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 …

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 …

Photo Richard Grubb
Robert Plant is 63 today.
From his vital contribution to Led Zeppelin and on through an eclectic solo career, Robert Plant has occupied a unique position at the forefront of rock culture for over 43 years.
That unmistakeable voice and that charismatic presence, together with an quenching thirst for musical invention and energy have placed Robert Plant in a category of his own.
In the past 12 months working within The Band Of Joy, he has provided some of the most remarkable nights of his career –notably for us his life affirming …

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 …

Robert Plant and the Band Of Joy –Big Chill Festival, 7 August 2011 – Photos and report for TBL by Richard Grubb
Setlist: Black Dog, Down to the Sea, Angel Dance, Houses of the Holy, House of Cards, Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go (Buddy Miller lead, Robert harmonica),Monkey, Satisfied Mind (Darrell Scott lead), Thank You, Ocean of Tears (PattyGriffin lead), In The Mood (incl. excerpt of Fairport Convention’s Come AllYe), Please Read The Letter, Misty Mountain Hop, Shine It All Around, Ramble On Encores: Black Country Woman, Gallows Pole
So to the end …

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 …

On Sunday all roads lead to The High Voltage Festival in London’s Victoria Park where Black Country Communion will be making their only UK Festival appearance.
Tomorrow night (Thursday) the power house four piece of Glenn Hughes vocals and bass with Joe Bonamassa on guitar, Derek Sherinian on keyboards and Jason Bonham on drums, will be In Dublin before Saturday’s appearance in Llandudno then the High Voltage Festival on Sunday. Next week they play Leeds (26th), Newcastle (27th), Glasgow (29th), Manchester (30th), followed by a rescheduled show in Stockholm (2nd August), the original show was …

Photo by John-Kenney
Robert Plant was honoured at the Montrael Jazz Festival on Friday. On receiving the Spirit award he  made reference to John Bonhamsaying – “I always remember what John Bonham told me when I was about 22,” Plant said. “He said `You’re not very good at what you do, but just go out and look good, because it will help us a lot.’”
Robert Plant and The Band Of Joy wrapped up the second leg of their US tour on Saturday night with a show at Atlantic City. This leg …

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 …