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ROBERT PLANT UK TOUR REPORTS/ LZ NEWS/ TBL 02 REUNION TEN YEARS GONE EVENT/BLACK FRIDAY- CHRISTMAS OFFERS/ELECTRIC MAGIC 46 YEARS GONE/MALCOLM YOUNG AND DAVID CASSIDY RIP/DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE

22 November 2017 2,301 views 2 Comments

Robert Plant UK Tour Reviews – pic here taken at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall by DL

Here are three first hand report from the first week of the Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters UK tour.

Marcus in Plymouth:

Plymouth Pavilions – November 16, 2017:

Setlist:
The Lemon Song
New World…
Turn It Up
The May Queen
That’s the Way
All the King’s Horses
In the Light
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Rainbow
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
Little Maggie
Bluebirds Over the Mountain
Funny In My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ to Die)
Misty Mountain Hop
——————–
Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down
Whole Lotta Love

Don’t want to give too much away, as these days one doesn’t get too many surprises at gigs, but there are a few in store for those going to see Robert over the next couple of weeks.

Suffice to say that the musicianship was jaw-dropping from the band, who are really on fire. A great smattering of Zep tunes played with a good concentration also on the bands recent output.

Highlights for me we Fixin to Die, Carry Fire, Bluebirds, Satan your Kingdom must come down and all of the Zep tunes really worked with the exception of Misty Mountain Hop which possibly misses the mark for me at least.

Enjoy the shows, because you really don’t get entertained like this so much these days.

The man is a legendary performer, and the voice is exceptional, and the band are possibly the best he has assembled around him since the days of long ago! Marcus via TBL website

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Richard Grubb in Bristol:

Colston Hall, Bristol – November 17, 2017:

Setlist:

New World…

Turn It Up

May Queen

Rainbow

That’s The Way

All The King’s Horses

Please Read The Letter

Gallows Pole

Carry Fire

Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

Little Maggie

Funny In My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ To Die)

Misty Mountain Hop

Encores:

Bones Of Saints

Whole Lotta Love

Robert Plant made a triumphant return to the west of England with the ever-impressive Sensational Space Shifters last night.

Delivering a setlist drawn principally from his two most recent albums – with occasional dips into the more distant past, this was a wonderfully balance gig that highlighted the transition from hoary rock god to wise old sage.

At precisely 8:45 the house lights lowered and the intro music came through the PA. A traditional Deep South blues call-and-response looped with added electronica set the tone for the rest of the evening: the seamless melding of old and new, tradition and progression.

New World… opens the set and it seems appropriate in a Bristol context. Plenty of explorers have set off from the harbour in this city, and it seems the band and audience are indeed searching out new musical worlds over the next hour or two.

The sound is superb. It’s a credit to the crew and to the acoustics of the historic Colston Hall: it’s clear, loud enough but not too loud, and beautifully balanced. It gives plenty of opportunity to concentrate on the band as well as that voice. A rare thing these days at gigs, so worth highlighting.

We have to talk about that voice… it’s now more controlled than in years gone by, aware of its limits as time marches on, but now imbued with a tone that gets richer as the years advance, like a fine single malt that envelops you, warms you and gets into your bones. Tonight it’s on top form.

Turn It Up follows, faithful to the recorded version, then, after some local references, The May Queen appears along with new guy Seth Lakeman. Lakeman’s contribution throughout the night locates this version of the Sensational Space Shifters a lot closer to home, adding a very British feel to songs that were once hovering over the African sub continent. It’s subtle, but keeps things fresh.

Rainbow is next with hand drums all round and some lovely “oh, my darlin’” adlibs from Robert. Great supporting vocals from the band add an extra dimension.

Next is one of several highlights of the night: introduced as “a song written by younger people”, That’s The Way is a joy, beautifully delivered with all the delicacy of the LZIII original, but with added Justin Adams mandolin at the end, which (very subtly) shifts it towards bluegrass territory. If that sounds sacrilegious, it’s not: it adds to the song without detracting from the original. Very tastefully done.

The acoustic theme continues with a drop-dead gorgeous All The King’s Horses from the now almost forgotten Mighty Rearranger album, and again it highlights just how good this band is. Superb song, superb band. Bliss.

The fact that an album as strong as Mighty Rearranger can only manage to have one song selected for the setlist is alluded to with the introduction of the next. “There’s a lot of songs to choose from…and this is one of them,” is said without any hint of irony that the singer has the greatest back catalogue of any of his contemporaries at his disposal…Ladies and gentlemen: Please Read The Letter.

Band intros are next, acknowledging local connections for the majority of the band members, with Justin getting a special mention as “Captain of this ship,” and then we’re into Gallows Pole. For me, this is the only slight mis-step of the evening. Seth Lakeman’s fiddle is a little too jaunty for my taste; the result comes across as too much country square dance with added Yee-ha. No matter, the audience response proves I was in the minority as it’s well received by the Bristol crowd.

What follows next is something that only the Sensational Space Shifters can do. The title track of the new album Carry Fire starts faithfully enough, but by the end it has morphed into something new. The addition of a searing Skin Tyson guitar solo and an extended middle section proves that even on a song that has only been out in the wild for around a month, the band already have a restless need to explore, to expand and to stretch what they do. The result is thrilling and another highlight in a night full of highlights.

Speaking of which…

As Skin takes a seat with an acoustic guitar and unleashes a Spanish flourish it’s clear that we’re about to get another chance to revel in a stand out version of the LZI classic Babe I’m Gonna Leave You. This version has made regular appearances on recent tours, but it makes a very welcome return this time around as well. Superb. It’s clear that Robert feels the same: at the end of it, he asks the audience, “the Sensational Space Shifters…what more could you ask for???” The answer is probably ‘nothing’. It’s a triumph.

Little Maggie gives John Baggott a chance to twiddle his knobs and then it’s another reliable setlist regular in the form of Funny In My Mind, featuring Justin’s rockabilly section that I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of, and then main set closer, Misty Mountain Hop. In my notes from the gig I’ve just written “VOICE!” in capitals, so I guess that’s all you need to know…

A short break is taken, then it’s a two song encore, featuring something old and something new, which captures the SSS philosophy perfectly: an eye on the past, but with feet moving forward.

Some quick references to the troubled and uncertain times we’re living in (“there’s not a political party that can sort this mess out…but we can – WATCH THIS!”) leads into Bones of Saints.

The inevitable (but no less welcome for it) Whole Lotta Love rounds things off. The 2017 version comes with a new intro, starting off as if it’s heading into Doors Riders On The Storm territory before becoming something altogether heavier. It’s the perfect end to a near perfect night.

Leaving the theatre had me trying to rank this concert amongst the many times I’ve been lucky enough to be in the singer’s company, and it’s right up there with anything I’ve witnessed. It really is a great time to be a Robert Plant fan…

Richard Grubb  – pics by Richard

……..

Dave Lewis in Wolverhampton

Civic Hall Wolverhampton November 20,2017:

Prelude: The morning of November 20,2017…

46 years ago tomorrow I first saw Robert Plant sing live with Led Zeppelin at the Empire Pool Wembley

If a psychic had turned to me in the confines of the Empire Pool Wembley on that night back in 1971 and told me that 46 years hence, with the singer in his late-60s and me in my early 60s, that I’d still be witnessing Robert Plant performing on stage in 2017, well I would have probably very much doubted that such a thing would come to pass.

By the wonder of devotion, that’s the way it is, as tonight I will be eagerly taking my seat at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall to witness Robert on stage for what I think is about the 118th time.

The anticipation and excitement to do so is exactly (if not more!) as it was way back in 1971 when I was aged15.

Setlist:

New World…

Turn It Up

May Queen

Rainbow

That’s The Way

All The King’s Horses

Please Read The Letter

Gallows Pole

Carry Fire

Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

Little Maggie

Funny In My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ To Die)

Misty Mountain Hop

Encores:

What is And What Should Never Be

Bones Of Saints

Whole Lotta Love

 To Wolverhampton with my good friend Krys Jantzen. An unexpected A road diversion found us in the backwaters of the Black Country – there seemed to be a lot of signs for Nuneaton and Tamworth but none at all for our intended destination. After nigh on three hours travelling from Bedford, we eventually made it into Wolverhampton city centre.  The Dog and Yates pubs were well full and there were a fair few TBL people to say hello too – and Krys and I played a game of spot the T shirt – plenty fans wearing of recent Robert Plant tour t- shirts and we also spotted 02 Reunion ones and Walking Into Clarksdale. As ever in this neck of the woods, it was a real friendly and warm vibe.
We had tickets for the downstairs standing area – however I decided to spare my old knees. I had already pre arranged to meet with long time TBL supporter Pete Gozzard. Pete has wheelchair access on the right hand balcony so I watched the show with him from what was a very good overview position.

Here we go…

Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters – Wolverhampton Civic Hall, November 20,2017 Pic by Krys Jantzen

A simply joyous gig last night in Wolverhampton.

A quick fashion note – Robert looked well smart in a silk shirt tucked in – aside from the hair tied back, he looked not unlike he did at the 02 Reunion ten years back.

From the moment they kicked in to New World, there was an intent and purpose about Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters. Early highlights included a tough and rocking Turn It Up and a crowd pleasing Rainbow. Seth Lakeman has added a whole new dimension bringing in a folk overtone that in the main, greatly benefits the arrangements. The only time it didn’t quite work for me was a slightly overdone hoedown approach to Gallows Pole (On my setlist wish list is Calling To You – Seth would make a great job of the Nigel Kennedy parts).

Elsewhere, Seth provided a stomp and groove to a quite majestic Please Read The Letter. Robert’s wry comment that many years ago ”two men sat by a waterfall” preceded a simply gorgeous That’s The Way – his delivery of those lines we know so well was achingly beautiful. Billy Fuller switched to upright bass for what was something of an Unledded arrangement of the Zep III classic. All The Kings Horses was another semi acoustic delight with a neat Justin solo..

The fact that the best performance of the night was a brand new song says everything about the ongoing musical ambition of this unit – and that new song was Carry Fire From the exotic intro through to Skin,Justin and Seth trading licks as the singer looked on admirably this performance had a dramatic impact. David Smith’s percussive storm and John Baggott’s swirling synth work adding to the dramatic effect.

A delicate and equally vibrant Babe I’m Gonna Leave provided Skin with his moment in the spotlight. Little Maggie continued the momentum on into an urgent Fixin’ ToDie. Justin Adam’s sense of showmanship on an extended guitar solo being another crowd pleasing moment. In fact throughout the show, the interplay on stage between these musicians demonstrated the sheer joy they were having – and that joy reverberated throughout the hall. A back drop film of the peace and love vibe of the 60s accompanied Misty Mountain Hop – reworked with Seth again at the centre of it all and pleasingly so.

Encores – What Is And What Should Never Be -what a thrill it was to hear this Zep II staple I first heard performed live by the singer on that night of electric magic for me of 46 years ago today. The warm rush of the already familiar Bones Of Saints led into the finale. Whole Lotta Love opened with a very Airplane/Doors jam before moving into that oh so familiar riff. This current arrangement of the old Zep warhorse is a no nonsense compact affair and all the better for it.

Of course, being a homecoming gig throughout the night Robert made many a local quip and nod to the local surroundings and people – and here he is aged 69 still playing for the people or as he once put it, playing to an ocean. As the band left the stage at the close of this scintillating Wolverhampton performance, you could certainly hear the ocean roar…

I am eagerly looking forward to hearing that (ceaseless) roar all over again at the Royal Albert Hall in 16 days time.
Dave Lewis – November 21,2017

Pic by Krys Janzen

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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

Jimmy Page

Robert Plant

Robert Plant performing in Bristol on November 17 (YouTube/Rob Long) Robert Plant kicked off his new world tour this week with a performance in Plymouth on November 16 and another in Bristol on November 17. You can view our coverage of the Plymouth performance here. Below we’ve included the setlists for both nights, and you can click through on linked songs to view videos of the performances:

November 16 – Plymouth, UK
The Lemon Song
New World…
Turn It Up
The May Queen
That’s the Way
All the King’s Horses
In the Light
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Rainbow
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
Little Maggie
Bluebirds Over the Mountain
Funny In My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ to Die)
Misty Mountain Hop
——————
Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down
Whole Lotta Love

November 17 – Bristol, UK
New World…
Turn It Up
The May Queen
Rainbow
That’s the Way
All the King’s Horses
Gallows Pole
Please Read the Letter
Carry Fire
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
Little Maggie
Funny In My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ to Die)
Misty Mountain Hop
——————
Bones of Saints
Whole Lotta Love

John Paul Jones

Upcoming events:

November 20 – Robert Plant will perform in Wolverhampton.
November 22 – Robert Plant will perform in Llandudno.
November 24 – Robert Plant will perform in Newcastle.
November 25 – Robert Plant will perform in Liverpool.
November 27 – Robert Plant will perform in Glasgow.
November 28 – Robert Plant will perform in Perth.
November 30 – Robert Plant will perform in Manchester.
December 2 – Robert Plant will perform in Belfast.
December 3 – Robert Plant will perform in Dublin.
December 6 – Robert Plant will perform in Sheffield.
December 8 – Robert Plant will perform in London.
December 10 – Tight But Loose will host a fan meet-up in London to mark 10 years since the O2 reunion.
December 11 – Robert Plant will perform in Portsmouth.
December 12  Robert Plant will perform in Birmingham.
February 1 – Robert Plant will perform at the UK Americana Awards in London.
February 9 – Robert Plant will perform in Raleigh, North Carolina.
February 11 – Robert Plant will perform in Charlotte, North Carolina.
February 12 – Robert Plant will perform in Norfolk, Virginia.
February 14 – Robert Plant will perform in New York.
February 16 – Robert Plant will perform in Boston, Massachusetts.
February 17 – Robert Plant will perform in Toronto, Ontario.
February 20 – Robert Plant will perform in Chicago, Illinois.
February 22 – Robert Plant will perform in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
February 24 – Robert Plant will perform in Denver, Colorado.
February 26 – Robert Plant will perform in Phoenix, Arizona.
February 28 – Robert Plant will perform in Oakland, California.
March 2 – Robert Plant will perform in Los Angeles, California.
March 26 – Robert Plant will perform in Sydney, Australia.
March 27 – Robert Plant will perform in Sydney, Australia.
March 30 – Robert Plant will perform at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in Australia.
April 1 – Robert Plant will perform in Melbourne, Australia.
April 2 – Robert Plant will perform in Melbourne, Australia.
April 8 – Robert Plant will perform in Perth, Australia.

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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Black Friday Offers/Christmas offers:

To coincide with Black Friday, I am running a series of limited edition price offers. So here is a round up of TBL Product on offer this Christmas –all orders will be processed and dispatched as received. Note overseas buyers – order as soon as possible to ensure pre Christmas delivery.

TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 1:

Led Zeppelin Then As It Was – At Knebworth 1979 and Led Zeppelin Feather In The Wind Bundle offer:

SPECIAL  LIMITED OFFER!  NOW AT A BARGAIN PRICE!

Buy both books for just £14 plus postage!

For a limited period, I am offering both the Led Zeppelin Then As It Was – At Knebworth 1979 and Led Zeppelin Feather In The Wind Over Europe 1980 books at a bargain bundle offer price of both books for just £14 plus postage and packing.

The perfect companion to the latter period of the Led Zeppelin story.

Order link here:

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

TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 2:

Led Zeppelin Then As It Was – At Knebworth 1979

SPECIAL  LIMITED OFFER!  NOW AT A BARGAIN PRICE!

The book is now available for a limited period at special bargain price of just £8 plus postage and packing 

Then As It Was explores the Knebworth concerts in the forensic detail one has come to expect from the Zeppelin authority Dave Lewis. Required reading for anyone who was there” Mark Blake Mojo  

Order link here:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/books-t-shirts/knebworth-book/

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TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 3:

Led Zeppelin Feather In The Wind – Over Europe 1980

SPECIAL  LIMITED OFFER!  NOW AT A BARGAIN PRICE!

The book is now available for a limited period at a special bargain price of just £8 plus postage and packing 

’A brilliant dissection of the tour that time forgot. What emerges is an intriguing chronicle of the biggest band in the world contemplating their own vastness and legacy. But this is no obituary; instead Dave Lewis has skilfully woven a passionate celebration of a group who may well have been on the verge of an altogether different kind of greatness.’’ Terry Staunton Record Collector

Order link here:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/books-t-shirts/led-zeppelin-feather-in-the-wind-over-europe-1980-book/

………………………………..

TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 4:

A new fantastic TBL Christmas offer…

TBL Magazine Back Issue Bundle Offer – TBL Issues  38, 39, 40,41 and Collectors Edition 42 …

All for just £9.95 plus postage!

if you are new to TBL, this is a great way of catching up on previous TBL magazines – issues 38,issue 39, issue 40, issue 41 and issue 42  at a bargain price of just £9.95 plus postage and packing!

Note the TBL 42 issue is the limited edition Jimmy Page cover

Every 5 pack back issue bundle offer includes two  free 10×8 individually numbered prints – John Paul Jones on stage in the USA in 1975 and Jimmy Page on stage in Europe in 1980 – perfect for framing!

All in all this is an amazing offer for a limited period.

Order link here:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/tbl-back-issue-bundle-5-tbl-magazines-for-just-5-plus-postage/

TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 5:

THE NEW TBL ISSUE 43 – OUT NOW!

TBL issue 43 – Another TBL outpouring – the new TBL  issue 43 – 50,000 words of text – not just a magazine – more a mini book.

”Dave Lewis has done it again! Another fabulous issue of Tight But Loose, especially enjoyed the Chris Farlowe interview, the overview of Robert Plant’s solo career and the story of the Bombay sessions.. not just a magazine more a way of life! Led Zeppelin lives on through TBL that’s for sure!” Kevin Hewick

Order link here:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/tbl-issue-43-out-now/

Suffice to say, all these offers will also make for perfect Christmas presents – so prompt your loved ones now to ensure seasonal delight!

 

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ANOTHER GREAT CHRISTMAS OFFER:

Rufus Stone Limited Editions Christmas special offer:

Another opportunity to invest in this book at a bargain price…

LED ZEPPELIN – FIVE GLORIOUS NIGHTS

Christmas sale from Wednesday 22nd at midday until Friday December 15th 2017.

Led Zeppeelin will be £90 inc FREE Delivery worldwide (saving 25% on the book and up to £30 on the delivery).

Dave Lewis’s epic chronicle of the bands legendary shows at Earls Court.

A must for any Led Zeppelin fan

Order here!

http://www.rufuspublications.com/Led-Zeppelin-Earls-Court

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”Ahmet We Did it”:

Led Zeppelin 02 Reunion Ten Years Gone TBL Anniversary Celebration Day Event Update:

Tickets to the event are now on sale – to ensure entry it’s advisable to pre order a ticket – details are below.

Latest addition to the proceedings – legendary Led Zep author Luis Rey will be in attendance talking about his Led Zeppelin Live book 

Former Melody Maker editor and author Chris Charlesworth is coming along to talk about his time on the road with Zep – he will also talk about and have copies available of his new Elvis Presley book Caught In A Trap: the Kidnapping of Elvis.

To re- iterate all the details:

Dave Lewis and Julian Walker Present:

‘’Ahmet We Did it’’: Led Zeppelin 02 Reunion Ten Years Gone TBL Anniversary Celebration Day Event

Sunday December 10, 2017

Venue: The Atlas Pub

Upstairs Function Rooms

16 Seagrave Road,

Fulham,

London,

SW6 1RX

0207 385 9129

http://www.theatlaspub.co.uk/

From 2pm to 9.30pm

Nearest tube: West Brompton (District Line, London Overground, and Southern train services)

A unique TBL Led Zeppelin fan gathering staged exactly ten years gone from that night of nights.

‘’Ahmet we did it’’

Ten years on let’s celebrate that fact all over again….

IMPORTANT:

To confirm your attendance:

Please send £7.50 via PayPal at the link below:

Please note if you require more than one ticket – just make an additional order for each ticket -there is not a facility for multiple orders.

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/led-zeppelin-02-reunion-ten-years-gone-tbl-anniversary-celebration-day-event-order-tickets-here/

 I will send you a PDF ticket to confirm your attendance. This will need to be presented on the day at the pub. Also please print out the confirmation E-mail I will send with the PDF attachment and bring that along too. You will require both the ticket and a copy of the E-mail confirmation to gain entry.

Please note – there is a ceiling limit on how many we can accommodate, so be sure order your tickets AS SOON AS POSSIBLE  to ensure entry. 

Further details ongoing via

www.tightbut loose.co.uk

Dave Lewis

davelewis.tbl1@ntlworld.com

Julian walker

julianwalker196@virginmedia.com

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Electric Magic 46 years gone:

November 21st is always a bit of a special date in my calendar year – as it was on this day back in 1971 that I was lucky enough to witness Led Zeppelin live at the Empire Pool Wembley –and as you will read, nothing was ever the same in our house after that. Over the next few days  I’ll be wading through the Empire Strikes Back Tarantura CD box set to recall the night the Wembley Empire Pool was, as the Melody Maker headline ran  ‘Zapped by Zeppelin…’

Here’s some personal reflections…

Schoolboy wonderment, Wally, Pigs and Plates at the Pool

46 years ago on Tuesday, I first witnessed the pure live power of Led Zeppelin when I attended the second Electric Magic show at the Empire Pool Wembley on the evening of Sunday November 21st 1971. I was just 15 years old –the effect would be a lasting one. Looking back one of the things that stands out from that time is that Zep had a ‘’leaders of the underground’’ stigma about them.

This was the latter period of the UK underground scene –the famous Oz obscenity trial was a only a couple of months before and on that November night there hung a heady atmosphere as London’s counter culture elite came out to see them. This feeling of being amongst the counter culture was enhanced by the presence of a large stall within the Empire Pool for Virgin Records Richard Branson’s newly inaugurated discount record retail operation. They were proudly selling the new Led Zeppelin album in that mysterious sleeve. There was also the famous Electric Magic poster on sale for all of 30p which now changes hands for upwards of a grand. I wish I’d brought more than one!

This was the night Home and Stone The Crows were the support acts and during both sets their respective guitarists took out a violin bow and briefly did a ‘’Jimmy’’ in mock respect for what would occur later. The in between entertainment was provided by the infamous performing pigs that didn’t and the plate spinner Olley Gray who also didn’t fare too well. Warm up records played by DJ Jeff Dexter included Redbone’s Witch Queen Of New Orleans and Isaac Hayes’ Shaft – both hits of the time (Page would insert the riff of Shaft into their version of Dazed And Confused the next week in Manchester.

There were frequent cries from the audience of ‘’Wally’’ a gig going tradition sparked by a roadie at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival. Never around when needed, the road crew cries of ‘’Where’s Wally?’’ was taken up by the festival audience – and ensuing audiences at big name gigs such as this one.

Then it was time for the main event. Promoter Ricky Farr introduced them and it was evident how loud it was going to be from the moment Bonzo rattled around the kit and Jimmy flexed the Gibson. Then 1 -2-3-4 …Blam!

I was watching Led Zeppelin perform Immigrant Song in front of my own eyes…and nothing was ever the same again.

And nothing was ever this loud. The sheer force of the riff physically pushed me back. After the initial shock of that moment, well the rest of proceedings for this particular schoolboy were just awe inspiring. I watched it all with open mouthed wonderment.

electric-magic-poster

So many vivid images remain from that first stunning exposure to the grown up music world. The immediate upturn of seeing this thing in the flesh was that my interest increased manifold. The scrapbooks became more meticulous, the hunger for knowledge about them more intense and the need to follow their every move a virtual means to an end. It was a year of waiting before they returned to the UK and I saw them at Alley Pally and then came five glorious nights at Earls Court and more. By then journalistic reporting of Zep in the Melody Maker and NME by the likes of Roy Hollingsworth, Nick Kent and Charles Shaar Murray had inspired me to put pen to paper myself and the seeds of Tight But Loose were being sown.

Ultimately it was that night back in November 1971 that sparked the insatiable belief in their music that has stayed with me ever since. It was a night of true Electric Magic and the intervening 45 years have done nothing to diminish its impact.

Back then at 15 years old, I knew I had witnessed something very special –but little did I realize that 46 years hence at aged 60, Led Zeppelin would still mean so much to me and countless millions across the world.

Then as now… they still hold the (Electric) Magic….

Dave Lewis – November 21, 2017.   

…………………………………….

Malcolm Young 1953 – 2017:

Very sad to hear the news of the passing of Malcom Young – I saw AC/DC on The Who Wembley Stadium bill in August 1979 ..loud and proud … RIP

David Cassidy 1950 – 2017:

Very sad to too at the  passing of David Cassidy aged 67. I may have loved Led Zeppelin but back in in the early 70s I knew David Cassidy, like Marc Bolan, was a very important pop star. He always came over as a self-aware genuine person and as we would find out later in his life, a very vulnerable one at that. The good lady Janet is a big fan and will be similarly saddened. He made some fabulous pop records including Could It Be Forever? which sounds very poignant now – RIP

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DL Diary Blog Update:

Well, as predicted it’s been a bit of a whirlwind week.

Witnessing the Robert Plant show in Wolverhampton was such a tonic – one of those occasions when being a fan and sharing the experience with so many like minded souls is such a joy.

As mentioned above, It was great to meet up with long time TBL supporter Pete Gozzard. Pete has been a fantastic support to me over the years – particularly in the early days of re establishing the magazine back in the early 90s. Despite health problems Pete’s enthusiasm for music is always inspiring – he told me he has just invested in the 27 disc King Crimson box set! he also makes a big effort to get out to gigs despite being wheelchair bound. Hooking up with Pete is always such an inspiration.

To backtrack on a very busy week:

Friday treats at the Vinyl Barn – at the always excellent and packed with fresh stock Vinyl Barn last Friday, I was well pleased to pick up a couple of nice foreign pressings, The Doors LA Woman Argentinian pressing and The Free Story double album limited edition Canadian pressing – top stuff indeed – thanks Darren Harte !

The pic here was taken in  the Oxfam shop in Bedford last Friday afternoon buying my own book. This is the 2003 small updated version of my Led Zeppelin A Celebration book – long out of print. I only have one copy so at £1.99 it was an absolute bargain and an unexpected addition to my publishing archive!

We had a great day at the Olympia VIP Music Mania Record Fair last Saturday– sadly the last one at this venue as its not viable for VIP to stage it there again – and it was a very good turn out.

At the Fair I spotted a copy of the very rare God Save The Queen Sex Pistols single on A & M – on offer for a cool £10,000. Former Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook was in attendance signing copies of his new album What In The World with his band The Professionals. I had a quick chat with him – he confirmed to me there was never an agenda with them not liking Led Zeppelin back in the punk era – ‘’John Bonham was a fantastic drummer’’ said Paul. In fact he added, they all admired the band – the alleged disliking of the dinosaur acts was as Paul put it ‘all part of the manifesto’. It was great to chat to him.

As ever, it was great to see Phi, Tom, Jimmy Foy, Cliff ‘the ticket man’ Hilliard and Gary Foy – we made a final toast and fond farewell to the last VIP Music Mania Record Fair at Olympia -a very enjoyable final visit. VIP will be staging all their London Fairs at the Victoria venue next year…


Also at the Fair it was great to see long time TBL supporter and Zep collector Dave Fox and US collector dealer Mark Arevalo over from the US –his stall was as ever, packed with interesting rare stuff –I picked up a copy of the brilliant Lulu album New Routes on the US Atco label –it features Duane Allman. Mark was in attendance at the Zep Knebworth shows back in 1979 staying with the late much missed Howard Mylett.


Plus TBL supporter John Gunne – pictured here with myself and Gary Foy. This man has seen more gigs than just about anyone I know (apart from Peter Chow!) and his passion for music is always infectious. I also checked in with another long time memorabilia collector Mark Hayward. I’ve picked up a fair few rare Zep items from Mark going back to the late 1970s. It was therefore a pleasure to sign one of my Led Zeppelin at Knebworth books for him.

Those days out have provided some genuinely inspiring moments. Since then, I’ve been right back on it catching up with the various TBL projects of which the current priorites are preparing for the December 10 TBL meet event and keeping on top of the workload involved with the Evenings With LZ book.

Until next time, have a great weekend

Dave Lewis  – November 22 , 2017  

TBL Website updates compiled by Dave Lewis

with thanks to Gary Foy and James Cook

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YouTube clip:

Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters – Bristol – That’s The Way:

Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters – Wolverhampton – Carry Fire

 

 

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2 Comments »

  • Ian D said:

    Great to see JPJ Rocking it with Donovan for a very worthy cause and performing Sunshine Superman, the same song Jimmy added guitar to, both on the original record and at the Royal Albert Hall a few years back.

  • Cragkeeper said:

    You’re a lucky guy Dave. If I had “money” , I’d fly over the pond to see Robert on his home turf. I love reading your observations because they seem sometimes so close to my experiences in the Colonies (lol) regarding the old days of Zep and the solo years of Robert. I’ll be 62 in December, so, we’re around the same perspective. Somewhere in the archives of the early days of TBL I shared a rather long story about going to an afternoon show at MSG in NY when the Zep3 was not quite released yet.
    Having seen them in ’70 , Philadelphia, just after 2 was released , it was quite a shock seeing the boys all fully bearded and playing sit down acoustic! Great show. So many unknown songs played from a forthcoming album. Debut of Since I’ve Been, Tangerine, That’s the way, etc.
    Fast forward to June of 2015 in Philadelphia, I expected just a Lullaby tour casual Plant show. I left the show with only half of my sensibilities intact. When he walked on stage he threw a large white towel in the air and looked down at it. I laughed with my brother and joked “guess he’s throwing in the towel”. Turned out he did. But in an old Zep fan Good Way.
    As if Wanton Song wasn’t worth the price of admission (with no alterations) …. I later was reduced to a puddle of joyful goo when he premiered Rain Song and Trampled – both unaltered for the most part. There was the usual joyous thunder of all the Philly area Zep fans. And it was then that I realized how I don’t think we ever really change that much over the years. As far as what digs down deep into the psyche and pushes all the right buttons. But Kudos to Robert for keeping on his road. I don’t care for “fiddle playing” so much , but I guess I can overlook that aspect just to see the Man again. Hopefully that is – if he comes to the US in later summer after Australia and such. Because Winter in the NorthEast USA is not concert time to me. Always the threat of ice,snow, (no midnight suns)and the overall wait and hope for the May Queen.

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