Led Zeppelin 1 – it was 51 years ago this week.. to mark the 51st anniversary of the debut Led Zeppelin here’s some facts, figures and thoughts on it all…

January 20, 1969 – Led Zeppelin debut album released:
Despite often being attributed to either Sunday, January 12, 1969 or Friday, January 17, 1969, the correct “official” release date of the debut album might well have been Monday, January 20, 1969. As Mike Tremaglio flagged to me – this release date was referenced in an Atlantic Records memo accompanying white label advance …

TBL Archive Special: 
TBL Led Zep 1975 Snapshot: Number Two
Snapshot Notes:
MONDAY JANUARY 20th, 1975
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
CHICAGO STADIUM

Set: Rock And Roll/Sick Again/Over The Hills And Far Away/When The Levee Breaks/The Song Remains The Same/The Rain Song/Kashmir/The Wanton Song/No Quarter/In My Time Of Dying/Trampled Underfoot/Moby Dick/How Many More Times/Stairway To Heaven/Whole Lotta Love – Black Dog/Communication Breakdown.
Robert ‘s flue is now in full effect and Jimmy is struggling with an injured finger. How Many More Times’ was recalled to the set to allow space for guitar improvisation. As Page told Chris Charlesworth …

TBL Archive Special: A look back to the second date of the Led Zeppelin 1975 touring campaign:

TBL LED ZEPPELIN JANUARY 1975 SNAPSHOT…

DATE: SUNDAY JANUARY 12 1975
VENUE: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
VORST NATIONAAL
Setlist: Rock And Roll/Sick Again/Over The Hills And Far Away/When The Levee Breaks/The Song Remains The Same/The Rain Song/Kashmir/The Wanton Song/No Quarter/Trampled Underfoot/In My Time Of Dying/Stairway To Heaven/Whole Lotta Love – Black Dog/Communication Breakdown.
Snapshot Notes: The second warm up date for their forthcoming US tour – the previous night they had played Rotterdam. Before the show Robert conducted an interview …

Jimmy Page on the occasion of his birthday….
Jimmy Page is 76 today  – January 9th 2020
In a career that has spanned over seven decades, he has more than made his mark when it comes to the art of rock guitar playing.
From monolithic riffing to bombastic solos. From simple acoustic beauty to vast guitar instrumental orchestration. Jazz, classical and Eastern influences, blues, 50s rock’n’roll and psychedelic – he has turned his hand to all these varying styles over the years.  Always inventive and with a brilliant ear for production values, Jimmy …

 
So that was the year that was….2019…
On the Zep related front, Jimmy’s display of guitars and amps at the Play It Loud Instruments Of Rock’n Roll Exhibition in New York  was very well received by all that viewed. Robert Plant alternated between projects providing many UK fans an up close and personal experience with Saving Grace. His Digging Deep podcast has been an enlightening listen. John Paul Jones wowed the 100 Club audience in London in early March with a stunning collaboration with Thurston Moore and Steve Noble. JPJ …

SINCERE THANKS FROM DAVE AND JANET:
”In the light you will find the road…”
Janet and I have been absolutely overwhelmed and humbled by the many Facebook messages and offers of help and support in the light of a couple of very tough weeks that saw Janet break her leg and myself facing up to some long standing mental health issues.
We would like to sincerely thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all the kindness and support we have received. This has provided so much inspiration and strength for …

MESSAGE FROM DAVE LEWIS:
I have to say things have not been so good here recently.
On the night of Sunday December 8, unfortunately Janet had a fall which resulting in her breaking her leg – specifically the femur bone in her hip. Janet had an operation last Tuesday for it to be pinned and began the long road to recovery
Firstly I am very happy to say that Janet is now thankfully back home from hospital.
However, I have been feeling in an anxious and often depressed state recently and witnessing Janet’s accident …

 
 
Led Zeppelin Reunion for Ahmet Ertegun at the 02 Arena – 12 years gone…
Pic by Dave Linwood.
Twelve years ago today on Monday December 10, 2007, thousands of lucky fans converged on the O2 Arena in London to witness the live return of Led Zeppelin for one night only – in memory of Ahmet Ertegun. Millions more across the world tracked the unfolding events via texts and online reports.
It remains perhaps the most significant night in their history, as fans young and old were able to see and understand – either by …

Michael Putland 1947 – 2019:
I was very sad to hear the passing of another iconic rock photographer Michael Putland aged 72. During the 1970s, his work was a staple feature in the UK music press. When I was editing the Five Glorious Nights Led Zeppelin at Earls Court 1975 book for Rufus Stone I had access to his amazing Led Zep Earls Court photos many of which were featured in the book – including the cover shot .
I was lucky enough to meet him at the Led Zeppelin From The …

Terry O’Neill…1938 – 2019…
Like countless others across the globe, I was very sad to hear the passing of Terry O’ Neill aged 81 – a truly  iconic photographer..
I was lucky enough to have access to his amazing Led Zeppelin photos taken in 1975 and 1977 when I edited the Led Zeppelin Live 1975 –1977 book for Iconic Images…including this brilliant Jimmy Page cover shot from the Led Zeppelin Earls Court performance on May 23 1975.

After I had completed editing the Led Zeppelin Live 1975 -1977 book for Iconic Images last …