David ”Front Row Dave” Beesmer RIP:
Like so many of us, I was very sad to hear the news of the sudden passing of David ”Front Row Dave”Beesmer aged 54.
Dave was well known in the Zep fan community as ‘’Front Row Dave’’, so called for his knack of always being there or thereabouts at concerts – notably the Led Zeppelin reunion show at the 02 in 2007. Dave was interviewed on BBC Breakfast the day after the show. I was lucky enough to meet him before the Celebration Days London premiere …

Led Zeppelin CAT Club 50th anniversary Led Zeppelin II event at the Tap & Barrel Pontefract:
Last Tuesday I travelled up to Ponterfract to present the Led Zeppelin II 50th anniversary celebration at the CAT Club at the excellent Tap & Barrel pub.
On the night it was a great turn out and what I can say – listening to Led Zeppelin II on record uninterrupted in like-minded company was like hearing it for the first time all over again. Side One – from the cough and riff entry of Whole Lotta Love …

TBL Archive Special: Led Zeppelin II – it was 50 years ago today…
Led Zeppelin II – A Kind of Rock
To celebrate the release of the Led Zeppelin II album this week back in 1969 – some thoughts 50 years on…
Led Zeppelin II:
A Kind Of Rock…. Still Flying
In the same way Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue defined the jazz genre, the second Zep album well and truly encapsulated rock music as we know it. Dave Lewis re appraises Led Zeppelin II on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
In reappraising the second …

Led Zeppelin II at the Cat Club – 50 years to the day:

Following on from last year’s  presentation of Led Zeppelin IV, I am going back to the excellent CAT Club to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Led Zeppelin II. This will be staged at the excellent Tap & Barrell venue on Tuesday October 22 – 50 years to the day of the original US release. Tickets are now sold out  I look forward to seeing all that can make it along.
More details at:
https://www.tappontefract.uk/
 
 
 
 
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TBL Archive 1 : October 12,1969:

Above is …

 
It’s Led Zeppelin II month at TBL – 50 years gone…
TBL Led Zeppelin II Archive:
TBL Exclusive Interview With Eddie Kramer On Led Zeppelin II  
In an exclusive interview conducted by Dave Lewis on , Eddie Kramer the director of engineering and mixing on Led Zeppelin II, reflected on the making of the album….
Eddie took time out from presenting his ‘’Evening With Eddie Kramer ’’ event at Metropolis Studios to talk about the album for TBL. Looking back to the mixdown session of Whole Lotta Love, he described it as ‘’A happy …

October is Led Zeppelin II month at TBL:
This month sees the 50th anniversary of the release of Led Zeppelin II.
I will be marking the event with special features on the TBL web site and in the next TBL magazine.
To that end, I would welcome your input and thoughts on this iconic album 50 years on. Can you recall when you first heard the album? Where did you buy it? How do you think it stands up four decades on? Do you have a rare Zep 2 pressing in your …

Remembering John Bonham 39 years gone today…
To mark the 39th anniversary of his passing, I’ve rounded up 39 examples of his percussive perfection. Along with countless fans around the world I will be indulging in many of these remarkable performances as we remember the man who still remains at the heart and soul of Led Zeppelin…
John Bonham 1948 – 1980:
Always loved…Always remembered… Always played…
Play these and remember him this way…

She’s A Mod – The Senators – (1964)
The earliest appearance on record of the young John Bonham on record. There’s plenty of …

Coda John Bonham Celebration Redditch gig this Saturday :

Here’s all the info for this Saturday’s Coda gig at the Queens Head Redditch:
Coda had been booked to headline the John Bonham Celebration on Saturday, September 21.
However after that event was cancelled Coda managed to secure a gig at the Queen’s Head pub – close to where the Celebration was due to take place – so their own tribute could go ahead as planned on the same night.
Not only will it be a celebration of the life and works of what many regard …

Just a reminder about the new 40th Anniversary Limited Edition re-package of the Then As It Was Led Zeppelin At Knebworth 1979 book:
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Led Zeppelin’s approaches at Knebworth I am making available a strictly limited edition re-package of the Then As It Was Led Zeppelin At Knebworth 1979 book
This 40th anniversary limited edition has a glossy newly designed book jacket with exclusives live photos from the Knebworth shows.
Each book includes an additional four page insert. This features a new 3,000 word interview with author Dave …

DL AT 63: ON THE OCCASION OF MY BIRTHDAY…
63…how did that happen!
63 is the new 23!
As usual when a birthday rolls around, it’s a good time to quantify what I do, what I like and take stock…
So firstly let’s do some timelines:
I was 7 years old when I first saw a live concert (The Dave Clark Five show at the Granada Cinema Bedford)
9 when I first saw Tottenham Hotspur play
13 when I first heard Led Zeppelin
15 when I first started work at British Home Stores (sadly now gone)
15 when I …