The new issue of Classic Rock:
As mentioned last week, on the occasion of Jimmy Page’s Birthday last Wednesday – how fitting it was to see this new issue of Classic Rock on the newsagent shelves.
This new issue of Classic Rock has a supplement Led Zeppelin The Birth of A Legend 50th Anniversary Special. This includes a feature on their early days and the making of Led Zeppelin 1 by Mick Wall and an introduction piece that sets the scene about their impact on the US by Mike Tremaglio and… myself …

John Paul Jones on the occasion of his 73rd Birthday:
John Paul Jones is 73 today (January 3)…
John’s activity over the past 12 months included attending the Festival of Writing and Ideas at Borris House in Ireland on June 8 and 9, performing with Julie Felix at her 80th birthday concert in London on June 17 and with his a new line up Snoweye at the Varangerfestivalen in Norway on August 11. Commenting on his long awaited opera The Ghost Sonata John said “My background has been in classic and in …

 
So that was the year that was….2018…
It was the 50th Anniversary of the formation of Led Zeppelin and there has plenty to celebrate – reissues for How The West Was Won and the Soundtrack From The Song Remains The Same, the Record Store Day Rock And Roll single, and the publication of the official Led Zeppelin By Led Zeppelin book
There was no shortage of other Zep related books with Chris Salewicz’ Jimmy Page The Definitive Biography and Mark Blake’s  truly excellent Peter Grant biography garnering much press coverage.
As for me, well it’s …

So this is Christmas…so here’s some Zep related Christmas memories….
TBL Retro Christmas Reflection:
 Christmas always bringing with it that air of nostalgia, so here’s a seasonal TBL retro reflection from 1972:
ALLY PALLY 46 YEARS GONE:
46 years ago on Saturday December 23rd  1972, I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the closest gig Led Zeppelin ever played to Christmas in the UK. It was a cold  dank day and the walk up Muswell Hill to the Alexandra Palace was a bit of a trek. All worth it of course, as this very …

A couple of important radio shows to announce:
Radio 2 Rock Show – Led Zeppelin Special:
BBC Radio 2 Monday December 17, 2018 – 9pm-10pm
Here’s the info:
Led Zeppelin is 50 years old this year! So what better way to celebrate than a special show featuring some of the biggest names in rock paying homage to Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and the late great John Bonham.
Hear Brian May, Roger Daltrey, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons all chat about their own appreciation of rock’s ultimate four-piece. Plus, …

Evenings With Led Zeppelin book latest:
The Evenings With Led Zeppelin book is officially published on December 6 this week in the US.

The initial reaction to the book has been fantastic – this is a book every Led Zeppelin fan will love and don’t just take our word for it – here are some satisfied readers comments…

‘’The contents, layout and production is stunning. This book will be a “must have’’ for every Led Zeppelin fan.’’
Cliff Hilliard
‘’I have over 100 Led Zep books, this is the best Zep book I have, ever seen – simple as …

The Cat Club Presents a Classic Vinyl Album Led Zeppelin IV Event: Tap & Barrell,Pontefract: 
Tomorrow night (November 28) I will be appearing at The Cat Club Classic Vinyl Album night presenting Led Zeppelin IV at the Tap & Barrel in Pontefract.
The event is already sold out I look forward to meeting all those in attendance. Many thanks to Kevin Reynolds and Chris Madden for their help and assistance.
Here’s the info:
We here at The CAT Club are delighted to welcome one of the leading authorities on all things Led Zeppelin.
DAVE LEWIS founded the Zeppelin magazine, …

Here’s some very good news:
JOHN BONHAM A CELEBRATION FESTIVAL RAISES £21,000 FOR TEENAGE CANCER TRUST
A one day music event held in Redditch town centre, Worcestershire has raised £21,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. The John Bonham A Celebration Festival, held on 22nd September 2018 was created to celebrate the life and legacy of the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer’s on his 70th birthday year.
A stellar line-up of Rock/Blues artists and special guests, all with a connection to the Led Zeppelin family, took to the stage as part of a full …

My thoughts on…
Bring It On Home: Peter Grant, Led Zeppelin and Beyond: The Story of Rock’s Greatest Manager by Mark Blake
Firstly, I have a bit of a vested interest in this book as I’ve been in touch with Mark Blake a fair few times as he has been writing it. I was also one of the many people he interviewed for the book. Knowing of Mark’s past work with books on Pink Floyd and Queen, I was pretty certain he would make a very good job of documenting the …

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters – Blues Fest 2018 – Friday October 28 – The 02 London:  

Following a consummate set from Van Morrison, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters took to the stage and displayed their intent to delight the crowd from the off.
A welcomed set opener of Ramble On led into a tough and rocking Turn it Up. May Queen and Rainbow were both early crowd pleasers. It was good to hear Black Dog again inspiring memories of that night of night’s… here in this venue eleven …