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 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 …

On the occasion of his birthday….
Jimmy Page is 72 on Saturday (January 9th).
In a career that has spanned over six decades – he has simply written the rule book on the art of rock guitar.
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. At times his playing may seem sloppy and seemingly undisciplined but that is all part of the …

Ian Fraser Kilmister 1945 – 2015:
“There is no easy way to say this. Our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favourite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made its way down the street, with his family.
“We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness – there aren’t words.
“We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please, play …

TBL 40 In the house – and coming your way soon:
The 40th issue of the Tight But Loose magazine is in the house. The task to pack them and distribute them all via Royal Mail is now underway.
UK copies will begin filtering out from today – I aim to have all UK copies in transit by the middle of next week.  Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and the rest of the world copies will follow and will be in the post as fast as I can humanly get them there. Hopefully the majority …

Five Glorious Nights – Led Zeppelin at Earls Court May 1975: Black Friday weekend special offer!
If you have yet to indulge in the Five Glorious Nights photo book this weekend is a golden opportunity to do so. Publishers Rufus Stone are staging a special Black Friday price reduction as follows:
From 9am UK time on Friday November 27th until 5pm UK time on November 30th the Five Glorious Nights Led Zeppelin at Earls Court May 1975 book will be priced at £97.50 plus £10 delivery worldwide.

This represents a 25% off saving.

It will be …

The Paris Terror Attacks:
I had been watching the BBC 4 Rod Stewart documentary late on Friday so I was not aware of the terrible events that were unfolding in Paris until early on Saturday morning. It was just shocking to read of the terror and the distruction caused in so little time.
I was due to attend the VIP Musicmania Fair at Olympia and it really did take the wind out of the sails – as Tom and I reached London there was a very strange atmosphere at St Pancras International station – …