TBL Led Zep 1975 Snapshot:
With the 40th anniversary of Led Zeppelin’s activities in 1975 upon us -I will be celebrating this era with a series of TBL Led Zep 1975    Snapshots – these will take the form of postings covering specific gigs and events from the era, with particular spotlight on the period January to May 1975. They will run periodically on the TBL Facebook pages and on the TBL website.
This is designed to track the progress of the year as it unfolded. I will also be listening to …

TBL Led Zep 1975 Snapshot:
With the 40th anniversary of Led Zeppelin’s activities in 1975 upon us -I will be celebrating this era with a series of TBL Led Zep 1975 Snapshots – these will take the form of postings covering specific gigs and events from the era, with particular spotlight on the period January to May 1975. They will run periodically on the TBL Facebook pages and on the TBL website.
This is designed to track the progress of the year as it unfolded. I will also be listening to the …

On the occasion of his birthday….
Jimmy Page is 71 today (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 attraction. …

Atlantic/Swan Song have today officially announced the full details, track listing, formats and release date of the next Led Zeppelin reissue – this will be a stand alone release of Physical Graffiti with a bonus companion disc  – due on the 40th anniversary of its original release in February 1975.
Here is all the info via the official press release:
Physical Graffiti Deluxe Edition Arrives Exactly 40 Years After Debut,
Produced And Newly Remastered By Jimmy Page,
With Previously Unreleased Companion Audio
Multiple CD, Vinyl, And Digital Formats, Including Limited Edition Super Deluxe Boxed Set, Available February 23
The …

John Paul Jones – On the occasion of his birthday:
John Paul Jones is 69 today (January 3rd)
Throughout the past 12 months, John has again moved effortlessly between differing projects and collaborations.  Occasional work with Seasick Steve, Supersilent and Minibus Pimps plus an album with the latter unit – well received touring activity with Dave Rawlings Machine and along the way, there was continued work on his opera project – The Ghost Sonata, based on a Strindberg work.
He remains the consummate musician – his work within Led Zeppelin and without, has constantly produced moments of …

So that was the year that was …and in terms of being a Led Zeppelin fan -it’s been a simply incredible 12 months.
The arrival of the first three Led Zeppelin album reissues in June followed by Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy in October caused much excitement.
A live album from 1969, unreleased music , alternate versions and mixes – and Jimmy Page undertaking a promotional campaign of some magnitude.
Through his relentless telling of what happened in the studio and how, we all now understand the process Led Zeppelin undertook to create this …

So this is Christmas…
Christmas Eve is upon us it’s that final rush to get everything sorted for the next few days.
As is customary on Christmas Eve here – I’ll be wearing my Led Zeppelin Winterland 1969 tie brought for me by Larry Ratner in 1992 (hi Larry!) After all the intense TBL activity of recent weeks, it will be great to unwind today in the company of visiting friends and along the way a beer or two may be drunk in one or two local pubs.
And what a period of …

With Christmas nigh on upon us – here’s a Zep related book that comes well recommended:
Hipgnosis Portraits: Aubrey Powell – Foreword by Robert Plant (Thames and Hudson)
The Hipgnosis design team of Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell,  Storm Thorgerson and Peter Chrstopherson were responsible for countless iconic album sleeve designs and posters. In this weighty hardback volume, Aubrey Powell narrates the story of how they came to produce this starling body of work.
Aubrey was working on this book when I interviewed him back in the spring of 2013. The end result is a fascinating snapshot of in progress sketches, …

TBL celebrates Led Zeppelin at the 02 –seven years gone:
One concert…one night…one event…seven years gone…seven million memories: 
Here are my initial post gig thoughts that were posted on the TBL website the day after:
WELCOME TO PLANET ZEPPELIN – IT FELT PRETTY GOOD UP THERE….
INITIAL O2 THOUGHTS…
Just got back from Planet Zeppelin. That’s the only appropriate phrase to describe the incredible vibe that has prevailed at the Millennium Dome / O2 over the past two days.
Where to start?
The amazing experience of being lucky enough to attend the open rehearsal on Sunday afternoon.
The …

Jimmy Page Book Stamping Event at Waterstones Piccadilly – December 2nd, 2014. 
On Wednesday I was in attendance at the Jimmy Page Waterstones book stamping event.  There was a good turn with fans travelling for as far as Germany and Sweden. Jimmy took time to engage with every fan who came forward with a book to sign listening intently to the comments and accolades. – it was a joy to watch the reaction of those in attendance who got to meet him. I had a quick word with Jimmy and he told me he …