TBL ARCHIVE SPECIAL 1: JUNE 2002 – STILL DREAMING OF WORLD CUP SUCCESS… 22 YEARS GONE… 
22 years ago, as the World Cup got underway in Japan, Robert Plant was back in the forefront again promoting the just released Dreamland album. Here in the UK we had a Storytellers TV recording and a one off London date in the space of a few days – all occurring at the time Sven’s England were attempting to triumph in the World Cup in Japan.
That summer of 2002 was something of a summer of …

Led Zeppelin – The Day I Was There revised edition call out:

Later this year, Richard Houghton is publishing a revised edition of his book Led Zeppelin – The Day I Was There.

Telling the Zeppelin story through eyewitness accounts from fans, the first edition of the book contained more than 400 Zep memories. Richard is now looking for further memories from Zeppelin fans.

Richard has been in touch and is on the look out for new contributions:

‘I’m interested in hearing how people got into Zeppelin and what they remember of seeing them …

On the occasion of John Bonham’s 76th Birthday – May 31, 2024…

I love this photo – it may not be the sharpest image but for me, it captures the joyous spirit of John Bonham in full flight during Kashmir. It’s taken at Knebworth of course and frames the screen shot of Bonzo as it was being relayed on the backdrop screen by the video cameras. John Bonham’s total commitment to making it all tick over those two nights was pivotal to the success of that comeback. They all knew they …

TBL ARCHIVE SPECIAL:
It’s that time of year again…
TBL Celebrates the 49th anniversary of Led Zeppelin at Earls Court:
Turning the clock back 49 years..

Friday May 23, 1975
Ticket Price £1.00
Setlist: Rock And Roll/Sick Again/Over The Hills And Far Away/In My Time Of Dying/The Song Remains The Same/The Rain Song/Kashmir/No Quarter/Tangerine/Going To California/That’s The Way/Bron-Y-Aur Stomp/Trampled Underfoot/Moby Dick/Dazed And Confused (inc. San Francisco)/Stairway To Heaven/Whole Lotta Love – The Crunge – Black Dog.
So imagine waking up on a Friday morning with the prospect of over nine hours of live Led Zeppelin in store …

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN…Note below the NME’s May 17 issue centre spread below compiled by the late Roy Carr and the late legendary Howard Mylett. I thought I knew a bit about Led Zeppelin until I met dear Howard…

TBL Celebrates the 49th anniversary of Led Zeppelin at Earls Court:
Turning the clock back 49 years:  Saturday May 17th 1975:
Setlist: Rock And Roll/Sick Again/Over The Hills And Far Away/In My Time Of Dying/The Song Remains The Same/The Rain Song/Kashmir/No Quarter/Tangerine/Going To California/That’s The Way/Bron-Y-Aur Stomp/Trampled Underfoot/Moby Dick/Dazed And Confused (inc. …

Warwick and Cheltenham reviews of  Saving Grace by Richard Grubb and Jonathan Taylor…
Above pic from the Cheltenham gig by Jules Herrick Cooper

Robert Plant Presents Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian

Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre

Warwick May 3 2024

On the spot report and pics from last nights gig by Richard Grubb for TBL…many thanks to Richard for sending this one over so quickly…

What superlatives remain to describe this unique band of troubadours as they continue their trek across the country, spreading “songs and smiles” (to quote the singer)?

The illness that resulted in two …

New Robert Plant Photo Book via Rufus Publishing…

Portraits Of Robert Plant – Through The Eighties

Edited by Dave Lewis – Introduction by Mark Blake 
I’m very excited to be overseeing and editing this project with Rufus Publications – there’s some great images lined up.

This is something I am in the process of editing now – a pictorial record of Robert Plant during the 1980s with many previously unpublished photos.
I’ll also be contributing an essay of my experiences of seeing Robert Plant live during this captivating post Zep era.

So here’s what this book …

Mark Bowman RIP…

I am so very sad and shocked to hear the passing of Mark Bowman.

Mark has been incredibly supportive of all my Led Zeppelin books, projects and TBL magazines over many years.

Based in Austin Texas, Mark was a very talented photographer and chronicled both Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Page and Robert Plant in their various solo guises.

He also captured many other acts including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Bono of U2, The Alice Cooper Group, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Pete Townshend …

My thoughts on the Speedy 8mm cine film of Led Zeppelin at Knebworth August 4 1979 premiered last Sunday on YouTube…

Let’s cut to the chase – this is right up there with the the likes of the Bath Festival and LA Forum 1970 finds as one of the most important pieces of Led Zeppelin footage to emerge in recent years…

It’s important as from the ultimate fan vantage point, it vividly illustrates that for all the layoffs, the tragedies, the negative press, the punk and new wave movement, Led Zeppelin were …

Photo image via Speedy’s cine flim…
My thoughts on the Led Zeppelin Montreal Forum February 6 1975 newly discovered 8mm cine film…

I’ve had the double album bootleg Led Zeppelin World Tour 1975 which covers this show for decades and it’s always been a favourite.

Now we have moving pictures from that esteemed night back in February 1975.

This is another incredible cine film find – 51 minutes of footage. It is dark in places but when it closes up on to the stage, it’s just fantastic.

Over The Hills and Far Away is right …