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 wonderful camaraderie of fans that extended from the queues for tickets / merchandise /gig entry over to the Pilot Inn pub which really was pure TBL come a live Sunday night and yesterday afternoon and early evening. So many people that came so far on another blind date.
And yes seeing was believing. Again.
The atmosphere was electric as we queued to go in. A call from home revealed I’d been on the national BBC 6 o’clock news being interviewed in the build up. It was all happening.

I had an excellent view stage left to the side – it was great to see Kevyn Gammond, Bob Harris and Justin Adams all in attendance in my block. Above me were the Bonham family and members of Robert’s family. The performance: full of the integrity, humility, emotion and power that characterised the glory days.

And this might just be their most glorious day ever.

So many highlights: The opening thrust of Good Times / Ramble and Black Dog. In My Time Of Dying still pure bottleneck banshee with Jason’s incredibly powerful bass drum kicks… For Your Life an absolutely outstanding performance – one of my all time fave tracks finally given the live treatment it so deserved. Page, Jonesy and Jason grooving incessantly down on that plangent riff. Trampled…. another pure groove with Robert so on it as he was all night.

A Nobody’s Fault But Mine with all the stop start dynamism of the original and what an intro….No Quarter with the added touch of dry ice and Jimmy’s theremin hand signals…Since I’ve Been Loving You more fluency from Page… Dazed And Confused compact and concise and the revolving lasers during the bow episode reviving memories of Knebworth.

Stairway…have to say I completely lost it at that point and tears streamed down my face all the way through this and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

‘’Hey Ahmet…we did it’’

The Song Remains The Same lifted the tempo back up and was just magnificent. Misty Mountain Hop before which Jason sang the opening lines of I Can’t Quit You Baby kept the pace.
“There’s people here from 50 countries….here’s a song about the 51st”

Then blam! A version of Kashmir that engulfed the entire dome. The undoubted pride of Zeppelin sung with such intensity by Robert. “Fucking awesome” as Noel Gallagher described to me later.
They were back for Whole Lotta Love and again for a rousing (can it be anything else?) Rock And Roll before which Jimmy thanked everyone for an amazing night. At the end of it all Plant threw down the mic, they took a final bow ,Plant offered a final tribute to Ahmet and this utterly immortal night was over.

Thank YOU Jimmy Page for an amazing night…and Robert, Jonesy and Jason..

Yes the sound mix took a while to settle in, and a few cues got missed, but hey they were, are and always will be tight but loose.
Suffice to say this was one of the greatest nights of my life and probably thousands of others in the O2 Arena. John Aizlewood in the Evening Standard said it all with his testament:

“It was breathtaking and spine tingling – as good as popular music gets”
The newspaper reviews have been united in their praise today which has been a joy to see.

Right now Led Zeppelin must be the most popular band in the world.

Final thoughts: Jason throughout was exemplary capturing all the full throttle thwack required to support the power that surged from the stage. JPJ was typically JPJ, diligent in all his playing but totally unmissable. The backdrop screen projections – absolutely stunning. Well done Thinkfarm (hi Mike!) – and Jimmy’s Zoso symbol returning to his amp was a neat touch.

Thanks to so many fans who came from all parts of the globe who considerably enhanced this experience of a lifetime for me – in particular Brian K, the two Gary’s, Jose, Graeme H, JR, Pam, Paul, Lee, Steve and Jan, the irish lads, Jez and Michaela, and so many more.

Right I’m off to be bed…it’s back to reality and retail frenzy at the Virgin/Zavvi store Milton Keynes in the morning.

To summarise: Yesterday they were Led Zeppelin. Now today they are once again Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham.
Tomorrow and beyond… who knows ?

One thing is for certain – their performance at the O2 Arena on December 10 2007 has created instant rock history. No other band could have staged such an event as this phenomenal tribute to dear Ahmet.

It was an absolute privilege to witness it all – and no matter what happens in the future, the afterglow of this night of nights is going to resonate for years…

Dave Lewis – Tuesday December 11th, 2007

Above pic by Dave Lindwood

……………………………………..

TBL products – The ideal late Christmas Gifts:  

GIVE THE GIFT OF TBL THIS CHRISTMAS/ TBL GIFT IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS:

It’s that time of year again and if you are fed up with receiving the same old tired gifts for Christmas each year, why not give your loved ones a nudge in the direction of the TBL ordering page and get them to invest on your behalf –let them really know what you want for Christmas or you may well end up with novelty socks and boxers yet again. Alternatively of course you can just treat yourself!

With two weeks to go to the big day – TBL goodies are the ideal late Christmas present.

Here is a round up of prime TBL Product on offer this Christmas –all orders will be processed and dispatched as received:

TBL BOOK BUNDLE OFFER;;

FEATHER IN THE WIND –LED ZEPPELIN OVER EUROPE 1980 PLUS LED THEN AS IT WAS LED ZEPPELIN AT KNEBWORTH 1979

BOTH BOOKS FOR JUST £20 PLUS POSTAGE!

Receive both books at a bargain price of just £20 plus postage – order at this link:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/then-as-it-was-at-knebworth-1979-and-feather-in-the-wind-over-europe-1980-book-bundle-offer-buy-both-books-for-just-20-plus-postage/

LED ZEPPELIN FROM A WHISPER TO A SCREAM

For fans old and new, this is the definitive compact companion to their music. Order at this link:

Order from this link:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/books-t-shirts/from-a-whisper-to-a-scream-the-complete-guide-to-the-music-of-led-zeppelin-by-dave-lewis/

All books personally signed by the author!

If you would like a specific personal dedication please state what you require – (use special instructions section of pay pal if paying by pay pal)

TBL 2014/15 SUBSCRIPTION:

A TBL 201/5 Subscription – the perfect Christmas gift which ensures you keep up to date with every issue.

The current TBL subscription has just commenced with issue 38 out now with issues 39 and 40 to follow in 2015. All subscribers receive an exclusive 10 x 8 colour print perfect for framing!

To order the TBL 2014/15 Subscription go to the TBL 2014/15 Subscription link here

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/subscribe-now-to-the-tbl-201415-magazines-and-receive-a-free-10-x-8-led-zep-art-print/

So there are some late gift ideas for Christmas – all orders processed as received for speedy delivery as possible

…………………………………………..

TBL 38 Review:

Here’s a review of TBL 38 via Brian Gardiner/Ramble On Radio  

Wow!

Fifty-thousand words, Dave Lewis’ first interview with Jimmy Page, a thorough review of lullaby and… the Ceaseless Roar and a close examination of the remastering of the first three Led Zeppelin albums, including what it means to remaster an album.

Just, Wow!

Dave Lewis released the 38th issue of his Led Zeppelin magazine/fan-zine, Tight But Loose a few weeks ago, and it’s a beauty. Featuring a Ross Halfin picture of Jimmy Page on the cover (there is also a limited edition John Bonham cover, right) and an insert picture of Page onstage in 1980. But far more significantly, for the first time since Dave began covering Led Zeppelin back in the late 70’s, he sat down with Jimmy Page for a formal interview. Here’s Lewis:

… it’s perfectly logical that a specialist Led Zeppelin magazine would seek to interview the band members.

John Paul Jones has been very forthcoming in that department, but it has not been so easy in the case of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. Robert remains elusive but the quest for Jimmy is about to reach fruition.

… I’ve been lucky enough to have had a fair few informal chats with Jimmy over the years – stretching back to 1980 and the Over Europe tour…

Up until now though, I have never conducted a formal one-on-one interview – and yes, I’m nervous.

What follows is an excellent interview conducted by someone who has been “reading interviews with Jimmy Page for over 45 years,” and has a file called “Questions I’d love to ask Jimmy Page.” In other words, he was prepared, and gave us a very strong Jimmy Page interview that wasn’t simply more of the same.

If that was all, I’d advise you to click over to TightButLoose.co.uk and order issue 38. But there’s more, including an in depth look at Robert Plant’s lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar and an excellent section on the Led Zeppelin remasters, including an article that looks at all the previous remasters since the digital age and another that explains exactly what it means to remaster an album.

Tight But Loose 38 is simply too good not to get, or not to buy for the Led Zeppelin fan on your Christmas list – think of how excited they would be to find that sticking out of their stocking on the 25th. While you are there, get a 2015 subscription to Tight But Loose, it’s well worth it.

For more, I discussed Tight But Loose Issue 38 on the Ramble on Radio Podcast number 79.

Brian Gardiner.

See YouTube clip below:

…………………………

History of JB’s Club book :

Robert Plant has a long association with this Midlands club venue – it was the scene of his Honeydrippers reunion show on February 14th 2007  which was also the 60th birthday party of long term Midlands based soundman Roy Williams.

Here’s the book info via the Stourbridge News:

Fans of Dudley music club JB’s can look back at the venue’s rock and roll heydays in a new book featuring fascinating facts and hundreds of rare photographs of now famous bands and artists.

Stourbridge artist and comedy author Geoff Tristram has put together the book ‘JB’s: The Story of Dudley’s Legendary Live Music Venue’ – a lavish tribute to the UK’s longest-running music venue where acts including Robert Plant, U2, Thin Lizzy, Dire Straits, The Pretenders, Steve Gibbons, Manic Street Preachers, The Tourists, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, The Police graced the stage.

Many of the famous names are pictured performing or relaxing at the tiny, old ex-school house behind a clothing emporium, and later on, at the larger JB’s venue situated on castle Hill near Dudley Zoo.

Author Geoff, from Wollaston, older brother of playwright and film-maker David Tristram – who gave the world internet sensation Doreen and the Inspector Drake plays and films – is more associated with comedy fiction so many of the revealing anecdotes are likely to raise a few smiles.

There are also articles by legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, Blur and Steve Gibbons and others plus an array of amusing anecdotes from people who worked, played and socialised there.

He said: “The book is a rock and roll history, comedy and tragedy all rolled into one with 300 wonderful photographs – some extremely rare. I interviewed Sam Jukes, who managed the place for an incredible 41 years, staff, club members and rock stars to get a proper rounded view of the place.

“The book is full of anecdotes that are so funny, I could barely type them for giggling. There are also some very poignant moments and golden memories.”

Priced £14.99, the 180-page glossy book is available from Friday December 12 online from www.jbsbook.com (plus £3 postage and packing) and Stourbridge Music Centre, Lower High Street, Stourbridge.

It can also can be ordered from High Street bookshops, by quoting the title and author’s name and/or the ISBN number, and there will be an official launch event in the New Year on Friday January 16 from 7pm at Dudley’s Lamp Tavern pub, a popular pre-gig watering hole for frequenters of the club.

Geoff added: “All are welcome to, even if they already own a book. There may well be a few celebrities there to sign them too. We will also stage other events throughout the year.”

See link at

http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/11649560.New_book_recalls_rock__n__roll_heydays_at_Dudley_club_JB_s/

Ordering details at:

http://www.jbsbook.com/

…………………………

Led Zeppelin Ipswich 1971 Poster at Bonham’s auctions:

It was reported that the above poster failed to meet the required price – feature here via BBC Suffolk – includes some fantastic pics from the gig :

See link at :

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-30412522#

………………………..

Dave Lewis Diary:

Long time TBL supporter Gary Holroyd had a pre Christmas break and reported the following: ”Just been to Germany for a few days pre-Christmas break and saw this strange sign in the town of Celle. Looks like Mr Dave (Banksy) Lewis has been doing the rounds…”. Not quite Gary but I’m pleased to see the TBL word is ripe for some tangible graffiti…!

We were watching McBusted on the Royal Variety performance on Monday evening and the good lady Janet spotted that their song Air Guitar mentions Jimmy Page in the lyrics… it can be added to one of my frequent quiz questions that I dish out of how many songs mention Jimmy Page in the lyrics.  Here’s the McBusted reference which you can hear at 1 min 58..…
‘’Jimmy Page and Brian May
Won’t believe the way that I can play
My air guitar
Air guitar
Like this’’

This prompted a fair bit of Facebook Feedback with a fair few songs emerging with Jimmy Page in the lyric – Kevin Hewick spotted  one I’ve always loved by 70s band  Pickettywitch: Their 1971 single Waldo P Emerson Jones has the rather pleasing lyric – ‘’Oh he says he knows The Beatles, S & G and Jimmy Page”. Jonathan Taylor spotted Chris Spedding’s The Guitar Jamboree. Robert Jones noted In A Young Man’s Mind from the first Mooney Suzuki album – Townshend and Hendrix get a name check in the same line.

Another one flagged was Neil Young’s Downtown spotted by Andrew Tipple – the lyrics run as follows:

”Jimi’s playin’ in the back room Led Zeppelin on stage

There’s a mirror ball twirlin’

And a note from Page

Like a water-washed diamond

In a river of sin

Goin’ down like a whirlpool

When you get sucked in”

On the subject of lyrics …at the end of a long day  last Friday on the Wallbangers football team reunion day out , back in Bedford at the White Horse, I got up and rendered a karaoke version of Ramble On..my usual karaoke offering..and considering it was nearly 1am and one or two beers had been consumed over the previous 12 hours…. it went er.. ok ish! Luckily there is no YouTube footage which would have revealed my rather embarrassing ending – an attempt to juggle the microphone ala Roger Daltrey which ended in a thud on the floor of said mic..at least it wasn’t a Shure SM 58….!

 With just a couple of weeks to go to Christmas, like everyone, there’s a hive of pre Christmas activity going on here with the turkey to order, tree to put up, Christmas cards to write etc. We have Adam due back from UNI at the weekend and it will be good to have him around for a couple of weeks. 

There’s also been the usual TBL admin and orders to process. Looking ahead I’ve been to see TBL designer Mick Lowe this week to map out some initial thoughts for the next TBL magazine issue 39, ahead there are a couple of meetings coming up which should firm up some of the other plans I have for next year.  

On the player…well there lies a story as I have a new player or to put it more accurately an old player.  While browsing in the excellent Mod Pod local antique store  I fell in love with an original HMV record player they had on sale.  It helped that James the owner of the store was playing an old Frank Sinatra album which further seduced me.  I’ve been looking for an original record player for a while. This is a 1972 model and it it became an early Christmas present.

At the weekend the vising Dec and I waded through a few old albums from the likes Jose Feliciano , Frank Sinatra, The Beatles ,Dusty Springfield etc. The warm sound that resonates from the player is superb. It also smells great. I can also add that an original pressing of Led Zep II also sounded splendid. We also laughed at the contents of the Beatles Christmas Collection bootleg album I have on the Trade Mark of Quality label. This has all their annual Christmas fan club records on – the 1967 and 1968 ones in particular are brilliantly edited.  

A fair few other albums and singles will be finding their way on to this supreme piece of 1970s equipment in the coming days… 

DL, December 11th, 2014.

YouTube clips:

BBC News preview December 10 2007 with DL interview:

Led Zeppelin 02 Arena December 10 2007: For Your Life: 

Led Zeppelin 02 Arena December 10th 2007: Kashmir:

 Brian Gardiner Ramble On Radio Podcast talking through the contents of TBL issue 38:

Until next time…

Keep listening, keep reading…

Have a great weekend

Dave Lewis/Gary Foy – December 12th , 2014.

If you are reading this and have yet to link with the Tight But Loose Facebook page be sure to request/add us.

The TBL Facebook is another key part of the TBL set up with updated stories/additional pics etc to keep you on top of the world of TBL.

To view additional photos and TBL info be sure to hook up with the Tight But Loose Facebook page (add us as a friend) at

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1611296783

Also follow Dave Lewis/TBL on Twitter – LedzeppelinTBL