Deborah Bonham and band on the Paul Rodgers Free Spirit tour: 
Deborah Bonham and her band kick off their collaboration with Paul Rodgers on his Free Spirit tour on Friday with the opening date at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow. The 14 date tour ends on May 27 at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
As Paul explains in the press release for the tour:
“It was so inspirational playing Free material with Deborah Bonham’s band, led by guitarist Pete Bullick, when we played charity gigs to support Willows Animal Sanctuary and Assisted Therapy Unit, which my …

TBL EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW OF THE FORTHCOMING CHRIS FARLOWE AND THE THUNDERBIRDS RELEASE VIA JIMMYPAGE.COM:
Thunder Over Morden in 1961: The beginnings of the London rhythm and blues scene…Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds The Beginning
So here it is, a genuine archive recording that takes us back to the pre Beatles days of 1961 – and it’s the vision of a young Jimmy Page that has made all this possible. His decision to record Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds in RG Jones Sound Studio in Morden near London some 56 years ago …

More on the Tres Coyotes debut gig last week – Here is an on the spot report from Ilkka Pesu: 
TRES COYOTES, SAVOY THEATRE APRIL 5TH 2017, HELSINKI, FINLAND
After arriving at the venue with my 16-year old daughter Ilona we had some time to look around as people were gathering inside the hall. On the stage there were a grand piano on stage right and a cello in the centre. My attention was aroused by the gorgeous looking Manson 5-string bass standing proudly on stage left with TC Electronic amp and cabinet beside it. There were three stools …

 
Robert Plant – guest appearance with Nigel Kennedy Gala Celebration concert at the Royal Albert Hall:
Review by Dave Lewis.
I’ve always had a strong liking for the violin being used in a rock setting.
Daryl Way in Curved Air, Rick Gretch in Family and Blind Faith (check out Blind Faith’s Sea Of Joy)  David LaFlamme in Its A Beautiful Day, Flock’s Jerry Goodman and Jim Lea in Slade (check out Coz I Love You)  are all musicians who all bought something special by adding a violin arrangement within a rock framework. The violin bow …

Announcement from Jimmy Page.com:
Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds: The Beginning…
Historic Demo Recording Produced by Jimmy Page Coming April 30
Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist and producer’s first official production available now for pre-order via jimmypage.com
Exclusive Stream of “Money” Track Premiere Available now via RollingStone.com
Available now for the very first time, Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds: The Beginning…presents a 12-song demo recording produced by legendary guitarist and producer Jimmy Page. Recorded in 1961 at RG Jones Sound Studio in Morden, London, this historic session marks the launch of a highly successful career for …

Following on from the Bad Company and Straight Shooter expanded reissues, here’s very welcomed news of another pair of Bad Company reissues:
BAD COMPANY: DELUXE EDITIONS
Double-Disc Versions Of Run With The Pack and Burnin’ Sky Feature The Original Album Remastered And Expanded With Rare And Unreleased Recordings/ 
Available From Rhino/Swan Song On May 26
 LOS ANGELES – Bad Company recorded four classic albums in as many years, giving rise to some of the most recognizable rock songs of the Seventies, including “Rock Steady,” “Run With The Pack” and the Grammy-nominated, “Feel Like Makin’ …

Robert Plant lined up for Royal Albert Hall Appearance with Nigel Kennedy:
This news via Music Week:
Robert Plant and jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty will join Nigel Kennedy for a one-off concert at the Royal Albert Hall next month.
The Led Zeppelin vocalist and jazz-rock virtuoso are among the high-profile stars confirmed to appear with  violinist Kennedy as he headlines the venue’s Love Classical festival on Tuesday, March 14.
Other guests announced include violinists Michael Guttman and Pieter Daniel, Bulgarian gadulka player Georgi Andreev, and Kennedy’s own ensemble, the Orchestra of Life.
Lucy Noble, artistic director at the Royal Albert Hall said: “We’re incredibly excited to …

TBL issue 42 Latest:
TBL issue 42 is well and truly now out on the streets – all subscriptions and pre orders should have arrived in over 30 countries across the globe.
If you have yet to indulge – it’s essential Led Zep reading – and don’t just take my word for it – here’s some comments from satisfied readers…
Issue 42 once again proves that TBL is undoubtedly THE magazine for Led Zeppelin fans. TBL 42 is all killer and no filler. Every article is a gem.
Michael Rae – Australia
The issues arrived today! Thanks so …

TBL Archive Special:
Seven nights with Led Zeppelin 40 years ago this week in 1977:

Led Zeppelin (on film) at the Granada Bedford January 1977.
The young DL gazes adoringly at the poster outside the Granada Cinema Bedford January 1977 – no prizes for guessing where this poster ended up – you got it – on my bedroom wall!
40 years ago this week  I was enjoying a seven night stint in the company of Led Zeppelin….or to be more specific their film The Song Remains The Same.
The newly released celluloid masterpiece was on general release and …

TBL issue 42 Distribution Update and Feedback:
TBL issue 42 is out on the streets now – all subscriptions and pre orders are in transit and should be arriving in over 30 countries across the globe. Most UK copies have already been delivered.
Here’s some initial feedback, commencing with a piece on Chris Charlesworth’s Just Backdated blog:
TIGHT BUT LOOSE – Portrait of the Singer as a Young Man
The evolution of Robert Plant from prancing stallion to grizzled old rock warrior is something to behold. The photograph of Led Zeppelin’s front man on the latest issue …