Dave Lewis Diary

Going For A Song / Vinyl Rules…

Dave Lewis — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:23:58 +0000

After all the recent stress of form filling, CV’s, Jobseekers etc, it was good to be out and about again last weekend. Main event was of course the W & H Peacock Rock And Pop and Sporting Memorabilia Auction Sale. The auction centre itself has a strong Lewis family connection. Bruv JL has spent months collating and organising the Rock And Pop sale, both my sister in law’s work there and Sam had a Saturday job there so it’s a place we know well.

Setting up the 500 plus lots could only be done after the closure of a Gun auction on Thursday night. By the 9pm Friday viewing opening time it looked excellent with plenty of Zep input including the impressive Remasters disc award, a guitar signed by Jimmy, Robert and JPJ and some very nice signed prints. The Mel Bush commemorative tour mirrors for the likes of Wings, The Jam, Slade, Bad Company etc also looked impressive and there was a fair few Elton John lots including an 18 ct Cartier ring once owned by Elton. Late in the afternoon I met up with Terry Boud and after a scan of the sale we chewed the fat in the Castle and Gordon Arms later meeting with our good ladies Marian and Janet.

There was healthy turn out on Saturday for the sale – it was good to see two of the Bedford Earls Court 6 namely Tom Locke and Phil H. Graeme Hutchinson was also in and unsurprisingly he did not go away empty handed. I had a few odd bits and pieces to sell in the auction as needs must which in the main did well. That allowed me a slight luxury of a couple of bids – I missed out on a very nice Subbuteo table football 1960’s set in the Sporting sale but did secure some splendid Frank Sinatra EP’s and singles. The lot included Frank’s 1971 hit I Will Drink The Wine which has on the B side a jaunty Paul Ryan composition Sunrise In the Morning which is amongst the finest things the man recorded in his latter years. A reminder that it’s Frank’s world…..

Bidding was brisk on the Zep stuff and the Elton ring went for over £3,000. A box of around 80 folk, blues and rock LP’s totted up a hefty £400 price. I’d had a good look through this lot and maybe was not the only one who noticed it had a copy of Dylan’s rare Great White Wonder bootleg in amongst a crop rare Joan Baez original pressings.

The sale went off very slickly and the bruv JL and family deserve a pat on the back for providing a most entertaining day was out. An Anglia TV news film crew came down on the Friday and the Monday edition of the programme included a brief report.

Winding down in the pub afterwards was most welcome as we discussed lots that went for a song, stuff we should have bid on, stuff we did (Tom Locke secured a giant framed Beatles At The BBC poster) and the finer detail of the things that makes our world go round (namely music, books, football, wine, women and er beer!). There was also much comment on Man Utd’s shock 4-1 home defeat by Liverpool.

Amongst other topics was the naming of our favourite second band – Graeme H had no hesitation in listing AC/DC. I always struggle on this – do I plump for The Who definitely the second best live band I’ve seen, or for the overall breadth of catalogue of The Rolling Stones, then again there’s the sheer creative invention of The Beatles. The Stones won it on this occasion though on another day it could change and hey what about Elvis, Nick Drake, Dylan, Paul Weller, The Faces, …Iron Butterfly…

Also in the pub was Sid Sells and old pal from way back who came on the first Wallbanger FC foreign lads holiday to Lloret de Mar a week after the Earls Court gigs. I vividly recall borrowing a pair of high waste flared trousers from Sid to wear to a swanky night club we went to and we had a good laugh about that. Also got talking to a big Who collector who had come down for the auction from Walsall, and of course I couldn’t help but tell him that yes, that’s me leaping up on stage to hug Pete Townshend and nearly knock out Roger Daltrey in the The Kids Are Alright movie.

On Sunday there was inspiration on the soccer field as we travelled to Luton to see Adam’s Brickhill Wanderers triumph against Caddington Youth – a 3-2 win from being 2-1 down at half time. Adam struck a glorious winner that fairly flew in the net. Life was good.

Coming down from all that on Sunday night wasn’t easy as all the familiar recent problems took precedent again.

But Monday I picked myself up again and amongst other things, this week signed off most of the TBL 23 text and Gary Davies waded with an excellent 1969 related exclusive interview – the fruits of which will be in the new issue. I also did an interview on the phone tonight with Frank Reddon author of the excellent Zeppelin Sonic Boob book and editor of the www.enzepplopedia.com site.

Not much to report on the jobs front currently. I’m saving some cracking black humour filled stories for my memoirs, though the latest is that I’m not cut out to be a bed retail sales manager (don’t ask!).

I will reveal that the opening interview question I was asked for the job was ‘’So did you see Led Zeppelin at the 02?’’ and the closing shot ‘’Right any other questions? OK well I’ve got one – Do you think Zep will get back together again?’’

I kid you not – said interviewer had obviously clocked the Zep reference on my CV…there’s just no getting way from it. Not sure if I gave the correct answers though as I didn’t get the job!

Sorted out a load of Zep memorabilia for a possible future Zep project and as I waded through the mountain of vinyl under the stairs I picked out a few LP’s to go on the deck amongst them Houses Of The Holy (the perfect spring album) Nick Drake Heaven In A Wild Flower compilation, Family’s 1969 gem Family Entertainment (Roger Chapman, now there was a very fine singer),The Hollies Rarities (which has a great Graham Nash tune called Wings), Joni Mitchell Court And Spark, Stephen Stills Live (the latter’s Just Roll Tapes CD has also been on – thank your Terry B), the Santana Lotus triple album and Bombers a 1970’s Polydor sampler set with stuff from Taste, Stone The Crows, Lifetime etc..

Some of the high prices various vinyl pieces attained in the Peacocks sale is testament to the lasting affection there is for this most wonderful of sound carriers. Everything from the smell of those black grooves down to the memorable art work is just perfection.

In these worrying and uncertain times there was something deeply comforting about being amongst the whole retro feel of the Peacocks Rock and Pop Auction. A throwback to much simpler days….

Grateful Inspirations / Life after Zavvi…

Dave Lewis — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:56:29 +0000

Well March is here and the first two week of life after Zavvi have nearly passed. Predictably two week of ups and downs.

The uppers have been the wealth of encouraging emails that have come in from all corners of the world acknowledging support for my predicament. For all those that took time to do that, let me say that every one of them has been an inspiration. The good lady Janet has been amazing as has Sam and Adam – so too JL, Sally and Martyn. Elsewhere there’s been grateful support (and beers) from Terry and Max and other friends. Andrew Ricci and Larry Bergmann have sent in postal inspiration and Mick Bulow has been fantastic in his practical advice and it was good to hear from Graeme H. and Gary F.

The downers – the paper work and forms to fill to claim redundancy via the government– the fact that due to one of the many changes of ownership the stores went under, I can only claim five years service (not much to show for after 35 years graft)… a rather bizarre initial attempt to get back into employment that I won’t go into detail about but quickly went pear shaped (As Martyn quipped “DL’s the only man who could go to an interview and not get interviewed!”)….it’s not going to be easy out there for sure. I was, and probably still am in shock for most of last weekend but despite some dark moments I have had to force myself to look forward –not back…also been carrying a cold for about two weeks and somehow pulled a muscle in my back that is well sore (might have been the after effects of that final football match!). A visit to the Jobseekers office today was also an eye opener. Then there was the meeting with the bank where in amongst

All the financial stuff, on learning of my age the otherwise pretty helpful lady suggested I might want to take out funeral arrangement cover…laugh?…we nearly died!

But … on the good side I’ve not allowed myself to think too much of what’s been lost. It’s not felt like I haven’t been working because every day has been pretty full – searching job sites, CV’s to write, Jobseekers admin to investigate and kick starting the text for the spring TBL magazine. Had a great meet with Martyn about the next magazine and it’s shaping up well.

Other inspirations: More fantastic Zep 1969 research work from Mike Tremaglio to pour over, and having the luxury to listen to Physical Graffiti all the way through from the first riff of Custard Pie through to the last zip of the Gibson on Sick Again 34 days to the day it came out – that’s been my one concession, there’s been no watching day time TV treats such as the Jeremy Kyle show (Christ I might be on it soon!), Bargain Hunt or Loose Women honest!. The best TV of the last few days (aside from the excellent Gavin & Stacey second series now being shown on BBC2) has been the BBC2 documentary on last year’s Olympics closing ceremony with plenty of footage of Jimmy rehearsing and at the actual ceremony –an event which I still stand by as being bizarrely amazing.

So life goes on albeit in uncertain and changed circumstances. Although something’s don’t change and Spurs valiant attempt to thwart the might of Man Utd ended as usual in vein..,,,but penalties….come on don’t kick a man when he’s down…

On the player – an iPod playlist of the very fine Graham Nash, the English one of the celebrated C,S N and Y. I’d love to get hold of his new three CD box set Reflections but that won’t be feasible given current financial circumstances so it’s been good to search out the stuff I have by him such as the underrated Wild Tales album. Physical G as mentioned has also been blasted out and a clutch of CD’s sent over by Larry B including the hard to find Jimi Hendrix Concerts album. Looking forward to the Rock and Pop Auction due to be staged in Bedford on Saturday March 14 which the bruv JL has been heavily involved in – some very nice Zep bits on offer including a multi disc gold award and signed guitar (see www.peacockauction.co.uk to view the catalogue on line). Not of course that I’ll be investing.

The time for extravagance certainly ain’t now and I’m sure the takings at The Fox And Hounds pub round the corner are suffering a little bit too – now I’m not in my regular corner any more.

Still I guess that won’t do my health any harm, although the way my back feels right now that’s yet to be proved…

END OF AN ERA / PLAY LED ZEPPELIN

Dave Lewis — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:56:23 +0000

Well the doors have finally shut on Zavvi Milton Keynes signifying the end of an era. In the end it was a slow death – eight weeks of rumour,counter rumour and many ups and downs. Even on the morning of the announcement last Wednesday, I felt there might be a last reprieve. A few stores were snapped up by HMV and word has it a deal was nearly inked for the Milton Keynes store to be part of the new Head Entertainment chain set up by the former Zavvi MD. Both would have been eleventh hour lifelines, but it was not to be and so I find myself redundant and out of a job after 35 years. Initial emotions? The expected ones really: bitterness, frustration, fear of the unknown, deep uncertainty, relief I guess that finally our fete has been decided. And aside from the obvious financial worries it all brings I will dearly miss the camaraderie of the fantastic people I’ve worked with these past few years. I’d like to use this platform to personally thank Ken Drewery, Gareth Riley, Andy Carter, Dave Smith, Simon Beckett, Ingrid Kenyon, Paul Barlow, SJ, Jon, Dave Lyon, Adam, Emma, Ralph, Michelle, Richard, Ali, Sarah G, Jamie T, Windows, Stew, Emily, Matt, Rach, Graham, Thom, Christian, Dan, Sarah M, Lauren, Kay,Re, Lewis, Julie, Rob Brown, Vicky ,Abs, Scott, Ian, Dave and all the Zavvi MK team for making 8 Midsummer Place, Milton Keynes such a great place to be. It’s been more than just a job – it’s been a way of life for me: working with such great people with passion for the products we love and sharing that enthusiasm. Plus there’s been all the laughter, sweat, toil, trials and tribulations working in a massively busy retail unit has entailed. You have to be a little bit crazy to work in retail and I’ve put in some mad hours over the years (often balancing all the TBL/Zep stuff on a tightrope), but the sense of fulfillment has been immense. It’s a tragedy that all that has been taken away. Not just personally, as the Zavvi collapse represents yet another loss to the UK high street. The store stopped trading on Tuesday and we spent the next three days undertaking the massive and somewhat heartbreaking task of dismantling the store and packing up all the stock to go to one of the saved stores. Yesterday (Friday) that process was completed and the end of an era dawned. It was a quite extraordinary day full of high emotion – one highlight was having cleared the sales floor of racks, we were able to stage a full scale football match with the staff –a chance to show why in the Wallbanger FC days I was once described as ‘’Only a wee lad but a great keeper’’ – It was quite a physical encounter and I have the bruises to prove it. (Thank you Gareth!) We finally closed the doors for the last time at 3.45 and yes I had a big lump in my throat. Walking down to the pub past the windows it was still incredible to think it was all over. Many beers were drunk and more than a few tears shed as we bonded together for the last time. Still can’t work out how I managed to get the last bus, and I would have ended up in Cambridge had it been going there as I crashed out completely…as it was I awoke at 12.15 am still on the bus in the Bedford Bus Depot (I completely missed Bedford Bus station) as the cleaner guy was getting on. A two mile walk home followed. Today a hangover from hell and too much time really to reflect on the enormity of the last week. Having Sam back for a few days has been a tonic and we are having a Chinese takeaway tonight. Sam goes back to Norwich tomorrow and next week I’ll need to take a deep sigh and get down to the task of trying to get a new job. I’m sure sometime over the next few days, the symbolic strains of track one side three of the album Physical Graffiti will offer suitable musical solace –It’ll be 34 years to the day that the rightly acclaimed double album was released this coming Wednesday. ‘’Everybody needs the light’’ as the singer put it…..no more so than in these difficult times. Before all this drama, there was a night out for the TBL crew and to paraphrase Cameron Crowe. ‘’To any band who ever needed a surefire cover song, or any musician looking for clues on how to mix textures, cross musical boundaries or just plain rock, there’s no substitute – play Led Zeppelin’’ In the confines of the hallowed Corn Exchange Bedford, that’s what tribute band Whole Lotta Led did pretty convincingly to a good turn out. The TBL crew of bruv JL, Sally and Martyn plus the visiting Mr Foy were on hand and an excellent night was had. It was good to talk to Geoff and Nick from WLL plus Jez and Mick from MK and a fair few others. Also chatted to a local chap who told me he had all the early TBL’s including the rare first issue. Turns out he used to work with my late Dad and I do remember my Dad requesting copies for a lad back then. Nice to know he still holds them in high esteem. Gary and I went on for the traditional curry which led as expected to a whole lotta headache the next morning. All worth it of course.

Let It Snow / BBC Zep in ’79 / TV on the radio…

Dave Lewis — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:20:56 +0000

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow …as Francis Albert Sinatra once said and boy has it done so this week. And as I write it’s still falling heavily. I’ve had a few days out so have not had to face the journey to MK this week…and let’s get this one out of the way early: with another 17 store closures yesterday, Zavvi are down to 31 stores and the deep uncertainty continues of how much longer I’ll be making that journey in the future. Coupled with a few other considerable worries here, can’t say January was very inspiring but we got through it and February is here and with it the aforementioned snow. As one of the style mags recently put it. ‘’January is a 31 day hangover but February brings lambs, daffodils and the air fills with a magical quickening that tells you spring is on the way’’. Looking out of the window now that looks a long way off! The style mag blurb did get this right though:’’February is short so whatever you’re trying to stretch, whether it’s your salary, your calorie intake or your booze units, February’s unique compactness helps you spread it just that little bit thicker. A good enough reason to raise a glass’’. I’ll go along with that one. Back to the snow: As Robert stated in his opening spiel at the Feb 12 ’75 Madison Square gig: ‘’We came four blocks in the snow to get here, and isn’t it good when it snows, doesn’t it change the whole vibe of the city – we’ll dedicate this to the keeper of the seasons, the man who gives us snow when we need it’’ Yes it does change the whole vibe of things and for all the hardship it brings, it does make for some rather magical scenery. With school out yesterday and today, even the good lady and I found ourselves out snowballing for a while with Adam. A listen last night to the Zep BBC Sessions from 1969 (didn’t take long to mention that year this week either!) prompted memories of another snowy winter. All of thirty years ago in 1979. Back in the early weeks of that year, I vividly remember trudging through the snow carrying a box of freshly photocopied TBL’s from town. That February also provided a massive Zep tonic in the form of rare Radio One exposure. News within the Zep camp was still scant to say the least, other than they had completed work on a new album. Gig wise there was nothing on the horizon as yet. However the band’s profile was upped considerably by the re-broadcast on the February 2nd edition of Radio One’s Tommy Vance’s Friday Rock Show of the March and June 1969 BBC Session tracks. The first time they had been heard for a decade and in excellent FM quality. Hearing those early versions of Dazed And Confused, Communication Breakdown and Whole Lotta Love etc was an absolute revelation. The reaction to this broadcast was considerable. In the weeks after the broadcast I had many letters from fans proclaiming how great they sounded. Stuart Whitehead a massive fan from Derby, even began a petition via the TBL magazine to get the 1969 One Night Stand BBC In Concert show rebroadcast – his efforts paying off when it was duly aired on the Tommy Vance show at the end of the year. Led Zeppelin had been out of the public eye for too long…this vintage radio airing was a reminder of what had gone before and gave hope of what might (and did) emerge again. It was reason enough for me to pen a lengthy overview of the Tommy Vance broadcast for TBL 2 (an edited version of which was in my first book The Final Acclaim). I had a look at it today and it’s evident that my enthusiasm for those tapes was one of pure wonderment. In the piece I transcribed the late great Tommy’s epic introductions. One of them following the first broadcast segment went like this: ‘’Magic! Way back in 1969 produced by Bernie Andrews, that was the first ever Radio One Session. Heard that Jimmy Page got back from Sweden last Sunday. He’d been over in Sweden doing some final mixing on their new album which is due out I believe in March. And Mr. Plant if your listening, and I hope you are, let me say Logan (then just born) will have a lot to be proud of when he grows up – Stay tuned more Zep to come!’’ He indeed does have a lot to be proud of…and maybe a little more after the Grammy’s on Sunday. Just watched an excellent BBC 4 documentary on the BBC 1970’s news magazine programme Nationwide – which had plenty of input from Bob Wellings the man who interviewed Robert and Bonzo on the show after the Melody Maker Awards on September 16 1970. Couldn’t resist searching out the clip on You Tube (under John Bonham and Robert Plant Interview) – it’s a classic time piece. On the playlist as the year1969 frequently comes under the TBL spotlight, yup the aforementioned BBC Sessions, and I’ve just caught up with the Feb 14 Nassau 1975 soundboard (thank you TS!)– and what a performance that is! Love the moment after Kashmir, when a fan shouts out Train Kept A Rollin and Jimmy plays a bar of the intro to which Robert adds ‘’We’re going through our whole live history here!’’….for a moment you hope they wipe the set list, throw Ian Knight’s light show out of the window and power on with the ’68 set opener…alas it’s back to the running order and dry ice and an immaculate No Quarter…as for Trampled Underfoot, that solo is pure Jimmy Page mayhem and quintessential ’75 live Zep step. Christ they were on form that night. Elsewhere The Best Of Mick Jagger a little £3 Fopp treat from last Fridays not uneventful Islington Wallbanger day out has been on notably Memo From Turner from the Performance soundtrack (quick aside: that film features the notorious one time Zep security insider John Bindon who is subject to a Channel 4 documentary The Princess And The Gangster aired next Monday about his liaison with Princess Margaret) ….also on the player – an obscure mid 70’s Cat Stevens tune Two Fine People which I’ve been looking for ages and came quite unexpectedly via a CDR from my good friend and fellow Wallbanger Phil Harris…A couple of Dave Mason albums on CD via bruv JL all laid back and funky in a 1970’s Little Feat/Doobies kinda way,and very nice too, Sinatra In The Wee Small Hours LP (always a good one for a maudlin moment and there’s been one or two of those recently), Joni Mitchell Court And Spark LP, Dylan At Budokan double LP (which has a brilliantly emotive delivery of I Want You) Next Friday a date down the road at the Bedford Corn Exchange with the Whole Lotta Led boys beckons in the company of the visiting Mr Foy and the TBL crew. Weather permitting of course, but surely the snow has to ease up by then. What do you think Frank?
‘’Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow’’

Spurs at Wembley / Zep 1 / Get back To Islington

Dave Lewis — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:33:37 +0000

So there we were me and Adam crouched around the radio listening to the second leg of the Carling Cup semi final between Burnley and Spurs.

Three minutes to go Spurs are 3-0 down and going out…..I’m giving Adam the old Homer Simpson to Bart oratory: ”Son we’d have only lost in the final’’ followed by the less than hopeful ”But remember son it only takes a second to score a goal” (copyright Bill Shankly)… then fuck me we did through Pavlyuchenko and then another from Defoe!

6-4 on aggregate

We’re on our way to Wembley!

Lifes good again!

Ahh football bloody hell….but no doubt we’ll be back to earth with a bang on Saturday with the FA Cup fourth round visit to Man United also alas the team we play in the Carling Final on March 1

Last week it was good to see Kerrang magazine hot off the mark with their Zep first album tribute which warranted a front cover feature.

Have to admit I’ve been something of a musical snob when it comes to Heavy Metal in the past (boy did I hate Zeppelin being associated with that unruly noise back in the 1980’s), but I’ve always enjoyed Kerrang for it’s unrelenting enthusiasm. These days it caters for the new new wave of heavy metal (Leathermouth,Grave Digger, Devian anyone?)…but hey if a few of their younger readers went out and brought Led Zep 1 (imagine the treat in store hearing that for the first time) then the job would have been done. Hopefully said new fans might even get to check out Tight But Loose.

We are of course piecing together our own testament to the celebrated year of rock that was 1969 and already there’s some fine stuff emerging all guaranteed to take you back to that period with renewed vigour. (Thanks so far to Lorraine ,Luis and Gerard for your input)

Playing the Paris 69 CD this week (thanks Tim!) the sheer ferocity of their performances back then was and is quite staggering They were just flying so high, musically often on the edge and nigh on out of control. There’s much to chronicle about that remarkable first 12 months in the band’s history and the next three magazines are planned to do just that.

Elsewhere survived another round of Zavvi closure roulette last week, but 19 more closed and 14 were sold to HMV. Milton Keynes trades on and with a substantial amount of stock from the closed stores and further price reductions we might last a few more weeks –though a lifeline looks thin now and the end is in sight. It’s the not knowing and uncertainty of it all that’s the worry, but we are trying to remain stoic and get on with it.

On the player and pod during these extraordinary times…some old faves providing a measure of stability: Bob Dylan’s Desire (always an early month fave reminding me of another difficult Jan/Feb period in 1976 when my love life at the time was going a bit pear),The Who By Numbers, David Crosby If I Could Only Remember My Name, and Zep wise revisited some early 1975 gigs namely It’s Time To Travel Again the Brussels January 12 warm up and Detroit Just About Back.

Experimental and spirited performances in the face of adversity and a hint at the glory to come…also had on the John Lennon compilation that came free with the Mail On Sunday last week – proof if it was needed of what a great singer he was. The 1980 track Nobody Told Me with its chorus ‘’Nobody told me they’d be days like these, strange days indeed, most peculiar mama’ sounds most appropriate right now.

Next Friday (January 30) there’s a welcome respite when myself and esteemed ex Wallbanger FC players Max, Phil and Dec (the latter pair are also fully paid up members of the Bedford Earls Court 6 club) reunite for our annual day in Islington’s finest hostelries (pubs that is). There we’ll talk of wine, women and song from our glory years. No doubt topics such as how I once took a goal kick that travelled all of three yards as I fell arse over tit in the Wallbanger goal, and just how I let slip a shot by bruv JL in our 3-2 defeat of his team Stanley Arms in 1979 will be dissected.

While we are on this nostalgic kick, we might even pop around to no 3 Saville Row London at lunchtime and gaze up to the rooftop of the former Apple Records HQ where 40 years ago to the very day The Beatles performed together in public for the final time as a part of their Get Back/Let it Be filming (and yes John you passed the audition)

There’s just no getting away from 1969 right now…

Track Two Side One Led Zeppelin 3 / Inspirations / Silver Linings

Dave Lewis — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:01:21 +0000

“The greatest thing you ever can do now is trade a smile with someone who’s blue now”

That sentiment from the second track on Led Zeppelin 3 has certainly been in evidence for me these past few days as more emails of support have come down the line re the Zavvi situation.

“Inspiration is what they are to me” to paraphrase another Zep classic.

Current situation here on that front is that the Milton Keynes store escaped the round of 22 closures last week and we trade-on with potential buyers said to be showing interest, though what that means or looks like we know not at this point.

Elsewhere there’s been plenty to focus on, not least the planning of the next TBL magazine. Inspiration has also been at hand from a variety of friends.

First there was contact from my lifelong fellow Wallbangers Phil and Max, and on Wednesday a visit from Cliff Hilliard – bringing more Zep and solo history into the house via his amazing ticket collection.

Highlight of which this time was the vintage series of mid 60’s handbills featuring Robert’s early bands The Tennessee Teens and Listen. As Cliff viewed the Zep collectables in the TBL office, we listened to radio commentary of the last five minutes of Derby’s surprise victory over Man United.

Cliff being an Arsenal fan was not as excited as Adam and I were, as if Spurs hold onto their 4-1 lead over Burnley, it’ll be Spurs v United or Derby at Wembley in the Carling Cup Final.

More soccer inspiration came via the excellent Big Match Revisited programme on TV. This was pure nostalgic heaven for me as they showed the edition from January 7 1979 thirty years ago. Checked my diary for that year and sure enough I’d watched it on that day back in Dents Road – in fact the diary also reveals I had spent that day hand stapling the just received hand written and photo copied TBL 1.

The main match back then was the third round cup tie between Sheffield Wednesday and Arsenal on a snow bound pitch that would never be announced fit to play on today. Back then men were men, not least goalkeeper Pat Jennings who got showered with snowballs as he came out for the second half. Ah those were the days.

Also finally got around to investigating some of the Christmas presents I was lucky enough to receive. Hadn’t really had the heart to get into that before now and there’s some lovely stuff, including the exquisite Miles Davis Kind Of Blue box set, the Dennis Wilson Pacific Ocean Blue CD which has been on my wish list for months and an album from early 70’s band Plainsong – the latter pair were sent to me by Andrew Ricci (thank you sir!) and very good they are too. Also began reading Frank Skinner’s new book On The Road – for all his stand up bravado there lurks a most introspective character which is making for some compelling and laugh out loud reading.

Then there’s been the respective birthdays of JPJ and Jimmy to acknowledge, which has been done via a good helping of live No Quarter’s and the CDR compilation Gary Foy compiled for me a while back titled Lord Of The Strings – which of course he still is, though the latest conflicting ‘Will they or won’t they’ reports that came through this week indicate that his next move musically remains unclear.

The week was rounded off last night with a very nice Chinese takeaway for Sam’s farewell before she goes back to Uni in Norwich today (Sunday). Sam also received an award for outstanding excellence at her former school’s annual end of year review night which made us very proud indeed. This afternoon I watched the boy Adam deftly threading through some defence splitting passes in his team Brickhill Wanderers 4-1 victory.

And that’s 2009 so far… still much uncertainty ahead on the job front… but plenty of silver linings and inspirations which as Robert once sang prove that “You gotta a friend you ain’t lonely…”

New Year Thoughts

Dave Lewis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:02:09 +0000

First off, sincere thanks for the many emails I’ve received of support and good wishes following the Zavvi financial collapse that has put my job at severe risk. We knew there were problems for some weeks but having an administrator serve a notice on us in the store on Christmas Eve was a bitter pill to swallow and a big shock.

Currently we continue to trade as a potential buyer is sought – the uncertainty of it all is very worrying and there have been difficult times here and challenging times ahead no doubt.

Within it all that, I’m trying to hang on to that old Zep motto of moving Ever Onward. And whatever will be will be, and as the good lady reminds me, it’s how you cope with the problem in hand that matters and remaining stoic and positive is the aim.

Of course there’s been plenty of black humour about it all, not least from the bruv JL who has had me down as everything from a being a future milkman to train driver. Those that know my complete incompatibility with anything to do with four wheels will find such suggestions plain ridiculous …mind you a postman operates on two so maybe there’s hope there.

Similarly those at work are considering sending off to Harry Hill’s You’ve Been Framed TV show, the CCTV footage of me losing my rag with a vitriolic customer who blatantly abused me in the store over the issue of Zavvi being unable to accept gift vouchers. So much so I saw red and promptly kicked over a pile of baskets in her direction (more David Brent than David Beckham). Hardly the appropriate action I know but hey, a man has a breaking point and the whole issue has brought the worst out in people believe me.

Anyway life goes on….and as often happens something of a landmark in my own life corresponds with some big Zep news…and Robert’s CBE award has been a welcome antidote to all the bad stuff going around.

Justly deserved and another proud moment for the singer himself and fans alike.

2009 arrived in the company of our good friends Marion and Terry – a curry and a night of retro DVD’s including plenty of Faces and Stones plus Elton live on TV got us through and beyond the midnight hour – before fatigue kicked in and I crashed.

Today has been typically new year’s dayish moving a few CD’s and mags about and planning the next TBL. I even succumbed to watching Mamma Mia with the good lady and Sam which was actually pretty good in a feel good factor kind of way.

The aforementioned Ever Onward motto was something of a mantra for the fledgling Led Zeppelin 40 years ago this month as they crossed the waters to test their brand of unique rock on American soil for the first time.

That tumultuous year of 1969 will be well under the spotlight in the Tight But Loose magazine over the next 12 months – so I’ll be ready to revel again in the vintage delights of their momentous debut album, the early BBC sessions,

Classic live material from the Danish TV appearance, Tous En Scene, the Dallas Pop Festival, and later in the year the impact of Led Zep 2. Get ready to soak all this up in the coming issues.

Gloriously adventurous then…and still gloriously adventurous now.

All this celebration of the way they were 40 years ago will no doubt provide major inspiration and respite against the challenging times ahead.

TBL 22 – The Aural Companion / Christmas Greetings!

Dave Lewis — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:44:22 +0000

So it’s here. Tight But Loose issue 22 is on the streets.

It’s always quite an epic moment when the fruits of our labour become a reality which all started in late August. I must acknowledge the input of Steve Jones, Cliff Hilliard, Simon Cadman, Mick Wall, Ross Halfin, Gary Davies and Gary Foy in making this issue what it is.

Such is the close proximity to Christmas day itself, I half expected the TBL logo masthead to have a layer of snow on like seasonal issues of The Beano or Hotspur comics I used to eagerly snap up when I were a lad (there are still a few of those in the loft somewhere!)

Martyn has delivered another fantastic design job in bringing it all alive – and one big advantage publishing at this time of year is for a majority of readers, they’ll be plenty of time to soak up the contents of another TBL outpouring over the holiday season.

To aid my own enjoyment of it all, I couldn’t resist compiling a personal playlist that effectively acts as an aural companion to the magazine – ie an imaginary cover mounted CD ala Uncut magazine etc .

Each selection here mirrors the accompanying text on the relevant page. You might want to have a go at compiling a similar playlist when the magazine drops on your doormat.

For me this is the music that inspires the content of the twenty second issue of the magazine that continues chronicling the world of Led Zeppelin.

So over the Christmas period keep reading and keep listening to this:

TIGHT BUT LOOSE 22

THE PLAYLIST

Page 3

For Your Life

(Source –Live At The O2 –Wendy label CD)

As the ‘’Will they or won’t they’’ saga goes on, this track is a permanent reminder of how potent they were, are and always will be.

Page 5

Four Sticks

Kashmir

(Source Jimmy Page Robert Plant No Quarter/Unledded CD)

The sad news of Michael Lee’s death prompts this tribute to the drummer who’s total empathy for their catalogue made this MTV reunion so memorable. The last minutes of this version of Kashmir is one of the most compelling Page & Plant performances in or out of Zep. Not least due to Michael’s subtle sense of percussive dynamics.

Page 5

The Battle Of Evermore

(Source – Led Zeppelin IV CD)

Robert’s guest appearance at the Cropredy Festival to sing this famous lament in memory of Sandy was a fitting testament to a singer who’s achievements and stature grow with each year of her passing.

Page 7

Celebration Day

Out On The Tiles

(Source – Led Zeppelin III CD)

Recollections of Zep 3 from the designer of that famous album cover on a lovely English night just outside Stevenage.

The Song Remains The Same

(Source – Knebworth Lost Masters CD)

…which of course led us back to the scene of the best blind date I ever went on -

together with a few thousand others.

Page 8

Please Read The Letter

Stick With Me Baby

(Source -Robert Plant Alison Krauss Raising Sand CD)

Much has happened since this album innocently seeped out. A perfect match that has reaped much creative and commercial reward for both partners. Yoko Ono she ain’t.

Page 9

And I quote ‘’If we need heroes rather Jimmy Page than political bafoons,or licensed jesters or sporting apes: rather the shy, nervous steely youth whose songs are inspiring a generation’’

Tony Palmer Observer magazine/Earls Court programme notes May 1975

Heartbreaker

Communication Breakdown

(Source When We Were Kings CD)

Tony Palmer was right there when these glorious May Days were upon us.

This final onslaught from the Earls Court stage on may 25 1975 might just be their greatest ever encore.

Page 10/11

Since I’ve Been Loving You

(Source – Led Zeppelin III CD

Achilles Last Stand

(Source – Presence CD)

Robert At 60 ‘’It works contrary to public opinion’’: loud and proud here in the golden era

Like I’ve Never Been Gone

(Source – Pictures At Eleven CD)

Come Into My Life

(Source – Fate Of Nations CD)

..And equally as emotive in his post Zep years

Page 16

Black Dog

Dazed And Confused

Source – BBC Sessions CD)

How they sounded when Steve Jones first saw them in Manchester University

Page 17

Immigrant Song

Heartbreaker

(Source – Ipswich 1971 CD)

….And again around the time Steve was there at the Free Trade Hall/Belle Vue

Page 18

Rock And Roll

Over The Hills And Far Away

(Source – Southampton 73 CD)

…And a year later when they were developing into something very special and unique

Page 20

Nobody’s Fault But Mine

(Source – Presence CD)

The Zeppelin At 40 Scrapbook Of Memories Part 3 kicks off in 1976 when ‘’Led Zeppelin Storm Back’’- did they ever…

Page 21

No Quarter

(Source – The Song Remains The Same CD)

‘’Thundering good’’ said the Evening Standard as this mystical performance testifies. And I’m of the opinion Jimmy’s solo is exquisite on any of the versions officially available.

Page 22

The Song Remains the Same

Sick Again

(Source – Listen To This Eddie CD)

Biggest of Them All’’ read the Melody Maker headline and boy did they sound like it on this incredible opening salvo from the famous Listen To This Eddie show in Los Angeles on the night of June 21 1977.

Page 23

Fire

Carouselambra

(Source – Brutal Artistry CD)

Darlene

(Source – Coda CD)

‘’Zeppelin Back’’…well maybe soon –these rehearsal remnants from Clearwell Castle show that the spirit was still very much willing…while visits to see Duane Eddy and Jerry Lee Lewis prompted rock’n’roll cornball such as Darlene. Clearly they were having fun again.

Page 24/25

In The Evening

Whole Lotta Love

(Source DVD soundtrack)

‘’It took Led to lift the roof off’’ observed the Record Mirror. Or the sky in this instance. Two of the finest Knebworth moments

Page 26

Carouselambra

(Source – In Through The Out Door CD)

‘’Close the door put out the light’’ ran the Sounds headline…I begged to differ as did millions around the world as we soaked up what we believed to be the artistic rebirth.

The Train Kept A Rollin’

All My Love

Stairway To Heaven

(Source – Berlin 80 CD)

‘’Uber Alles’’ indeed. The last hurrah in Berlin tells us Led Zeppelin still had new places to go. Jimmy’s solo in Stairway is utterly mesmerising.

Page 27

We’re Gonna Groove

Wearing And Tearing

(Source – Coda CD)

‘Coda::The independent and often elaborate passage introduced after the main part of a movement’’ So explained the Melody Maker at the time. And Rolling Stone noted ‘’Led Zep goes out with class’’.

Ten years divide these two frantic performances, which can both rightly be deemed to being best described by the phrase Jimmy and Robert once used to describe the ethic of Led Zeppelin’s music.

‘’Tight But Loose’’

You have been listening to issue 22

Enjoy reading it…..

…..

Here it’s been full-on in the midst of retail frenzy and getting organized for Christmas. It’s a big week ahead with the Zavvi sale due to launch (bargains galore – perfect for you late gift buyers-get in there!).

This year I’m not working on Boxing Day so it will be fantastic to have two days out to enjoy the season’s festivities. Which for us revolves around Christmas dinner at the good lady Janet’s Mum and Dads.

All talk of Zeppelin of course will be banished….though I might just sneak a listen to the TBL 22 playlist on the i-pod as I drift off to sleep after the Queens speech!

Wherever you are, have a great Christmas and thanks for all your support throughout the year.

02 Celebrated / 1981 The First Reunion Remembered / Christmas Playlist

Dave Lewis — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:56:41 +0000

It only took a few seconds of that Tampa news footage to appear on screen before I felt a little watery eyed looking at the O2 DVD footage this week. Such is the lasting emotion of that truly incredible night of exactly one year ago. Watching it again and playing it back on the iPod on cold nights going home this week has only heightened my appreciation of their performance.

There were plenty of texts and emails from fans around the world similarly sharing their one year on experiences.

Seeing them reunited up there for all the right reasons on the DVD, brought back memories of their first public reunion equally for the right reasons back in 1981. One that I was also lucky enough to attend.

Lynn Sizemore was PR to the Golden Lion Roadies Charity For Children Association, the charity formed from the Fulham pub often acquainted by the Zep / Swan Song entourage, approached me in early 1981 to publicise in the next TBL a children’s charity raffle being held in December – I was only too willing to help and when I visited the Swan Song offices next I met up with Lynne at the pub. Robert’s sound man Benjii Lefevre was there as was John Bindon who I was introduced to – a man with a towering presence. Robert and JPJ had already promised to attend and give prizes out on the night set for December 15 so it was always going to be a special evening.

Even more so after the call I made to Swan Song the day before. Sian informed me that Jimmy was also due to attend. As it was, it turned into something of a grand Swan Song reunion in true Zep syle. Peter Grant arrived with Jimmy around 8.30. A combat attired Robert and smartly dressed JPJ were already in tow. Various roadies and Swan Song employees were there as was John Bindon again. Bedford Earls Court 6 member Tom Locke and I spent a memorable night in the pub as the Jimmy, Robert and JPJ mingled by the bar and duly got up on stage to present the prizes of Jimmy’s Yamaha guitar Gibson guitar (wonder where that is now?) and a set of personally signed albums. The main winner was an American guy while runner up was a TBL subscriber form the West Country whose name escapes me. Jimmy looked in good shape and told me he was working on the Death Wish soundtrack. Later on I gave Robert a copy of a large format History Of The Blues book (wonder if still adorns his book shelf?) to which he acknowledged with the classic “Eye Thank yew” catchphrase so prevalent on the Over Europe tour. I took the opportunity to tell Peter and Phil Carson of my plans for a major reference work on the band’s music though it would be another night eight years on in the Marquee (at a Jason Bonham gig) when I was able to tell the pair of them it was now a reality.

It may have been a strictly non playing role, but this unexpected Led Zeppelin reunion was full of warmth and good cheer. Underlying all that though was the definite feeling that they now all had separate plans – Jimmy with the soundtrack, Robert with his debut album recording and Jonesy who wryly informed someone at the bar that he was now on permanent school run duty for his daughter’s back in Devon. It would be another eleven years before all three appeared in public together in the UK to collect the outstanding achievement Q award, and another 26 years before they played together on that night of nights which has been so ripe for celebration this past week

Reliving the whole 02 experience has provided much needed solace against the day to day retail work pressures at this time of year – which in the current climate continues to be somewhat of a challenge to say the least.

Inspiration on the DL playlist has come via a sprinkling of Christmas delights and not those that regularly fill the Now That’s What I Call Christmas compilations (though I do have a soft spot for Slade and Wham’s seasonal waxings!).

Seasonal fair such as Miles Davis album Blue Christmas has been high on the list (by the way at joint number one on my Christmas present list alongside the new Zep box is the exquisite Miles Kind Of Blue 50^th Anniversary box set if anybody’s feeling generous!) plus selected cuts from Mojo’s Christmas compilation of a couple of years back (which has Christmas songs from the likes of the Flaming Lips, Marvin Gaye, BB King etc), and finally my other all time fave seasonal songs namely Darlene Love’s Christmas ( Baby Please Come Home), The Waitresses Christmas Wrapping and The Pogues and Kirsty’s perennial Fairytale Of New York. I’m sure Frank and Elvis’s Christmas albums will also be resounding around the Totnes Towers in the days to come. Hope the returning Sam who comes back from Uni on Saturday is primed ready for such festive musical fare.

Howard Mylett was in touch this week –he has a Zep 1969 rare poster up for auction –contact him via howardz1@hotmail.co.uk.

Also had some seasonal goodies from long time TBL associates John Parkin and Pete Gozzard (thank you guys!), the contents of which I’ve passed to be unwrapped on Christmas Day.

TBL 22 proof was signed off this week (thanks Gary D. and Steve J. for checking duties) and should be back from the printers and on its way to subscribers doors this week.

Be sure to put aside some quality reading time over the Christmas hols for some serious Zep reading.

Like Christmas Day itself, hopefully it will be worth waiting for.

28 years Gone / O2 Reunion One Year On / Rolling Stone / Tight But Loose 22

Dave Lewis — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:22:34 +0000

Looking back at my diary entry for 28 years ago this very day it started off as a fairly ordinary Thursday.

The night before I’d been to see Rod Stewart at Wembley Arena with good my friends Max, Phil and James (no sniggering at the back. Rod was, and is a class act and you can count me in for the rumoured Faces reunion)

It was a pretty riotous night – the diary notes that I consumed 6 vodka and limes and a Harvey Wallbanger in the pub before the gig though we didn’t call it binge drinking back then, we just enjoyed having a good time!

Next morning December 4 1980, The postman woke me up as I shrugged off the inevitable hangover bringing an LP size package containing the latest Zep bootleg Flying High requirement – an excellent recording of the Fillmore West April 27 ’69 date.

Later I phoned Swan Song and spoke to Sian for a while though there was seemingly no major news. I then took some of the some of the freshly printed TBL 5’s round to the post office to send off.

Around 4.30 a story on Radio One’s Newsbeat stopped in my tracks. It announced Led Zeppelin had released made a statement to the effect that they could not continue as they were.

After Bonzo’s death It was pretty evident that they would be splitting – I’d been in Swan Song a few weeks back and the atmosphere was one of complete loss, but hearing they had officially announced something was still a major shock.

I immediately phoned Sian at Swan Song but she was making no comment.

The diary says ‘’Fuck sake it’s over…’’

I made several tearful phone calls – one inevitably to the bruv JL

The last thing I wrote in my diary that night was equally dramatic.

‘’Part of me died tonight’’

The next week the ‘Zep to split’ news story was buried somewhat under the barrage of press for John Lennon’s tragic murder which occurred on December 8.

These were strange days indeed.

I guess I never really got to grieve too much about it all in the wake of Lennon’s death. That reality would come early in 1981 with Robert’s ‘’No Led anything’’ comments as he began The Honeydrippers gigs.

27 years on, that part of me that died on was resurrected on the night of December 10 2007 and next Wednesday will signify the first anniversary of that historic Led Zeppelin’s O2 reunion concert.

Some thoughts one year on:.

The evening itself – well the whole event still carries for me an almost surreal feel. A point Mick Wall also picks up on in his book.

Did it really happen?

Was I lucky enough to see that Sunday night rehearsal? Was I really interviewed for the BBC six o clock news? Did I really witness Led Zeppelin performing For Your Life?

Did the tears stream down in Stairway? Did I see Maureen and Logan dancing frantically in front of me as Robert gestured towards them in Rock’ N’ Roll?

Did Noel Gallagher really tell me Kashmir was ‘’fookin’ awesome’’?

Well incredibly the answer to all that is yes.

Looking back at my diary over the days leading up to, and after the event it makes for some memorable entries.

It was a whirlwind course of events…from the controversy of the tickets, the media barrage that preceded the gig, lots of personal stress to fit it all in (not least losing my mobile phone for a few hours the week before). Emotions were running high and manifested themselves in differing ways.

Then there was the pressure above everything to take it all in.

To relish in the moment because it surely will never happen again in those circumstances.

And thanks to many people that made it what it was…The Lewis clan JL and Martyn, Graeme, JR, Brian Knapp, the two Gary’s…so many fans in the Pilot Inn who came so far (on a blind date) and of course Jimmy, Robert, JPJ and Jason.

I did soak up every minute of their amazing performance and the event itself.

It was the experience of a lifetime

Since then….well there’s been the mountain of favorable press reaction, the ever evolving will they or wont they saga, Robert with Alison, Jimmy and JPJ with the Foo Fighters, awards and accolades galore… and then Robert’s statement and the news that the fab three intend to carry on regardless.

The waves of aftermath of that truly incredible night continue to soar.

I’m sure I won’t be the only one with a lump in my throat as I roll through the Third Eye O2 DVD over the next few days…and for all the for and against arguments of taking it further on in some format.. (as Q’s Paul Rees astutely noted ‘’How can they possibly leave all this behind again’’) I just have a nagging belief that if anyone can make it work…..then Jimmy Page can

Just like he did 40 years ago in the Marquee and Whisky Ago Ago

Just like he did one year ago in the O2 Arena

.. .. .. .. ..

The final proof of the new issue of Tight But Loose came though yesterday. Once again Martyn has done an incredible design job in bringing the text alive.

Looking through it for the first time I was reminded of the recent words of another magazine editor and a very notable one – Jann S. Wenner who founded the influential Rolling Stone magazine over four decades ago.

Rolling Stone is still one of my favourite magazines. Despite the so called feud with Zep (which really stemmed from an and review of the first album), the US oracle has always served Zep very well – in my loft I have countless editions carrying incisive Zep news stories, extensive album reviews (Physical Graffiti is a gem) wonderful features (the 1975 Cameron Crowe cover story a similar Plant 1988 cover interview, a 1994 Unledded Page & Plant special and last year’s perceptive David Fricke reunion piece) – all lit up with style and vision.

The magazine has just undergone a radical format transition reducing in size to that of a standard A4 format ala Time, Newsweek or Mojo after years as a broadsheet

Explaining the move in the current issue Jann states:

“What never changes is our DNA. A great magazine is a set of voices and values, artfully and urgently translated into great stories and pictures. The soul and mission of Rolling Stone remains the same as a magazine coming out of midtown Manhattan as they were when we published from a warehouse district loft in San Francisco.

We believe in the magic of rock n roll and that the magic can set you free’’.

Tight But Loose is of course hardly in Rolling Stones league and 22 issues over 30 years may not be prolific.

But we are still here three decades on forging ahead chronicling the world of Led Zeppelin with a mission to bring every reader closer to their music.

Looking at the newly completed issue, it’s another fine example of those voices and values as described by Jann S. Wenner.

Here at Tight But Loose we believe in the magic of Led Zeppelin…and that the magic can set you free.

As it did so magnificently one year ago.