Julian,
Just wanted to say a big thank you to the two of you for a wonderful day at The Atlas yesterday.
Thanks for all your behind the scenes work organising a very special day – great company, plus very insightful & inspiring conversations from Luis, Chris, Andy, Simon & of course you, Dave & Julian.
Great venue too – Timothy Taylor Landlord on draft!! Result!!! A top day indeed !!
Wishing you both a lovely Christmas and a very happy 2018.
Cheers,
Ian Saikia
The mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth” Excellent.
A wonderful day despite the weather. You enthusiasm helped make the day – as infectious as ever.
As I noted, given the circumstances I could never have envisaged such a reaction when I awoke on Sunday morning.
Can we do it again next year to celebrate 50 years of Led Zeppelin at some point? That’s one for another day to think on – but Julian and I would like to think we can.
Right now, I am still basking in the afterglow of a very special day that I won’t ever forget.
Ahmet we did it again – ten years on… and I am so pleased and grateful that our efforts to do so were so appreciated.
Dave Lewis – December 14, 2017
POSTSCRIPT DECEMBER 2022:
What a day that was – I did speak to Julian recently about doing something of a TBL meet at the Atlas possibly – I’ll have a think about that again in the new year.
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Here’s one from Chris Gelber:
Hi everyone. I live in Harrogate in North Yorks and now that my kids are growing up, I am trying to make time for the things I truly love. They centre on the arts, and right in the middle of it all is music. I am hoping to find a few people who live anywhere near me so that we can get together once a month or whenever and play and talk about the music we love. For me that centres on classic rock, blues, jazz, folk – especially Zeppelin, Stones, Zappa, Bert Jansch, The Who, John Martyn, Miles, Coltrane, Eric Dolphy – oh, so much stuff … Maybe we’d play cards too, or go to a different pub each month. Whatever. I just hope to find a few others around here who love the music I love. Do please get in touch via my email address if this sounds at all appealing!
Regards to all, Chris Gelber, chris.gelber@gmail.com.
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DL Diary Blog Update:
Thursday December 8:
It was great to meet up with Anita Gabrielle on a lovely cold sunny morning at the Longholme café by Bedford Embankment.
Thursday December 8:
Friday December 9:
Saturday December 10:
Saturday is platterday – and it has to be this one as recorded 15 years ago today – Led Zeppelin Celebration Day the 3 LP recording of the legendary 02 Reunion December 10 2007…capturing that night of nights…
Saturday December 10:
Sunday December 11:
Update here:
The cold and snowy conditions have been a bit of a challenge these past few days and Janet and I are both suffering from colds which we are finding hard to shake off. The various strike action is also making things difficult -I have managed to get all my Christmas cards posted (and there’s a lot) and here’s hoping they reach their destinations before Christmas.
After England’s deflating defeat on Saturday night the World Cup interest did wane a little – as mentioned above, Gareth’s boys did us proud but in the end it was not to be. As for the final – Argentina look very strong with Messi on blistering form and France will be a formidable opponent with the likes of Giroud and Mbebbe posing a strong threat – it should be a great final – a word to about Morocco who lit up the tournament with some thrilling football – alas France as just a bridge too far…
Announcing the retirement of the TBL magazine has been something I’ve been mulling over for a good while and it was with some sadness and melancholy that I went to see Mick Lowe to put together the TBL update flyer that contains the announcement.
Over the past 12 years, Mick and I have had a blast putting it all together and I aim for Mick to be involved in my projects ahead. Overall, it’s been an incredibly fulfilling journey over many years and there will be much reflection on how that all came to be and the stories behind the 45 issues as I get down to the DL Memoirs.
It was with some irony that this week I received not one but two issues of the Free Appreciation Society magazine expertly edited by the esteemed Free chronicler David Clayton.
He is now on issue 165, a quite remarkable achievement and with the Bob Dylan Isis magazine recently calling it a day, David is the last man standing in the fan magazine market and I take my hat off to him for his immerse dedication to the cause.
It’s a cause that I worked relentlessly for with similar dedication but as mentioned above, I feel that now is the time to bring the TBL magazine to a close.
Thanks again for all your support.
Thanks for listening
Until next time…
Dave Lewis – December 14,2022
TBL website updates written and compiled by Dave Lewis
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Dave, I’ve been along for the ride as a TBL subscriber since the return of the mag with issue 7. Managed to grab issues 3 thru 6 on eBay and such. Still need those 1st 2 issues, so please get them reprinted! I will say that however I acquired them, I devoured every one cover to cover, usually in a live-Led music filled day or night. I was always thrilled to see that cardboard-backed A4 envelope show up in the mailbox. Those 43 issues I own hold the pole position in the Zep Zine section of the archives. Best wishes for the holidays.
Hey Dave! How about one last “hurrah” for TBL in printed format? What’s the chance of a TBL anthology combining all of the TBLs into one(or a number of) volumes? Cheers
Hi Dave
Sad to hear of the ‘passing’ of the printed TBL, sometimes it is just really lovely to have a magazine, but the TBL website updates are more timely and equally as excellent. I’m really glad that you will be continuing them as we all rely on you as the go to source of all Zep related information, thank you for keeping on. I’m just a few months behind you in age and contrary to what people think, life just seems to get busier as you get older and you do have to review your priorities.
Enjoy life and enjoy our music.
All the best to you and your family. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Graham
Dave, with age comes wisdom, and I get the sense that everyone posting here affirms your wise decision on ending physical publication of the TBL mag. Heartfelt congratulations on such an epic success, which was the pulse and lifeblood for your even more epic book projects, which carry on now, propelled by your heart and soul. I’m looking forward to your memoirs especially, and am planning my 2023 gift giving around more of your titles! Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year to you and Janet and family! – Ralph Hunt Sidway, now in Birmingham, Alabama
So it was September 2019, when the last issue of TBL, #45, came out! More than three years ago…
And that Atlas pub meeting was December 2017. Five years gone…
Time flies. All things must pass indeed.
People move on. But you should be proud of what you’ve done, your achievement over forty-odd years, Dave.
Hi Dave – Totally understood why it’s time for the printed magazine to go over the hills now – especially having seen first-hand how much effort, energy, enthusiasm and detail you put into it! Really glad you’re keeping up with everything else – it’s where I get to learn insights on the band I have lived with for so long. Always a real pleasure every time we were able to work together – loved being involved! Best wishes to you, Janet and the family, Mike.
Dave, your commitment, dedication and total exuberance to all things Zep is second to none. Very sad to see TBL mag ending, but no doubt you’ll be still spinning other platters that matter. Keep it tight but loose always sir!
Thanks for the last 40 plus years of TBL.
I was an early subscriber and always held that the quality of writing and content was second to none.
DL helped invigorate and reinvigorate my interest in the great Led Zeppelin throughout many years of band inactivity through quality reporting.
Thanks Dave and hopefully RP, JP and JPJ fully appreciate the many years of work you put in keeping memories of this amazing band alive and fresh in our minds.
So…. this is Christmas? LoL, But thank you for all the years of devotion to Led Zeppelin!
If not for folks like you, much of what made the mighty Zep so great would probably be long forgotten.
I don’t respond much (maybe three or four times since the beginning of TBL) and I never gave my full name before. But since I don’t do Facebook and the fact that I’m soon to be 66 years on Dec 31st , I though I’d chime in with perhaps one last comment toward you and and TBL and Led Zep themselves ( God rest Bonham’s soul ). I live in the USA in a small borough named Bath , Pennsylvania (yes, named after Bath England back in the day of origin) . Hard to believe, but I grew up and still live in the same home for all of my years. Not much of a traveler and never had much of a traditional work ethic that would have lent itself to a more Rolling Stone kind of lifestyle. But since the age of fourteen or so, Dazed And Confused was played on a newly purchased ” Hi Fi Sound System” fed by the usual turntable and digested by the then contemporary “receiver, mixer, pre amp, and of course speakers that weighed about as much as a large child – wooden cabinets and all. And the rest is History. 1970 brought Zep to Philadelphis in March at the now defunct Spectrum arena supporting the recently released LZ2. Later that year, they did a second leg tour which ended at Madison Square Garden (and did an Afternoon show before the evening show!) – which is what I attended. Zep3 was just about to be released and the show transitioned from the full blown Rock Show Extraordinaire to a show featuring the “acoustic” sitting down middle section with That’s The Way, Tangerine, and another I can’t remember, with Bonzo playing the Bass Lines on Jonsey’s organ pedals.
1972 brought Zep back to the Spectrum in support of the recently uber popular LZ4 featuring Stairway as a centerpiece. They looked a bit tired that night but still played to the crowd and gave more that the money’s worth and more.
1973 (just graduating from high school ) had our boys doing three nights in July at Madison Square again and we (me, brother, friend) were surprised to see a film crew working the front of the stage. Dry ice smoke and the heady weight of No Quarter was probably the most dynamic of the situation which took the faithful into a somewhat Jazz flavored venture into the Ether and back again. Truly effing Fun with a capital F. Impossible to fully describe the voltage going on in the mass body electric that hot night in July with Houses Of The Holy still smelling of fresh vinyl. Glorius.
Finally (for me) it was Philadelphia 1975 with Bonzo in full boiler suit “Clockwork Orange” jumper and a general “We are hot freaking sheatt and everyone now knows it. Period.
So, why the need for my walk down memory lane featuring the shows I attended? Well, that’s in order to Set The Stage , so to speak, in my attempt to describe what treasure I only last week discovered regarding Live Blimpage ! What ,you say? A pre release copy of the mysterious Becoming Led Zeppelin DVD or movie release? No. And as much as that would be nice, I doubt if I’d see anything “new” or otherwise revelatory . No, rather, it was the random browsing through You Tube only to find a couple of fully filmed live presentations of the storied Knebworth Show. So, what’s new and a big deal about that you say?
Well, as for me, I dismissed the Post 1978 period of Zep as being the somewhat disabled veteran status of a musical life well served. And I as much as blocked Knebworth out of my mind more or less. Of course I went on to attend all of Robert’s solo shows from 1983 through 2015 (not a fan of the duet and current flavor of his solo career. Sorry . Also, the Firm, Page and Plant No Quarter tour and you name it. So, yes Iv’e attended, heard, and saw ALOT !
Now, to the Knebworth recording: All I can say is (to keep it short) WOW WOW WOW. And, Wow. Such technical playing on the part of ALL members (of course Jones never really had a bad night LOL…) But again freaking WOW !! In my experienced opinion, the overall Thightness and extraordinary riffing that went on there is BEYOND EFFING COMPARE to absolutely anything I ever witnessed from back in the day !!!!!!!!!! Period. No room for discussion. No room for debate. No room for opinions on other previous shows or single nights. Nothing…. N O T H I N G I ever saw or heard is as tight and near overwhelming than Knebworth. Why this viewpoint isn’t talked about or agreed upon by the Elder Zepites like myself is a curiosity . And one that I’ll never understand from now until the edge of Time itself.
Thanks again for your work over the past years…..
and Merry Christmas from The Colonies !
Regards,
Craig, Dec. 2022
Love eternal to the TBL chronicles. Been reading the rag since the 80’s. A real labor of love in every issue. You’ve left your mark in the Zeppelin universe Dave – don’t you forget that. Cheers my friend
Sad news about TBL but you should be proud of all you’ve achieved (and more to come!)
Best wishes and season’s greetings to you, your family and zep fans everywhere
Regards
Dave, your extraordinary efforts producing the TBL magazine will long be remembered and revered by Led Zeppelin fans across the world. Congratulations on a mighty successful effort! Cheers, your antipoean correspondent, Michael
Was that O2 Reunion event at The Atlas the one where a guy who was writing a book on Peter Grant gave a short talk? As to the snow, I don’t recall any as I strolled down to The Troubador on that day, nor on a photographic ramble around Brompton Cemetery. Allen
Hi, Dave,
So sorry to hear about TBL being retired, but it’s fully understandable given everything else that you are doing, along with family issues that we are all well aware of. It’s good that you’re keeping the website going, though – it’s one of my regular ‘visits’, checking in most days to see what’s new!
I’ve managed to get most issues over the years, but missed some of the early ones due mainly to not knowing how to get hold of them!! I think the first one I got was being sold at a record fair at the NEC in Birmingham back in the early 80’s, so I kept an eye out for them every time I went.
Anyway, mate, you, Janet, the kids and grandson have a great Christmas, and make sure you enjoy it all with them without any worries.
Cheers,
Steve
Wow, sad news about no more TBL magazines but times and lives change so the right decision for you to make. Look forward to the memoirs at some point. I never did manage to obtain magazines 1-6 and 8 but these things happen.
Interesting comment buried in the links about the Honeydrippers album being expanded and reissued.
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Tight But Loose Website edited by Dave Lewis and Gary Foy.
Tight But Loose Magazine created by Dave Lewis 1978. TBL/Web launched by Dave Linwood 1995. TBL logo by Mike Warry.
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