May 31st marks the 65th birthday of John Bonham.

Over in America, Brian Titchy is again celebrating this date by staging the Bonzo’s Birthday Bash events in New York and New Jersey.

Yes another a admirable gathering of many drummers paying tribute to the memory of the man they consider the best at his profession.

John’s 65th birthday is an opportunity to once again reflect on his vast contribution in making Led Zeppelin so special. Here are 20 examples of the Bonham craft that I’ll be searching to play over the weekend –I am sure you will digging out your own favourites to celebrate the occasion…

1    WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS  

Still the most infectious drum pattern ever committed to tape…and boy does it keep getting committed….

 2    IN MY TIME OF DYING

Eleven minutes of intense percussive brilliance – and triumphantly Jason did it justice at the 02  

3    ACHILLES LAST STAND

How he pulled off those apocalyptic drum fills only his fellow musicians and the four walls of Musicland Studios can reveal…

4    GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES

Doing things with a bass pedal that it took two of James Brown’s drummers to try and emulate…and they knew a bit about rhythm…  

5   THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME    (Live LA Forum ’77 Listen To This Eddie version)  

From the ten second torrent of speed at the opening to the breathless finish, this is an absolute Bonham live on stage tour de force  

6    FOOL IN THE RAIN

The dexterity remains the same…  

7    POOR TOM

A New Orleans shuffle par excellence  

8    KASHMIR  

The pride of Zep and Bonzo too…

9    WHOLE LOTTA LOVE

How cleverly he drives against the riff dropping and stitching amongst the beat at will

10  ACHILLES LAST (Knebworth ’79 DVD version)

One of Bonzo’s finest gigs…he knew they had a reputation to restore and did not to let anyone down

11  HOTS ON FOR NOWHERE

A once underrated percussive swing fest from John Henry. Not anymore  

12  MOBY DICK (Royal Albert Hall ’70 DVD version)

Drumming skills faster than the speed of light on another famous night

13  D’YER MA’KER       

That expansive Ludwig sound drove this one from beginning to end  

14  ROCK AND ROLL

What air drumming is all about.

15  OUT ON THE TILES

A riotous percussive extension of the man’s own exuberance

16  KASHMIR (Knebworth ’79 DVD version)

The esteem of his performance at this gig amongst fans is more than evident. Here’s another one he led by example

18  NOBODY’S FAULT BUT MINE

The disregard of time keeping as his son once observed

19  SICK AGAIN (Knebworth ,79 DVD version)

And yet more from out on the field…how he pummeled his fellow band mates into an inspiring romp through the backwaters of side 4 of the Graffiti

20  THE CRUNGE

Could anyone do The Crunge?

Could anyone replicate John Bonham’s percussive perfect? It’s a no to both of course –

and his vast influence and legacy remains undimmed  

Nearly 33 years gone ..but never ever forgotten … and still so frequently heard. Happy Birthday Bonzo.

DL

John Bonham photo by Neal Preston taken at Kezar Stadium June 2nd 1973 -courtesy Neal Preston from the e- book Sound And Fury

……………………………..

TBL DISTRBUTION LATEST:

It’s been a full on few days here preparing for the imminent TBL 35 mail out.

Many a stamp and label has been stuck on envelopes that will travel around the world in the next few days and weeks, as this 35th issue spreads the TBL word to over 30 countries.

TBL 35 in the house…

The TBL 35 magazines arrived from the printers a few minutes ago  – the standard Jimmy Page cover and the special TBL 35 Alternate Kezar Stadium Collectors Edition. This one, to use that old cliché, has been another journey …from walking the streets of London with photographer Dick Barnatt to find out where that photo of them next to the Jaguar was taken, in the shadow of Battersea Power Station talking to Aubrey Powell on how Hipgnosis created the art of Led Zeppelin, Kevin Hewick taking it right back to 1973 with his Houses Of The Holy overview, Mike Tremaglio doing likewise with his simply awesome Europe & USA tour chronicle, Chris Charlesworth chiming in with his always captivating Melody Maker stories, Nick Anderson, Jeff Strawman and Alec Plowman’s superb contributions, transatlantic phone calls with Neal Preston, a night out in the company of the Bonham’s in Milton Keynes…tracking news on Jimmy Page & John Paul Jones at the Echo Awards, monitoring Robert Plant and the Space Shifters moves down under and in the company of the singer and Patty Griffin at Rough Trade East…all this and more has made it into TBL 35…with the invaluable help of designer Mick Lowe bringing it all alive at Studio Mix Bedford and Gary Foy taking care of admin…not so much a magazine …more a way of life.  Having lived with all the highs and lows and trials and tribulations that have occurred in between writing the first text in mid February and the finished copies turning up today…I’ll allow myself a brief moment of pride as once again bringing it all to fruition (with the fantastic help of those involved along the way) has been quite a challenge…and looking over the 32 pages now, there’s a huge sense of achievement…right I’d better start signing, numbering and packing them!

Select your cover….or collect both!

The arrival of the magazine now kick starts an intensive few days here. There is the not inconsiderable  task of personally signing and numbering every copy then it will be a case of stuffing magazines into envelopes and frequent visits to the post. I am hoping to have all copies on the way out of here by the middle of next week.

Suffice to say a lot of effort has gone in to making this all happen – if you have yet to indulge in the TBL magazine there is no finer issue to step on than this one…and if you have yet to re subscribe – now is the time to get back on board…

Working from here on all this can be quite an isolating process, so it’s always a pleasure when there is some positive fedback which indicates TBL is on the right track…-this e-mail I received yesterday was a huge inspiration – Jay has been on board a good while and took the time to relay his thoughts…

Hi Dave,  

  Been a while since I dropped you a note, but just wanted to say THANKS for another great year of TBL and to let you know that I’m excited about the issues scheduled for arrival in 2013. I know that TBL takes up a great deal of time and effort (not only on your end, but for everyone involved), and I wanted to make sure that you know just how much your work is appreciated.

I’ve been around TBL for quite a while (not as long as some, but a good number of years at this point) and the quality of the publication really is at a high level. The content is detailed, deep, thoughtful, and compelling.

I don’t know how you do it, but there are always a number of articles that I find highly compelling…dealing with topics and issues that, even as a die-hard Zep fan and collector, are not common knowledge or familiar to me. TBL is not just something that is worth a quick glance through, but is worthy of a serious read. TLB is, in fact, the ONLY magazine subscription that I’ve maintained over the years where the arrival of a new issue is genuinely and eagerly anticipated.  In a time when it seems that the only kind of feedback that ever makes it across is of the negative variety, I wanted to let you know that TBL is as good now as it has ever been (in my opinion), that the time and effort continues to be worthwhile, and that your efforts are greatly appreciated. This should be yet another exciting and action-packed year for Jimmy, Robert, JPJ, Jason, and the Zeppelin catalog, and I’m thrilled that you and the TBL team are there to document the events as they unfold. Keep up the great work! Jay M. Lewis Mount Vernon, IL United States.

So that is one satisfied readers view…I am hoping TBL 35 will live up to that standard… Thanks as ever for your support.

Above – the TBL editor  sticking those labels on for TBL 35 to reach out across the world Just to reiterate what is on offer:

All subscribers to the TBL 2013 Subscription will receive a superb 10 x 8 exclusive individually numbered print – this features a fantastic group shot of Led Zeppelin on stage at Kezar Stadium on June 2^nd 1973 taken by Dan Cuny.

And it’s yet another incentive to sign up for the 2013 subscription… which you can do at this link:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/?page_id=18106

As previously mentioned, every issue of TBL 35 will be individually numbered and signed by the editor adding yet another unique aspect to the presentation.  

There is also a special strictly limited alternate cover collectors edition of issue 35. The TBL 35 Alternate Collectors cover  showcases another of Dan Cuny’s superb Kezar Stadium 1973 photos – this time featuring a central colour shot of Robert Plant with John Paul Jones and John Bonham in view.

This version of TBL 35 is available in an individually numbered and signed by the editor run of just 300 copies.

This is a fantastic genuine TBL collector’s item – note the content inside is the same as the standard issue – the exclusivity is in the limited alternate cover.

Keen TBL completest collectors have the opportunity to invest in both the TBL 35 Kezar Stadium covers to complete a coverted set.

So you can either subscribe or order the single issue TBL 35 in what ever cover edition you would like – or collect both! This is sure to become a much sought after collectors item – so hurry and order now –orders will be allocated the lowest numbers as received.

You can order the TBL 35 Limited Alternate Cover Collector’s edition at this link:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/?page_id=20964

You can order the TBL 35 Jimmy Page cover standard edition at this link:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/?page_id=20595

Also due soon is the Tight But Loose T.Shirt …. not just a T shirt…more a badge of honour! Wear it with pride!

This unique design is available in a strictly limited edition – so hurry and pre-order now to avoid disappointment.

This special TBL T shirt is a Fruit of the Loom classic value lightweight quality black shirt depicting the generic Tight But Loose logo and slogan Not just a band…more a way of life…in white print on a black T. shirt. 

This is due for shipment in late June

Pre ordering details at this link:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/?page_id=20967

…………………

ROBERT PLANT INTERVIEW:

A new Robert Plant interview can be viewed at this link via Origin magazine :

http://www.originmagazine.com/2013/05/25/robert-plant-interview/ ………….

BLACK DOG ON WHITE HOUSE DOWN…

A new drumstep remix of Black Dog by TerisZega  is featured in the trailor for the forthcoming movie White House Down, which opens  on June 28, 2013.

You can view the trailor at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Dnvay5S7w&feature=player_detailpage

……………………………………

DAVE LEWIS DIARY UPDATE:

As can be seen, a lot of my waking hours recently has been focused on the TBL 35 magazine distribution – there will be a bit of a respite on Saturday as there’s a reunion for our football team  Wallbangers FC and we are meeting up to discuss our former glories on the green and pleasant football pitches of Bedford back in the day. Next week it’s our Sam’s birthday on the Tuesday – 23 years old blimey! Janet’s mum is unfortunately still in hospital being monitored for her jaundice which we hope will soon be down to a level that allows her to return home.

On the player How The West Was Won, prompted by the fact it that last week it was ten years ago the DVD and live album were first released. I have some good TBL archive stuff from that period which I really must get around to putting up. Right, better get back to the TBL 35 distribution…hold on…it’s coming your way soon… …………………………..

……………..

Latest Robert Plant Presents Sensational Space Shifters clip from down under…

AND FINALLY

John Bonham Moby Dick from the Royal Albert Hall -marvel at this percussive genius once again  -as taken from the 2003 Led Zeppelin DVD released ten years ago this week…where did that go!

 Until next time

Keep listening, keep reading…

Dave Lewis/Gary Foy

May 30th , 2013.

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