I am pleased to announce that TBL issue 43 is ready for publication: 

Many thanks to designer Mick Lowe for bringing it all alive at StudioMix Bedford. 50,000 words of text – not just a magazine – more a mini book. It’s another massive TBL outpouring ready to take you closer to the world of Led Zeppelin – as it has been doing since 1978…if you love Led Zeppelin…you will love this magazine…

All subscribers of the TBL magazine ( if you received issues 41 and 42 your are a current subscriber!) will automatically receive TBL issue 43. This is the final issue of the three issue 2016/2017 TBL subscription comprising of issues 41,42 and 43. So all subscriptions end with this issue.

If you are not a subscriber you can order the single issue TBL 43 – the ordering link is below.

TBL issue 43 – what’s in store…

‘’Hey Ahmet, we did it… ‘’ The Led Zeppelin 02 reunion for Ahmet Ertegun ten years gone…

Dave Lewis looks back to that night of nights of Monday December 10, 2007 – plus what the papers said and what they said

The Bombay Sessions – 45 Years Gone

Paul Sheppard focuses on the recordings Jimmy Page and Robert Plant made in Bombay in 1972

The 1977 US Tour – The Tape Analysis  

Andy Crofts has an intensive listen to the 1977 tour tapes to offer a clear perspective on one of the most controversial periods of Led Zeppelin’s live legacy

Dave Lewis, I Was there in 1977:

Heathrow Airport May 17,1977

John Meacham, I Was There in 1977:

Jefferson County Civic Center, Birmingham Alabama, Wednesday May 18, 1977.

Celebration Days Led Zeppelin UK Convention – 25 years gone:

The story of the first ever UK Led Zeppelin Convention organised by Dave Lewis and Andy Adams in May 1992

Robert Plant: Carry Fire

Dave Lewis reflects on the 35 year solo career of Robert Plant and reviews his new album Carry Fire…

First Hand Report 1: Kashmir and Kennedy makes for a heady mix at Albert’s place…

Robert Plant, guest appearance with Nigel Kennedy Gala Celebration concert at the Royal Albert Hall: March 14 2017

First Hand Report 2: ’What fun we are having’’

Paul Rodgers Free Spirit tour with guests Deborah Bonham & Doug Boyle (and two unexpected ones)

Oxford New Theatre, Sunday May 14, 2017

First Hand Report 3: No safety new required…

John Paul Jones with Tres Coyotes , Savoy Theater Helsinki Finland, April 5, 2017

Icons of The Hall Event:

Royal Albert Hall footage screened, Led Zeppelin at Bath 1970 film discussed and Julie Felix captivates…

The TBL Interview with Chris Farlowe:

‘’We are like brothers really, we totally respect each other. He thinks I’m a great singer and I think he’s a great guitarist.’’

Chris Farlowe on the beginnings of the London rhythm and blues scene and working with Jimmy Page and more

Deborah Bonham: Forever a Free Spirit:

Deborah talks about the re-release of her early catalogue, the Paul Rodgers tour, Robert Plant and maintaining the Led Zep & John Bonham association with dignity…

The Return of Black Country Communion:

‘’There’s a lot of commitment from everybody – we have never had so much fun working on a BCC record ‘’

As Black Country Communion re- group for a fourth chapter, Dave Lewis catches up with Glenn Hughes

TBL Collector Focus – Nick Anderson’s Collectors Column:

Jimmy Page – She Just Satisfies – An Illustrated Discography

Led Zeppelin eBay o meter:

Nick’s regular report on the highest value recent eBay results for Led Zeppelin

From the Underground Reviewed and Rated:

Scott Heck reviews the Ally Pally Hard Rock Daze box set.

Deus Ex Machina – The Seattle March 21 1975 soundboard release:

You need it in your life…

Berkeley Daze the 2nd Night: Yet Another Stoney 1971 evening:

Dave Lewis welcomes a vinyl reissue of an old bootleg favourite

Record Store Day Product Review:

Jimmy Page The Black Crowes – Live At Jones Beach – RSD Exclusive ten inch on marbled black and white vinyl reviewed.

Plus Cliff Hilliard Collection Latest/Led Zeppelin and John Bonham honoured with Blue Plaques/Yardbirds ’68 release due/A vintage clipping of a Jimmy Page news story from 1965 surfaces, latest news and more.

So there it is – 32 packed pages – another outpouring from the TBL hub…

Like I said  – not such much a magazine ..more a mini book

In bringing TBL 43 to fruition – many thanks are due to the following: Mike Tremaglio for text overseeing, Gary Foy for TBL admin. Nick Anderson, Bucks Burnett, Andy Crofts, Gary Foy, Cliff Hilliard, John Meacham, Ikku Pesu, Scott Heck and  Paul Sheppard for their text contributions. Peter Chow, Krys Jantzen, Liona Pessue, Juha Levonen, Dave Linwood, Jan and Peter Mulder, John Meacham and Wyatt Brake for their photos.

Very special thanks to Ross Halfin for the cover photo.

The TBL 43 magazines are due back from the printers imminently. I will then begin the not inconsequential task of distributing the magazine to over 30 countries worldwide. I am aiming to have UK copies om transit by the end of next week with overseas copies to follow. So it’s coming your way soon…

Suffice to say, having been working intensely on this issue since late May (alongside various other projects), the objective is to get it seen by as far an audience as possible.

TBL subscriptions are at a modest 700. To make it all worthwhile I need many more individual issue sales. So the usual mantra – if you are reading this website posting and have yet to indulge  – why not go over to the TBL ordering link and order a copy of this issue 43?

If you love Led Zeppelin, you will love this magazine and at some 50,000 words – it will immerse you in the world of Led Zeppelin in a way scanning websites cannot.

In this social media whirl of here today, gone tomorrow instantly digested info, the Tight But Loose magazine remains a true tangible collectable -with exclusive content all pleasingly presented in an all colour format that can be stored and re -read.

Websites are for browsing – the TBL magazine is for reading time and time again… many thanks in advance for all your support.

Dave Lewis –  September 27,2017.

HOW TO ORDER TBL ISSUE 43:

You can order the single issue TBL 43 at the link below:

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

Alternately…

You can still subscribe to the 2016/17 TBL magazines to receive all three issues together – 41/42 and 43. Subscription order link below:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/subscribe-to-the-201617-tbl-magazines-free-10-x-8-print-with-every-subscription-a-subscription-makes-a-great-christmas-gift/

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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

• A new source of Led Zeppelin’s June 21, 1977 show in Los Angeles has been uploaded to YouTube. The recording is from the same night that the well-known bootleg “Listen to This Eddie” originates from.

• A previously unseen photo of Led Zeppelin’s soundcheck in Atlanta on May 4, 1973 has been posted online. The photo, taken by Dan Grantham, shows Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham soundchecking in the afternoon before that night’s show.

• Danish publisher Søren Vangsgaard is working on a book about Led Zeppelin’s first shows in Denmark and Sweden. Vangsgaard has called for people who saw Led Zeppelin perform in those countries between 1968 and 1970 to get in touch. Here’s a translation of Vangsgaard’s Danish Facebook post:

Robert Plant

• Robert Plant gave an interview to Rolling Stone ahead of the release of his new album “Carry Fire.” Plant said in the interview that Led Zeppelin’s 2007 reunion show was “magnificent.” “We hit a home run that night,” Plant said, “which is something that we were really fearful of. There was probably more riding on that than we would care to believe.”

• Robert Plant will perform at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in Australia on March 30. It will be part of his upcoming 2018 world tour.

• Uncut Magazine reviewed Robert Plant’s new album in its latest issue. Tight But Loose editor Dave Lewis published the review on his Facebook profile.

• Robert Plant’s October 6 BBC show will be streamed live online and via BBC Red Button.

John Paul Jones

• Dave Grohl talked about working with John Paul Jones and Josh Homme in Them Crooked Vultures in his new Apple Music interview. Hear Grohl’s comments from 28 minutes in here.

Jason Bonham

• Black Country Communion’s new album, “BCCIV,” was released on September 22.

• Jason Bonham has announced new tour dates for Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience. The band will tour the US in November and December.

Upcoming events:

Early Autumn – The next issue of Led Zeppelin magazine Tight But Loose, issue #43, is scheduled to be released.
October 6 – Robert Plant will perform at BBC Radio 6 Music Live 2017 in London.
October 7 – A guitar signed by Robert Plant will be auctioned by the PAUL For Brain Recovery charity.
October 11 – Redditch Council will decide on plans for a statue of John Bonham in the town centre.
October 13 – Robert Plant’s new solo album “Carry Fire” will be released.
November 5 – “Yardbirds ’68” by The Yardbirds will be released.
November 16 – Robert Plant will perform in Plymouth.
November 17 – Robert Plant will perform in Bristol.
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 11 – Robert Plant will perform in Portsmouth.
December 12 – Robert Plant will perform in Birmingham.
March 30 – Robert Plant will perform at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in 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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The Yardbirds 1968 official promotional video trailer:

An official promotional video trailer for the forthcoming Yardbirds 68 release can be viewed at the link below:

https://vimeo.com/234018878

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Robert Plant announces US Tour Dates:  

This via Rolling Stone.com:

Robert Plant kicks off his run in February 2018 at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in North Carolina. The first half of the tour is dedicated to East Coast cities before Plant heads across the country, making stops in Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver and Phoenix. He wraps up the short trip with gigs in Oakland and Los Angeles. More dates will be announced later this year.

Plant will be backed on tour by the Sensational Space Shifters, the same outfit that played with him on Carry Fire. “We’ve got a kind of communal drift, which has stayed with us no matter what other projects we do,” the singer told Rolling Stone. “It’s like a brotherhood, really.”

“The whole impetus of the band has moved on its axis somewhat,” he added in a statement. “The new sound and different space [has given] way to exciting and dramatic landscapes of mood, melody and instrumentation.”

See link at :

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/robert-plant-announces-carry-fire-north-american-tour-w505445

Note – my review of the new Robert Plant album Carry Fire to follow on the next TBL posting.

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TBL Ten Years Gone o2 Reunion for Ahmet anniversary event:

The previously mentioned TBL Ten Years Gone 02 Reunion for Ahmet anniversary event, planned for December 10 2017, is coming together. Julian Walker has been  looking at central London pub venues and we think we have something that fits the bill. Full details on this to follow in the next couple of weeks.

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Visiting John Bonham’s grave on September 25 – 37 years gone …

At very short notice, the opportunity arose last weekend to visit John Bonham’s grave – 37 years to the day of his passing.

Long time TBL supporter Michael Rae and his son Lachlan have been over on holiday from Australia -part of their intinery was to visit John’s grave. They very kindly asked me to go travel with them. So on Monday morning, Michale,Lachlan and Michael’s London based brother, David picked me up in Bedford and we headed for the Midlands. We arrived at St Michael and All Angels church in Rushock around 1pm. On entering the church, we noticed a fellow visitor by his Led Zep III t shirt -Warren recognised me and we had a chat. Warren had also visited Raglan Castle the scene of Robert’s fantasy sequence in the Song Remains The Same film.

Warren left us to head over to the graveyard to pay our respects.

I have never ever visited the grave before. Back in 1980 I made the decision not to go to the funeral – I was just too worn down with it all – looking back I do regret that. I have had mixed personal feelings about visiting the the grave since but today it all felt right…

The grave stands fairly alone overlooking some beautiful green and pleasant land. I of course, had seen many pictures of the gravestone but seeing it close up with the many drumsticks left and the cymbals left by visitors …well it was incredibly moving and emotional.

I had bought with me a simple plaque based on the TBL issue 38 limited edition cover. It read as follows:

John Bonham 1948 – 1980

Remembering John 37 years gone

The cherished memories of your life remain the same…

Always remembered, always loved

Dave Lewis

Michael Rae

Lachlan Rae

David Rae

September 25, 2017

On behalf of Led Zeppelin fans everywhere

I did feel a real responsibly to be representing Led Zeppelin fans the world over on this 37th anniversary and I duly placed the plaque by the headstone.

We took some photos and then Michael, Lachlan and David went into the church to sign the visitors book.

I had a few moments alone – I looked at the grave and out across the beautiful view, the weather was cloudy and dull but in a warming autumnal way.

As I looked out across the Worcestershire countryside in this serene churchyard, I thought what had been lost to us all that day 37 years ago. There were many voices and visons in my head…

”We’ve done four already and now we’re  steady…”

John at Knebworth in the laser light creating the dramatic intro to In the Evening..

Watching him at the side of the stage in Frankfurt in 1980 as he relentlessly drove them through the finale of Kashmir…

Hugging me in the Munich night club and wishing us a safe journey home.

Telling me how pleased he was the way the Over Europe tour had gone and how much they were looking forward to touring America again in a phone call I made to him in August 1980….

”We could not continue as we were”

Deborah Bonham’s performance of The Old Hyde at the 1992 Led Zeppelin Convention…

Jason’s bow in tribute at the end of Rock’n’Roll at the 02 reunion…

Jimmy’s 2014 comment ”Listening to John Bonham, well that always  makes me smile”

So many memories of how so much was lost and yet how so much remains.

I put my hand on the gravestone, told him how much we all loved him and walked away…

This is what I wrote in the visitors book:

John Bonham – the heart and soul of Led Zeppelin ….then, now and forever

DL – September 28, 2017

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DL Diary Blog Update:

I have to say I’ve been feeling totally drained this week after Monday’s emotional day. There’s a massive workload to contend with what with preparing for the TBL issue 43 mail out – with labels to stick on, stamps etc.

Inspiration has, as usual been provided by the music – in the light of recent events, I pulled out the Remasters box sets one and two and marvelled at the sheer percussive inventiveness John Bonham brought to the band.

I’ve also been listening to the superb 1971 David Crosby album if I Could Only Remember My Name – it’s dreamlike soundscapes have fitted the mood perfectly here this week.

Last week, there were Friday treats at the Vinyl Barn – at the always excellent Vinyl Barn it was good to see fellow collector Steve Livesley. My pickings included the 1966 Cher album on UK Liberty and a very nice French EMI Pathe label Frank Pourcel 1973 James Bond collection –Steve went for a Todd Rundgren album and an Atlantic compilation featuring Led Zep (which I have!) – thanks as ever Darren Harte !

Steve and I then ventured to the newly opened Slide Records at 9 The Arcade Bedford. It was great to be back in an environment locally where people were discussing and buying records of all genres…if you are in the area be sure to check it out…

My first purchases included the Steely Dan Katy Lied album and the rather splendid Dionne Warwick and The Spinners single Then Came You on US Atlantic…thanks Warren!

This Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of BBC Radio One. For a lot of my teenage years, Radio One was my musical education. It was where I first heard Led Zeppelin on Alan ‘Fluff’ Freeman’s Sunday afternoon Pick of The Pops show in late 1969. Two years after that, the 1971 John Peel broadcast exposed me to the sounds of Led Zeppelin live. DJ’s such as the aforementioned Alan Freeman, John Peel, Bob Harris, Tommy Vance etc helped shape my musical tastes. In those pre YouTube days, it was one of the few ways to hear the singles and album tracks of the era. I have long since stopped listening to it but way back Radio One as the jingle went was Wonderful. I’ll therefore be tuning in to this weekend’s 5oth anniversary celebration programmes. As Fluff would put it ”Not ‘Alf!”

Right, it’s back to the TBL 43 mail out preparations – it’s coming your way soon…let me know what you think of it…

Dave Lewis  – September 28, 2017

Until next time –  have a great weekend…

TBL Website updates compiled by Dave Lewis

with thanks to Gary Foy and James Cook

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You Tube Clip:

Robert Plant Bluebirds over The Mountains:

TBL countdown to the new Robert Plant album 17 days to go and counting…here’s another preview…