Instead of the usual platitudes, since Jimmy Page is turning 68 today, here he is from 1968.
Happy Birthday, Jimmy Page.
Showing posts with label Yardbirds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yardbirds. Show all posts
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Ramble On Radio Episode #9
George Case, author of Jimmy Page: Magus, Musician, Man
joined me this edition to discuss his newest book, Led Zeppelin FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Greatest Hard Rock Band of All Time
.
There was news on Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, as well as an Alton Brown Haiku.
Don't miss the Merry Christmas edition of Ramble On Radio. Or subscribe via iTunes, and never miss another episode.
***********************************
Episode #9 links
John Paul Jones w/ Minibus Pimps video #1
John Paul Jones w/ Minibus Pimps video #2
John Paul Jones w/ Minibus Pimps video #3
1936 Cord 810 Phaeton formerly owned by Jimmy Page
John Carter Trailer: Bond plays Kashmir
Yarbirds Boxset: Glimpses 1963 - 1968
joined me this edition to discuss his newest book, Led Zeppelin FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Greatest Hard Rock Band of All Time.There was news on Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, as well as an Alton Brown Haiku.
Don't miss the Merry Christmas edition of Ramble On Radio. Or subscribe via iTunes, and never miss another episode.
***********************************
Episode #9 links
John Paul Jones w/ Minibus Pimps video #1
John Paul Jones w/ Minibus Pimps video #2
John Paul Jones w/ Minibus Pimps video #3
1936 Cord 810 Phaeton formerly owned by Jimmy Page
John Carter Trailer: Bond plays Kashmir
Yarbirds Boxset: Glimpses 1963 - 1968
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Yardbird Jimmy Page talks to US Army Radio
A JImmy Page interview with US Army Radio in 1967. It's very hip and groovy and short. Page's segment amounts to how The Yardbirds closed down the Crawdaddy, because the kids were so wild.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Anthony "Top" Topham: "A pre-Zeppelin album exists..."
In May 1963, Keith Relf and Paul Samwell-Smith left The Metropolitan Blues Quartet and joined Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty and lead guitarist Anthony “Top” Topham to form a new band, The Yardbirds. Sixteen year old Topham was a high school friend of Dreja.
In September of that year, Topham left the Yardbirds at his mother’s insistence, who was concerned about her 16 year old son spending his nights playing in the clubs. His replacement, Eric Clapton, would use the Yardbirds as a springboard to international acclaim and success, as would Clapton’s successors, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.
In an interview with Guitar International, Topham claims that is not the end of his story flirting with fame. In 1968 JImmy Page was remaking The Yardbirds in his own image, creating the band that would become Led Zeppelin. According to Topham, he was contacted to play in the band:
Topham also claims there was an early, pre-Led Zeppelin I album, under the name of The New Yardbirds:
The idea of Topham being in Led Zeppelin and of an early album is new information in the Led Zeppelin narrative. It is unknown whether, if the album actually exists, it is with the members of Led Zeppelin, a Yardbirds album with some variation of Keith Relf, Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty playing, or a group of musicians previously unknown. What is known, however, is that the last lineup of The Yardbirds performed a number of songs that would find their way onto Led Zeppelin I, so the The Yardbirds recording this material can’t be discounted.
The Top Topham interview is not just about the sixties, and is an interesting look at the player who didn’t become “One of the legendary Yardbird guitarists.”
In September of that year, Topham left the Yardbirds at his mother’s insistence, who was concerned about her 16 year old son spending his nights playing in the clubs. His replacement, Eric Clapton, would use the Yardbirds as a springboard to international acclaim and success, as would Clapton’s successors, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.
In an interview with Guitar International, Topham claims that is not the end of his story flirting with fame. In 1968 JImmy Page was remaking The Yardbirds in his own image, creating the band that would become Led Zeppelin. According to Topham, he was contacted to play in the band:
Well this is what happened, in 1968... I received three telegrams, which I still have, from Peter Grant and Jimmy Page, expressing an urgency to get in touch with them, one of these said “great news for you.” I called them... and I spoke to Jimmy who I saw reasonably regularly. He said he wanted to reform under the name of the New Yardbirds and hit America, and asked if I would be interested.
Wait for it, I said no.
Topham also claims there was an early, pre-Led Zeppelin I album, under the name of The New Yardbirds:
Also, it’s a fact that a pre-Zeppelin album exists under the name the New Yardbirds, and includes much of the same as early Zepp. I believe this has never been released.
The idea of Topham being in Led Zeppelin and of an early album is new information in the Led Zeppelin narrative. It is unknown whether, if the album actually exists, it is with the members of Led Zeppelin, a Yardbirds album with some variation of Keith Relf, Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty playing, or a group of musicians previously unknown. What is known, however, is that the last lineup of The Yardbirds performed a number of songs that would find their way onto Led Zeppelin I, so the The Yardbirds recording this material can’t be discounted.
The Top Topham interview is not just about the sixties, and is an interesting look at the player who didn’t become “One of the legendary Yardbird guitarists.”
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
ZepFest 2011
With just over a month to go until Zepfest 2011, things are coming together. They have announced 5 "waves" of musicians and speakers who will be in Washington over the Memorial Day weekend, and they have an astounding line up of acts.
[caption id="attachment_1075" align="alignright" width="300" caption="David St. Hubbins will not be at ZepFest?"]
[/caption]
Wave V came out last week, and features former Led Zeppelin tour manager and author of Stairway to Heaven Richard Cole and Warren Grant, the son of Peter Grant. Musically, they announced former Detective singer Michael Des Barres. Detective were signed to Swan Song, and Des Barres was married to infamous groupie, and former Jimmy Page lover, Pamela Des Barres. Wave V also announced skiffle legend Chas McDevitt and former Ted Nugent front man, Derek St. Holmes (not to be confused with Spinal Tap frontman David St. Hubbins - that was just embarrassing).
Other acts already announced include The Yardbirds, Vanilla Fudge and Dread Zeppelin. Zeppelin tribute acts will be in abundance, including Zoso, Get the Led Out, Led Zepagain and Kashmir. If you have seen that video of the old guy dancing while the band played Whole Lotta Love, the band playing is a local band here in Ontario, The Crunge, and they too will be playing ZepFest 2011.
The speakers are just as impressive, with Tight But Loose author Dave Lewis leading the pack, along with Cole and Grant. Former Yardbirds Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty, and Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice will also be speaking.
I have just touched the surface of what someone going to ZepFest 2011 can expect, and the organizers promise more to come. It will be a very full weekend of immersing yourself in Led Zeppelin activity, and worth the drive to Washington. Tickets are available in single day or as a three day pass.
[caption id="attachment_1075" align="alignright" width="300" caption="David St. Hubbins will not be at ZepFest?"]
[/caption]Wave V came out last week, and features former Led Zeppelin tour manager and author of Stairway to Heaven Richard Cole and Warren Grant, the son of Peter Grant. Musically, they announced former Detective singer Michael Des Barres. Detective were signed to Swan Song, and Des Barres was married to infamous groupie, and former Jimmy Page lover, Pamela Des Barres. Wave V also announced skiffle legend Chas McDevitt and former Ted Nugent front man, Derek St. Holmes (not to be confused with Spinal Tap frontman David St. Hubbins - that was just embarrassing).
Other acts already announced include The Yardbirds, Vanilla Fudge and Dread Zeppelin. Zeppelin tribute acts will be in abundance, including Zoso, Get the Led Out, Led Zepagain and Kashmir. If you have seen that video of the old guy dancing while the band played Whole Lotta Love, the band playing is a local band here in Ontario, The Crunge, and they too will be playing ZepFest 2011.
The speakers are just as impressive, with Tight But Loose author Dave Lewis leading the pack, along with Cole and Grant. Former Yardbirds Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty, and Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice will also be speaking.
I have just touched the surface of what someone going to ZepFest 2011 can expect, and the organizers promise more to come. It will be a very full weekend of immersing yourself in Led Zeppelin activity, and worth the drive to Washington. Tickets are available in single day or as a three day pass.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Record Store Day
Saturday April 16th is Record Store Day, a day when music fans can celebrate their community record store through special releases, both old and new.
Last year Led Zeppelin fans had something new to line up for outside their local record store: Them Crooked Vultures Mind Eraser, No Chaser picture disc EP.
This year it is something old: a 7” 45RPM vinyl re-release of The Yardbirds last single, Goodnight Sweet Josephine. The Jimmy Page era single is from the Little Games sessions, but did not make the cut on the original album. It was released on 1992’s Little Games Sessions & More CD.
The b side is Jimmy Page, Jim McCarty, Keith Relf written song, Think About It.
The single will come with a black and white picture sleeve, with a picture of the four Yardbirds standing sideways and looking at the camera. A smiling Jimmy Page is prominent on the cover.
Visit Record Store Day’s website to find a participating store near you and a comprehensive list of records being released for Record Store Day.
Last year Led Zeppelin fans had something new to line up for outside their local record store: Them Crooked Vultures Mind Eraser, No Chaser picture disc EP.
This year it is something old: a 7” 45RPM vinyl re-release of The Yardbirds last single, Goodnight Sweet Josephine. The Jimmy Page era single is from the Little Games sessions, but did not make the cut on the original album. It was released on 1992’s Little Games Sessions & More CD.The b side is Jimmy Page, Jim McCarty, Keith Relf written song, Think About It.
The single will come with a black and white picture sleeve, with a picture of the four Yardbirds standing sideways and looking at the camera. A smiling Jimmy Page is prominent on the cover.
Visit Record Store Day’s website to find a participating store near you and a comprehensive list of records being released for Record Store Day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)