Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin

As much as they were a band about the music, Led Zeppelin always understood the importance of the visual experience. From the beginning the band was highly photogenic, and highly photographed. So it’s entirely appropriate that the fiftieth anniversary of Led Zeppelin began with the publication of a pictorial autobiography of the band, Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin.The book, similar in style and size to the earlier book Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page,offers a history of the band through pictures and, to a very minor degree, the bands own words.

The book is laid out chronologically by years (1968-69, 1970-73 &tc.) and sub-categorically by album. From the first show in Denmark in 1968, to the last at the O2 arena in London in 2007, Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin delivers a visual treat for fans. Promotional shots, pictures of the band backstage, on the plane and mostly onstage, including some great action shots, the 400 page coffee table book doesn’t miss much.

Many of the pictures have been seen before, but the size and clarity brought out here make them seem like new. Conversely, there are shots I had never seen before that were fabulous. That’s not to say every picture is a gem . There’s a few that are out of focus, or from an angle that makes you wonder why the photographer bothered to hit the shutter. But in the context of this book, even those pictures add to the tale.

The book is by no means perfect, The section marked 1979-82 is really 1979-80, plus a one page picture of the Coda album cover from 1982. The book then skips right to 2007, missing Live Aid, The Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary show and Jason Bonham’s wedding (wouldn’t you love to have seen some snap shots from the wedding jam?). But overall, it’s hard to complain with so much good material, so many pictures of the band in their prime.

If the music that Led Zeppelin puts out for the fiftieth anniversary matches the quality of this book, the next year promises to be a good one for Led Zeppelin fans. And even if not, Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelinis a first rate addition to any Zeppelin fans library.





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No Led Zeppelin on Record Store Day

The Black Friday Record Store Day list has just been released and at a casual glance there is no Led Zeppelin related items this time round.

In April, of course, we got the Sunset Studio remix of Rock and Roll, with Friends on the b/side. Other years we have had Jimmy Page era Yardbird releases, a Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes release and others. This Christmas, however, the list looks light on Led Zeppelin items.

Here's the list for your perusal.

It should be noted that some items do get added after the list is first release, and furthermore there has been some items in the past that had either Jimmy Page or John Paul Jones on the sessions for the recording, so a connection is still possible. But it looks as though a Led Zeppelin Christmas song will have to wait for another year.

For certified professional guitar repair in Cambridge Ontario: Brian Gardiner Guitar Repair

The Led Zeppelin Podcast Episode 144

Dave Lewis has been on the show three times now, stretched over 4 episodes. This first time in April 2014 covered the then freshly announced remasters program, his book Then as it Was and Tight But Loose #33.  It appeared in episode 56 which is not currently available to listen to.

The second time was in July 2015, and the interview was long enough that I spread it out over both episode 100 and 101. In that interview we discussed, among other things Earls Court and Dave's book, Over Europe 1980.

Last week I talked to Dave for the third time, where we discussed the new the Led Zeppelin downloads and The Song Remains the Same remaster.  However, what we really talked about was Dave's two new books, Evenings with Led Zeppelin: The Complete Concert Chronicle 1968-1980, with co-author Mike Tremaglio which was released in July. His new photobook, Led Zeppelin Live ’75-‘77 (UK Amazon link only), features the photography of Terry O'Neill, Michael Brennan and Baron Wolman. You can hear the interview on Episode 144.




You can get more information on all things Dave Lewis at his website Tight But Loose.









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For certified professional guitar repair in Cambridge Ontario: Brian Gardiner Guitar Repair