Robert Plant made a surprise appearance along with Patty Griffin in Marfa, Texas at the 6th Annual Trans-Pecos Festival of Music and Love last Thursday (September 22nd). Appearing with local Texan musicians David Grissom (electric guitar), Michael Ramos (organ, accordion), Glenn Fukunaga (acoustic & electric bass), Dony Wynn (drums), the pair, under the name Crown Vic performed a set of blues/country standards included Tear It Up, Lonely Avenue, You Can’t Judge A Book By Looking At The Cover, Rich Woman and Don’t, as well a Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop …

On stage Mannheim July 2nd 1980 -photo from the Led Zeppelin Feather In The Wind -Over Europe 1980 book
John Bonham 31 years gone – and yes it does seem like a lifetime but a second. In the early years of the anniversary I always busied myself on the day. 30 years ago on the first anniversary, I  went to see New Order at Walthamstow Assembly Hall. I hooked up with the Bedford New Order clan led by my good friend Dec (who incidentally is readying an updated version of his New Order …

TBL 30 is out on the streets. UK subscribers should receive their copies over this weekend with Europe and USA/rest of world to follow. I mailed all pre orders out yesterday afternoon so they are in transit. Let me know what you think when you receive it.
As mentioned last week it’s another action packed issue from the very pleasing Ross Halfin cover shot of Jimmy back on stage with The Black Crowes through to Mike Tremaglio’s ever enlightening logs on Led Zeppelin on the road 40 years ago.
TBL 30 single …

Stage diving not advised for those in their mid 50’s…
Fifty flippin’ five….
I was 15 years old when I first saw Led Zeppelin live…18 when I saw them play five nights at Earls Court… 23 when I was over Europe …28 when I wrote my first Zep book The Final Acclaim (it wasn’t of course!)…39 when Page & Plant did the Unledded tour…51 when they reunited at the 02…
Is there a pattern developing here? Yes key Zep landmarks have marked much of these nigh on 55 years alongside of course my …

It was an indictment of the recent unsavoury state of affairs in the UK that when I appeared on the Californian based rock station Used Bin Pure Rock Radio last Wednesday at the unearthly hour of 5am,the first topic was not Led Zeppelin, but the situation with the riots that had spread over the UK –images of which had shocked the world. We did soon settle in for a lengthy early morning ramble on the Led Zeppelin Feather In The Wind Over Europe 1980 book, the state of play with …

32 years ago today Led Zeppelin performed what would be their final UK show at Knebworth Park
To mark the 32nd anniversary here is another round up of recollections from out in the field – As taken from the book Led Zeppelin – Then As It Was At Knebworth 1979.
The second run hardback limited edition updated version available for pre-order now here:
Led Zeppelin Then As It Was….New Edition
MY KNEBWORTH
Tim Davies,
Germany
I remember queing all night with my good friend Chris outside Harlequin Records ( I think it was) in Northampton.
The vibe was …

32 years ago today – August 4th 1979, Led Zeppelin performed the first of two unforgettable concerts in the grounds of Knebworth Park.
Today I, and thousands of other fans will no doubt be thinking back to that glorious day in the summer of 1979 when finally, after all the waiting, Led Zeppelin were back doing what they did absolutely best –performing live on stage.
Two years ago on this day saw the publication of the Led Zeppelin Then As It Was Led Zeppelin At Knebworth 1979 book. It’s therefore a timely moment to …

Jimmy Page on stage with The Black Crowes July 13th 2011 – photo copyright Ross Halfin  http://www.rosshalfin.com/
The launch of the official Jimmy Page web site is a cause for much celebration. It’s fantastic to see so much content of the man’s illustrious history in one place. Aside from the obvious Zeppelin input, it’s also a  joy to wade through so many other parts of his career from the Yardbirds through to the Firm, Arms etc. There’s some simply amazing photos and the discography covering The Yardbirds to now, is well …

Rejuvenation in Cologne: Wednesday June 18th 1980 -Photo by Tom Locke.
The magnificent city of Cologne, a mixture of hustling German efficiency and enthusiastic tourism, looks dull and hazy as our train rolls into the station on a June, Wednesday morning. It’s in the vicinity of the square that surrounds the impressive Cologne cathedral that the reality of what Tom and I are actually doing here really hits home.  Along a side street adjoining the square are a row of blue and red bill posters, each proclaiming the same message: “Lippman, …

 
Led Zeppelin Feather In the Wind –Over Europe 1980 -Compiled by Dave Lewis
The already much acclaimed new book is the perfect read this summer:
Chronicling the final days of Led Zeppelin in greater detail than ever before – setting the scene with the build up to the tour, combining on the spot reports of the gigs from the time and retrospective views from those that were there both out front and backstage. Includes an in depth gig by gig analysis of the 14 shows, full bootleg, memorabilia and statistic appendix section and illustrated …