EVENINGS WITH LED ZEPPELIN REVISED & EXPANDED EDITION/ NEW SYDNEY ’72 TAPE SOURCE/LZ NEWS/STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN AT 50 – TBL 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL – MARCH 5 BELFAST PERFORMANCE – GREATEST LIVE VERSIONS – SIMPLY LED AT BELFAST 20 YEARS GONE/WORLD BOOK DAY/DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE
EVENINGS WITH LED ZEPPELIN:
REVISED, EXPANDED AND ESSENTIAL…PRE ORDER DETAILS HERE
Evenings With Led Zeppelin – The Complete Concert Chronicle by Dave Lewis and Mike Tremaglio
Revised & Expanded Edition…
Many thanks for the very encouraging response to our announcement last week of our plans for the revised & expanded edition of the Evenings With Led Zeppelin book.
LATEST UPDATE:
Pre order details for UK Amazon/Foyles/Waterstones/OmnibusPress now set up – see links below
Amazon US will follow soon
Get ready to be transported back to those incredible Evenings With Led Zeppelin …
PRE ORDER HERE:
Pre order for Amazon UK :
Omnibus Press:
Foyles:
Waterstones:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/evenings-with-led-zeppelin/mike-tremaglio/dave-lewis/9781913172398
We are incredibly excited to have this opportunity to bring this updated and revised edition to fruition – the first edition set the benchmark but looking over some of Mike’s new revelations. this new work will be even more essential. By way of a preview here’s the pages from the revised edition of the historic March 5 1971 entry
As Richard Cole observed in his Forward: “Looking through this book brings it all back to me – city by city, and gig by gig. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world…and anyone reading it can be transported back to those times – and what incredible times they were.’’
Revised, Expanded and Essential…
Get ready to be transported back to those incredible Evenings With Led Zeppelin …
More details to follow….
Dave Lewis and Mike Tremaglio – March 4 ,2021
Another week – another find…a new tape source of the February 27 appearance at the Sydney Showground…
Here’s the info:
In honor of the 49th anniversary of this show, myself and the other kind folks at The Dogs of Doom are proud to present a brand new audience source for Led Zeppelin’s sole appearance in Sydney on February 27, 1972! For the first time we hear Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Since I’ve Been Loving You, and (most of) Celebration Day that are all missing from the other two sources. This a source merge of all three sources done by Ed and Z. Special thanks to them as well as the taper of source 3 (who wishes to remain anonymous and who took the photo for this upload), Golden Retriever for facilitating contact with him, and Ian Spokes for transferring.
In conjunction with the Led Zep news site, each week I will be re- producing highlights from their email update news summary. This goes out periodically. Sign up details are below. Many thanks to James Cook.
LZ News:
Led Zeppelin
- There has been more newly released audio and video of Led Zeppelin published in the last few weeks by the Dogs of Doom group. Previously unseen footage of Led Zeppelin performing in Auckland on February 25, 1972 was published online earlier this week. You can also read an interview with the taper about the emergence of the footage here. A previously unreleased third audience source of Led Zeppelin’s February 27, 1972 show in Sydney was also released this week, adding four previously unheard songs to the two existing sources of the show. You can listen to a merge of all three sources here. And earlier this month previously unseen footage of Led Zeppelin performing in Detroit on January 31, 1975 was published online – however that video has since been taken down.
- Authors Dave Lewis and Mike Tremaglio will publish a revised and expanded edition of their “Evenings With Led Zeppelin” book in September. Find out more about it here.
- The release date of Ross Halfin’s book “Led Zeppelin Vinyl: The Essential Collection” has been delayed from April 17 to July 13, according to publisher Reel Art Press’ website.
Jimmy Page
- David Coverdale has been speaking recently about his work on a planned deluxe edition of “Coverdale Page” due to be released for the album’s thirtieth anniversary in 2023. He is hoping to work on new music for the edition with Jimmy Page and has also talked at length about his current work on previously unheard bonus tracks for the album.
- A new audio source for Jimmy Page’s November 26, 1988 show in Manchester has also been released by the Dogs of Doom group. Hear it here.
Robert Plant
- Robert Plant’s sole upcoming live performance is at the Black Deer festival in Kent in June, but it’s now unclear if he’s definitely going to be playing there. He had been due to perform there with Saving Grace on June 18-20, but the festival has been rescheduled to June 25-27 following guidance from the UK government. The festival has said online that it is working to “reconfirm” many of the existing artists who had been announced as performing at the festival.
John Paul Jones
- Dave Grohl said that he hopes to reunite with Them Crooked Vultures in the future.
Upcoming events:
June 25-27 – Robert Plant may perform as part of Saving Grace at the Black Deer festival in Kent.
July 13 – Ross Halfin’s book “Led Zeppelin Vinyl: The Essential Collection” will be released by Reel Art Press.
September – The revised and expanded edition of “Evenings With Led Zeppelin” will be released.
September 25 – The 2021 John Bonham celebration event will be held in Redditch.
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
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN AT 50 TBL 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL:
50 years ago tomorrow, Jimmy Page strapped on a newly acquired Gibson double neck guitar and played the first chords of a new lengthy composition in front of an audience for the first time.
The occasion was Led Zeppelin’s opening date on their UK tour at the Ulster Hall Belfast.
The song was Stairway To Heaven
So here’s a celebration of this special anniversary of a special song.
TBL Archive Special Part 1:
Belfast and Stairway To Heaven -it was 50 years ago…
March 5 marks the 50th anniversary of the milestone Led Zeppelin performance at the Ulster Hall Belfast
Here’s a review from TBL 15 of the then newly surfaced Belfast March 5th 1971 tape:
March 5th tape ensures this historic night will never be forgotten
Led Zeppelin on stage at the Ulster Hall Belfast, March 5th 1971. Photo G. Irwin.
Led Zeppelin’s decision to visit Belfast as part of their spring 1971 UK tour was heralded as a very brave move back in 1971. Few rock artists included it on their intinery due to the escalating political situation and threat of rioting. Earlier in the year T.Rex had pulled out of a planned appearance in Belfast. The Zeppelin concert itself was played out to the background of far off Friday night disturbances in the troubled parts of the city.
Until recently the only recorded remnant of that Irish visit was their March 6th date at Dublin’s Boxing Stadium. Now in a perfect piece of timing, a very rare recording has emerged of the Belfast Ulster Hall show. It was captured by one Norman Hanna – 20 years old at the time. He smuggled-in a newly purchased Phillips cassette recorder and taped the show some two thirds of the way back with the cassette machine positioned on the floor.
Unsurprisingly this newly discovered tape has been negotiated into the hands of the ever enterprising Japanese label Empress Valley and will probably have emerged by the time you are reading this as a deluxe four CD set containing the Belfast and Dublin shows.
The set will include a fourteen page booklet with photos and press cuttings from their Irish shows. This includes reproduction extracts from the review of the show featured in the Northern Ireland newspaper City Week.
Of the fifteen UK dates that comprised the Spring ’71 Back to the clubs tour only the aforementioned Dublin show and the officially released April 1 BBC In Concert recordings have emerged until now. This Belfast recording is therefore most welcome.
The tape recording quality is fair to good for the time – a little distorted and with occasional interference but mostly very listenable.
The most striking aspect of hearing it is the sheer force and determination in their playing. This opening night of their ’71 campaign was their first gig in over five months -the longest lay off so far in their career. It followed an eight week period of intensive recording sessions for their fourth album conducted at Island Studios and on location at Headley Grange.
It’s evident they were itching to air the newly recorded material in a live setting. Before those historic premieres we hear them storm through the then customary Immigrant Song/Heartbreaker opening.
Witnessing this in the Ulster Hall must have been extraordinary. Plant extends the vocal shrieks and the Page solo is just completely out there. Off mic you can occasionally hear the excited babble of Irish accents from the crowd. Then it’s a relaxed run through of Since I’ve Been Loving You. Plant on absolute peak form attaining the high pitched notes with ease. Black Dog is the first of the new songs employing the opening riff of Out On The Tiles. It’s back to the greatest hits for a no-nonsense, compact, Dazed And Confused.
More history making follows: Stairway To Heaven live performance number one. A straight rendering slightly tentative with Page playing the unfamiliar, but soon to become more than familiar, tune on the newly acquired Gibson double neck guitar. It suffers slightly here due to cuts and a high pitched sound from the original recording.
Evidence that the softer side of their playing as deployed on Zep 3 would still be present on their forthcoming album was duly demonstrated by the performance of the new Page/ Plant composition Going To California.
The more familiar Zep 2 standards What Is And What Should Never Be and a powerful Moby Dick take us into the finale – the now expected Whole Lotta Love medley including Let That Boy Boogie, Honey Bee and The Lemon Song.
The encores are just plain shattering. A thrashing Communication Breakdown followed by the debut live performance of Rock And Roll – then known as It’s Been A Long Time. A final welcomed bonus brings this historic recording to an end. There’s quite a delay before they get around to performing and it’s evident they are trying to work out what to play. They opt for a rarely played post 1970 version of Bring It On Home performed in a unique delivery sans vocals and harp in the final section.
“If everybody was like this to each other every day there would be no problems,” Plant can be heard to inform the audience just before the second encore. A nostalgic and relevant comment of the times.
Which is exactly what this Belfast discovery represents. It’s a true document of the band at a crucial moment.
Flushed with the massive success of the past, fresh from a welcomed lay off and enthused by the studio sessions that provided yet more new on stage impetus, this is prime 1971 Led Zeppelin.
In short, this tape is a brilliant reminder of how good they were at that stage of their career. Freeze-framing a period when they were receiving deserved mass popularity and acclaim at a time when they were also producing some of their most powerful and vital work.
Incredibly it all happened 30 years ago. The Belfast people haven’t forgotten. Thankfully, the emergence of this tape will make sure they never do.
Remembering Led Zeppelin at the Ulster Hall 1971: Recalled by those that were there…
“The concert was absolutely unbelievable, I was 15 years old and so close to my idols. I was in the seats behind the stage. It is just a moment of great posterity for me in terms of the age I was and seeing the band I loved. I also saw Zeppelin at Earl’s Court but it could never match the intimacy of that night in the Ulster Hall.” Noel Thompson, now a BBC Newsnight reporter.
“It was brilliant. In those days nobody played Belfast unless they were Irish like Taste or Thin Lizzy. To see Led Zeppelin was so enjoyable. It put Belfast-on the map. Stairway To Heaven did not stand out on the night, but I later saw them perform it to 100,000 fans at Knebworth. A lot different to the 1,500 who saw it in 1971.” Mervyn Jones, now a Belfast Councillor.
“When I heard Stairway performed that night I knew it was something special. We were in the front row of the balcony. Whenever I hear that song the memories of that night in Belfast come flooding back to me.” Trevor Haslett, Killinchy
……………………………
The way we were…March 1971
Here are some of the events that were happening 50 years ago as Led Zeppelin toured arund the UK….
LED ZEPPELIN 3 WAS STILL IN THE UK TOP 30 ALBUM CHART.
GEORGE HARRISON WAS AT NUMBER ONE ON BOTH THE SINGLES AND ALBUM CHARTS WITH MY SWEET LORD AND ALL THINGS MUST PASS
THE ROLLING STONES KICKED OFF WHAT MANY CONSIDERED WOULD BE THEIR FINAL UK TOUR AT BRISTOL’S COLSTON HALL
IRON BUTTERFLY, THE BAND ZEPPELIN SUPPORTED ON THEIR FIRST US TOUR, ANNOUNCED THEY WERE DISBANDING
THE UK WAS EXPERIENCING ITS FIRST MONTH OF DECIMILISATION AND STILL IN THE THROES OF A GENERAL POSTAL STRIKE
NEWLY RELEASED ALBUMS INCLUDED NICK DRAKE’S BRYTER LATER, THE FACES’ LONG PLAYER AND SOFT MACHINE FOUR. NEW SINGLES JUST OUT INCLUDED JOHN LENNON’S POWER TO THE PEOPLE, DEEP PURPLE WITH STRANGE KINDA WOMAN AND BOB DYLAN’S IF NOT FOR YOU
CHOICE GIGS OF THE MONTH INCLUDED CURVED AIR AND GENESIS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX FOR 62 NEW PENCE AND HAWKWIND AND THE PINK FARIES AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON.
ON TV ATOMIC ROOSTER AND LEON RUSSELL WERE GUESTS ON BBC2’S DISCO 2 WHILE THE ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW INCLUDED RAY CHARLES, ELTON JOHN AND CASS ELLIOT
NEW FILMS AT THE CINEMA INCLUDED LOVE STORY STARRING RYAN O’NEAL AND ALI MACGRAW AND BARBARA STREISAND IN THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT.
IN FOOTBALL, FOLLOWING THEIR GIANT KILLING FIFTH ROUND 3-2 VICTORY OVER LEEDS IN THE FA CUP, COLCHESTER WERE BEATEN 5-0 BY EVERTON IN THE SIXTH ROUND. IN THE SAME ROUND ARSENAL DEFEATED LEICESTER 1-0 IN A REPLAY ON THEIR WAY TO SECURING THEIR CUP AND LEAGUE DOUBLE.
……………………
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN AT 50:
Back in 2011 I conducted a poll amongst TBL readers to determine the favourite live version version of Stairway To Heaven…here’s the results:
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: THE TBL 40th ANNIVERSARY POLL:
Today we celebrate what is arguably their greatest song by announcing the results of the TBL Stairway To Heaven 40th Anniversary Poll
And the winner is….
Many thanks for the great response to the Stairway To Heaven At 40 Poll.
We can reveal that the fans choice for the greatest version live version of their greatest song is……..
Earls Court May 25th, 1975 – the DVD version
This is the version that was produced by Jimmy Page and can be seen and heard on the 2003 official Led Zeppelin DVD
In second place…
Madison Square Garden July, 1973 – the Song Remains The Same soundtrack version
Fans have displayed great loyalty for the official original live version as produced by Jimmy Page for The Song Remains The Same soundtrack album.
In third place…
Knebworth August 4th, 1979
More lasting affection for one of the most celebrated of Zep appearances.
In fourth place…
Long Beach June 27th 1972 – as produced by Jimmy Page for the How The West Was Won live album released in 2003.
In fifth place…
BBC Paris Theatre In Concert April 1st 1971 – officially released on the BBC Sessions album in 1997
Here is the complete Top 20 listing of the favourite live versions of Stairway To Heaven as voted by readers of the TBL website
1: Stairway To Heaven – Earls Court May 1975 DVD version
2: Stairway To Heaven – Madison Square Garden July 1973 –
From The Song Remains The Same soundtrack album
3: Stairway To Heaven – Knebworth August 4th 1979
4: Stairway To Heaven – Long Beach June 27th 1972 as released officially on
How The West Was Won
5: Stairway To Heaven – BBC In Concert April 1st, 1971 – as released officially on the BBC Sessions set in 1997.
6: Stairway To Heaven – Earls Court May 24th, 1975
7: Stairway To Heaven – 02 Arena December 10th 2007
8: Stairway To Heaven – Berkeley September 14th 1971 – from the Going To California bootleg.
9: Stairway To Heaven – LA Forum June 23rd 1977 – from the For BadgeHolders Only bootleg
10: Stairway To Heaven – Berlin July 7th 1980
11: Stairway To Heaven – Knebworth August 11th 1979
12: Stairway To Heaven –Madison Square Garden February 12th 1975
13: Stairway To Heaven – Vienna March 16th 1973
14: Stairway To Heaven – Jimmy Page ARMS Royal Albert Hall September 1983
15: Sairway To Heaven – Seattle Kingdome July 17th 1977
16: Stairway To Heaven – Belfast Ulster Hall March 5th 1971
17: Stairway To Heaven – LA Forum June 3rd 1973 from the Three Days After bootleg
18: Stairway To Heaven – LA Forum June 21st 1977 from the Listen To This Eddie bootleg
19: Stairway To Heaven – Zurich June 29th 1980
20: Stairway To Heaven – Budokan Japan, September 23rd 1971
And here is the winning choice: Stairway To Heaven as performed by Led Zeppelin at Earls Court – May 25th 1975
I recommend you take 10 minutes and 27 seconds of your time to marvel in the glory of this astonishing performance on YouTube:
View it at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxfniXCwrJA
Clock the genius at:
00.36: The camera pans on to Jonesy as he plays the plaintive keyboard opening.
At 3 minutes 18 – and Robert’s ‘’Baby baby’’ pleading.
At 4. 06 – Robert’s spontaneous ‘’Priceless’’ after the ‘’Do you remember laughter’’ line.
4.30 – Bonzo’s timely entry.
5.23 – the line ‘’You head is humming and it won’t go –in case you don’t know’’ accented by Bozo’s bass drum.
5.31 – Robert’s moving ‘’Dear PEOPLE can you hear the wind blow and did you know – OUR stairway lies on the whispering wind’.
5.48 – the first crescendo as Jimmy hoists the Gibson double neck high
and then on into what must be one of the finest pieces of live performance in their history.
6.14 – as Plant clusters around Jimmy as he switches necks for the scintillating solo.
7.22 – as the pictures crossfades to Robert banging the tambourine totally lost in the world of Led Zeppelin.
7.51 through to 8.59 as Page delivers a sublimely lyrical solo that again has Plant lost in the music and John Bonham…dear John, behind it all totally on the groove – this sequence brings a lump to my throat every time.
9.00 – the final glorious run in.
9.38 ‘’Never roll people …please don’t make me roll’’.
9.49 – the camera captures Jonesy in that Spanish jacket…
10.02 – Robert’s sings the final line we all know so well and it echoes across the eerie wastes of Earls Court…and into eternity…
Led Zeppelin – Stairway to To Heaven Earls Court
…And that is the greatest live performance of a song that has been now been enthralling us for 40 years – as voted by TBL web readers.
Stairway To Heaven – still the pure essence of Led Zeppelin
Long may it reign…
Dave Lewis – March 4, 2021
TBL Archive 2:
SIMPLEY LED BACK TO BELFAST – 20 YEARS GONE:
This TBL Archive feature looks back to the events that took place on the 30th anniversary of that first airing of Stairway To Heaven.
20 years ago popular tribute band Simply Led came up with a very clever idea – they decided to book the Ulster Hall in Belfast to perform a special anniversary concert 30 years ago to the very day Led Zeppelin had staged that opening night of their UK tour when Stairway To Heaven was first played – and in the very hall that first echoed to the sounds of what would become such an iconic composition.
I was invited to go over to cover the event for TBL – it was a fantastic success. There was a genuine sense of history in being in the vicinity where Led Zeppelin had performed all those years ago. Simply Led played superbly and the people of the city were incredibly friendly and receptive. The comment from one fan afterwards ‘’Thanks for bringing Led Zeppelin’s music back to Belfast’’ said it all.
There’s always a poignancy about reflecting on this occasion as sadly, Simply Led’s drummer Paul Kelvie passed away in 2006.
So this piece is dedicated to Paul who 20 years ago along with Eddie Edwards, Keith Lambert and Phil Eldridge reunited the Led Zeppelin fans of Belfast in fitting style –all in the very place where Stairway To Heaven was first performed live. It was a unique occasion and I feel so privileged to have been in attendance…
Remembering Led Zeppelin at the Ulster Hall
Belfast Re-unites Under Simply Led
March 5th 2001: Another cold Monday. Another journey. Today I’m bound for Belfast to celebrate a very special Zeppelin related anniversary. For 30 years ago on this very day Led Zeppelin took a Trident Hovercraft across the Irish sea to perform what would be their only concerts in the Emerald Isle. On the evening of Friday March 5TH 1971 they performed their opening show of the so called “Back to the clubs tour” at the Ulster Hall, Belfast. During their set that night they unveiled a new composition due to appear on their forthcoming fourth album. It was called Stairway To Heaven. Five million radio plays later…
30 years on the London-based tribute band Simply Led have hit upon a very novel and ambitious idea. Tonight they will perform a special anniversary tribute concert at the Ulster Hall – scene of that history making evening for Led Zeppelin back in 1971. Particularly ambitious when you consider this is only their second gig together.
Tribute bands of course are now an accepted part of the live gig scene. Any half renowned or much missed ex-mega group has anything up to half dozen would be copyists trouping up and down the pub circuit. Zeppelin are well served and I have immense respect for the likes of Fred Zeppelin, Whole Lotta Led, Boot Led Zeppelin Let’s Zep who pack ’em in week in week out.
Simply Led’s Belfast plan, as I said, is massively ambitious, and they have done their homework. Singer Keith Lambert had come over a month back to launch the idea at a press conference which garnered much local coverage. Ticket sales have been brisk with already 600 sold. Bass and keyboardist Eddie Edwards assures me they have rehearsed intensely to do the real thing justice on the night. For my part it’s an opportunity to support Eddie, a long-term TBL associate (notably his Song Remains dissection in TBL 13) and spread the TBL word in a new territory. Despite the foot and mouth scare and the freezing weather, the flight out of Luton goes to plan and I meet up with the band around mid day. It’s great to see Andy Adams (pictured here with Eddie) is in tow to lend them a hand and we walk down with Eddie to view the Ulster Hall in the afternoon. Morale is well high by this time – ticket sales have exceeded all expectations with a good chance of over 1,000 likely to witness the show.
As we walk around the balcony of the grand hall it begins to get exciting. There is a genuine sense of history about the place which is smaller than I expected and one of the most impressive venues I’ve ever seen. The vantage point over the stage up on the balcony is superb and you can’t help thinking how incredible it must have been to have viewed the original 1971 show from up here.
Eddie and his boys are understandably more than nervous as they arrive for the soundcheck and run down extremely competent versions of Heartbreaker and The Wanton Song amongst others. Paul let me get behind the drum kit and it was a big thrill to look out at the view John Bonham himself would have had on that night of 30 years ago.
Andy and I set up a display and stall in the foyer and head over to the pub for some pre -gig banter with the local Irish contingent already in. Everyone is really friendly and so keen to witness tonight’s celebration. Over at the Ulster Hall a couple of hundred fans are snaking their way around the hall eager for the doors to open.
There’s aready a great sense of occasion in the air. Original 1971 promoter Jim Aiken comes over to view the scene. “This is so special to be witnessing this again,” he tells me. “I can remember how excited we all were to get them here at the time. Nobody apart from Rory of course and a few others bothered to play Belfast. We still talk about the night Zeppelin came…”
It’s a wonderful cross section of fans who mill around the foyer. The elders who remember that momentous night 30 years ago, some bringing their off-spring’s to hear the songs that made such a troubled place at one with itself all those years back. There’s also lots of younger fans in attendance not even born when Zeppelin played their final gig in 1980. It makes for a very boisterous atmosphere and from the moment Simply Led take the stage and chug into the Immigrant Song/ Heartbreaker double whammy that was a staple part of the ’71 Zep set, well that sense of occasion is duly shared by band and audience alike.
I must say that in the weeks leading up to the gig 1 had my doubts that they could pull this off convincingly. It’s a pleasure to be proved so wrong. A combination of this being the right anniversary at the right time in exactly the right place makes the next couple of hours an absolute joy.
This is no mere tribute concert. This is an event and Simply Led rise to the occasion.
Highlights: Guitarist Phil Eldridge’s fluid Gibson work during Over The Hills, Keith Lambert’s pleasing ad-libs (“Acapulco gold”) and pre-’73 high vocal register, Paul Kelvie’s drumming superb throughout the show – as good a Bonham-inspired performance you will see this side of Michael Lee. Eddie Edwards strong feel for Jonesy’s musicianship evident in a compact No Quarter and an ambitious and suitably emotional Stairway. Finally a rousing Whole Lotta Love and Rock And Roll brings to a close a striking performance. Throughout it all I couldn’t help thinking that right here in this very hall exactly 30 years to the, moment Led Zeppelin were making history. I’m sure it was an emotion shared by many in attendance. The atmosphere as the crowd spill into the foyer is a joy to be part of. It’s more than evident that Simply Led have captured the spirit of Zeppelin very well indeed.
Back stage the band themselves are justifiably triumphant. “They’ll never believe this back home,” says Eddie. And I guess unless I’d witnessed it myself I’d probably have been of the same opinion.
As I mentioned earlier the fundamental reason this all came together was the location and timing. Coupled of course with Simply Led’s enthusiasm, musical prowess and sheer determination to pull it off.
Belfast was a very special gig for any band back in those troubled times of ’71. For a band of Led Zeppelin’s stature to come and perform here was a real event. On tonight’s turnout that gesture way back in ’71 has obviously not been forgotten by the people of Belfast.
The whole evening is wonderfully summed up by the excited comment of one of the elder generation of Zep fans here tonight.
“Thanks for bringing Led Zeppelin’s music back to Belfast,” he tells Andy on the way out. It’s an accolade echoing throughout this historic venue. And that’s some accolade for a tribute band playing only their second gig,
Simply Led have every reason to feel very proud of themselves because tonight in Belfast they paid homage to a very special concert in Led Zeppelin’s history.
And in doing so they reunited the people of Belfast just as the real thing had done on a similar cold Irish night 30 years ago. It was simply remarkable.
Dave Lewis, March 6 2001
Simply Led Belfast March 5th 2001 -Paul Kelvie, Eddie Edwards, Keith Lambert, Phil Eldridge
With thanks to Eddie Edwards and Keith Lambert
Dedicated to Paul Kelvie 1961 – 2006
Check out Eddie Edward’s superb dissection of various Led Zeppelin releases at
http://www.thegardentapes.co.uk/
……………………
World Book Day:
Today (Thursday March 4) is World Book Day – as my world has revolved around books for as long as I can remember here’s a couple of vintage reviews of some of mine…
DL Diary Blog Update:
Friday February 26:
On the player marking her Birthday the excellent Sandie Shaw 1969 Reviewing The Situation album Record Store Day release – this her great version of Led Zeppelin’s Your Time Is Gonna Come -this was the first Zep cover version to be released …
Saturday February 27:
Saturday is platterday – on the player the very fine 1989 Paul McCartney album Flowers In The Dirt and sounding great on an early morning sunny Saturday…
Saturday February 27:
Saturday is platterday – on the player some early morning Nick Drake – side two of the Five Leaves Left album that closes with the very appropriate Saturday Sun…
Saturday February 27:
Saturday is platterday -after watching the brilliant 1950s The Decade That Made Me documentary last night on BBC 4 on the player – some vintage Tom Jones….the 1969 Live In Las Vegas album…
Saturday is platterday – on the player some Saturday night Free…the Free & Easy, Rough & Ready compilation sounding mighty fine –some great tracks on this one…
Sunday February 28:
Sunday Sounds On CD…on the occasion of the late great Brian Jones Birthday…loading up the Aftermath album from the superb 15 CD box set The Rolling Stones In Mono – with a few other choice Rolling Stones 60s albums to follow…
Winterlude Playlist:
Some more winterlude record selections providing much needed inspiration…
Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti 2LP
Led Zeppelin – Companion Audio Disc LP
The Band – Stage Fright 2CD anniversary reissue
Sandie Shaw – Reviewing the Situation -Record Store Day release 2LP
Some particular inspirations this past week:
Acquiring the new issue of Guitar World with the Jimmy Page cover feature – thanks to my very good friend Steve Livesley for sorting that one…
The new issues of Record Collector and Classic Rock dropping on the door…
A long conversation on the phone with Richard Cole recalling the 1972 Zep Australian tour…
Update here:
March is here and it’s full on right now with many an e-mail back and forth with Mike T on the subject of the revised and expanded Evenings With Led Zeppelin book plus research work on one or two other projects developing. The good lady Janet is also full on at the pre-school and with the other schools going back next week it will be busier than ever. In between all that, there will be one or two versions of Stairway To Heaven on the player in celebration of its 50th anniversary…
Thanks for listening – stay safe and well you very lovely people…
Dave Lewis – March 4, 2021
Until next time, stay safe and stay well…
Website updates written and compiled by Dave Lewis
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Dave, whatever did happen to Rosie and the Quoriginals?
It’s a damned fine biscuit to chomp on, that’s for sure!
Keep up the good work, dude. Marvellous site.
Many thanks Dave
Dave,
Guitar World. Now there’s a rare thing these days, a photo of Jimmy holding the guitar!
it was good to hear that there will hopefully be a 30th re issue of the Coverdale Page CD in 2023 as David now owns the rights. He hopes to be working on the re issue with Jimmy (when he can get to a studio). The additional songs that were recorded back then will be nice to hear – properly finished.
I know there were some criticism of this project – Led Snake for example, but I always thought (and still do) think it was a great album and a good return to form for Jimmy. It was such a shame that they only played a series of Japanese shows to promote it.
Anyway, stay safe & well everyone.
To Paul Kelvie Indeed. RIP.
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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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