TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS / EARLS COURT BOOK BLACK FRIDAY OFFER/LZ NEWS/ JIMMY PAGE AT ABBEY ROAD/PETER GRANT 23 YEARS GONE/ELECTRIC MAGIC 47 YEARS GONE/EMPIRE POOL WEMBLEY 1978/ 1971-ROCK’S GREATEST YEAR? / DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE
TBL GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS – ORDER NOW…
Black Friday Offers/Christmas Offers:
To coincide with Black Friday, 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.
Fed up with receiving the same old tired gifts for Christmas each year? Why not give your loved ones a nudge in the direction of the TBL ordering page and get them to invest on your behalf –let them really know what you want for Christmas or you may well end up with novelty socks and boxers yet again. Alternatively just treat yourself!
Remember – a signed book is a great gift…
TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 1:
Evenings With Led Zeppelin – The Complete Concert Chronicle by Dave Lewis and Mike Tremaglio
Each book is personally signed by Dave Lewis
Here are some facts and figures about the book:
576 pages, 260,000 word text, 2,500+ images, 170 rarely seen colour and black and white photos, large hardback size 267 x 204mm
Written by Dave Lewis and Mike Tremaglio
Edited by Chris Charlesworth
Designed by Mick Lowe at StudioMix Bedford
Foreword by former Led Zeppelin Tour Manager Richard Cole
Here’s the basic overview of what the book projects:
“When Led Zeppelin played a concert, it wasn’t just a concert – it was an event.” – Peter Grant, Led Zeppelin’s manager, 1993
Evenings With Led Zeppelin chronicles in consummate detail the 500-plus concerts that Led Zeppelin performed throughout their career.
From their earliest gig in a Denmark school gymnasium on September 7, 1968, through to the last gig that Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones ever performed with John Bonham, in Berlin on July 7, 1980, this is the Led Zeppelin story told from where their legend was forged – live on stage.
Deploying impeccable research spread over many years, Dave Lewis and Mike Tremaglio bring clarity, authority and perspective to their unique story.
Evenings With Led Zeppelin is a show-by-show narrative of every known Led Zeppelin performance that portrays with pinpoint accuracy the group’s rapid ascent from playing to a few hundred at London’s Marquee Club to selling out the 20,000 capacity Madison Square Garden in New York – all in a mere eighteen months.
Supplemented by historical reviews, facts and figures and expert commentary that capture the spirit of the times, Evenings With Led Zeppelin is illustrated throughout with rarely seen concert adverts, posters, venue images, ticket stubs and photos, all of which offer matchless insight into each and every concert. This is the on-stage heritage of Led Zeppelin as never before chronicled in one volume.
Fifty years on from their formation, Led Zeppelin’s potency as a live band remains unsurpassed – Evenings With Led Zeppelin vividly explains why.
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”This book is an utter triumph, a vast pool of knowledge and amongst the finest publications on ANY band, let alone those myriad of tomes about Led Zeppelin. Very few books are completely essential. This is…”
Andy Adams – Celebration Days Facebook group/To Be A Rock blog
You can order the book at this link – all copies personally signed and dedicated by me.
http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/evenings-with-led-zeppelin-the-complete-concert-chronicle-book/
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TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 2:
Led Zeppelin Live – 1975 – 1977 ACC Editions/Iconic Images
Featuring the Led Zeppelin photographs of Terry O Neill, Michael Brennan and Baron Wolman
Text, captions and editing by Dave Lewis
190 pages
140 approx. black and white photos – 32 approx. colour photos
Large format Hardback
Embossed cover
SPECIAL TBL LIMITED EDITION:
In a run of 150 only:
Each book personally signed by the book’s editor Dave Lewis
Each book includes an individually numbered insert with a 2,000 word interview with Dave Lewis explaining the background to the book and the photos.
Led Zeppelin Live – (ACC Editions/Iconic Images)
Between 1975 and 1977, there is little doubt that Led Zeppelin ruled supreme as the biggest band in the world. Bigger audiences, bigger stage settings, bigger venues lights, lasers and dragon suits. All this combined to produce some of the most iconic images of the 1970s rock era. That era comes firmly under the spotlight in Led Zeppelin Live.
The book profiles the work of three highly respected photographers. Terry O’ Neill made his name documenting the fashions, styles and celebrities of the1960s. He was also on hand to capture Led Zeppelin at Earls Court in London on May 23, 1975; at Tampa Stadium, Florida on June 3,1977; and at New York s Madison Square Garden on June 7 of the same year. Also in the right place at the right time was Michael Brennan. Michael had built a reputation working for various daily newspapers in the UK. He moved to America in 1973 and began working on entertainment and sporting assignments. In early 1975, Michael travelled with the band on their rented luxury jet, a Boeing 720B known as The Starship. He was then in close proximity for their show on January 31,1975 at Detroit s Olympia Stadium.
The former chief photographer of Rolling Stone magazine, San Francisco-based Baron Wolman, was in attendance to capture what would turn out to be Led Zeppelin s final performances in America. In front of 50,000 fans each day, they played in the open air at the Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland California, on the afternoons of July 23 and 24,1977. Baron s chronicling of the band in stark daylight offers a unique portrayal of their final appearances in a large stadium setting.
Fifty years on from their formation in 1968, Led Zeppelin s legacy continues to inspire admiration and awe. The timeless photos presented in this book accurately capture Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham in all their on-stage glory during their latter era. Compiled and edited by world-renowned Led Zeppelin authority Dave Lewis, Led Zeppelin Live chronicles the period when Led Zeppelin could rightly claim to be the greatest live rock attraction on the planet. Here s the lasting photographic proof…
You can order the book at this link – all copies personally signed and dedicated by me.
TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 3:
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.
All books personally signed and dedicated by the author!
Order link here:
TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 4:
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 5:
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/
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TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 6:
THE NEW TBL ISSUE 43 –
TBL issue 43 – Another TBL outpouring – 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/
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TBL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA 7:
TBL Magazine Back Issue Bundle Offer – TBL Issues 38, Issue 39 and issue 42 – For just £4.00 plus postage and packing!
This is a great way of catching up on previous TBL magazines – issues 38,issue 39 and issue 41 at a bargain price of just £4 plus postage and packing!
Plus every back issue bundle offer includes a free 10×8 individually numbered print of a unique Led Zeppelin image – perfect for framing!
Here’s the three magazine contents line up…
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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AND ONE MORE…
Black Friday offer for one week only – at a special discounted price
Five Glorious Nights – Led Zeppelin at Earls Court May 1975- compiled by Dave Lewis :
The superbly presented unique visual record of Led Zeppelin in their absolute prime.
30 x 30 album size de-luxe hardback book
288 pages – including approximately 62 colour photos, 155 black & white photos – 229 in all – plus 165 colour memorabilia images – limited run of 1,000 only
If you have yet to invest – now is the time!
A perfect gift for Christmas
Wow! The book is magnificent! Beautifully crafted in every way. Nicky Horne
I am stunned by the quality It’s absolutely awesome. Pictures and layout just great. I can’t say enough good things about it – very well done. Chris Maley
Order at this link:
http://www.rufuspublications.com/rufusbooks/Led-Zeppelin/Led-Zeppelin-Earls-Court
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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
- After this year’s John Bonham memorial concert in his home town of Redditch raised £21,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a second event is now scheduled to be held next year on September 20-21.
Jimmy Page
- Jimmy Page has been working on an unannounced project at Abbey Road Studios in London. Page was photographed with a live performance rig, a violin bow and a theremin. A music producer friend of his has claimed that he spent two days recording with Page. What’s he working on?
- Jimmy Page’s neighbour Robbie Williams has rented a home three miles away from Page. The pair have been involved in a long-running dispute over Williams’ plans to renovate his house.
Robert Plant
- A signed painting of Robert Plant is scheduled to be sold at a charity auction on November 20. The painting, signed by Plant and created by artist Louise Cobbold, is being sold to benefit Cure Leukaemia.
Upcoming events:
November 20 – The Japanese edition of the official Led Zeppelin photo book will be released and a signed painting of Robert Plant will be sold at auction.
November 29 – “Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass”, which features an interview with John Paul Jones, will be released.
January 2019 – The four new models of Jimmy Page’s recreated Fender Dragon Telecaster will be revealed.
January 31, 2019 – The UK Americana Awards will be held in London. Robert Plant has been nominated for artist of the year.
February 24, 2019 – The Tate Britain’s Edward Burne-Jones exhibition, which features two tapestries owned by Jimmy Page, closes.
September 20-21, 2019 – The 2019 John Bonham memorial concert is scheduled to be held in Redditch.
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 Abbey Road:
What a great photo of Jimmy at Abbey Road last week taken by Scarlet Page ( see above LZ news story). Lots of speculation on what this might be about – we shall see what unfolds…
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Peter Grant 23 Years Gone:
Peter Grant 23 years gone – the man who Led Zeppelin passed away 231 years ago today on November 21, 1995.
In an obituary piece for TBL 8 I stated ‘’Whenever and wherever the story of the group is told –his legacy will be remembered.’’ 23 years on that fact remains…
This is a piece that went out in TBL issue 8 and was written the day after his passing.
RIP Peter Grant 1935 – 1995. A great manager and a visionary…
The Peter Grant story has been told with greater clarity than ever before in Mark Blake’s new book on the subject – here’s my review of the book:
Bring It On Home: Peter Grant, Led Zeppelin and Beyond: The Story of Rock’s Greatest Manager by Mark Blake
Firstly, I have a bit of a vested interest in this book as I’ve been in touch with Mark Blake a fair few times as he has been writing it. I was also one of the many people he interviewed for the book. Knowing of Mark’s past work with books on Pink Floyd and Queen, I was pretty certain he would make a very good job of documenting the life of Peter Grant. It helped considerably that he had the support of the Grant family in daughter Helen and son Warren. Mark was also determined to get out and speak to the principal characters in the story- a crucial element in attempting a definitive account.
There has been a previous book of Peter’s life –The Man Who Led Zeppelin by Chris Welch published back in 2001. An admirable work at the time – but since then many things have happened and much new information has come to light.
I had my own dealings with Peter Grant over they years – he was always very encompassing and supportive of my work with TBL. The fact that he did not boot me off the side of the stage on those Over Europe gigs indicated I was doing something right. Thankfully he had no issues in me being close to the action on that tour -in fact his consideration for me in Europe was very gratifying. Years later in 1993 I spent two separate days in June and October of that year conducting a 10,000 word interview with him at his Eastbourne home. I was hoping to have another get together with him when he sadly died in November 1995 at just 60 years old. I eventually published the interview in my Celebration II book in 2003.
Whilst most of my dealings with Peter were very favourable, I did incur his wrath on the odd occasion – notably in 1990 when he was a bit miffed long time record excec associate Phil Carson knew about the book I was then writing (A Celebration) before he did. Clearly not a man who liked surprises, I was curtly requested to pass all text to him via Chris Charlesworth for him to sanction – which we duly did and all was sorted.
I found him a highly intelligent proud man – very proud of his achievements with Led Zeppelin and also very protective of them. He was a man who wanted things done in the correct way which mainly meant his way – and of course that is a running theme throughout this detailed book
The fact that his way normally got results one way or another, ensured he stamped his mark on the music business. Not entirely surprising as he learned the tricks of the trade from the likes of much feared mogul Don Arden.
For me, the pre and post Zep parts of the book are the most engaging chapters of this account. Mark paints a vivid picture of Grant’s struggle to establish himself in the entertainment business, hustling work as a wrestler and bit part actor – and then looking after the likes of Gene Vincent and Little Richard and working with Don Arden.
All those early experiences held him in good stead by the time he came to manage The Yardbirds and subsequently Led Zep. Mark weaves the story together with key input from the significant players who were there – such as Richard Cole, Phil Carson, Swan Song head Abe Hoch and many more. The book moves at a brisk pace and never lulls.
The Zep years are of course at the centre of the story and there’s a fair few new revelations – some very surprising ones too – not least the emergence of a shady character called Herb Atkin. As the story unfolds it’s more than evident that while Grant did indeed let them take care of the music, there was a constant undercurrent of intrigue and skull doggery in the way their business was conducted. Of course there are some unsavoury moments as the drugs kick in and Zep get bigger and bigger –and one John Bindon joins the gang. The quote by Phil Carson that ‘’He was a nice man when he wasn’t killing people ‘’ is a clear indication of how his involvement was viewed.
The final chapters deal with the group’s tragic ending with John Bonham’s passing and Peter’s subsequent fall out from it all. Pleasingly, there is salvation in the early 90s when Peter cleans his act up and begins to receive the recognition he deserves as a pioneering music business figure. It’s worth noting that throughout the book, Mark also highlights the humour that always existed between the group and it’s entourage. I loved hearing of Peter’s odd nicknames for fellow associates (he addressed Ahmet Ertegun as ”Omelette”) and the sense of camaraderie which helped drive them on – something I witnessed for myself when I was in the Swan Song office. Being around Led Zeppelin could be a serious business but they always knew how to have fun and a laugh.
Mark’s final thoughts in the book are absolutely spot on and provide a melancholy and poignant ending.
Like all good biographies, Bring it On Home seeks to portray the man behind the myths. A tall order when it came to Peter Grant as he inspired so many myths himself – making the truth sometimes hard to attain.
In Bring it On Home, Mark Blake has produced a thought provoking, humorous and fascinating account of the man who indeed did lead Led Zeppelin and so much more. I feel much closer to the whole Peter Grant/Zep saga for having read it.
Dave Lewis, November 6,2018.
Order the book at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bring-Home-Zeppelin-Greatest-Manager/dp/1472126882/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542696266&sr=8-1&keywords=peter+grant+mark+blake
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ELECTRIC MAGIC 47 YEARS GONE:
November 21st is always a bit of a special date in my calander 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
47 years ago tonight, 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.
I had found Led Zeppelin though hearing Whole Lotta Love on Radio One’s Pick Of The Pops in late 1969 – my interest would further manifest itself throughout 1970, hearing the albums and reading about them in the NME. I was avidly collating scrapbooks on them.
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.
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.
That night back in November 1971 was an early milestone that further 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 47 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 47 years hence at aged 62, 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, 2018.
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More Wembley Empire Pool magic….in 1978..
On that night of nights back in November 1971, this 15 year old could neve have imagined the events ahead and that I might one day actually meet and speak to Robert Plant in this very same venue.
But that is what came to pass as seven years later on November 4, 1978 I did just that.
By then my enthusiasm for all things Led Zep was pretty off the scale. I had met them all backstage at Earls Court and The Song Remains The Ssame premiere in London and at Heathrow Airport in May 1977.
The tragic passing of Robert’s son Karac had rendered the band inactive for many months –though there had been some stirrings in the spring of 1978 with a get together at Clearwell Castle. I had kept in contact with the Swan Song office and I knew that the recording of a new album was on the cards.
That year was a very memorable one for me – not least for leaping on stage at The Who Shepperton filming gig on May 25. Around the same time I was commissioned by Geoff Barton a journalist on Sounds music paper to work with him on an extensive feature they were running in September to mark the tenth anniversary of Led Zeppelin. Over the summer I collated a Zep career timeline plus an extensive discography that duly ran over four issues in September. It was an incredible thrill to see my work in print and it further fuelled my ambition to produce a Led Zeppelin magazine. This was an idea I had first mooted in late 1977 – I had already designed a few proto type pages and I had a name for it – ‘Tight But Loose’ – a phrase Jimmy and Robert had coined to describe the ban’s music in separate interviews during their 1977 US tour.
In early November 1978 as a fervent reader of the NME I spotted in a small news item that on Sunday, November 5 Robert would be appearing in the Goaldiggers five a side football tournament. The venue was the Empire Pool Wembley – scene of my first Led Zep live experience. I knew I had to be there again – simple as that.
I had been back to the esteemed venue a few of time since 1971. I saw The Rolling Stones afternoon show on September 8 1973 and two years later I was at a scintillating Who performance on October 23 1975. I was also at Elton John’s show there in November 1977.
Back to the story. I was playing football for the Wallbangers team on the Sunday morning but reckoned I could get away after the game and get on a train to London for the 4pm start of the tournament.
So after playing in a 4-3 defeat, I zipped over to Bedford railway station and headed for London. At this point I had no ticket for the tournament but hoped I could get one at the venue. With time running out at vast expense, I took a taxi direct to Wembley from St Pancreas station. Once outside the venue I scored a ticket from a tout. I found myself up the side behind one of the goals. Not a bad view –not that I was going to settle for that for too long. I had already made up my mind that I needed to talk to Robert Plant himself to find out the state of play. The mission was on…
This Goaldiggers football tournament was Robert’s first public appearance since the curtailed US tour. I saw this as the perfect opportunity to re -connect with the singer – as I had done previously – notably at Heathrow Airport.
Robert’s named Geriatric Rowdies comprised of singer Jess Conrad, singer turned WEA Record exec Dave Dee, comedian Jasper Carrot, then West Bromwich Albion manager Ron Atkinson and in the number 8 shirt the man himself. They met LBC in their first match and drew 2-2 the equalizer coming from Robert. The next encounter was with The Stranglers team and ended in another 2-2 draw.
This was not enough to see them through to the next phrase and from where I was up behind the goal, I could see Robert had now changed out of his kit watching by the sidelines
It was then I made my move – I made my way down to the sideline enclosure and with a confident ‘I’m with the players’ strut glided through to the side of the pitch and there I was right next to the man.
What a moment it was. He looked really well if radically different in a smart cut jacket and jeans – the hair cut back to pre 1969 length. A stark contrast to the ‘golden god’ figure I had approached at Heathrow Airport some 18 months ago. Here’s pic I took at that first sighting.
I introduced myself and he recognized me from Heathrow. He duly introduced me to his wife Maureen and daughter Carmen. I reminded him of the last time he was here with Zep and we laughed about the performing pigs that didn’t quite get it right on the night.
During our conversations, Robert told me he was going to Stockholm the next week with the group to commence recording a new album at Abba’s studios.
As the tournament progressed I was with him as he cheered on the ELO team, Spurs player Ralph Coates spirited display with the team made up of The Darts group good naturedly jeering Rod Stewart and Elton john’s team
It was when watching the all ladies match featuring a team made up of page 3 models that a photographer captured the photo of us both laughing at the action.
Here’s another shot from that moment and previously unseen. I am wearing the Zep US tour t shirt that are commonplace now but at the time were very scares promotional t shirts – I and got mine form Unity at the Swan Song office.
Fond farewells were said and I told him I would be at the next gig whenever and wherever that would be. ”It’s all in the wind” he said enigmatically.
I floated back to Bedford on a pure high. I had been in the company of Robert Plant again and for this particular Led Zeppelin fan the future was bright ahead – I knew that because I had heard it from the man himself.
Robert’s Goaldiggers appearance attracted a few column inches in the press and there were more later in the week when it was announced Led Zeppelin would indeed be going to Abba’s Polar Studios to record what would become the In Through The Out Door album.
As for me, this meet with my hero was more than enough inspiration to get down to producing the first issue of Tight But Loose. I worked on it for the rest of the year booking ads for it in late 1978 in Sounds and NME. A further round of ads followed in January 1978 and on February 10,1979 the first issues went out from my Dents Road bedroom.
It would kick start an incredibly exiting year that would include the Knebworth comeback shows, another Goaldiggers rendezvous with Robert and a very exciting afternoon watching Robert, JPJ and Bonzo picking up seven Melody Maker awards at a reception at the Waldorf hotel in London. More on all that next time.
It would be another six years before I saw Robert at the Empire Pool Wembley then renamed Wembley Arena – a memorable solo show on September 10,1985. Pic from outside the venue on that day here by Krys Jantzen.
All these reflections from 1978 are taken from notes that will formulate the DL memoirs book which I’ve been chipping away on. 1971 and 1978 were without doubt pivotal years for me. More 1971 thoughts below…
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1971 and all that …Rock’s greatest year?
As mentioned above, this week (specifically Wednesday) marks the 47th anniversary of my first witnessing Led Zeppelin live in concert – the occasion was the Electric Magic show at the Empire Pool Wembley.
It’s got me thinking about the year 1971. As championed in David Hepworth’s excellent book 1971 Never A Dull Moment – Rock’s Greatest Year, there were some amazing record’s released that year, and Mr Hepworth may well be right that it’s Rock’s greatest year (for me 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973 and 1975 would be in the running ). So to mark that milestone evening of November 21 1971 and that year in general, I am going to pull out an album released in 1971 to play periodically over the next few weeks.
So to kick off remembering the year of Rock in 1971, I selected Fragile By Yes released in the November and led by that incredible opening track Roundabout… it was indeed a year to savour…
DL Diary Blog Update:
It was great to see my former work mate in Our Price/V.Shop Hayley Martin last Thursday. Hayley will be pleased that one of her fave singers Janis Joplin appeared with Led Zep in 1969…as revealed in the Evenings With book
The good lady Janet and myself were in London last Friday to see our Sam so while the ladies shopped, I zipped over to the Spitalfield record fair and was well pleased to find this Australian Apple pressing of Ob-la -Di/While My Guitar Gently Weeps two tracks from The Beatles White Album . Three quid a bargain! A pint to celebrate in the TBL London office also known as The Spice Of Life was of course in order. Here’s the Lewis ladies getting stuck in to the Expresso Martinis – it had to be done!
It was very pleasing to see England carve out a much welcomed 2-1 victory against Croatia on Sunday in the Nations League tournament. Sweet revenge for the World Cup semi final defeat back in the summer. Gareth’s boys continue to do themselves proud and it’s great to see. It’s back to Premier league action with Spurs v Chelsea on Saturday – here’s hoping for a home win…
There were some problems with the TBL website last Thursday which took the site down for the day – apologies for the link being down and I need to offer a big thank you to the TBL tech man Mike MacKechnie who did a fantastic job in getting it all back on line.
Busy here wrapping a 6,000 word Led Zep feature Mike Tremaglio and I have formulated – more on that one soon – plus preparation for the Led Zeppelin IV event I am hosting at the CAT Club in Pontefract next Wednesday. I look forward to seeing all that can make it along to that one.
Right I am off to play the Electric Magic November 20 1971 CD set – which is sure to inspire more reflections on an epic day all of 47 years ago…
Dave Lewis – November 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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The TBL/DL Facebook page has regular updates and photos – be sure to check it out
Many thanks Roger!
Hi Dave and Mick
“Led Zeppelin, the complete concert chronicle”
This is really one of the best books about Led Zeppelin.
It’s the best for me. Thanks to you both for this work.
The book “Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin” is bad.
I did not buy it.
I have enough pictures.
Roger Berlin
“…looks like someone spilled some wine on the right sleeve of his jacket!”
This was the period when Plant was contemplating giving it all up to become a teacher. He was obviously quite serious about it. What you have there is the obligatory teachers jacket with elbow patches.
Andy Great stuff!
Great blog as usual Dave. Sad that I am, I created a spreadsheet of all the great albums released (IMHO of course) over the years, and while 1971 came in second with an impressive 33 great albums, 1973 was by far the best with a stonking 42. 1972 was third with 27, 1970 fourth with 25 and 1974 fifth with 24. What a fantastic and creative era the early seventies were for rock.
thanks Larry!
I’m trying not to flip out over the Page photo and news that he’s been recording at Abbey Road…but whatever the case, a nice photo from Scarlet of her dad.
Electric Magic and 1971, rock’s greatest year…it could well be (I’d have to really wrack my brain thinking about it), but I would opine that it was Zeppelin’s best year. The fourth album, the classic BBC concert, and their live shows that year were probably their peak as an onstage force.
Your 78 meeting with Plant is a cool story and the photos are great…looks like someone spilled some wine on the right sleeve of his jacket!
Thanks for the great write up on the White Album last week…I ordered a UK copy with the blu-ray and can’t wait to hear it!
Page is recording some overdubs for the soon-to-be-released Led Zeppelin September 1971 Japan live set, one hopes.
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