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PORTRAITS OF ROBERT PLANT THROUGH THE EIGHTIES PHOTO BOOK – FULL DETAILS/SAVING GRACE RE- SCHEDULED DATES/LZ NEWS/MORE CINE FILM FOOTAGE/TBL ARCHIVE ATLANTA & TAMPA 73/BEDFORD VIP RECORD FAIR/DAVE LEWIS DIARY BLOG UPDATE

3 May 2024 1,013 views 2 Comments
New Robert Plant Photo Book via Rufus Publishing…
Portraits Of Robert Plant – Through The Eighties
Edited by Dave Lewis – Introduction by Mark Blake 
I’m very excited to be overseeing and editing this project with Rufus Publications – there’s some great images lined up.
This is something I am in the process of editing now – a pictorial record of Robert Plant during the 1980s with many previously unpublished photos.
I’ll also be contributing an essay of my experiences of seeing Robert Plant live during this captivating post Zep era.
So here’s what this book is all about: 
Portraits of Robert Plant – Through the Eighties (Rufus Publications).
This is a high quality produced photo book with an introduction by noted journalist and author Mark Blake. His books include the excellent Peter Grant biography Bring it on Home.
It also includes my overview of the twenty plus Robert Plant performances I attended during the 1980s era.
The photos represent the various stages of Robert Plant’s post Zep solo career through the 1980s.
It covers his initial return to live performances with The Honeydrippers, media photo sessions, on stage and off stage images of his first US solo tour with Phil Collins on drums, the Live Aid and Atlantic 1988 Zep reunions, the Now and Zen Non Stop Go tour plus cameos with the likes of Jimmy Page, Aerosmith and more…
Many of the photos are previously unpublished. 240 pages with over 300 images featured.
There’s two editions as follows:
Standard issue with slip case -smaller compact size.
De luxe leather and metal limited edition – larger size.
In keeping with the Rufus Publications portraits series, all photos are black and white shots printed on white, uncharted stock to a high standard.
I am working on this now and will update the progress ongoing. Publication is planned for mid to late Summer..
There’s a 10% discount operating until May 7
Here’s the link to pre -order:
https://www.rufuspublications.com/rufusbooks/plant/
Here’s the info via Rufus Publishing:
Robert Plant once compared the end of Led Zeppelin in 1980 to “walking away from a loud explosion, with your ears ringing.” The images in this book celebrate what happened next: namely, the aftermath and the first chapter in what would become his long and wildly eclectic solo career. Plant had just turned thirty-two when Led Zeppelin finished, following the death of his friend and drummer John Bonham. He wasn’t ready to stop making music, but he retreated to his family home, Jennings Farm in Worcestershire, to grieve and ponder his next move. In reality, Plant would spend the next ten years coming to terms with his musical past and, at times, running away from it.
Portraits of Robert Plant- is a photographic celebration of Robert Plant’s journey through the eighties, published as a brand-new coffee-table book tracing his career with a mixture of well-known, rare and largely unseen photographs from some of rock’s greatest photographers, including George Bodnar who toured extensively with Plant and his band. The book is edited by the world renowned Led Zeppelin author Dave Lewis who witnessed over 20 Robert Plant live performances during the1980s and includes a career essay from music journalist Mark Blake, tracking Plant’s career through the decade. This unofficial book is 230mm square, case-bound, 240 pages, printed on luxury 170gsm matt-coated paper. The book comes with a fold out poster and is presented in a black slipcase with a gold foil logo. The main edition comes in 500 numbered copies and sells for £55 plus shipping.
In addition to this, a much larger, ultra-limited Black Leather and Metal Edition measuring 375mm square and presented in recycled leather and a hand welded aluminium metal slipcase with a screen printed logo in a run of 50 numbered copies. This edition also comes with a unique lenticular for framing and will sell for £350.
The books will go on sale on Friday April 26th at 3pm UK time and will feature a 10% pre-order discount if ordered before May 7th. The first 200 orders will also come with a free enamel badge worth £6.00. The books will ship worldwide late July/early August 2024.
Pre orders – 10% off pre orders to May 7:
The books can be ordered here: www.rufuspublications.com/rufusbooks/plant/
A promotional video for the book can be found here: https://youtu.be/ySU4zrz7xxQ?si=YqmRiaNkbnRsUrP7
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Robert Plant & Saving Grace rescheduled dates:

Due to Robert Plant contacting an ear infection the Saving Grace May 1 performance in Stockton has been postponed to November 6 and the Harrogate April 30 show to November 5.

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LZ News:

Led Zeppelin News Update:

Here’s the latest round up from LZ News:

A previously unseen video of Atlanta 1977 emerged online

A previously unseen six-minute video of Led Zeppelin performing in Atlanta, Georgia on April 23, 1977 was published online this week.

The film, shot by Ron Gerber, shows the first three songs of that evening’s performance: “The Song Remains The Same”, “Sick Again” and “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” along with “Kashmir” and “Rock And Roll”.

Gerber’s film was sychronised by LedZepFilm to an audience recording of the concert. The film was newly transferred by The Negative Space and colour corrected by Nuff from the Pink Floyd Research Group.


Expect more Boston photos from Joe Maloney

Last week, we reported that previously unseen photos of Led Zeppelin performing in Boston on September 9, 1970 were published online.

We now know that Joe Maloney also took photos of Led Zeppelin’s September 7, 1971 show in Boston as well as the band’s July 20, 1973 show in Boston. Expect those images to be released in the coming weeks by KRW_CO.

Furthermore, KRW_CO has allowed LedZepNews to publish the below image taken by Maloney on September 9, 1970, giving us a better quality look at the photograph than the compressed version seen on YouTube:

The Wiltshire Museum is now selling Led Zeppelin-related merchandise online

Earlier this month, the Wiltshire Museum opened its new exhibition which includes the recently rediscovered original photograph from the cover of Led Zeppelin’s fourth album.

The museum is now selling a range of merchandise online including T-shirts, posters and bags that come printed with the original photograph.


Photographer Mark Bowman died

Mark Bowman, a Texas-based photographer who shot Led Zeppelin and was an active fan of the band, died last week.

Jimmy Page

Kevin Shirley commented on the chance of an expanded release of Jimmy Page’s album with The Black Crowes

Last month, Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson announced during an interview with Howard Stern that an expanded version of Live at the Greek, the live album the band released with Jimmy Page in 2000, would be on the way in 2025.

“That record has been released a couple of times but without any of the Black Crowes songs that we did with him, so it’s very exciting,” he said.

Now, producer Kevin Shirley who worked on that album has publicly commented about the project, writing on Instagram: “There are murmurings, rumors even, that an expanded version of this might be on the cards for the benefit of all humanity, at some stage.”

“We did record it just about 25 years ago. But, I, ever cautious and maybe just a little jaded, am not one to be counting any chickens before they hatch. Best just to stay tuned,” he wrote.

Shirley was Page’s go-to producer in the 2000s, working on projects including Live at the Greek in 2000, How the West Was Won and the Led Zeppelin DVD in 2003 and then the 2007 re-release of the soundtrack to The Song Remains The Same. You can read about his work on Led Zeppelin material in this profile.

But Shirley hasn’t worked with Page since then, telling LedZepNews in 2018: “I haven’t been involved with Led Zeppelin since we finished the remix of song remains the same. I attended the O2 concert which was the last time I saw Jimmy page in person, and that was on the stage. I haven’t spoken to him since.”

It seems unlikely that Page will return to working with Shirley on an expanded version of Live at the Greek. However, mastering engineer John Davis who Page worked with on the most recent Led Zeppelin remasters from 2012 to 2018 died on September 13.

Robert Plant

Robert Plant has been working on a ‘reimagined version’ of a Led Zeppelin song

Robert Plant spent a day in a Wolverhampton recording studio earlier this week where he worked on a “reimagined version” of a Led Zeppelin song, we revealed on Thursday.

That was according to a number of posts published online and an email we received from singer and writer Antonella Gambotto-Burke who was present.

“While the project is currently top secret, it involves a Led Zeppelin song,” she told LedZepNews.

It seems the project is so top secret that it shouldn’t have been mentioned publicly at all. The day after we published our article, all social media posts from people involved referencing it were deleted.

This has understandably caused some confusion online: What is Plant working on? Here’s what we know for sure: This isn’t a Led Zeppelin project and it’s not related to Saving Grace either. It seems to be a single track that Plant is working on that is part of a wider project, perhaps involving an organisation in Wolverhampton or other musicians.

Two deleted social media posts about the project referred to “classic Led Zeppelin songs” and “classic cuts from Led Zeppelin”. But LedZepNews has been told there is only one song being worked on, not multiple songs.

We don’t know which song it is, although an Instagram story posted by Gambotto-Burke included “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin as its soundtrack.

Deleted posts also mentioned Wolves Records, a recording label launched in 2021 by Wolverhampton Wanderers, the club where Plant has been a vice president since 2009. But LedZepNews has been told that Wolves Records isn’t connected to this after all.


Robert Plant is now a patron of the Wolves Foundation

Robert Plant has become a patron of the Wolves Foundation, the official charity of Wolverhampton Wanderers. He “has made a donation to the Foundation which will benefit a number of the charity’s wide-ranging projects, with a particular focus around improving mental health,” according to an announcement from the charity.

Last week, it was announced that Plant has become a patron of the Good Shepherd, a Wolverhampton-based charity that helps homeless people.


A new Robert Plant coffee table book is on sale

A new coffee table book titled “Portraits Of Robert Plant” that contains unseen photos of Plant taken in the 1980s is now on sale through Rufus Editions. The book contains an introduction by Mark Blake (the author of a very good biography of Peter Grant) and is edited by Dave Lewis (the editor of the long-running Led Zeppelin fan magazine and website Tight But Loose).

Rufus Editions says the book is available in a standard edition limited to 500 numbered copies as well as a leather and metal edition limited to 50 copies. The book is expected to publish at the end of July.

John Paul Jones

A police report was filed over an alteraction involving John Paul Jones’ bodyguard

A professional autograph seeker has alleged that a bodyguard working for John Paul Jones attacked him hours before Jones took to the stage for a rare solo performance on March 22 in Knoxville, Tennessee as part of the Big Ears music festival.

That’s according to RadarOnline which obtained the police report for the incident as well as a video taken by the autograph seeker, identified in a quote published from the police report as Giovanni Arnold.

The video, taken on the afternoon of March 22 as Jones returned to his hotel before the show, shows the autograph seeker approach Jones asking for his autograph before a scuffle breaks out involving Jones’ security guard. Arnold then follows Jones and the bodyguard into the lobby of the hotel, shouting “I’m going to sue the fuck out of you” after a second alteraction.

RadarOnline’s story, which it presumably obtained from Arnold, doesn’t include that quote from the video. Strangely, it states that “the 42-second clip did not have any audio,” despite the video on its website clearly having sound.

“Medical attention was requested by the fan who asked for an ambulance with complaints of neck pain, but he opted to take himself ‘when one was not available,’ per the report,” RadarOnline wrote.

The article doesn’t include the context that Arnold is a professional autograph seeker who has attempted to start his own reality TV show titled “GTV Reality”.

Arnold was previously involved in a May 2018 alteraction following a Met Gala afterparty in New York. Following that incident, he took legal action against Cardi B and Offset as well as Versace and XYZ Security.

Upcoming events:

  • April 30 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Harrogate, UK.
  • May 1 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Stockton, UK.
  • May 3 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Coventry, UK.
  • May 4 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace at Cheltenham Jazz Festival in Cheltenham, UK.
  • June – Genesis Publications will release its deluxe poster set that includes a poster advertising Jimmy Page’s photographic autobiography.
  • June 2 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • June 4 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Camdenton, Missouri.
  • June 5 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Lincoln, Nebraska.
  • June 7 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
  • June 8 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Madison, Wisconsin.
  • June 11 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • June 12 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Highland Park, Illinois.
  • June 14 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Toledo, Ohio.
  • June 15 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania.
  • June 18 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Vienna, Virginia.
  • June 19 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Vienna, Virginia.
  • June 21 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Alpharetta, Georgia.
  • June 22 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • June 23 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • June 26 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
  • June 28 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Syracuse, New York.
  • June 29 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Wantagh, New York.
  • June 30 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Holmdel, New Jersey.
  • July 2 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Mansfield, Massachusetts.
  • July 4 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic in Camden, New Jersey.
  • July 6 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Bethel, New York.
  • July 7 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss at the Outlaw Music Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
  • July 23 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Southend, UK.
  • July 24 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Woking, UK.
  • July 25-28 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace at the Cambridge Folk Festival in Cambridge, UK.
  • The end of July – “Portraits Of Robert Plant,” a new coffee table book, will be published.
  • August 8 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Missoula, Montana.
  • August 9 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Missoula, Montana.
  • August 11 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Edmonton, Alberta.
  • August 13 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Vancouver, British Columbia.
  • August 14 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Vancouver, British Columbia.
  • August 16 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Seattle, Washington State.
  • August 17 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Seattle, Washington State.
  • August 19 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Eugene, Oregon.
  • August 21 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Murphy’s, California.
  • August 22 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Stanford, California.
  • August 24 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Paso Robles, California.
  • August 25 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Highland, California.
  • August 26 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Flagstaff, Arizona.
  • August 28 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  • August 29 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  • August 31 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
  • September 1 – Robert Plant will perform with Alison Krauss in Vail, Colorado.
  • September 15 – The exhibition “The Wiltshire Thatcher – a Photographic Journey through Victorian Wessex” featuring the original photograph from the cover of Led Zeppelin’s fourth album will close at Wiltshire Museum.
  • October 8 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Bari, Italy.
  • October 9 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Naples, Italy.
  • October 11 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Rome, Italy.
  • October 12 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Florence, Italy.
  • October 14 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Bologna, Italy.
  • October 15 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Turin, Italy.
  • October 17 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Como, Italy.
  • October 18 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Bolzano, Italy.
  • October 20 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Padua, Italy.
  • October 21 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Trieste, Italy.
  • October 23 – Robert Plant will perform with Saving Grace in Brescia, Italy.
  • 2025 – An expanded version of Live at the Greek, the live album featuring Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes, is due to be released.That was our 338th email. Have any questions or feedback? Reply to this email and we’ll get back to you.Follow Led Zeppelin News on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on news as it happens, and check ledzepnews.com for the latest news.

Many thanks to James Cook

For all the latest Zep and related news check out the Led Zeppelin news website at:

http://ledzepnews.com/

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More cine film – Atlanta 1977:

This from Eric at LZ Film

Here is some absolutely stunning Super 8 footage from Led Zeppelin’s sole performance at the Omni Atlanta in 1977. The filmer, Ron Gerber, had his frame rate set to 24fps leading to a movie quality feel to this film despite being Super 8.

Special thanks to Ron for filming and being so gracious during this entire process, AdamBound for roping me in, Nuff from The Pink Floyd Research Group for his incredible color correction, and The Negative Space for their stunning film scan.

View the footage at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tjnar36LSs

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TBL Archive Special: It was 51 years ago… the moment Led Zeppelin elevated from being an exceptional rock band to becoming a worldwide musical phenomenon…they way it’s been ever since…

Led Zeppelin US tour opening  date –  Friday, May 4, 1973 Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA:

atlanta two

Setlist (from River City Review)

Rock and Roll, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I’ve Been Loving You, No Quarter, The Song Remains the Same, The Rain Song, Dazed and Confused, Stairway to Heaven, Moby Dick, Heartbreaker, Whole Lotta Love, Communication Breakdown

Notes: Other tracks most likely performed but not listed in the review: Celebration Day, Bring It on Home Intro/ Black Dog, Over the Hills and Far Away, The Ocean.  Four Sticks was noted in the review, but almost certainly not performed.

Led Zeppelin wasted very little time on their U.S. tour to demonstrate their incredible drawing power and meteoric popularity, pulling in 49,236 fans (out of the 50,277 stadium capacity).  The concert grossed $246,180 and broke the Atlanta Stadium concert attendance record set by The Beatles on August 18, 1965 (who drew a comparatively modest 33,000 fans).

A closed-circuit TV system projected the group on two 16×24 foot screens positioned on the sides of the stage.  This was the very first time the band had ever employed such screens, specifically for faraway fans.  Unfortunately, the other stadium gigs on the 1973 U.S. tour did not utilize the technology (Tampa, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh); however, large video screens were eventually used again for their 1975 Earl’s Court shows, 1977 Pontiac, Michigan, 1977 Seattle, and 1979 Knebworth shows.

This concert marked the debut appearance of John Bonham’s Ludwig Amber Vistalite drum set.  Bonzo used this set all the way through the last gig at Earl’s Court in London on May 25, 1975.

Although not documented for this concert, Celebration Day was added to the set list on this tour, the first time it had been performed since Charlotte, North Carolina on June 9, 1972.  Out on the Tiles had been replaced by Bring It on Home as the introduction to Black Dog on this tour.  No Quarter was performed live for the very first time and Moby Dick made a return appearance to the set list for the U.S. tour (the first time it had been played in concert since the October 9, 1972 Osaka, Japan show).

The gig was reviewed in the River City Review, a Memphis, Tennessee underground newspaper. Bill Read’s review featured the following comments:

“The band waited until everyone had time to get into the Stadium and get settled before they started the show and 8:30, and even then people were still arriving.  The audience rose to its feet in a gesture of welcome, even as John (Bonzo) Bonham started the group off into ‘Rock and Roll.’  After completing this number, Robert Plant returned the greeting that had been given, and then continued with ‘The Song Remains the Same’ and ‘The Rain Song’ from their new Atlantic release, Houses of the Holy.  Plant then made a reference to the now defunct Atlanta Pop Festivals, and proceeded into ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ and ‘Four Sticks’ (ed. note: he was probably referring to Black Dog).  For those who could not see very well, there were two large viewing screens on either side of the stage, which showed interesting close-ups of the band as they gave their spectacular performance.”

“As John Paul Jones began the rather un-Zeppelinish ‘No Quarter,’ a fogging devise went into play, creating the eerie effect you might expect for the song.  This selection in particular was reproduced in an excellent manner by all members of the band.  Then, Jimmy Page, Zep’s producer and lead guitarist, and Plant put a sensual and intense effort into ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You,’ and, much to the delight of the audience, ‘Stairway to Heaven.’ ”

“As the crescent moon shone above, and as God looked down on all of His children, they bestowed upon the spectators their new rendition of ‘Dazed and Confused.’  During the song Jimmy Page stepped forward with his Customized Led Paul, took out his violin bow and expertly fed his original brand of musical data into an echo unit.  Page sent the head of every person conscious into a world of ecstasy and wonder; and it occurred to me that we might have been given a preview of music born twenty years from now.”

Hit Parader (December 1973) carried an exclusive on tour with Led Zeppelin cover story written by none other than their press agent – Danny Goldberg.  The article read just like Goldberg’s press releases, describing all their record-breaking exploits.  He even quoted the mayor of Atlanta, Sam Cassell, as saying “This is the biggest thing that has hit Atlanta since the premiere of ‘Gone with the Wind.’ ” In his 2008 memoir, “Bumping Into Geniuses: my life inside the rock and roll business,” Goldberg conceded that the quote had actually been contrived by Peter Grant the morning after the Atlanta show.

Saturday, May 5, 1973 Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida, USA

Setlist:

Rock and Roll, Celebration Day, Bring It on Home (Intro)/Black Dog, Over the Hills and Far Away, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I’ve Been Loving You, No Quarter, The Song Remains the Same, The Rain Song, Dazed and Confused (incl. San Francisco), Stairway to Heaven, Moby Dick, Heartbreaker, Whole Lotta Love Medley (incl. Boogie Chillun’), The Ocean, Communication Breakdown (incl. It’s Your Thing)

The band certainly did not have to wait a very long time to top their Atlanta attendance figure.  The next night in Tampa they drew a record 56,443 fans ($297,632 gross receipts), passing The Beatles attendance record for a single artist set at Shea Stadium in New York on August 15, 1965 (attendance: 55,600).

tampa 10

Photos of Robert Plant and the record crowd appeared on the front page of the Atlanta Constitution with the headline “Stadium Rocks – Led Zeppelin Plays to 50,000.”  The article was primarily focused on the crowd itself and mentioned that it was the first time the field had been opened to an audience.  Curiously, it also mentioned that “paper and aluminum cans were trampled underfoot or were skittered across bare parts by the wind.”  Coincidence?

Soon after the Tampa show, an Associated Press article written by journalist Mary Campbell was published in newspapers throughout the United States.  Robert Plant discussed the Tampa concert with Campbell:

“I think it was the biggest thrill I’ve had.  I pretend – I kid myself – I’m not very nervous in a situation like that.  I try to bounce around just like normal.  But, if you do a proportionate thing, it would be like half of England’s population.  It was a real surprise.  Tampa is the last place I would expect to see nigh on 60,000 people.  It’s not the country’s biggest city.  It was fantastic.  One would think it would be very hard to communicate; with 60,000 people some have got to be quite a distance off.  There were no movie screens showing us, like in Atlanta.  The only thing they could pick up on was the complete vibe of what music was being done.”

tamp 6

Plant was asked why the band was more willing to talk to the press this time around and he responded:

“Last summer when the Stones were in America we were doing a tour concurrent with theirs.  We had no coverage.  We were beating their attendance, though…We’ve been aware of how we’ve been doing for a long time.  And I really think some people ought to know what we’ve done.  I’m proud of what we’ve done and what we are doing, and so many more people could dig it.  That is the idea.”

Phil Rogers, staff writer for the Evening Independent (May 7, 1973) newspaper in St. Petersburg, Florida reviewed the gig in an article titled “Led Zeppelin Style: Start Slow to Buiold” (sic).  Here are some key excerpts from Rogers’ article:

“Then the long awaited were on stage.  Zeppelin started slow and built slow, for each song, for the whole show.  Robert Plant’s voice vibrated into the open cavern of people that covered – painted – wallpapered every viewable spot in the stadium.”

“At times attention wandered from the stage.  Someone said she was bored.  At the time the remark was made, I would tend to agree.  No one else in the crowd seemed to be exactly jumping up and down either.  But then, Led Zeppelin was building.”

“Led Zeppelin was starting to warm up.  Jimmy Page took a violin bow to his guitar, drummer John Bonham took a long, very excellent drum solo and the sound started to come alive…The first notes of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ drew immediate applause.  ‘There’s a lady…’  Plant’s voice brought recognition to the rest of the crowd and more cheers for the group.  The best song so far; things were getting better.”

“The finale, ‘Gimme Some Lovin’ (sic).  White doves, released from the stage, flew to the audience in a message of fluttering, wheeling peace.  Thousands, upon thousands of matches spotted the stadium like little eyes looking for the group’s return.  A granted request.”

The Watcher (May 21-27, 1973) underground newspaper (Winter Park, Florida) carried a review of the record-breaking show titled “The Apex of Rock and Roll Attendance – Led Zeppelin Fills Tampa Stadium.”  Written by Michael Crites, the review included the following observations:

“Led Zeppelin performed a predominantly high-energy concert with only a taste of their progressive soul and glamorock experiments of recent days, and their acoustic tunes.  The quality of sound was not good, very little of the patented Zeppelin echo was audible and there was a somewhat fuzzy edge.  Of course, these are natural drawbacks to a stadium show.”

“One of the outstanding numbers from ‘Houses of the Holy’ titled ‘No Quarter’ is indicative of Zeppelin’s schizophrenic nature.  The song included a mysteriously mellow piano, a solid drum beat and disguised heavy guitar.  At the mellotron Jones activated the strings, which are dynamite in your living room and probably would be exciting in a concert hall.  Zeppelin took off in developing an orchestrated piece formed by intricate composition.”

“The fifteen minute drum solo was a useless filler and a condescension to the masses.  I think Bonham is a damned good drummer without continuous beating.  Charlie Watts has never played more than thirty seconds by himself.  ‘Moby Dick’ was the only boring portion of the show.

A three and a half minute news report was broadcast on local TV station, Channel 13.  The feature showed the band getting off their planes and into limos, footage of the crowd, and short clips of the band performing on stage (with Misty Mountain Hop from the fourth LP being played instead of the actual live audio). Part of this feature was used as the intro to their 2007 reunion concert at the 02 Arena in London


Bedford VIP Record Fair:

VIP Record Fair at the Harpur Suite Bedford this Saturday May 4 2024:

The always excellent VIP Record Fair is back in Bedford and I am aiming top pop in  early on and see what delights are in the racks…here’s all the info:

VIP RECORD FAIR RETURNS TO BEDFORD…

Bedford’s BIG VIP Record Fair is back – Saturday May 4:

The Harpur Suite, Harpur Street, Bedford MK40 1LE

Join local and international vinyl buyers, at this rare visit by the VIP Record Fairs circuit to Bedfordshire.

You’ll find the UK’s rarest records alongside new sealed releases at discounted prices.

All in this in a great, clean, warm venue. Centrally located in the heart of town.

Doors 10am. Still only £3 entry.

For fast track tickets and full info –
http://www.vip-24.com/venues/bedford.htm

More info:

https://www.facebook.com/events/630761895143963

Admission – £3.00 Doors open 10.00am – 3.30pm.

Early Entry Special. £6 – 9am. Grab a bargain and beat the crowds!

FREE ENTRY 1PM

Fast Track advance tickets –

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/406096213707


Our Price Records back online…
You can’t keep a good record shop chain down…
Good to see the return of the Our Price brand name now open for business online some twenty years after the last shop closed in 2004.
Of my 35 year music retail career, I spent 18 years from 1986 to 2002 managing the Bedford store (plus stints in Northampton and St. Albans.)
I loved every minute of it and worked with so many great people. It was such a buzz to be behind the counter selling a vast amount of LPs CDs, Videos, DVDs etc and all that went with it.
There were many sales phenomenon’s during that period including the likes of Wham! New Order, Madonna, Stone Roses, Nirvana, Oasis, Prodigy etc and my, we sold racks of product.
Oh, and as can be seen we did pretty well with the Led Zeppelin Remasters releases in 1990.
Wonderful days when like minded record buyers converged on the shop to invest in their latest musical finds. In fact it was more than a shop, it was a community hub to buy, chat and revel in the music retail experience. The same can be said for Andys Records, Carlows, Harlequin ,HMV and MVC in Bedford, now all long gone. We do still have the Slide Record Shop and Thirsty Records here.
So good luck Our Price Online and who knows, maybe they will get around to having a shop presence on the High Streets again.
However, I think my own days behind the counter are passed – if a music quiz was part of the interview process to be hired, I’d be pretty rubbish on anything after about 1995…
Here’s the link to their site:

https://ourprice.com/

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DL Diary Blog Update:

Saturday April 27:

It was 47 years ago today …
One of the most famous Led Zeppelin bootlegs was recorded on April 27 1977 at their Richfield Coliseum Cleveland Ohio gig – released in various versions as The Destroyer.
It’s a superb recording – John Paul Jones’ use of the thundering Alembic bass guitar is well in evidence and his meandering keyboard solo on ‘No Quarter’ is simply captivating – as is Jimmy’s remarkable guitar solo interlude. Overall, this is a crystal clear portrayal of the band regaining their crown. The sheer juggernaut power of ’77 Zeppelin blazes through.
This one will be on the player this weekend for sure…

Saturday April 27:

Another Saturday – another queue for records – this time for the Victoria VIP Record Fair…

Saturday April 27:

Saturday is platterday – and a whole lot on sale at the VIP Record Fair at Victoria London -I may invest but in newly found moderation!

Saturday April 27:

Great day at the Victoria Record Fair – well pleased to find a Led Zeppelin Presence Greek pressing on Swan Song with the titles printed on the right of the sleeve….you can never have too many!

Saturday April 27:

Another top find at the VIP Record Fair today – the Yellow Zeppelin bootleg of the Whiskey A Go Go January 5 1969 date – great Beatles sleeve parody…

Saturday April 27:

Great to see the always inspiring Mr Dave Ling at the VIP Record Fair at Victoria London today …

Saturday April 27:

The TBL crew of Cliff Steve Livesley Ian Saikia James Bevis Phil Harris Krys Jantzen Paul and Dave Ling in the pub discussing various aspects of our musical passions after the excellent VIP Record Fair in Victoria London earlier…

Sunday April 28:

The TBL crew line up of James, Phil, Paul, Steve, DL, Ian, Cliff and Krys at the excellent Barley Mow pub during our lunch time break from yesterday’s VIP Record Fair in Victoria London. These refreshments are always good for inspiring the afternoon’s acquisitions.
A top day where the sharing of our record collecting musical passions led to much laughter and fun…
Sunday April 28:
On the player the Led Zeppelin Destroyer April 28 1977 CD set – as recorded at Richfield Coliseum on this day 47 years ago.
Great performance from a very good audience recording -my, they were on form that night…
Tuesday April 30:
It’s a Happy 60th birthday to Mr Mick Bulow – long time friend and TBL supporter, avid Led Zep fan – a great support to us here in difficult times and all round top man – Mick Happy Birthday from Janet and I and have a fab day!
Tuesday April 30:
It’s a Happy Birthday to Mr Alan G Parker – the esteemed music man and director of film documentaries such as Hello Quo and Sgt Pepper- It Was 50 years Ago and soon the forthcoming John Lennon Borrowed Time. Alan’s illuminating Facebook posts light up many a day here.
Here’s some pics with Alan together in our collective office also known as The Spice Of Life in London  – hope to see you in there again soon mate. Have a great day today and Happy Birthday from us here…
Tuesday April 30:
It was 47 years ago today…
A whole lotta people in Pontiac – 46 years gone:
It was 47 years ago on April 30 1977 this week that Led Zeppelin performed before 76,229 at the Silverdome in Pontiac Michigan. At the time it set a new world record attendance for an indoor solo attraction concert. It was Led Zeppelin’s largest non – festival solo concert appearance of their career…a whole lotta people…
Tuesday April 30:
On the player David Bowie Waiting in the Sky recent Record Store Day release – late 1971 early version of the Ziggy Stardust album – superb…
Thursday May 2:
It was 50 years ago…
50 years ago, on Wednesday May 1 1974 Dec Hickey and myself then both aged 17, travelled to Letchworth for our first ever record collecting shopping trip together.
I had first met Dec the previous month in the Pilgrims bar in Bedford – a then regular haunt. One of the barmen knowing I was big on music and collecting, told me I should meet Dec who was well versed in the subject.
So introductions were made – he was a big Small Faces and Jose Feliciano fan and a massive collector of singles.
Our chemistry was instant and I was soon part of a gang of music obsessed and actively social people that Dec duly introduced me to – including Phil Harris, the late Tom Locke and Dave Bunting. Phil and Dave and others from that era are all still in touch with Dec and I.
Phil worked at the local Carlows record shop and this was a regular lunchtime haunt – I was then working in nearby British Home Stores and Dec in the Debenhams accounts office.
Quick aside – it was seeing Phil working in Carlows that inspired me to think I could do the same job -and in the October I began working at the WH Smith record department, kicking off a 35 year in music retail.
It’s fair to say that this period was the moment my world went from grainy black and white to full on colour.
We had great fun sharing the music, going to pubs and gigs, a trend that would continue with shared experiences of seeing Led Zeppelin, The Who, David Bowie, Small Faces, Queen, Television, Teardrop Explodes, New Order (Dec is the author of a book on the early days of New Order – a revised edition is due out soon) and many more.
So, 50 years ago on Wednesday May 1 1974 Dec and I planned to get the bus and visit David’s book and record shop in nearby Letchworth. We had heard this was a good outlet for singles and LPs. However, things didn’t quite go to plan as we somehow missed the early bus. Keen to get there as soon as possible, we quickly hatched a plan to get a taxi though this proved a bit fraught as for some reason I got car sick and we had to stop on the way. Not a good start to our record collecting adventures!
Once there all was good – it was a great shop and amazingly is still flourishing. I remember buying a second hand copy of The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street and a couple of Yardbirds singles.
So a bond was forged – a long running life affirming one.
How fitting then that last night, exactly 50 years on from that Letchworth trip, Dec and I should meet up. He is over from Ireland for a few days to catch the A Certain Ratio gig at the Esquires venue here.
Fond memories were recalled from those innocent days back in 1974.
Here’s a couple of nostalgic pics of Dec and I on holiday in June 1975 in Lloret De Mar. This was a week after we had sat together watching Led Zeppelin at Earls Court.
As can be seen, we are trying to look supercool in matching mirror shades.
Fast forward to last night and here we are now aged 67 in The Castle last night.
Not quite so cool and with considerably less hair but still enthusiastically sharing tales of obscure record labels and rare pressings and the like, as we did all of 50 years ago…and there will be more of that no doubt in the next few days…
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Friday May 3:
It’s a Happy Birthday to our very good friend Mr Dave Linwood…
Founder of the Led Zeppelin TBL website back in 1995, great support to us here over many years and all round top man.
Happy Birthday Dave from Janet and I – have a great day!
Update here:
May is upon us there’s a lot to do. I’m working on the aforementioned Robert Plant Portraits book for Rufus Publishing. This has project has been in the air for a good while and Rufus main man Mark Smith and I are now full on with it. More on this as it unfolds…
Thanks for listening

Until next time…

Dave  Lewis –   May 3 2024

TBL website updates written and compiled by Dave Lewis

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https://www.facebook.com/tightbutloose.loose

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2 Comments »

  • Rich Farquhar said:

    Dave, are you hearing anything from your Zeppelin network that we will see some 2024 releases?

    How about Seattle or Kezar stadium 1973?
    How about NYC or Long Island 1975?
    How about Earl’s Court 1975?
    Anything else from 1972?
    Official Going to California on CD and vinyl?

    Robert Plant vinyl – Band of Joy, Dreamland
    Upgrade of Jimmy Page Outrider on vinyl with some bonus/live tracks
    The Firm 1st album remastered, remixed upgrade on vinyl with the Hammersmith show as bonus
    Who owns the rights to the original Band of Joy for a release

    It seems like an eternity since Zeppelin has surprised us, delivered some “new” music

    As always Dave, we appreciate what you do

    All the best,
    Rich from Atlanta USA

  • John Glenn said:

    Regarding the Robert Plant book: An ultra-limited Black Leather and Metal Edition measuring 375mm square and presented in recycled leather and a hand welded aluminium metal slipcase with a screen printed logo in a run of 50 numbered copies, containing ALL black and white pictures! I don’t think so. My eyes see things in colour! I’ll give it a miss.

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