Showing posts with label The Yardbirds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Yardbirds. Show all posts

Friday, February 16, 2024

On this day 16 February

 UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG. I'm working on another (time consuming) project that takes precedence. Note that info on this page has not been fully updated yet and links may not work properly. Thank you for your patience.


Get a haircut!
1972 16 February On This Day Led Zeppelin in Perth Australia
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  • 1968 The Yardbirds - London, England at Goldsmith College
  • [1969 Led Zeppelin - Baltimore, MD at Baltimore Civic Center]
  • 1972 Led Zeppelin - Perth, Australia at Subiaco Oval
  • 1975 Led Zeppelin - St. Louis at St. Louis Arena

1969:
I have put the 1969 concert in brackets (above) because some sources say that Led Zeppelin played in Baltimore that night and others (including Dave Lewis) say no. Ads for the show puts Led Zeppelin there as support for Vanilla Fudge. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was billed as an added attraction.  The Gun, was awarded equal billing with Led Zeppelin (both referred to as the "hottest groups from England"). Two local bands were also scheduled. Quite a night if everyone showed up to perform.

One report's details make it sound quite credible that Led Zeppelin was there:
"My band "Lemon Lime" was the 4th band on the bill. After the death of Martin Luther King the summer before, Dick Klotzman put on a series of 5-band concerts at the Civic Center. Of note was that Zep played well past their allotted time and Fudge was miffed at getting 20 minutes to play before the curfew."


1972:
Long hair. The odd thing about the prejudice against it is that for most of humankind's history, everybody wore their hair long - male and female  Led Zeppelin was supposed to play in Singapore on Valentine's Day but they were refused entry because of local laws about long hair on men.  

Part way through the Australasian Tour tour Jimmy Page shaved off his nearly two-year-old beard. He had it in Melbourne on 20 February, but it is gone two days later. That was that for facial hair for Jimmy Page.

Meanwhile, long hair was associated with the evil of drugs, and so Led Zeppelin's welcome to Australia included a drug raid the morning after the Subiaco Oval show, where there had been rioting outside by fans who couldn't get tickets.
8 am Drug Raid on Top Pop Group
The Daily News
Thursday, February 17, 1972
Four drug special police today raided the visiting English pop group Led Zeppelin. The raid was carried out at a Scarborough hotel where the group was staying. Police woke the musicians and searched their baggage and belongings. No drugs were found. The raid followed last night's riot at Subiaco Oval. The group's lead guitarist, Jimmy Page, said he and the rest of the group were furious. They thought the raid was retribution for the concert trouble. He said the group had not seen the riot, but had only read a report in this mornings newspaper. Page criticised the police for leaving the group unprotected and allowing the stage to be mobbed at the end of the concert. "I'd like to now if today's raid was some sort of a rebuff for last night", he said. "We had nothing to do with any of what happened and then this morning, at some unearthly hour we were pulled out of bed and treated in a totally derogatory manner". He said the group had not got to bed until early this morning and then were dragged out of bed by police about 8:30 am.
Western Australia's Premiere John "Honest John" Tonkin was reported as saying that some aspects of the raid puzzled him and that he would investigate further.  "I am wondering that as they had not been able to find any drugs, what information they had acted on," Mr. Tonkin said about the police.


1972 Led Zeppelin, Perth Australia
1975:
Robert Plant's voice is a little froggy still from his bout with the flue but it sounds good. They all sound good!

1975 Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin, St. Louis

1975 Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin, St. Louis







Sunday, February 11, 2024

On this day 11 February

 UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG. I'm working on another (time consuming) project that takes precedence. Note that info on this page has not been fully updated yet and links may not work properly. Thank you for your patience.

A firm step back to music
1985 11 February On This Day The Firm released
AUDIO: Closer rehearsal track (Soundcloud)

  • 1967 The Yardbirds - Paris at La Locomotive
  • 1967 The Yardbirds - Aulney-sous-Bois, Paris at Le Tube
  • 1985 The Firm album released 
1985:
Jimmy Page seemed to have lost his musical way after John Bonham's death, but his work with The Firm was a step back to his creative life. The members of what was referred to as a supergroup were seasoned musicians that Jimmy Page could count on, but unlike with Led Zeppelin the combination wasn't an alchemical mix of talent that created a new and separate entity greater than the sum of its parts. 

I have no doubt that Jimmy Page was aware of what he had. He has said that the short lifespan of the band was planned, and for that I am grateful. The music is good but for Jimmy Page The Firm was a way to jump-start his career rather than a venue for musical magic.


Jimmy Page - The Firm years

1985 Jimmy Page


2020






♪  Make or Break (The Firm, 1985) 

♪ Midnight Moonlight (The Firm, 1985)




Saturday, February 10, 2024

On this day 10 February

 UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG. I'm working on another (time consuming) project that takes precedence. Note that info on this page has not been fully updated yet and links may not work properly. Thank you for your patience.

Memphis yes or Memphis no?
1969 10 February On This Day Led Zeppelin Memphis (maybe)

  • 1968 The Yardbirds - London, England at Barlong Hall
  • 1969 Led Zeppelin - Memphis, TN at Memphis State University
  • 1975 Led Zeppelin - Landover, MD at Capital Centre
  • 2002 Jimmy Page receives an award from Traffic Musique (French TV) 

1969
There seems to be some disagreement as to whether Led Zeppelin did actually do a show at Memphis State University on this day. David Stanley, Elvis Presley's step-brother, reported on having attended the concert, as did several others. However, the key to the city was definitely something that happened in 1970 (referenced in various newspapers), when Led Zeppelin performed on 17 April. At the 1970 show Robert Plant stated: "We've waited for a long time to come to Memphis, in fact ever since we were born I think!" which makes it sound a lot like the band hadn't been there the year before.

Dave Lewis reported that Jimmy Page attempted to get some time for the band in the Sun Studio (shown in the On This Day photo) but that the studio was already booked.

1970:
On 31 January 1970 Robert Plant was in a car accident, a head-on collision while he was driving his Jaguar. He suffered from broken teeth and various severe cuts that no doubt needed stitches.The 07 and 17 February shows in Scotland were cancelled.
1975 Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin Landover MD

1975 Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin Landover MD

2002 Jimmy Page, Paris (Ross Halfin photo)



♪  Heartbreaker/Audience footage (Led Zeppelin, Landover 1975) 

♪  Led Zeppelin (Landover MD at  Capital Centre, 10 February 1975)

Friday, February 9, 2024

On this day 09 February

UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG. I'm working on another (time consuming) project that takes precedence. Note that info on this page has not been fully updated yet and links may not work properly. Thank you for your patience.

Jimmy Page walks onstage and the place erupts.  As it should.

2002 09 February On This Day Jimmy Page
with Paul Weller's band at Teenage Cancer Trust, Royal Albert Hall
AUDIO: Wild Wood - Paul Weller (Soundcloud)

  • 1968 The Yardbirds - Cardiff, Wales at Top Rank Ballroom
  • 1996 Page & Plant Unledded Tour – Tokyo at Nippon Budokan
  • 2002 Jimmy Page with Paul Weller's Band - Teenage Cancer Trust at Royal Albert Hall  

2002:
On this day Jimmy Page and Robert Plant appeared separately at the Teenage Cancer benefit at Royal Albert Hall. The event was billed as "The Paul Weller Band with guests Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, plus Robert Plant & Strange Sensation".

This was Robert Plant’s first London appearance in over three years and Jimmy Page’s first for over two. Furthermore, while it had been seventeen years since Jimmy Page had last performed at RAH for the ARMS shows in September 1983, Robert Plant had not performed there since the Led Zeppelin days: 09 January 1970.

Dave Lewis' take on Jimmy Page at the 2002 show:
"[it was] as if someone had picked up the remote and switched the TV over everything changes.
"You can see the Gibson…Weller goes off, his band mates mill around, lights flash down…and there on stage is Jimmy Page.
"Cherubic smile, well cut shirt, slimmer than in very long time, low slung Gibson Les Paul and sure enough it’s Dazed And Confused the instrumental…
"The place erupts and throughout the eight minute performance there is no doubt that we are in the presence of a living legend..."
~ Dave Lewis, TBL

2002 Jimmy Page, Teenage Cancer Trust benefit at Royal Albert Hall (Freda Hyatt photos)

2002 Jimmy Page, Teenage Cancer Trust benefit at Royal Albert Hall (Freda Hyatt photo)



♪  Dazed And Confused (Jimmy Page with Paul Weller band, RAH 2002) 

I forgot to post this the other day
♫   NBC News report with a brief comment by Peter Grant 07 February 1975


Friday, February 2, 2024

On this day 02 February

UNDER CONSTRUCTION - working on another (time consuming) project that takes precedence. Note that info on this page has not been updated yet and links may not work. Thank you for your patience.

"Jimmy Page is not yet in Eric Clapton's class".  I do believe Yorke's comment reflected more on him as a music critic than it did on Jimmy Page. 
1969 02 February On This Day Led Zeppelin at the Rock Pile, Toronto

  • 1967 The Yardbirds - Auckland, New Zealand at Auckland Town Hall
  • 1969 Led Zeppelin – Toronto Canada at The Rock Pile (two shows, one night)

1969:
There has been some discussion about Jimmy Page's reference to Ritchie Yorke as having capitalized from Led Zeppelin by writing an unauthorized book. In my opinion this was not a slur on Yorke, who was Led Zeppelin's "man in Toronto", who toured with the band, and was regularly granted interviews with them.

Ritchie Yorke (1944-2017) was a journalist and music critic. He wrote three books on Led Zeppelin (actually two, since one was just a new edit):  The Led Zeppelin Biography (1976), Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography (1994) and Led Zeppelin: the Definitive Biography (1999 update to the 1994 book). Although Yorke's 1994 book claims to be "authorized" (the word is in quotes on the back cover) that's not actually true. The band's having freely offered the interviews and not objecting to the book is not the same thing as Led Zeppelin's officially approving or endorsing it.

When it comes down to it, you could say that every book and website and blog (including this one) is actually capitalizing on Led Zeppelin or the individual members. Some, of course, are better than others.

Yorke's books are generally considered to be the most accurate and least fabricated of all the books written about the band, however, that Ritchie Yorke ever wrote "Jimmy Page is not yet in Eric Clapton's class" makes me have serious doubts about the journalist's aesthetic appreciation and critical thinking capabilities.

My personal favorite book is George Case's Jimmy Page: Magus, Musician, Man: An Unauthorized Biography because it focuses on Jimmy Page rather than Led Zeppelin. I highly recommend it.

1969 Ritchie York review of Toronto show

1969 John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Toronto

1969 Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin, Toronto




♪  Led Zeppelin (Toronto Canada at The Rock Pile - second show, 02 February 1969)


Thursday, February 1, 2024

On this day 01 February

 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I'm sorry, the dog ate my homework.

Posted on JP's website 2024


1970 01 February On This Day Screaming Lord Sutch: 'Cause I Love You / Thumping Beat
AUDIO: Thumping Beat (Soundcloud)
  • 1967 The Yardbirds - Hamilton, New Zealand at Founder's Theatre
  • 1969 Led Zeppelin - New York City at Fillmore East (day 2 of 2, 2 sets)
  • 1975 Led Zeppelin - Pittsburgh, PA at Pittsburgh Civic Center 

1969:
The band started out with White Summer Black Mountain Side rather than Train Kept A Rollin’

“We’re sorry about the delay," Robert Plant tells the audience, "but because we’re all a bit stupid, we forgot the bass player’s guitar! Would you believe that! So we’re gonna open up without the bass player. We’re gonna feature Jimmy Page. This is a thing that was very popular when he was with The Yardbirds.”

1969 Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin, Fillmore East (day 2)

1969 Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin, Fillmore East (day 2)
1970:
Link to More about Screaming Lord Sutch




1970 Screaming Lord Sutch and Jimmy Page in recording session

1975 Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin, Pittsburgh PA



♪  Led Zeppelin (New York City at Fillmore East- both shows, 01 February 1969) 
♪  Thumping Beat (Screaming Lord Sutch feat. Jimmy Page & John Bonham 1970) 

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

On this day 30 January

 UNDER CONSTRUCTION - links & info may not be up to date. I've got another project going that needs my attention. Thank you for your patience.


1995 30 January On This Day Led Zeppelin receives American Music International Artist award
VIDEO
  • 1967 The Yardbirds - Christchurch, New Zealand at Theatre Royal
  • 1973 Led Zeppelin - Preston, England at Preston Guildhall, Grand Hall
  • 1995 Led Zeppelin American Music International Artist award 

1973 Preston UK

1973 Preston UK


1973 backstage, Preston UK

1995:
The American Music International Artist Award for Led Zeppelin was accepted by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Jason Bonham in London, and by John Paul Jones in Los Angeles. Black Dog had been recorded five days previously in London.
1995 Jimmy Page accepts AMA International Artist award

1995 Page & Plant / Black Dog recorded for AMA



♪  Led Zeppelin (Preston UK at Preston Guildhall's Grand Hall, 30 January 1973)
♪  Black Dog (Page & Plant, prerecorded for AMA awards 1995) YouTube

Monday, January 29, 2024

On this day 29 January

 UNDER CONSTRUCTION - links & info may not be up to date. I've got another project going that needs my attention. Thank you for your patience.

Pretty in pink. Or any other color.
2011 29 January On This Day Jimmy Page loans guitars and costumes for Japanese exhibition

  • 1975 Led Zeppelin - Greensboro, NC at Greensboro Coliseum 
1975:
Greensboro. Chris Charlesworth describes near-combat conditions on his Just Backdated blog.
"... outside the venue a shortage of tickets has caused violence to erupt. About five hundred fans have attempted to storm the rear of the building, throwing broken bottles, stones and pieces of scaffolding. Three of the five limousines, those parked outside, become severely damaged.
"...the drivers of the three limos parked outside, fearing further damage to them, have removed their cars and the other two drivers, whose cars are parked inside, want to take theirs away too. This, of course, would leave the Led Zeppelin entourage stranded when the concert is over..."
Peter Grant attempts to buy the limos. In the end, he simply commandeers two.
"The huge stadium doors open and the angry mob of fans who didn’t make it into the show surge forward into our path. Grant blasts a way through, his horn blaring, we follow, and the crowd parts like the Red Sea. Our truncated convoy reaches speeds of up to 70 mph in a heavily built-up area with Grant leading the way, driving his car through red lights and on the wrong side of the road through the town of Greensboro. Our car, crammed, follows in hot pursuit. Good grief, I think, this is far more exciting than any rock concert.
"Then, when we reach the point at the airport where the Starship is waiting, a funny thing happens. Instead of stopping as we have done, Grant drives round and round the huge aircraft, tyres screeching, faster and faster, burning rubber. When he finally skids to a stop the four members of Led Zeppelin tumble out, hysterical with laughter..."
~ Chris Charlesworth, Just Backdated

1975 Jimmy Page / Led Zeppelin at Greensboro (Neal Preston photo)

2011:
We all know about Jimmy Page's famous Gibson doubleneck, but some folks might not be familiar with that oddly shaped white guitar pictured on this day.  It is a 12 string Vox Phantom XII that Jimmy Page first used on stage with the Yardbirds in 1967 and in the studio for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor from the Yardbirds' album Little Games.  Jimmy Page also used it for Thank You on Led Zeppelin II in 1969.  

According to advertising posters, the photos of the guitars were taken by Scarlet Page.

2011 Jimmy Page's guitars, as shown in exhibition brochure

1967 Jimmy Page / Yardbirds using Vox Phantom XII guitar

2011 Photo from the exhibition brochure (photo taken 1974 at Swan Song launch party

Jimmy Page photo from exhibition brochure

Sunday, January 28, 2024

On this day 28 January

 UNDER CONSTRUCTION - links & info may not be up to date. I've got another project going that needs my attention. Thank you for your patience.

Jimmy Page: The greatest hit of them all.

2008 28 January On This Day Jimmy Page promoting Mothership in Tokyo

  • 1967 The Yardbirds - Brisbane, Australia at Brisbane Festival Hall
  • 1973 Led Zeppelin - Edinburgh, Scotland at King's Theatre
  • 2008 Jimmy Page in Tokyo promoting release of Mothership

2008:
Mothership is a collection of "greatest hits" chosen by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones from the first eight studio albums. It was released in digital format in November 2007 in the US and the UK, in vinyl in August 2008, and the remaster was released November 2015. Mothership (digital) includes 24 selections from the studio albums and a DVD of 20 live performances from Royal Albert Hall 1970, Sydney Showground 1972, Madison Square Garden 1973, Earls Court 1975 and Knebworth 1979. With nearly 7 million albums sold world-wide, Mothership is certified 2X platinum.

 
2008 Jimmy Page, Tokyo



2008 Jimmy Page, Tokyo (Koji Sasahara photo)
2008 - screenshot from Live Soup Led Zeppelin TV Special






♪  Mothership (Led Zeppelin, 1969-1979) YouTube