Jimmy Page at David Bowie Book Launch

Genesis Publication, the makers of the Jimmy Page book, Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page, released last year, threw a release party for their latest release on Tuesday, and Jimmy Page was in attendance.

The party was for the release of Speed of Life a collaboration between David Bowie and photographer Masayoshi Sukita. Jez Coulson was there, and reported on events.

There too, was the BBC, and unlike Coulson, they had a chance to talk to Page.

In the interview, Page says he has "been working on all things musical over the last... couple of years... without necessarily playing." And next up, Page intends to be "getting together with musicians, and just be totally focused... on just that an that alone." He adds that at "my time of life... I much prefer to put all my energies into one thing."

Certainly, Page has talked in the last number of years about new music, playing, touring &tc., but nothing comes about. I'll be sceptical until we hear something more concrete.

The David Bowie book, by the way, retails for £360.00 from Genesis publications.

Tight But Loose #28

The first words of the lead editorial in the latest edition of Tight But Loose, Dave Lewis says:

Well I have to say that year one of this new era of Tight But Loose has been a pretty eventful one.

Well, I have to say that year one &tc. has brought some excellent magazines to my door. The newest edition, Issue 28, is the third in the newly designed Tight But Loose (TBL) and easily the best of the bunch. It is full of good articles that are informative and easy to read. The great Ross Halfin picture of Jimmy Page on the cover, looking relaxed yet elegant (Tight but Loose?) gives a hint that the inside will be a Zeppelin fans treat. It is.

For the first time since I started receiving TBL last year, I read it cover to cover. There was no superfluous articles that didn’t really interest me, nothing seemed to fill, every article interesting and relevant.

That said, it’s been a good year to be writing about Led Zeppelin as all of their former members have been busy. The last four months no less than the rest of the year, so TBL 28 had a lot to write about. Jimmy Page’s book release, Robert Plant’s Band of Joy tour, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience and John Paul Jones doing a mini tour with the Dave Rawlings Machine. Much of what happened also happened in Dave Lewis’ backyard, including Robert Plant playing BBC at the Proms, the Robert Plant BBC night, Jimmy Page’s book launch, the classic rock awards.

It was a good year, and the best thing you can say about a fan magazine is, they were there and they chronicled it all. TBL can make that claim for 2010, especially at the latter part of the year.

Twenty-eleven promises to be another big year in the world of Led Zeppelin. I only hope Tight But Loose is able to keep the momentum going, and provide great reading for another year.

Tight But Loose can be ordered from the TBL website. It is, depending on where you live, from $10-$13 (Canadian) for the single issue, $30-$40 for a three issue subscription. Get the subscription, you’ll be glad you did.

Unpacking Jimmy Page

Rick Barret of Zeppelin Collectibles.com received his copy of the Genesis Publication book, Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page on Dec 10 - the third anniversary of Led Zeppelin's celebrated 02 arena concert.

Rick took a video of himself opening the book, and flipping through it the first time. Nice treat for fans who didn't get a book. And another reason to kick yourself for not buying one.

Jimmy Page Book Shipping

It's official, the hand bound Genesis Publication book, Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page is shipping.

It was reported on the Led Zeppelin Mailing list today that the £695 Deluxe Edition has reached at least one household:

JP by JP DELUXE EDITION IS HERE:
Wow what a package weighs in at 17.2 lbs and comes protected with 4 layers of
packaging the book itself is magnifico and comes in its own plush proctive bag.

No word yet on any purchasers of the £395 Collectors Edition, who didn't contribute to the book, receiving their copies yet.

Two weeks ago photographer Mark Bowman, who had two shots in the book, posted that he had received his copy:

This thing is absolutely UNBELIEVABLE....!

I just got my Collector's Edition delivered yesterday... WOW - what a
magnificent statement from James Patrick Page on his life, his contributions to
the WORLD and a legacy that will most likely be remembered along the lines of
Bach, Mozart or Beethoven.....

So if you ordered Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page, it is shipping.

If like me you didn't, you might want to stay away from the Zeppelin chat sites a while, lest you regret not splurging when you hear repeated entreaties about how fabulous this book is.

Now Appearing...

on Tight But Loose

Tight But Loose is the premier Led Zeppelin website and magazine.  Dave Lewis started TBL in the 70's and, although he took a break after the death of John Bonham, has been doing it ever since.

So it is an honour to have my words printed on Dave's web server, as he uses a modified version of the JBLZE review I posted here. Scroll down the page until you see Centre in the Square, Kitchener, Ontario:

“Kitchener,” says Jason Bonham from the stage, bowler hat much like his father would occasionally wear perched on his head, “is very special to me. The background picture on my phone is of my dad in Kitchener.”

Meanwhile, it's worth mentioning that Tight But Loose issue #27 has been out about a month. Chock-a-block full of information about Robert Plant's Band of Joy, Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page, Jason Bonham's tour, Black Country Communion and 30 years since the death of John Bonham.

If you're a fan, then it's a must have. You can order it here, but check out the whole website: you never who you might find there.

Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page Book Launch

Jimmy Page, dressed in pinstripe suit, held court at the official launch of his Genesis Publication book, Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page. The launch was in the form of a photographic exhibition of pictures from the book, at the Elms Lester Painting Rooms in West End London.

The exhibition is open to the public today and tomorrow, from 11:00 - 6:00. Admission is free. Never though t I'd wish I was in London in November...

Wonder if this means the sold-out book will start shipping soon.