Classic Rock – 100 Greatest Albums Of The 70s:
A few weeks ago, I was asked to select and write about a Led Zeppelin album to sit amongst the  100 greatest Albums Of The 70s listing Classic Rock magazine were compiling. The guidelines were as follows -don’t choose the most famous record, look for an unsung classic or hidden gem -and then justify it – in effect they were aiming for an alternative listing and not the usual choices – ie Led Zep IV, Dark Side Of The Moon etc.
I gave …

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, …

 
 
Robert Plant & the Sensational Space Shifters ,
The Flaming Lips
and more announced for Wilderness’ 2016 line-up

The effervescent and ethereal Wilderness Festival returns to Cornbury Park this summer for a sixth season.
Bringing with it an inimitable cocktail of eclectic musical talent, sumptuous communal dining,
theatrical performances, thought-provoking debate, the tranquility of the Lakeside Spa and so much more,
Wilderness Festival 2016 boasts a programme that continues in their tradition of pushing the boundaries
of what you imagined possible at festivals, cementing their reputation as pioneers.
Wilderness Festival’s diverse and eclectic music line-up continues to impress, …

Plenty of coverage for Vinyl – the new Martin Scorcese/Mick Jagger produced HBO series.  
Here’s the thoughts of Chris Charlesworth.
Chris worked as Melody Maker’s New York correspondent in the 70s so he lived though the real world of Vinyl at the time…
It’s always comical to see characters you’ve known in real life portrayed on film, famous or otherwise. When they get it wrong, it’s discomforting too, slightly cringeworthy. So it was with Ian Hart, the actor who played Led Zeppelin’s manager Peter Grant in the first two-hour opener of Vinyl, the Martin Scorcese/Mick Jagger …

 
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 …

Essential Led Zep reading for your iPad, tablet and phone – TBL 40 now available to download via the Magzter newsstand…
 
I am pleased to announce that the recent TBL issue 40 is now available to download via the  Magzter Digital Newsstand .
The new issue now lines up with TBL 39 via Magzter as a digital download for iPad and Android formats.
The Magzter Digital Newsstand is one of the leading multi platform digital newsstand, with 6,000 magazines from 2,500 publishers globally available for sale.
The Tight But Loose magazine has long been established as the key regular Zep written source. …

 ”Bowie was an innovator – a unique artist with a vision that changed the face of music. He is greatly missed”

Jimmy Page – January 11, 2016

David Bowie 1947 – 2016:

I had risen early on Monday morning as usual, feeling positive and keen to get the week’s TBL workload underway. I wrapped some book orders and took them to the post early. On my return It was just after 7am when I turned on the TV..and there it was…the shocking news…

BREAKING NEWS – DAVID BOWIE HAS DIED AGED 69…

David Bowie gone …

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 …

John Paul Jones on the occasion of his 70th Birthday:
John Paul Jones is 70 today (January 3)…
Throughout the past 12 months, John has again moved effortlessly between differing projects and collaborations –  and along the way, there was continued work on his opera project which may well see the light of day this year.
He remains the consummate musician – his work within Led Zeppelin and without, has constantly produced moments of sheer genius – to mark this landmark birthday, together with Richard Grubb, I have compiled a list in chronological order of …