It was back to the scene of those halcyon May days of 1975 last week when I attended the London Trade Book Fair at Earls Court.
The treasured old building still looks much the same from the outside though with the addition of the adjoining Earls Court 2 arena it has increased in size. It was comforting to see that the white surround that separates the tiers was still intact and the big old clock is still in place. Probably not the one of course that seemed to visibly slow as …

The new issue of Record Collector (May 2009 edition)
has an extensive feature written by Dave Lewis on the 40th anniversary of the debut Led Zeppelin album. see www.recordcollectormag.com

Another week of ups and downs.
The downers: well have to say I got it wrong with taking the Borders job.
After a few days it was evident to me that this just wasn’t going to work out. For a variety of reasons I have therefore taken the decision to resign from Borders.
I thought being back in retail would re-energize me – and I’d cope fine but it just opened up all the old Zavvi wounds.
The shift patterns of the job would also have adversely affected my work/life balance …

Well as of Monday April 6 I will be back in gainful employment. I have a new job working at the Borders store in Milton Keynes.
Borders is primarily a major book selling outlet and also sells Magazines, DVD’s and CD’s –the MK store has a Paperchase concession selling designer stationary and a Starbucks café.
It’s the bottom rung in but a foot in the door and as the singer once said ‘’everything that’s small has to grow’’ and it will bring in much needed regular income.
So ends six weeks …

I was sad to hear of the death of Keith Shadwick. Keith was a well known jazz and rock critic. I worked with him on his 2005 book Led Zeppelin The Story of a Band and Their Music 1968-1980. The book was an excellent insight into the compositional side of Zep told by Keith with much insight. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. 
Dave Lewis

Jimmy Page & Leona Lewis

To mark Robert’s 60th birthday we are conducting a poll to determine the Vital Vocal Performances as voted by fans across the world.
To take part list your ten favourite Robert Plant performances in order of preference.
These can be drawn from every aspect of his career – from pre Zep days, through the Zeppelin albums and on to his solo career up to his collaboration with Alison Krauss. You might want to use the 60 at 60 listing in TBL21 as a reference although selections are not limited to this list …

Sad to read of the death of legendary soul man Isaac Hayes age 65. His Oscar winning theme to the movie Shaft was one of the records played shortly before Led Zeppelin came on stage at the famous Electric Magic show of November 21 1971. Three days later at Manchester’s Free Trade Hall, Jimmy even incorporated a segment of the track within Dazed And Confused. It remains one of the true iconic theme tunes of all time. 
Dave Lewis

The previously mentioned TBL pub meet will take place on Saturday May 31.
The venue is The Chandos Pub, 29 St Martins Lane London WC2CN 4ER , nearest tube is Leicester Square. 
See http://fancyapint.com/pubs/pub1054.html.
We will be in the upstairs bar from around 2pm.
Nothing too grand about this – it’s just a good opportunity to have a bit of an informal get together on what would have been John Bonham’s 60th birthday. I’ll also be announcing the results of the John Bonham Greatest Beats Poll – As voted via the magazine and website. …

SATURDAY MAY 17 1975
Ticket: Gallery Block 72 Row L Seat 34

The first night – met then girlfriend Fiona in London for the long long awaited return. When the stage burst into action following Bob Harris’s intro just after 8pm well it was the moment my life switched into colour after the previous 18 years had been viewed in grainy black and white!
We had a good view high up to the right looking down towards Robert’s side. They were a little nervous and it was evident Jimmy was having lead …