Robert Plant and John Paul Jones gigs announced:

John Paul Jones, Thurston Moore & Steve Noble – a benefit concert for Resonance FM: March 28, 2019 – 100 Club London.

A unique musical meeting of three of the most inventive performers of our time – for perhaps the only time – all to benefit Resonance FM! As co-founder and legendary multi-instrumentalist with Led Zeppelin, John Paul Jones needs no introduction. A restless and radical musical innovator for over half a century – as composer, arranger, and producer across genres ranging from pop to opera to electronica – he is joined for this intimate performance at the iconic The 100 Club by like minds in the form of Thurston Moore and Steve Noble. Thurston’s ground-breaking use of extended techniques as guitarist in Sonic Youth, the most enduring of America’s experimental rock bands, is matched here by the extraordinary dexterity of improvising drummer Steve Noble, collaborator of choice of free jazz iconoclasts including Derek Bailey, Joe McPhee and Matthew Shipp. The three come together for an unforgettable evening to raise funds for Resonance FM – the most inventive radio station in the world. The gig is the culmination of Resonance’s Annual Fundraiser which is aiming to raise funds to maintain and extend its unique community broadcast facilities.

See more details at:

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/resonancefm/233513/?fbclid=IwAR3DHy304OPNUMboqPapjib7ODHqzoAJZ099PIZb3uOX0mgg8VligkT9FLw

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Robert Plant brings his new band ‘Saving Grace’ to @TheForumBath as support to Fairport Convention

Pic via Facebook/Sparc Thea Tre

For those who have already purchased tickets to see Fairport Convention at The Forum, Bath on Saturday 16th February, you are in for an additional treat.

Along with Irish rock group ‘The Four of Us’, support will come from a little known band called ‘Saving Grace’.

Having performed their first gig at SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle, on Friday 25th January, you could be excused for thinking that the group are taking their first tentative steps into the music business. Described as being inspired by the dreamscape of the Welsh Marches, their music blends bluesy-folk with eastern influences – the secret ingredient – a certain Robert Plant!

Having brought his band the Sensational Space Shifters to the Bath Festival last May, Plant is back in the city with the co-operative that includes  Suzi Dian on vocals, Tony Kelsey – mandolin, baritone and acoustic guitars, Matt Worley – banjo, baritone, acoustic guitars and cuatro, and finally Old Jefferson – percussion.

Those who attended their first show described Plant’s and Dian’s voices as blending perfectly as well as standing out and owning it in their own right. With warm harmonies from Tony and Matt, beautifully crafted, textural guitar, mandolin, banjo and percussion.

Fairport Convention has attracted critical acclaim throughout its long career. The band has won a coveted BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, Radio 2 listeners have voted Fairport’s groundbreaking album Liege & Lief ‘The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time’, and their story and music frequently features on radio and television.

The concert will also feature an opening performance by special guests The 4 of Us. Hailed as one of the most acclaimed duos in Ireland, brothers Brendan and Declan Murphy are accomplished singers, instrumentalists and song-writers.

The current Fairport line-up features Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar and vocals, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin and Gerry Conway on drums and percussion.

THE FAIRPORT CONVENTION support The 4 Of Us and Saving Grace 

SATURDAY 16th FEB 2019

BOX OFFICE 6:30PM DOORS 7:00PM / SHOW: 7:30PM

TKTS: £23.50 (+ booking fee per ticket)

http://www.inbath.net/2019/01/robertplant-brings-his-new-band-saving-grace-to-theforumbath-as-support-to-fairport-convention-faircropfest/?fbclid=IwAR1FSjhyD79gPw01DGljEy6kEmNKvUhtE–SBxHak93q4d0uFgKdI2Ld6Qw

Saving Grace are also appearing with Fairport Convention in Basingstoke on Feb 14 and in St. Albans on Feb 22 – for more details visit the Fairport Convention website:

http://www.fairportconvention.com/

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Led Zeppelin at Knebworth 40 Years Gone – No Sleeping Bag Required…

40 Anniversary TBL Celebration Anniversary Event:
Sunday, August 4, 2019

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TIGHT BUT LOOSE ISSUE 44 – ON THE WAY SOON:

Many thanks to all have pre -ordered – if you have yet to do so this is a limited edition run so be sure to come back on board  

40 years ago in January 1979, I was busy handwriting the first Led Zeppelin TBL magazine in my bedroom. I had already run a couple of adverts in Sounds and NME and the initial orders were filtering in. It was scheduled to be published on February 10,1979.

40 years on, here I am in early 2019 – just as I was in early 1979, ready to publish another issue of the magazine I created to form a platform of communication between Led Zeppelin fans across the globe.

And as I finally unleash a 44th issue, that remit very much remains the same…

This issue reflects a number of activities that have defined the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the formation of Led Zeppelin – and there has plenty to celebrate …

Reissues for How The West Was Won and The Soundtrack From The Song Remains The Same, the Record Store Day Rock And Roll single, and the publication of the official Led Zeppelin By Led Zeppelin book were all much welcomed

These topics and a number of others come firmly under the spotlight in TBL 44.

This issue has something of a TBL on the road feel as I report back from many of the events of the past year those occasions. Be it the Evenins With Led Zeppelin Festival Of Sound book launch, the ‘It’s Been A Long Time’ TBL 50th Anniversary gathering at The Atlas pub, attending the launch of the John Bonham Memorial in Redditch – the wonderful John Bonham Celebration Day in the same area, The CAT Club Led Zeppelin IV event in Pontefract –to witnessing Robert Plant at the 02 Blues Fest.

It’s an issue that provides the opportunity to reprise the events of this past year and in doing, so shines a light on the TBL community that has been honed over these past 40 years. Many of you reading this have shared in these events – and those that were not able to do so can now catch up on it all.

As ever it, this issue also encourages you to go back to the music: be it the remarkable Led Zeppelin debut album (see page 8 ) Led Zeppelin IV (see page 8) ,The How the West Was Won and The Song Remains The Same reissues (see page 5), the 1972 touring period (see pages 22 -23), a new version of the famous June 21, 1977 show (see pages 24-25) the Led Zeppelin studio outtakes bootleg catalogue (see pages 28 and 29) and Robert Plant’s recent solo work (see page 6).

Interviews with Mark Blake and Mike Tremaglio and I take you closer to the making of the Peter Grant Bring It On Home and Evenings With Led Zeppelin books.

With some 35,000 plus words – this is not just a mere magazine but almost a mini book. As I have said many times before, websites are for browsing -the TBL magazine is for reading time and time again…

40 years ago when I was launching that first issue, the objective was to make a connection with like minded fans. It’s actually achieved much more than that – it’s formed a fellowship amongst fans across the world – many of my own cherished friendships have been formed out of bringing the TBL magazine into likeminded fans lives. It’s that fellowship that drives me on chronicle this wonderful music we all love and share in.

In these ever changing and often uncertain times – the TBL magazine remians a tangible constant-  something to behold as it comes through the door with hours of reading ahead.

My own schedule makes it more difficult to sustain a more prolific output -indeed, this is the first issue for in fourteen months-I’d like to think it’s worth waiting for.

This new issue is being produced in a strict limited edition of 850.

Each issue will be individually numbered and signed by the editor – and when it’s gone it’s gone. So be sure to order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment and come back on board for another packed issue.   

HOW TO PRE- ORDER:

As previously mentioned, all TBL subscriptions ended with the last issue TBL 43.

Now is the time to re subscribe!

This issue comes to you via a one issue subscription and that trend will continue ahead. This allows me to be more flexible in undertaking other projects – of which I have a few in the pipeline.

So here’s how to re subscribe for TBL issue 44…

Just click the link below:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/tbl-issue-44-the-new-issue-limited-edition-run-order-now/

WHEN IS IT OUT?

We wrapped this issue at Mike’s last week and it’s now at the printers.

Mick has done a fantastic job on the design and I would also like to thank Nick Anderson, Gary Bauer, Larry M Bergmann Jr, Andy Crofts, Scott Heck, Stephen Humphries Krys Jantzen and Paul Sheppard for their contributions to this issue and to Mike Tremaglio for overseeing the text and Gary Foy for TBL admin.

 I am aiming at late February to commence the distribution – so it’s coming your way soon. We will be sending out a target email to all past subscribers to remind them that now is the time to get back on board.

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So, get ready (with possible reading glasses in tow!) for what is another intensive TBL outpouring. Given the amount of text to wade through, I am well pleased that unlike that first issue of 40 years ago, I did not have to hand write it all…

40 years on, the TBL magazine celebrates the world that revolves around Led Zeppelin in exactly the way it did back in that first primitive handwritten debut issue. By writing about it, feeling its impact and relaying the excitement it generates.

I am as eager as ever to share that all with you all again with this 44th issue.

Thanks as ever for all your support.

Dave Lewis – January 30, 2019

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New issue of Rock Candy – Led Zeppelin – The First 100 Days…

The new issue of the excellent Rock Candy magazine has a front cover feature titled Led Zeppelin – The First 100 Days –it’s  a 14 page spread written and compiled by myself with Mike Tremaglio.

It focuses on the first 100 days of the band from the first billed concert as Led Zeppelin at University of Surrey, Great Hall, Battersea, London: on October 25 through to theirs January 31 & February 1, 1969 performances at the   Fillmore East, New York City, New York , –with all the defining moments of their early days together chronicled.   100 days that changed the entire face of rock and carved out the lasting legacy of Led Zeppelin…

We’ve been working hard on this over the past few months and are really pleased with how it’s turned out. The layout is superb .There’s also an interview with Mike and I about the Evenings With Led Zeppelin book.

This new issue of Rock Candy will be on news stands from Wednesday January 30 in the UK and is available online on the same day to order at www.rockcandymag.com

Be sure to check it out…

Led Zeppelin News Update:

In conjunction with the Led Zep news site, each week I will be re- producing highlights from their weekly email update news summary. This goes out every Sunday. Sign up details are below. Many thanks to James Cook.

Led Zeppelin

• Robert Plant quietly debuted a new band in January and will perform with them three times throughout February. Saving Grace is his new musical project, which appears to be a side-project between tours of The Sensational Space Shifters. The band had their debut performance on January 25, and are scheduled to support Fairport Convention on February 14, 16 and 22 for their Winter UK tour. No videos have emerged of the band yet.

• Robert Plant will perform at the Secret Solstice music festival in Iceland on June 23.

• Robert Plant did not win the artist of the year award at the UK Americana Awards on January 31.

Upcoming events:

February 14-Robert Plant will perform in support of Fairport Convention with Saving Grace in Basingstoke, UK.
February 16-Robert Plant will perform in support of Fairport Convention with Saving Grace in Bath, UK.
February 22-Robert Plant will perform in support of Fairport Convention with Saving Grace in St Albans, UK.
February 24-The Tate Britain’s Edward Burne-Jones exhibition, which features two tapestries owned by Jimmy Page, closes.
March- The Fender Custom Shop recreations of Jimmy Page’s Dragon and Mirror Telecasters will go on sale.
March 7-Robert Plant will perform at the Love Rocks NYC benefit concert in New York.
March 8 – Patty Griffin’s self-titled new album, which features Robert Plant on two tracks, will be released.
April 8- The “Play It Loud: Instruments Of Rock And Roll” exhibition, featuring Led Zeppelin items, will open at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
June 13- Robert Plant will perform in Stockholm, Sweden.
June 15- Robert Plant will perform at Bergenfest in Norway.
June 17- Robert Plant will perform at The Big Challenge festival in Norway.
June 19- Robert Plant will perform in Harstad, Norway.
June 21- Robert Plant will perform in Bodø, Norway.
June 23- Robert Plant will perform at the Secret Solstice music festival in Iceland.
June 25- Robert Plant will perform in Tromsø, Norway.
June 27- Robert Plant will perform in Svalbard, Norway.
June 29- Robert Plant will perform in Svalbard, Norway.
July 2- Robert Plant will perform in Halden, Norway.
July 10- Robert Plant will perform at the Kunst!Rasen Bonn festival in Germany.
September 20-21 – The 2019 John Bonham memorial concert is scheduled to be held in Redditch.
November-The “Play It Loud: Instruments Of Rock And Roll” exhibition will move to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Many thanks to James Cook.

The complete Led Zeppelin News email goes out every weekend. To receive it each week sign up here:http://tinyletter.com/LedZepNews

Led Zeppelin News Website: Check out the Led Zeppelin news website at

http://ledzepnews.com/

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Get The Led Out in New Haven  – on the spot report from Mike Tremaglio: 

On Friday, February 1st, I went to see Get the Led Out at the College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut. One of my friends, John LaRusso, who is also a big Zep fan, had seen them several times before and absolutely raved about them. John encouraged me to check out their videos on YouTube, and after seeing about two minutes of footage, I immediately purchased tickets to the show. I was that impressed. John had also convinced several other co-workers and friends – Jed, Chris, Bill, Ralph and Maria – to check out the show as well.

I hadn’t intended on writing a review of the show for TBL, but after seeing their performance, I knew I just had to spread the word. This band is INCREDIBLE. I’ve seen many bands performing Zeppelin through the years, and many of them were very good; however, I feel Get the Led Out (GTLO) is at the top of the pack. The difference with GTLO is that the music takes precedence over everything. They’re not all that concerned with looking and acting like Led Zeppelin, but are laser focused on delivering the best Zeppelin music you could possibly imagine.

Thus, they are not tied down to the lead singer dying his hair blonde and wearing blouses three sizes too small, nor are there any dragon pants to be found. They are also not hampered by restricting themselves to being just a four-piece unit, understanding that for the music to be performed faithfully and accurately, they need additional members to execute the songs properly on stage (particularly handy for songs where Jimmy Page had multiple studio overdubs).

Unlike other bands, their focus is on recreating the Zeppelin material as it was recorded on their studio albums. Their attention to detail is impeccable, and second to none. Each member of the band knows the music inside and out, and when I was anticipating every detail and nuance of each Zep song we know and love, they delivered it every single time.

What really separates GTLO from the rest is their passion for the music and their love of Led Zeppelin. It is that palpable. Guitarist Paul Hammond and singer Paul Sinclair were gracious enough to meet with Ralph Summa and I before the show and during intermission. Local New Haven drum legend Bobby Torello (formerly of Johnny Winter and many other bands) also stopped by to say hello. Besides being very gifted and talented musicians, they are also very genuine and humble guys. It was great being able to talk Led Zeppelin with them at length and get their perspective on the music. I felt like I was talking Zep with old friends (as I often do). Class acts, all the way around. Thanks guys.

There were so many things to like about the show. The band is really tight and particular emphasis is placed on making sure the various guitar sounds and tones on Led Zeppelin albums are replicated to a T. Mission accomplished. Both Hammond and guitarist Jimmy Marchiano are both truly brilliant, trading off licks and summoning their inner Jimmy Page respectively. Their partnership works so well together because they work in tandem, not competitively, all to the benefit of the music. Along with bassist Phil D’Agostino, drummer Adam Ferraioli, and versatile keyboardist/guitarist Eddie Kurek, they function as a well-oiled, cohesive unit. All members are exceptional musicians, but even more importantly, they’re all on the same page and complement each other so well. The sound and lighting guys also deserve a major shout out, as the live mixing of the music was spot on.

One of the toughest aspects of seeing anyone perform Led Zeppelin songs live is adjusting to different singing styles than Robert Plant. No need to worry here. Paul Sinclair is not only a great performer, but his voice is so much better than most bands I’ve seen playing Led Zeppelin tunes. He’s also an engaging, charismatic performer, and sings with so much passion and emotion that it seems like there’s no other place in the world he’d rather be than singing these timeless songs on stage.

The set list was fantastic, but then again, how could it not be when they played Zep songs for two-plus hours? The pacing and flow of the song selection was outstanding, with a wide variety of different styles. Here was the New Haven setlist:

Set 1: Rock and Roll, How Many More Times, Since I’ve Been Loving You, D’yer Mak’er, No Quarter, All My Love, Ramble On, Nobody’s Fault but Mine, Going to California, That’s the Way, Hey Hey What Can I Do

Set 2: In the Light, The Wanton Song, Thank You, Heartbreaker, Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman),

Encores: Black Dog, Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love

What’s really incredible about the set list is that Led Zeppelin’s catalogue is so strong, that you could compile another two-hour show of songs that weren’t played and still have a set list loaded with some of the greatest songs in rock history. In fact, the very next night in Albany, New York, GTLO performed 11 songs they hadn’t played in New Haven! That’s a great way to keep everything fresh and have the fans come back for more the next time around.

The Friday night New Haven jam-packed audience was with the band every step of the way and not only thoroughly enjoyed it, but actively participated in the celebration of Led Zeppelin’s music. Smiles, laughs, singing, dancing, you name it, just a really fun night all the way around. Isn’t that what this music is all about? It’s no surprise fans keep coming back again and again to Get The Led Out. I can’t wait for their return to Connecticut!

Check them out – you won’t be disappointed: https://www.gtlorocks.com/

Above pic: Bobby Torello (former Johnny Winter drummer and backstage guest), Paul Hammond, Mike Tremaglio, Paul Sinclair, and Adam Ferraioli.

Mike Tremaglio:

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Review of the new Jimmy Page Dragon & Mirror Telecaster guitars & Sundragon Amp by Ken Winovich  (& Pittsburgh Guitars owner John Bechtold – photos by John Bechtold)

For decades, Jimmy Page/Yardbirds/Led Zeppelin/Guitar fans have wanted a Fender Dragon Telecaster of their own. The reason was because of Jimmy Page’s cool psychedelic artwork (Page attended Sutton Art College in England before he became one of London’s hottest session guitarists). During the 60’s, many rock guitarists painted their guitars. There’s George Harrison’s ‘Rocky’ Fender Stratocaster guitar he used with The Beatles. There’s Eric Clapton’s ‘The Fool’ or ‘Sunny’ which was a 1964 Gibson SG guitar he used with Cream. and there was Jimi Hendrix’s Gibson Flying V which he used in The Jimi Hendrix Experience. There were others. Then there was The Yardbirds. Sporting three of the greatest guitarists music and Britain have ever known. In March of 1965, The Yardbirds guitarist Eric Clapton left the band. Jimmy Page was offered the job but turned it down in order to continue with session work (it paid more!). Instead, Page recommended Jeff Beck. Beck was hired. As a thank you, Beck gave Page a white Fender Telecaster he’d got from former band mate John Owen who originally bought the guitar in 1961. While in the Yardbirds with Beck, Page added eight circular mirrors onto the top of the guitar in 1966. When Jeff Beck left The Yardbirds, Page took the mirrors off and sanded the guitar down and painted it in psychedelic colors in 1967. When The Yardbirds called it a day in 1968, Page carried the guitar over into his new band Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin’s first album was recorded entirely with this guitar and a tiny Supro amp, launching a new decade in rock.

The problem for fans were multiple. Jimmy Page teamed up with Gibson guitars to create his Signature models of his famous Gibson Les Paul’s #’s 1 & 2. Then Page teamed up with Gibson to create his Signature model of his iconic doubleneck guitar. Page finished by teaming up again with Gibson to re-create his Gibson Black Beauty, a guitar which was stolen in the Spring of 1970 while Led Zeppelin were on tour. (Page’s stolen Black Beauty eventually reappeared decades later!). Fans soon found there appeared to be no more Signature Series guitars coming from Page, especially his Fender guitars. So they took matters into their own hands and made their own (myself included!) The problem was re-creating the psychedelic artwork. Fans scoured the 2003 official Led Zeppelin DVD. But the one color video of the guitar had blurry images from the 60’s film transfer. The other had clear black & white images but the video angles were either extremely close-up or from bad angles. So fans winged it. The problems continued. Many fans drew the artwork ‘freehand’ with disastrous results, missing key details in the artwork. For others, all the photos of Page playing that psychedelic guitar were taken with different colored stage lighting. You couldn’t trust the colors. I took a photo from the Supershow using color slide film.
Using a slide projector, I beamed that image onto my sanded Telecaster and drew the artwork in exactly. The problem I faced was my guitar’s height was shorter than Page’s ’59 model! So I titled the projector until it fit.

Even Jimmy Page suffered his own share of problems with this guitar. While going on tour four times in 1969 in the US with Led Zeppelin, a friend of Page’s sanded off his artwork (unbeknownst to Page!) thinking he did him a favor. Page said the guitars’ electronics were ruined. Page sanded the horror off and retired the guitar. He pulled it out again in late December 1970/January 1971 to record the guitar solo to ‘Stairway To Heaven’. Page also took the rosewood neck off the guitar and placed it on another Fender Tele he took on the 1977 US Tour – the Botswana B-Bender. Then Led Zeppelin came to a grinding halt with the accidental death of drummer John Bonham in 1980 while rehearsing for a US Tour. Page told an interviewer in 1994 “It will never be seen again”. Well, it’s finally here! Or should I say ‘they’ are finally here! BOTH Fender guitars! Which are one-and-the-same instrument. Just from different time periods and bands.
Fender has resurrected the guitar. Sort of. Page invited them to his home in London and they took the guitar apart. Measuring it. They would end up cloning it. But more importantly, they sanded the originals’ top, sprayed it to allow painting and Page re-did his original artwork by hand again. Fender sanded the neck, finished the entire guitar with shellac and sured up the electronics and Page got another of his ‘lost’ Zeppelin axes back! And now fans can as well! Kudos to Fender for creating both guitars which satisfied Yardbirds and Zeppelin and guitar fans. And Kudos to Page for also teaming up with two guys to recreate his original tiny Supro amp.
The Signature Series of Guitars will see 50 made of each – the ‘Mirrored’ and ‘Dragon’ Teles. The Dragon Teles are signed by Page, hand-painted by Page and with Certificate of Authenticity signed by Page. Each sell for $25,000. The new Jimmy Page 50 ‘Sundragon’ Signature amps sold out in one hour at $12,000 each. The production models (available to the average layman) will hit stores this coming March/April 2019 (for the guitars) and later in the year for the amps.

Here’s Pittsburgh Guitars shop owner John Bechtold with more details on the guitars/amp from the 2019 NAMM show:

[Note – BOTH guitars ‘could be’ proto-types. That is…they are for show but NOT necessarily how the PRODUCTION MODELS (the ones the public will buy) will be]

BOTH guitars have Rosewood necks
7.25″ radius
25.5″ scale

THE WHITE MIRROR TELECASTER PRODUCTION MODEL (USA built)
Street Price: $2,599.00-$2,499.00 (US Dollars)

“I was impressed by the whole build quality of the guitar. I didn’t expect any less. I was impressed by the ‘feel’ of the neck. It was really nice. The neck was ‘kinda chunky’ on the low end which I like. It was beautiful. The neck was bolted with a signature chrome plate.
The back of the headstock was signed (Page printed his name).I did get to strum it. I played it for a while. Unfortunately I couldn’t plug it in. But I’m sure it’s gonna sound good. The guitar comes with a vintage hardshell tweed case. The mirrors will be inside the case. So it’s up to you if you want to apply them or not. The mirrors looked “kinda thick”. They were not cheap or from what I expected. They were kinda thick looking – about 1/8″ thick. They weren’t skinny. They were real mirrors. Neck chrome plate reads ‘JIMMY PAGE” (printed)
The model I played and held was Serial # ‘USA 00174’. I was shocked how thick the mirrors were (note in photo how high off the pickguard it is-the shadow). This white guitar will come with Jimmy Page Custom ’59 Tele Pickups.”

THE DRAGON TELECASTER PRODUCTION MODEL (Mexican built)
Street Price: $1,399.00 (US Dollars)

“I next picked up the Dragon Tele. I was curious to see what the dragon was gonna look like on the body. Once again, the guitar…the quality felt good. Fender’s Mexican Series guitars have always been high quality. I’ve seen many of them over the years (The Evlis Costello model & Jay Mascis model). The Dragon Tele guitar also looked nice to. The neck also felt good. This one didn’t feel as chunky as the USA one. It felt a little thinner to me. The Dragon neck plate didn’t have anything on it. It comes with a black hardshell case. I was impressed with the build quality of the Dragon guitar. But it didn’t feel as high quality as the USA guitar (white) which is expected. They’re gonna use cheaper components to make it affordable to a kid who might not be able to afford a higher end instrument. The Dragon wasn’t hand painted. I looked pretty closely at it. It wasn’t a decal or anything like that.You really couldn’t tell how it was applied to the guitar so I’m not sure. But it looked really good! The pickguard looked really cool. I was just like…..I flickered it kinda in the light and looked at the way it reflected it. Being a Jimmy Page fan, I was excited to hold both of them so I ordered each one for myself! I wish I could have played them (thru an amp). It didn’t say what kind of pickups were in the Dragon model”. (So the ‘Dragon’ Telecaster will not have the upgraded Jimmy Page pickups like the ‘Mirror’ guitar apparently).

[John suspects that owners of the Dragon Tele will order the Custom Page ’59 pickups and place them in the Dragon Teles]

NOTE:

The CUSTOM SHOP GUITARS are $25,000 each
The Dragon Custom Shop Tele comes with a violin bow and other accessories

THE JIMMY PAGE SUNDRAGON AMPLIFIER

“They took his amp and di-sected it. It looks like it has a 10” Jensen Speaker – ‘Blue label’ – which is a recreation of a vintage speaker.
The Tubes (Valves in Britain) were: Sovtek (which is an Electro Harmonix – from the Russian Factory) ‘5AR4’ & (2) two Phillips ‘8557’s

THE SIGNATURE AMPS – SOLD OUT IN ONE HOUR! THEY SOLD  for $12,000 each.

So in summary, get to your local guitar shop and hunker down for that vintage classic Jimmy Page sound as heard on Led Zeppelin’s first album!

Ken Winovitch

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VIP Record Fair Harpur Suite Bedford – Saturday, February 9,2019:

The TBL Stall will be in action at the Bedford VIP Record Fair this Saturday – I look forward to seeing all that can make it along – here is all the info:

VIP RECORD FAIR

The Harpur Suite, Harpur Street, Bedford MK40 1LE

Saturday 9th February

From Prog rock, Punk Rock and Hip Hop to Soul, Reggae and Doo Wop, the big Record Fair returns to this great venue in the heart of Bedford’s City

Centre.

Sellers from all over the UK with all genres of music – from the Beatles to reggae.

Admission 10.30am to 3.30pm £3.

Grab a bargain – early bird entry £6 9am!

Please share our facebook event –

https://www.facebook.com/events/285616015286827/

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Happy Birthday

Robert Plant at The Marquee – and Gary Foy – 31 Years Gone: 

On that day all of 30 years ago on February 3rd 1988 at the Marquee Club , Gary Foy uttered the immortal words to me “Are You Dave Lewis?”

Had I lied and said ”No that’s not me mate”‘, well fate would have dictated many things. Not least the fact that our respective bank balances would have been more intact over the years and we might have had a whole lot less hangovers!

As it was, the result of that first meet led on to many things, not least GF’s marriage to Carol (and indeed a son in Jimmy) a relationship borne out of a subsequent TBL meet up before a Robert Plant gig at Brixton in 1993.

The celebrated boy Foy has been a constant companion and inspiration on many a Zep related sketch since that day in 1988. His duties as integral member of the TBL crew have included everything from clearing up the vomit of a renowned Led Zep roadie, buying three fan belts to fix his car on our way back from a Plant gig in Warwick, wearing a silly Turkish hat at a time of particular stress for the TBL editor in Istanbul, giving me a rib crunching bear hug when Jimmy and Robert struck up Wearing And Tearing at Knebworth in 1990 – to name but a few of many hilarious/perilous encounters we have shared all in the name of Led Zep.

In all seriousness, his contribution to all things TBL over the years has been immense.

The fact that I answered ‘’Yes that’s me’’ to his question on that fateful afternoon in the Marquee has led to a friendship graced with immeasurable generosity and loyalty on his part that has considerably enriched my life and enjoyment of this thing that first bound us together.

It’s Gary’s birthday this Saturday February 9th. I am hoping to catch up with him on the day as he plans to pop over to check out the VIP Record Fair with son Jimmy.

So happy 31st anniversary and happy birthday Mr Foy – here’s the set list from that memorable night..and what a night it was…

Little by Little
Other Arms
Billy’s Revenge
In the Evening
Big Log
Messin’ With the Mekon
Heaven Knows
Dimples
Trampled Under Foot
Tall Cool One
Misty Mountain Hop
Encore:
Break On Through (to the Other Side)

(The Doors cover)

I have great affection for that Now And Zen period – in fact the Robert Plant Leicester University gig of January 23rd is one of my all time great gigs – it was the first time I witnessed him performing Led Zeppelin material and the effect at the time was simply astonishing.  The Marquee was also a superb night – I particularly recall an inspired romp through The Doors Break On Through. Gary and I went on to see the shows in Warwick and London in the spring which culminated in Jimmy’s appearance on the Hammersmith Odeon –another golden memory.

31 years gone…..to paraphrase Robert’s words at Earls Court “It’s been a lifetime and yet a second”

DL 

………………………….

DL Diary Blog Update:

Last Saturday it was great to hand over a copy of the Evenings With Led Zeppelin book to my lifelong very good friend Mr Phil Harris – the man I sat alongside in the second row watching Led Zeppelin at Earls Court on the evening of Saturday May 24, 1975. Read all about it on page 468 of the book.

Something of a wearing and difficult week here with various hassles taking time to sort out. It’s a big few days ahead with the Bedford VIP Record Fair this Saturday and the impending arrival of TBL issue 44 and all the distribution issues that go with it.

If you have yet to pre order you would be advised to do so as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Having spent many an hour bringing it all together, the aim is to bring it to a wider audience as possible. You support as ever, is much appreciated.

Dave Lewis – February 5, 2019

Until next time, have a great weekend

TBL Website updates compiled by Dave Lewis

with thanks to Gary Foy and James Cook

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