LED ZEPPELIN FEATHER IN THE WIND OVER EUROPE 1980 BOOK RE-LAUNCH /STOP PRESS: THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME SOUNDTRACK REISSUE DETAILS/LZ NEWS/ JPJ ON STAGE WITH JULIE FELIX/ HOWARD MYLETT REMEMBERED/ PETER CLIFTON RIP/ ROBERT PLANT AND SSS AT FOREST HILLS/THE ROLLING STONES AT TWICKENHAM/DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE
Feather In The Wind – Led Zeppelin Over Europe 1980 book re-launch:
This week marks the 38th anniversary of the first dates of the final Led Zeppelin tour – a low key 14 date trek taking in Germany, Belgium, Holland, Austria and Switzerland.
To begin a month long celebration of that final tour, I am relaunching the Feather In the Wind book – the price is a bargain £8 including postage and packing.
Note – stock of the book is now running down so if you have yet to check out the book – now is the time!
This is a fantastic opportunity to invest in the definitive account of the tour at a bargain price – essential Led Zep summer 2018 reading as we move into the 50th Anniversary….
For those who have yet to indulge, to give you a flavour of the contents – here is an extract of chapter three – my on the road account written at the time and first featured in TBL issue 5.
Extract – Chapter Three: Rejuvenation Over Europe 1980 – Up close and personal: Cologne, June 18, 1980.
Raymondo straps on Jimmy’s Gibson. The audience are already in near frenzy as he steps on the wah-wah pedal and tunes up. Robert, straight to the right of the stage with both arms held aloft, is holding the microphone lead in that usual outstretched pose. Jimmy Page continues tuning up and eventually this becomes the chords for the opening bars of Train Kept A Rollin’, an old Yardbirds number and a track that was used as the set opener on the first Zeppelin US tours all those years ago.
As Jonesy and Bonzo crash in on cue, Robert, at once, is alive and totally immersed in the song. Let me tell you, it was a moment that crystallised the essence of rejuvenation this band has obviously undergone. The power, even for them, is awesome. Train Kept A Rollin’ stops and Nobody’s Fault But Mine starts. Minus the sonic intro but including some marvellous Plant phrasing (“Nobody’s fault but maahyyne….”) and harmonica wailings and with the now expected cry of “Oh Jimmy….Oh Jimmy…”, before a shuffling, twirling, twanging solo from James Patrick.
Two songs in and a further shock. Jimmy Page speaks! Yes folks, it’s true. For the first time I can recall, Jimmy greets an audience. A bit muffled, but it’s there alright – “Good Evening! Gonna do an old one, it’s called Black Dog.”
Yes Jimmy, an oldie but goodie. Robert is outstanding on this one. All the old poses – my it’s loud. It’s obscene, it’s beautiful. But Jimmy too, more than I’ve seen, wants to share the spotlight. No longer content to confine himself to the left of Bonzo’s kit – no – he’s everywhere.
I’ve never seen him move so much. Playing up to the crowd, cringing, grinning – you know the stuff. I mean, we’ve already got one amazing front man, but this time around Jimmy is almost playing off him. The spectacle of the two is something else. Hey, John Paul Jones too, seems to be more upfront these days. No longer slipping into the shadows next to Bonzo. No, he’s more prominent, nearer the front of the stage, not moving too much of course, but jigging a merry dance up there with those amazing fluid bass runs that undercut Jimmy’s slippery guitar work.
“Since we came here last, many things have happened, one of the most important being the album called In Through The Out Door.”
In The Evening is played next, with exceptional intensity. The drama of the intro itself is masterful. Spotlight on Bonzo as he rolls on the tympani, Jimmy crouched over his blue Strat clawing at the tremolo arm to achieve that drone and Robert, arms upheld, slowly walking up to the microphone and holding the opening line for several bars until the moment all four crash down collectively on that cascading riff. Taken at a slightly slower tempo than last year’s gigs, it still rates as a classic in the Zep stakes and as a testament to the power of the new Zeppelin sound. Another magic moment is, of course, the point where the song slips into the slower passage, guided by Robert’s outstretched arm in the direction of John Paul Jones, who plays a beautiful keyboard passage (not featured on the studio version) over Jimmy’s jangling out-stretched tremolo chording.
“This is one from the Houses Of The Holy period” Robert tells the audience and a blue spotlight picks out Jimmy playing the opening chords to The Rain Song – a song that has some of Robert’s best lyrics (“you are the sunlight in my growing”) and also features some controlled tympani from Bonzo.
“That was a song about a love that went right, this is one about a love that went wrong.”
Cue for the hillbilly cat workout of Hot Dog for which Jimmy switches to red Telecaster. Funny old track this. As much as I find it undistinguished on record, on stage it always delights as a fun clapalong. It also gives Robert the opportunity to hoedown with some delightful foot stepping.
The next song is also from the last album. Unannounced, it still gets one of the best receptions of the night, the moment Jonesy plays the opening string symphony notes of All My Love. As on record, this is beautiful. Jimmy plays some memorable chords on the Telecaster and Robert’s singing is full of sincerity. When John Paul Jones gets the middle classical solo off to a tee, Robert looks over and gives him a knowing smile. It was just perfect, and the outro too, with Robert extending the “ I get a bit lonely, just a little bit, oh just a little bit lonely” lines to maximum effect.
“That song featured J.P. Jones on keyboards, so does this track, Trampled Underfoot.”
Complete with side stage revolving beacons, this remains a definitive high energy Zeppelin improvisation number. On that extended solo Jimmy seems to reap forth the most incredible guitar lines and Robert does a delightful two step strut across the stage shaking his head back and forth until he swings round and screams “Push!”, “Push”, “Push yeah.” Vibrant stuff indeed. (“Eye Thank Yew”).
They slow the pace with the next track, Since I’ve Been Loving You, where naturally Jimmy leads the way with some amazing smooth lead guitar. Robert’s vocals too, soar out this painful tale, holding and bending the notes in all the right places. John Paul Jones aids the mix on electric piano. Towards the finish Robert really excels, “Ah I get down on my knees for you, fill my heart with pain, don’t make me lose, don’t make me lose…..” We got the booze, they got the blues remember?
From there it’s another high-spot. White light and smoke (one of the few effects employed) greet the intro of the epic Achilles Last Stand. Jimmy uses feedback to great effect, throwing his arm out in tune with the sound. Robert, meanwhile, is at his preening best unleashing the tale of where it all meets. “Where the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth.” For the “Ah-ah ah ah” repeat refrain, Robert and Jimmy cluster together in classic rock ‘n’ roll pose, swinging their heads back and forth showering in each others sweat.
Raymondo brings on a chair for Jimmy’s White Summer/Black Mountain Side segment, where he sits down with the Dan Electro. He gets so carried away that at one point he even drops his pick. On cue, the last refrain of Black Mountain Side is the moment when the band collectively leap back into action via a couple of flash explosions stage front and we are into Kashmir.
This is glorious. Robert does some incredible spontaneous choreography with Jimmy who is crouched menacingly over the Dan Electro guitar. Towards the end Bonzo leads the way out with a series of unbelievable drum fills, each one just a little more frenzied that the last, beating up to an incredible climax.
Just about the only song that could follow that is our anthem. Unannounced the opening chords of Stairway to Heaven get the expected response. Robert’s phrasing is, as ever, spot on and the tempo of the song is just slightly more speeded up than usual. He sings “Do you remember laughter, laughter,” and takes up a classic tambourine pose for Jimmy to weave the way out with a soaring double neck solo.
“Goodnight – It’s nice to be back on the road again.”
With that they’re gone. Ten minutes later they’re back with a rousing encore. “Good Evening! Never fails does it?” smiles Robert, adding the statement – “So this is what it’s like to be in a rock ‘n’ roll band! Then Bonzo thrashes the intro of Rock And Roll, which has Robert doing his pogo bit, and Jimmy leaping around the stage firing the Gibson at the audience.
After that, there is more than enough response to require a second encore, which they get. A compact, no nonsense Communication Breakdown remains faithful to the version on the debut LP, clocking in at no more than three minutes of energetic action.
“Not bad for a bunch of dinosaurs!… Goodnight Cologne… ”
That’s Robert’s final statement. That’s the second night of the tour. That was hot.
So how do you sum that one up? Folks – I’d say Led Zeppelin have gone full circle. Tonight in every aspect of their performance it was almost a ‘back to the roots’ approach. From the use of an old Yardbirds number to open with, right through to the choice of a twelve year old cut that still sounds good, to close with. In between was what I would consider to be just about the best set I’ve ever witnessed Zeppelin play.
There was a definite lack of self indulgence. A lack of excessiveness too. Five years ago it was exciting and relevant to include marathon numbers, the bow episode, the lasers, the effects, etc, but really they took that trip as far as it could go. The pendulum has swing in the other direction now. The throwback of the compact set Zeppelin performed tonight still had enough spice and vitality to satisfy and I applaud their conviction to do it that way.
It’s also a much needed return to feeling audiences again. By reducing the scale of the whole operation, Zeppelin have once again regained contact with the people. With the stage only six feet away from the nearest punter, it was a true platform of communication.
Another point – Knebworth was a magic event last year, there is no doubting that, but the size, grandeur and emotional experience of them appearing on a stage again, maybe glossed over the true spirit of their musical presence a little. Judging by the smiles on the faces of Robert, Jimmy, Jonesy and Bonzo all through the Cologne gig, that spirit is well in evidence on this tour and that’s an important aspect. The fact that they’re really enjoying playing together again. I mean, I’ve never seen Robert sweat so much on stage! They really want to please and it’s a great feeling to witness that.
Led Zeppelin have impressed me in many different ways over the years. As musicians, as performers, as writers, as people. Tonight they impressed me as a working rock ‘n’ roll band – above everything. That’s important.
Tight but loose? – you ain’t joking… And this is only the second night of the tour.
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Extract from the book Led Zeppelin Feather In The Wind – Over Europe 1980 by Dave Lewis.
Book ordering Details – ORDER AT THIS LINK:
BOOK BUNDLE DETAILS:
The Feather In the Wind book is also available as a bundle offer with the Then As It Was At Kenworth book for just £14 plus postage – order at the link below
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Stop Press – 3 pm June 21, 2018: Official Led Zeppelin Announcement:
The Song Remains The Same Soundtrack – Reissue due out September 7, 2018:
Here’s the official press release announcement…
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Led Zeppelin was at the peak of its powers on July 27-29 1973 when the band’s performances at New York’s Madison Square Garden were recorded for the concert film, The Song Remains The Same. The soundtrack to the film, produced by Jimmy Page, was originally released on Swan Song in 1976.
The band continues revisiting their live canon on September 7 with a new edition of the soundtrack to THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME that features newly remastered audio. This release follows the recent reissue of their live album How The West Was Won, and rounds out the deluxe reissue series of their classic albums that began in 2014, building to the band’s 50th anniversary celebration slated to commence later this year. Coincidentally, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant played their first live show together, under the moniker “The New Yardbirds” at the time, on September 7, 1968.
THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME will be released in multiple formats from Atlantic/Swan Song, including the full album’s debut in hi-res 5.1 surround sound on Blu-ray. The Super Deluxe Boxed Set will be the most exquisite and elaborate release in the reissue series, recreating the intricate embossing of the set’s original issue and will also mark the first time the full length film and soundtrack have been available in the same package. On the 4-LP set, Page made a change to the track sequence, allowing the epic, 29-minute version of “Dazed And Confused” to be featuring in its entirety on one side of vinyl for the first time.
- CD – Remastered audio on two CDs, plus 24-page booklet.
- Vinyl – Remastered audio on four 180-gram vinyl LPs, plus 28-page booklet
- Blu-Ray – 96kHz/24 bit 5.1 (DTS-HD Master Audio Surround) and stereo mixes
(PCM Stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo). Video performances of four songs not in the original film: “Celebration Day,” “Over The Hills And Far Away,” “Misty Mountain Hop,” and “The Ocean.” (All with 5.1 audio)
- Streaming & Digital Download – Remastered audio.
- Super Deluxe Boxed Set
- Remastered audio on two CDs and four 180-gram vinyl LPs.
- Two DVD set of the The Song Remains The Same featuring the full theatrical version of the film plus bonus content including four performance outtakes that were not part of the original film: “Celebration Day,” “Over The Hills And Far Away,” “Misty Mountain Hop,” and “The Ocean.”
- DVD of the entire album in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and PCM Stereo, plus photo gallery.
- High-def download card of all stereo audio content at 96kHz/24 bit.
- A 28-page book featuring band photos and stills from the film and an essay by Cameron Crowe.
- A replica of the Japanese program from 1977, previously available only when the film first toured cinemas in that country.
- High-quality print of the original album cover, the first 30,000 of which will be individually numbered.
THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME is the soundtrack to the legendary concert film of the same name, which was released in 1976. The performances in the film were recorded July 27-29, 1973 at Madison Square Garden during the band’s tour for its then-current studio album, Houses Of The Holy. The two-CD and four-LP collections are packed with electrifying live versions of Zep classics like “Rock and Roll,” “Stairway To Heaven,” “No Quarter,” “Moby Dick,” “Dazed And Confused,” and “Celebration Day.”
The Song Remains The Same Soundtrack
CD And Digital Track Listing
“Rock And Roll”
“Celebration Day”
“Black Dog”
“Over The Hills And Far Away”
“Misty Mountain Hop”
“Since I’ve Been Loving You”
“No Quarter”
“The Song Remains The Same”
“The Rain Song”
“The Ocean”
“Dazed And Confused”
“Stairway To Heaven”
“Moby Dick”
“Heartbreaker”
“Whole Lotta Love”
LP Track Listing
LP One
“Rock And Roll”
“Celebration Day”
“Black Dog”
“Over The Hills And Far Away”
“Misty Mountain Hop”
“Since I’ve Been Loving You”
‘The Ocean”
LP Two
‘The Song Remains The Same”
“The Rain Song”
“No Quarter”
LP Three
“Dazed And Confused”
“Moby Dick”
LP Four
“Stairway To Heaven”
“Heartbreaker”
“Whole Lotta Love”
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Note the comments ”This release follows the recent reissue of their live album How The West Was Won, and rounds out the deluxe reissue series of their classic albums that began in 2014, building to the band’s 50th anniversary celebration slated to commence later this year”
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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
- We published a first look at bootleg label Empress Valley’s box set of Led Zeppelin’s 1972 tour of Japan. It’s a 12-CD box set.
- A new teaser photograph has been posted showing Led Zeppelin’s upcoming official photo book. The photograph shows Jimmy Page’s handwriting.
- Director Peter Clifton, who worked on “The Song Remains The Same,” has reportedly died. Clifton fell out with the band after working on the film.
- Jason Bonham described the “surreal” moment Led Zeppelin rehearsed an acoustic set in 2007. He said the band played “Tangerine” and “Going To California.”
Jimmy Page
- Jimmy Page has given two interviews about his ongoing feud with his neighbour Robbie Williams about Williams’ plans for a basement extension. In a TV interview with ITV News, Page called Williams “idiotic” and refused to rule out taking legal action against him. And Page also invited The Daily Mail inside his London home and called his other neighbour a “nuisance.” You can read our full history of the feud here.
- Also this week, Page attended Jeff Beck’s London show on June 15 and watched from the side of the stage with Johnny Depp and Joe Perry. He was also photographed at the private view of a new exhibition at Somerset House on June 11.
Robert Plant
Robert Plant has performed three shows so far this week: June 12 in Columbia, Maryland, June 13 in Forest Hills, New York, and June 15 in Toronto, Ontario. And Plant will perform in Chicago tonight. Check out the setlists below and the click the links to see videos of each song:
June 12 – Columbia, Maryland
The Lemon Song
Turn It Up
The May Queen
Rainbow
Going to California
Please Read the Letter
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
Little Maggie
Fixin’ to Die
—–
In the Mood
Bring It On Home / Whole Lotta Love
June 13 – Forest Hills, New York
The Lemon Song
Turn It Up
The May Queen
Rainbow
Going to California
Please Read the Letter
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
Little Maggie
Fixin’ to Die
—–
In the Mood
Bring It On Home / Whole Lotta Love
June 15 – Toronto, Ontario
The Lemon Song
Turn It Up
The May Queen
Bones of Saints
Going to California
House of Cards
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
Little Maggie
Fixin’ to Die
—–
In the Mood
Rock and Roll (with Sheryl Crow)
John Paul Jones
- Watch John Paul Jones perform with The Dream Syndicate in a track that will be released digitally this month. “How We Found Ourselves … Everywhere!” will be released on June 22.
Upcoming events:
June 17 – Robert Plant will perform in Chicago, Illinois.
June 18 – Robert Plant will release “Nurses Do It Better!” and “Heaven Knows” T-shirts through his website.
June 19 – Robert Plant will perform in Vail, Colorado.
June 21 – Robert Plant will perform in Berkeley, California.
June 22 – The album “How We Found Ourselves … Everywhere!” by The Dream Syndicate, which features John Paul Jones, will be released digitally.
June 23 – Robert Plant will perform in Stateline, Nevada.
June 24 – Robert Plant will perform in Pasadena, California.
June 26 – Robert Plant will perform in Troutdale, Oregon.
June 27 – Robert Plant will perform in Redmond, Washington.
June 29 – Robert Plant will perform at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in Canada.
July 2 – The official John Bonham memorial T-shirt will be released.
July 17 – Robert Plant will perform at the Istanbul Jazz Festival in Turkey.
July 19 – Robert Plant will perform at the Black Sea Jazz Festival in Georgia.
July 22 – Robert Plant will perform at the Vielles Charrues Festival in Carhaix, France.
July 23 – Robert Plant will perform in Paris, France.
July 25 – “Led Zeppelin Live,” a photo book edited by Dave Lewis, will be released and Robert Plant will perform at the Festival de Carcassonne in France.
July 27 – Robert Plant will perform at the Milano Summer Festival 2018 in Milan, Italy.
July 29 – Robert Plant will perform at the Stimmen Festival in Lörrach, Germany.
July 31 – Robert Plant will perform in Pardubice, Czech Republic.
August 1 – Robert Plant will perform in Dresden, Germany.
August 11 – John Paul Jones will perform as part of Snoweye at the Varangerfestivalen in Norway.
September – Official celebrations of Led Zeppelin’s fiftieth anniversary are expected to start this month.
September 14 or 16 – Robert Plant will perform at the KAABOO festival in California.
September 15 – Robert Plant will perform at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in Colorado.
September 18 – “Scream For Help,” which features a soundtrack by John Paul Jones, will be released on Blu-ray.
September 23 – Robert Plant will perform at the Bourbon & Beyond festival in Louisville, Kentucky.
October – The official Led Zeppelin photo book will be released.
October 16 – “Bring it on Home,” a new biography of Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant, will be released.
October 26 – Robert Plant will perform in London, UK.
October 28 – Robert Plant will perform in Dublin, Ireland.
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
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Jimmy Page at Pearl Jam concert:
Jimmy attended the June 18 Pearl Jam show at the 02 Arena in London.
John Paul Jones on stage with Julie Felix:
John Paul jones appeared on stage with Julie Felix at her special 80th Birthday concert on June 17 at the Charing Cross Theatre in London.
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Howard Mylett Remembered : Seven Years Gone…
Tuesday June 19th, marked the seventh anniversary of the passing of Howard Mylett, the legendary Led Zeppelin collector and original author.
Howard Mylett had an engaging dry wit, incredible enthusiasm for collecting all things Zep, and above all, was always so generous in sharing his passion. He could be a cantankerous old bugger at times but that was all part of Howard’s make up.
It was way back in 1973 when I first began corresponding with Howard after seeing a ‘’Zep Photos wanted/for sale’’ ad in the NME. My collection of photos and cuttings improved manifold thanks to Howard’s generosity. For a mere few pence he would send me batches of cuttings. I can still recall the thrill of seeing a package postmarked from Brighton landing on my doormat.
I knew it would bring forth more unseen Zep images and foreign and overseas cuttings from the likes of the US Circus and Creem magazines and French magazines such as Rock And Folk. Howard also had unimpeachable Japanese contacts and it was through him that I first obtained the series of rare Japanese photo books.
It was always a pleasure to visit him and his lovely wife Anita in Brighton. I will never forget the final time I saw him early in 2011. Gary Foy and I travelled down to see him and I conducted an interview with him for the TBL mag. Despite his failing health, Howard’s passion for the world of Zep was burning bright as ever. It was an incredibly emotional afternoon as I think deep down, Howard knew we would not get many more opportunities to discuss our favourite subject again – and sadly that was to be the case…
Howard’s enthusiasm was infectious. He was a massive influence on my desire to put words into print about Led Zeppelin.
Since his passing, it has become even more evident how important Howard’s pioneering work was to me as a young impressionable fan.
Howard would have course loved all the Led Zeppelin Reissues and 50th Anniversary activity – and there have been plenty of moments when I dearly wish Howard was still around to see it all…
Howard Mylett will always be a much missed part of the Zep fan fraternity.. but never forgotten and there will be countless fans across the world who will be thinking of him on the seventh anniversary of his passing… rest in peace Howard – you shared it all…
Dave Lewis – June 19,2018.
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Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters at Forest Hills Stadium:
Here’s a review of the show for TBL by Scott Heck:
Robert Plant’s mini-2018 tour of America stopped at Forest Hills Stadium in Forest Hills, Queens, NY on June 13th. As I had missed the last two NY shows in 2015 and 2017, I was eager to see this show as RP always performs well in the NY atmosphere. Forest Hills Stadium is a beautiful outdoor stage, although the show was hardly sold out. Seats were given out for free to nearby restaurants and bars and the secondary market for resale had more than 100 tickets for $6.00 each. Quite a steal. Either way, Wednesday the 13th was a beautiful night and Plant came on promptly at 8:30pm after Sheryl Crow opener (which we did not see). The show was over at 10:00pm prompt (likely due to noise ordinance as the stage is in the middle of a residential area). Set list:
Lemon Song
Turn it Up
The May Queen
Rainbow
Going to California
Please read the letter
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Bigly
Little Maggie
Fixin to Die
Encore
In the Mood
Bring it on home (intro)
Whole Lotta Love
Overall, the show was above average with the outdoor atmosphere adding to the mood. I am never one to complain about a Plant solo show (I am nearing my 50th Plant solo show), but there were some curious choices regarding the set list. First, the beginning of In the Mood to start the encore set off a frenzy as we expected to finally get one from the enormous solo back catalog, but it was played in such a slow fashion it never went where it has gone many times before. Whole Lotta Love was unfortunately ordinary. Perhaps it was two shows in a row that tired out the band. Based on hearing prior audience recordings from this tour, I knew what was coming with Gallows Pole and forgive me, but it was bathroom and beer time. I have had made my peace with this one. But, let us stay positive….Going to California was extraordinary especially following a tremendous Rainbow. Rainbow should stay in the set list forever as it is quite a gem. As for the Zep, the Bring in on Home intro was forceful and the Lemon Song opener did what it was supposed to do and got everyone up. I would have preferred the New World opener with In the Mood tease to start the night (as he did in Boston), but the band hit the Lemon Song well. The new songs, the May Queen and Carry Fire, held their own although absent was New World. The highlight of the show was BIGLY in which Skins had one of the best played solos I have ever heard. It was fiery and impulsive. A real exhibition. Please Read the Letter was also very well done and Plant really sold this one. This was a real treat. It made the night.
Overall, the show was a worthwhile experience. We had considered heading to Washington the night before, but the same set list was repeated in New York the following night so no harm, no foul. This, again, is a surprise considering where Plant can take 90 minutes of music. One would think that a repetitive setlist would never occur, but we all know there are others forces at work that sometime prevent off the cuff changes in setlists. Nevertheless, glad to have made it to this one. If you can catch some of the remaining shows, it is recommended.
Scott Heck
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Robert Plant New World video:
The new Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters video for the excellent New World from the Carry Fire album – the video is designed by Shepard Fairey who also designed the Led Zeppelin Mothership and Celebration Day art work…
Peter Clifton RIP:
Just heard the sad news that the Australian film director Peter Clifton has passed away suddenly aged 73. Peter was the director of the Led Zeppelin film The Song Remains The Same- he took over from original director Joe Massot in 1974. RIP…
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John Bonham Memorial Statue: Redditch & Alcester Advertiser – Standard Xtra Video Blog News Clips:
The Redditch Advertiser’s weekly Standard Xtra video blog includes a segment filmed at the John Bonham Memorial Statue on May 31. I appear briefly at around 6 mins. 05 in the clip below – many thanks to Clem Dalloway for flagging this one.
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Listen to these…
I always enjoy the next few days of June as the dates reflect the six nights Led Zeppelin performed at the LA Forum in 1977. Outside of Earls Court and the Japan 71 shows ,these six nights might just be the very best series of concerts they ever played.
In fact I’d say there is no finer example of the sheer out and out onstage excitement Led Zeppelin were capable of attaining than the opening minutes of their performance at the Los Angeles Forum on the night of June 21st 1977 as captured on the legendary Listen To This Eddie bootleg. rom the moment Jimmy slays across the double neck and they break into the intro of The Song Remains The Same and that stupendous percussive flurry from Bonzo through to Robert’s entry…well it just doesn’t get any better.
Subsequently the playlist here over the next few days will be reflecting Led Zeppelin at the LA Forum 1977. Six of their very best nights from Listen To This Eddie to Badgeholders Only and more…and thanks to Mike Millard’s remarkable tapes from the time we can relive that week for Badgeholders – six nights at LA Forum where Led Zeppelin reigned supreme.
DL
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The Rolling Stones – Twickenham June 19 2018:
I’ve been listening to The Rolling Stones since 1964. The Stones albums were always on the player around our house. I can vividly remember seeing them on Top of The Pops performing Not Fade Away in a promo film that saw them performing on a hillside. When I got really into music in 1969, for about a year The Rolling Stones were my absolute favourite group.
They had to take second place when my passion for Led Zeppelin took on giant proportions from 1970 onwards but they were still right up there for me and I followed their every move. The arrival of the Let It Bleed album in late 1969 kick started a series of amazing records. Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out was the best live album I had ever heard until Zep’s Blueberry Hill came my way. I also loved the Sticky Fingers album when it came out in April 1971.
A year later the arrival of the epic Exile On Main Street was preceded by a free flexi disc single given away by the NME. Hearing previews of Happy, Shine A Light, All Down the Line etc was incredibly exciting for this ten 15 year old.
When I began working at British Home Stores in June of that year, I finally had funds to purchase records. I had seen an advert for the Rolling Stones album Hot Rocks album on import. This was a US only compilation with a fantastic sleeve. I had to have it and though I only earned eleven pounds fifty a week, some five pounds of it went on a postal order to secure that exclusive US only double album set. I also later purchased the excellent follow up More Rocks Off ( Big Hits & Fazed Cookies) on import.
Around the same time, I bought a brilliant book on The Rolling Stones titled An Unauthorized Biography In Words, Photographs and Music . This gathered some of the best material on them published in Rolling Stone magazine. It was an absolute revelation and opened my eyes to so much about them – and indeed inspired my intentions to put pen to paper and chronicle the music I admired. It was the first of many books on The Rolling Stones I would acquire
On August 31, 1973 I took receipt of their latest album Goats Head Soup on the day it was released. Some seven days later on September 8, I got to see them live in concert at the Empire Wembley Pool. An afternoon show – and what a show it was with Mick Taylor the star of the occasion. His playing was immense that afternoon.
Mick’s playing also lit up Goats Head Soup – a much underrated part of the Stones catalogue in my view. 100 Years Ago, Winter, Can You Hear The Music being some of the many highlights. Many years later, in 2012 I was able to put forward my views on this album in a feature I wrote for Record Collector (see issue). Back in my bedroom in 1973 I was already writing my own reviews for an audience of one – such was my passion to write about music. This would eventually manifest itself in the my chronicling of Led Zeppelin and the creation of the TBL magazine. The notion that one day I would write a feature on The Rolling Stones that would reach a wide audience in a highly respected music magazine was something of a pipedream 45 years ago –but one that I am very happy to say came to fruition.
Back to the story…
I absolutely loved the It’s Only Rock’n’ Roll album when it came out in October 1974 – preceded by the single with that great video with all the foam engulfing them. By then I’d been accumulating a fair few Stones bootlegs – Burning At the Hollywood Palladium, Summer Reruns, All Meat Music ,The Stars In TheSky – wonderful illicit recordings that further enhanced my appreciation of my second fave band.
The 1975 retro compilation Metamorphosis was a splendid stop gap with some fascinating outtakes – Family, If You Let Me, Downtown Suzie and Jiving Sister Fanny amongst them.
The following year saw the Stones back out on the road in Europe – I sent off my postal order for tickets to see them at Earls Court as did a million others. Amazing I struck lucky and the May 25 Earls Court gig remains a great concert memory – especially the dramatic opening as the petal stage unfolded to reveal Michael Philip Jagger at the top and all ready to go.
The Black And Blue album had just been released – another Stones album I explored every detail of and tracks such as Hot Stuff, Hand Fate, Memory Motel, Fool To Cry and Hey Nagrita became part of my soundtrack of that hot summer of 1976. The line up of course being re energized by the addition of Ronnie Wood.
I enjoyed the Love You Live album with its one side recorded at the El Mocambo Club in Toronto. There was some fine stuff on the Some Girls album – and the bootleg of the US tour 78 Garden State was a superb live set.
Emotional Rescue I found somewhat patchy. 1981’sTattoo You had them back on form, though much of it was leftovers from previous albums. The rest of the 1980s saw them in something of a rut. Neither Under Cover Of The Night and Dirty Work hit the mark for me – however, there were some one off great tracks during that era such as One Hit To The Body (with Jimmy Page guesting) and,Rock In A Hard Place.
It’s worth mentioning at this point that over the decades, The Rolling Stones have been intrinsically linked with Led Zeppelin. From Jimmy and John Paul Jones contributing to some of the 60s material as session men ( JPJ’s strings on She’s A Rainbow lit up that masterpiece), though to the New Barbarians performing at Knebworth in 1979 and Jimmy’s aforementioned contribution to One Hit To The Body.
1989’s Steel Wheels was a much needed return to form. This was when I picked up the live show again – attending the Urban Jungle tour date at Wembley Stadium on July 6, 1990. A very visually pleasing performance but by then I felt the whole stage act had become somewhat bloated .
Although my interest in the Stones heritage – and their amazing back catalogue never waned., it would be another 13 years before I would venture out to see them live again. I was lucky enough to get a gold ticket for their performance on August 23 2003 at Twickenham Stadium as part of the 40 Licks tour..
Leaner and fitter, by now they had honed the art of the big stadium rock show to perfection. They were fantastic that night.
Come their 50th anniversary gigs at the 02 in late 2012, the good lady Janet and I did try to get tickets but my they were just too expensive. The next year they played Glastonbury and we had a memorable house party here to mark the event. For some reason, I opted out of the Hyde Park gigs – the idea of a communal gig in the park did not appeal – a big mistake looking back.
So began the quest to see them again – particularly for the good lady Janet who has never seen them. In 2015 we did check out the truly excellent Rolling Stones Exhibition in London. A year later the release of the Blue And Lonesome album in late 2016 was much welcomed. All through the album Mick Jagger was so immersed in the vocals – he hadn’t sounded this committed on a Stones record since the 70’s –Hoo Doo Blues, low down and sleazy could easily have come of off Sticky Fingers. I Can’t Quite You Baby was an authentic rendering, though not quite up there with the Zep goings on at Olympic Studios in 1968 but great fun to hear…
I concluded my review of the album with the following summary:
Ii an ever changing world some things remain constant – I loved The Rolling Stones when I first heard them in 1964 – I love The Rolling Stones in 2016 and this album only enhances that love.
Last year came the announcement that they were returning to the road to perform some European dates.
My very good friend Krys Jantzen and his lady Ana did venture over to Paris to catch the No Filter show during its run of European shows. Again Janet and I toyed with that option to go over and see them but it wasn’t viable.
So when the UK tour dates were announced earlier in the year we were on a mission to secure tickets. After hours of waiting in the online ticket system queues, we struck lucky and Twickenham Stadium here we come…
…and Twickenham Stadium there we are…
The Rolling Stones at Twickenham Stadium June 19, 2018:
‘’When we started it all off down the road we never though it would come to this’’
A truly great performance last night – they looked and sounded right on it from the start. Early set highlights included a compelling Tumbling Dice, a riveting Paint It Black and an authentic blues groove on Ride ‘Em on Down The fans online vote choice winner on the night was a very welcomed Bitch from the Sticky Fingers album performed with a real swagger and probably my fave number of the night.
James Bay guested on vocals for Beast Of Burden and Mick led the crowd in a community singalong of You Can’t Always Get What You Want . Following Honky Tonk Women, Mick introduced the players of which Charlie Watts received the possibly the best reception. Keith’s spotlight featured a plaintive You Got The Sliver and a rousing Before They Make Me Run
From there the hits just kept on coming – Sympathy For the Devil, Miss You (brilliant lighting effects here) a dramatic Midnight Rambler, and then a formidable finale of pure raw power – step up Start Me Up, Jumping Jack Flash and Brown Sugar plus encores of Gimme Shelter and Satisfaction.
Throughout it all, the band played with a real joyful strut – and they were clearly enjoying themselves. Charlie Watt’s lightening quick snare drum shots driving it all and Ronnie and Keith lapping it up with some deft guitar inter-changes – Keith seemed really on the money.
As for Michael Philip Jagger…what can you say? 37 days short of his 75th birthday, he danced, pranced and preened at a level of intensity that was just breathtaking to watch.
‘’When we started it all off down the road we never though it would come to this’’ commented Mick at one point but come to this it has and what a glorious heritage they project – and the magnitude of their following really has to be seen to be believed.
At Twickenham last night, the good lady Janet and I were proud to be among so many like minded believers of what The Rolling Stones can deliver – and deliver they certainly did.
They remain the planet’s pre eminent live attraction. ..and they really are just phenomenal…
Dave Lewis – June 20, 2018
…………………..
DL Diary Blog Update:
At the always excellent Vinyl Barn last Friday morning, I was well pleased to find this Richie Havens compilation on the Polydor Special label – perfect summer listening… thanks Darren ! Plenty of great stock at the Vinyl Barn at Bedford Market just across from WH Smith ..be sure to check it out if you are in the area….
What a start to The World Cup – the incredible Spain v Portugal 3-3 draw, Mexico beating Germany 1-0 – and then England – putting us through the usual torture but what a result against Tunisia with Harry Kane stepping up to the mark with that last minute header. What relief! it’s now Panama on Sunday and here’s hoping Gareth’s boys can continue the wining form.
Watching all the action unfold re affirms the fact that this really is the greatest sporting event -after all the negativity surrounding Russia’s choice of host nation – well it’s been a real eye opener and on the first week’s showing, the beautiful game has just got more beautiful. As the excellent Oliver Holt commented in his Mail on Sunday column: ”Great sporting events bring out the best of us. It’s about people -not governments . It let’s us see each other not as enemies but as brothers and sisters”
Here’s to a whole lot more prime footballing action…
In between all the World Cup action there has been yet more very important work on the Evenings With Led Zeppelin book – more on all that very soon. Co-author Mike Tremaglio and myself are looking forward to explaining just what we’ve been up to with this epic book these past four years and more…here’s a preview of the book cover – like I said, we will be revealing much more on this very soon…
Dave Lewis – June 21, 2018
Until next time, have a great weekend
Website updates written and compiled by Dave Lewis
with thanks to Gary Foy, Mike Tremaglio and James Cook
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Hi Dave,
Just listened to the 2018 release (Ultimate Classic Rock web site) of Black Dog and did a comparison to the 2007 remaster. I have to say I much prefer the 2007 version. Much more up front and engaging, although incomplete,it has more of a soundboard feel. The 2018 version is ok but not a lot different to the early CD (although it does have the extra songs). A bit tidied up maybe but that’s all.
In my humble opinion it really doesn’t justify the expense of buying it yet again.
And now the £171 price originally out there has risen to £200 – go figure!
What an absolutely unnecessary release!
Er, could someone please correct me if I’m wrong. Dazed and Confused has always been on one side of the vinyl. So the newly remastered version is 29 minutes long. Wowee! So what? Plus of course, how can any self-respecting Zep fan sleep soundly in their bed without a high-quality print of the original album cover? Sorry to be cynical, but the boxed set, certainly, is a monumental money-spinner offering very little that is new. Oh, and I wonder if the missing part of No Quarter has been reinstated. I’ll buy the CD set, but I really will have to swallow hard and live without the high-quality print this time.
James
Hiroshi – it was indeed not easy getting out of there!
Dave,
I heard a number of horror stories regarding the bad organization of The Rolling Stones’ Twickenham show, many attendees missing the return trains, staying in the area all night etc. Did you have a struggling experience? I hope not.
I saw them in Manchester and Edinburgh. Manchester another cracking night, simply one of their greatest shows I’ve ever attended. I didn’t click with the Edinburgh show myself, but many people seem to have been impressed by them.
Mick Jagger is superhuman. Had enough of jaw-dropping moments from him.
Below is a line I spotted on the internet forum sometime ago;
“RnR is over and the Stones won. They are the Champs.”
Couldn’t agree more.
Although I have all the others with the numbered prints (except IV, missed the release date!) I’m going to hang back with this one until the price comes down because they can’t shift them.
Sorry but £171 is taking the pee just a bit too much.
Mr Page it’s now time to give us a new remaster of the first album
in Flac 768 Khz/512 bits for Smarphones and androïds so that we can all hear properly the stool noise at 1mn17sec in Black Mountain Side ….
“New stuff” … “New stuff” …
It seems it would be fair to allow the new TSRTS to be released before the band is slammed for it. And this is coming from someone who was no fan of the 2007 Kevin Shirley version. I recall quite an uproar prior to the recent reissue of HTWWW, and Jimmy absolutely knocked it out of the park with that one imo.
I’m guessing we’re in for some cool stuff as the year unfolds.
if the young man in this clip, who has both exquisite and impeccable taste, only wants to listen to the best band of all time then I think he deserves not be disappointed in this anniversary year and we can only wish for something special for him (and us):
https://www.facebook.com/YFMShareYourSound/posts/413966669072191
Sorry if this sounds too cynical, but is this the “corks will pop” moment mentioned by Robert? i had so hoped for an Earls Court or a 77 release, something new. I completely agree with Mal B on this. Everything associated with TSRTS came out in remastered form only 10 years ago. I’ve loyally bought every reissue so far but at £171 current price i think this will test my resilience. Here’s hoping we will hear thise corks popping eventualy…
Hi Dave,
Have to say I can’t believe Jimmy has reissued The Song Remains The Same again!!! It was only re released and remastered in 2007. I really liked the remaster even though there were errors (not the complete Black Dog and The Ocean not an encore) but just to have Dazed all on one side of one lp as the only thing to look forward to, well whoopedo! Even the running order is still not right! And is it the complete Black Dog? I doubt it.
How The West Was Won was a great remaster. It needed it. But this is unnecessary and apart from the people who have to have it because it’s the 50th anniversary year and completes the remaster programme I can’t see anyone else wanting it.
I hope there are better releases to celebrate the 50th anniversary year to look forward to!
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Tight But Loose Magazine created by Dave Lewis 1978. TBL/Web launched by Dave Linwood 1995. TBL logo by Mike Warry.
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