”One publishes a splendid Led Zeppelin magazine doesn’t one” – The TBL 2 meet HRH, July 21st 1982.

Seeing the announcement of the Princes Trust concert due to be staged later this year with Eric Clapton headlining, reminded me of my experiences at the 1982 Princes Trust Rock Gala staged at the London Dominion Theatre.

This was the night Robert Plant performed on a London stage for the first time since the demise of Zep. My good friend Tom and I were there on the evening of July 21st 1982 to witness him romp through a spirited delivery of Worse Than Detroit from the still very fine Pictures At Eleven album with Robbie Blunt on guitar and all star line up that included Midge Ure and Phil Collins.

The night was made very memorable by the attendance of his Royal Highness The Prince Of Wales. As the photo shows, at the aftershow reception the TBL two were duly introduced to Prince Charles himself. Shame I didn’t have any TBL magazines on me as I could have passed one for the Prince to read in between the feeds of the then month old Prince William. All in all it was a very memorable occasion.  I was pleased to see on a recent visit to Tom’s place that he still has this particular photo residing in his bathroom. Another remnant of TBL history.

Having a hangover on the first day of lining up to serve Queen and country in the Crown Court would not have been the best tactic. So it was just as well that Terry, Kam and I took a fairly easy pace as we spent the afternoon in the vicinity of various beer tents at the Bedford River Festival last Sunday before the arrival of our respective wives.

It was good to catch up with Kam a long time local Plant devotee who I’ve shared many a previous Plant sketch with (Leicester ‘88, Kings Head’93 and Unledded ‘94 to name but three). He’s also the only man I know who invested in a Shaken’ N’ Stirred sweat shirt at a then vast cost of £25 back in 1985 and boy do we keep reminding him!  There was no sign of a Pet Shop Boys tribute band (see last week’s diary) but we enjoyed the various rock covers bands that appeared to a passing audience of thousands. With the weather  holding up, it was a most enjoyable weekend event.

As for the Jury Service…aside from enrolling last Monday, my services have not been required as yet – I await further developments next week.

The interviews keep coming – Did a second interview with Jason Bonham last Friday evening on the phone from LA. It was the day after his birthday and once again he was on great form. Describing his intentions with the Led Zeppelin Experience project sent shivers down the spine – the integrity he is bringing to this both musically and emotionally is going to make this a compelling show. It all kicks off in October – more on this on the site soon and in the forthcoming TBL magazine.

On the player: Robert Band Of Joy Memphis gig (thank you Billy F.) – Good to get acquainted to what is already turning out to be another fascinating phase for the erstwhile golden god (The various You Tube clips have also been well entertaining and Larry Bergmann filed a great report of the Little Rock gig he attended for TBL 27 ) – also been listening to the Black Country album as I transcribe the three BCC interviews for TBL 27 , plus a 3 CD John Lennon compilation (thank you Gary F.), Led Zep The Song Remains The Same soundtrack  proper remaster (thank you Eddie E) – for all the bootlegs, at the right time this sounds like the best live Zep album of all time , Paul Weller Stanley Road (the reflective melancholy of much of this album is close to home right now), and a CDr of various original versions of the songs due to appear on the Band Of Joy album (thank you Steve S).

Can’t believe that school’s out already for the summer.  It’s a full house here right now with a full compliment of the Lewis clan hanging out. Sam has some journalistic work experience lined up soon and no doubt Adam will be kicking a football around as the new season beckons (doesn’t the World Cup seem eons ago?).  I need to get running and pounding the streets again to get my head together for what will be a very busy August – with TBL 27 to plough on with and various other things to get clarity on in moving forward.