Presence at 40:
40 years ago this week, Presence, the seventh Led Zeppelin album was released worldwide. To mark the occasion, here is a Then and Now perspective I collated for last year’s reissue – 40 years on it’s still the true heart and soul of the Led Zep catalogue…
Presence…Then:
For me personally, the Presence album is and always be tangibly associated with my own circumstances of the time. Playing out my own soap opera, as an impressionable 19 year old caught up in my first love affair played out to the soundtrack of the new Led …

Classic Rock – 100 Greatest Albums Of The 70s:
A few weeks ago, I was asked to select and write about a Led Zeppelin album to sit amongst the  100 greatest Albums Of The 70s listing Classic Rock magazine were compiling. The guidelines were as follows -don’t choose the most famous record, look for an unsung classic or hidden gem -and then justify it – in effect they were aiming for an alternative listing and not the usual choices – ie Led Zep IV, Dark Side Of The Moon etc.
I gave …

Jimmy Page & The Yardbirds 1966 – 1968 feature in new issue of Record Collector:
This from the new issue of Record Collector out March 24:
50 years ago this summer, Jimmy Page joined The Yardbirds for what would be a turbulent final two year spell. During that period the seeds of Led Zeppelin’s future success was already being sown as Dave Lewis reveals…
On the evening of Saturday, 30 July 30, 1966, all over the country celebrations were underway to mark England’s famous World Cup victory – that afternoon Bobby Moore and co …

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters – Blues…Roots And Hollers US Tour Latest:
Robert Plant and the SSS in Shreveport LA – photos and report by Suzanne McElyea.
I know many of you say Shreveport?  Why did he stop there on his Southern Journey tour?  The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium gave birth to Elvis (and the wonderful sounds from his ace guitarist James Burton).  Both of them have life size statues outside the venue and Elvis’ dressing room inside still remains the same.  This was the launching spot for Hank Williams, Johnny …

Robert Plant to perform at Meltown Festival:  
This one via Robert’s official website…
On  June 17th, Robert will join other musicians in an all-day event addressing the refugee crisis as part of Meltdown festival.
He’ll perform during The Boat We’re In, a concert to launch Refugee Week at Southbank Centre in London. Mercury Award-nominated Nick Mulvey and singer-songwriter Nadine Shah will also take part, along with 2016 Meltdown director Guy Garvey. The concert, will also include Southbank Sinfonia and choirs.
Tickets will be on sale to Southbank Centre members on March 16 at 10am, …

Jimmy Page reunited with the Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty Guitar?
Plenty of coverage for this story in the past few days:
This one via the Achilles Last Stand website:
According to a statement made by former Led Zeppelin roadie Henry “The Horse” Smith on a Facebook Q & A, Jimmy Page has been reunited with his 1960 Gibson Les Paul Custom “Black Beauty”in the past few months.
The 1960 Gibson Les Paul Custom ‘Black Beauty’ was purchased new in 1962 for £185. It was used for most of Jimmy’s sessionwork (1963-1966), and was …

Jimmy Page presents John Davis with the Mastering Engineer of the Year Award:
Lots of coverage for this much deserved accolade for John Davis – this one via the Metropolis website:
Metropolis Studios is celebrating today after internationally acclaimed Mastering Engineer, John Davis, was awarded Mastering Engineer of the Year at last night’s glittering Music Producers Guild (MPG) Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. John’s award was presented by legendary Jimmy Page, who he has worked with closely on several projects over the years, including the mastering of Led Zeppelin‘s …

 
Chris Charlesworth: Retirement? What retirement?…
His popularity has never waned…
On Friday, Chris Charlesworth editor in chief at Omnibus Press and former journalist on the Melody Maker, retires from his Omnibus role full time – however, he will be staying as a consultant based at home (more on that later.)
I personally have a lot to thank Chris for.
Back in 1989, he took a punt on commissioning a book about Led Zeppelin that focused on their music at a time when their standing, surprising as it seems now,was hardly guaranteed to bring in the sales.
The book was Led Zeppelin A Celebration …

Essential Led Zep reading for your iPad, tablet and phone – TBL 40 now available to download via the Magzter newsstand…
 
I am pleased to announce that the recent TBL issue 40 is now available to download via the  Magzter Digital Newsstand .
The new issue now lines up with TBL 39 via Magzter as a digital download for iPad and Android formats.
The Magzter Digital Newsstand is one of the leading multi platform digital newsstand, with 6,000 magazines from 2,500 publishers globally available for sale.
The Tight But Loose magazine has long been established as the key regular Zep written source. …

 ”Bowie was an innovator – a unique artist with a vision that changed the face of music. He is greatly missed”

Jimmy Page – January 11, 2016

David Bowie 1947 – 2016:

I had risen early on Monday morning as usual, feeling positive and keen to get the week’s TBL workload underway. I wrapped some book orders and took them to the post early. On my return It was just after 7am when I turned on the TV..and there it was…the shocking news…

BREAKING NEWS – DAVID BOWIE HAS DIED AGED 69…

David Bowie gone …