Dedication to Kevin Scott MacMichael

This news originally appeared in an edition of the newsletter "On This Day In Led Zeppelin History."

Today's edition is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Scott MacMichael, one of Robert Plant's guitarists on Fate of Nations and the 1993 tour. Kevin died on Dec. 31, 2002, after a long battle with cancer.

Your favorite studio moments with John Paul Jones

These comments originally appeared in an edition of the newsletter "On This Day In Led Zeppelin History" distributed on John Paul Jones's 57th birthday.

As an appreciation of John Paul Jones's studio work, "On This Day In Led Zeppelin History" readers recall some of their favorite John Paul Jones moments on record.

"The Rain Song." I always imagined JPJ conducting an orchestra whenever I listened to this song. And don't miss those subtle piano bits from JPJ. Lovely. Understated, but absolutely essential to the overall listening experience. You'd miss them if they weren't there.
- Billy, Brooklyn, N.Y.

"The Thunderthief." JPJ does damn near everything on this track. There are vocals, basses, guitars, and that rapid-fire keyboard part. I hope I get to hear this one live.
- Steve "The Lemon," Silver Spring, Md.

That funky Clavinova in "Trampled Underfoot," his intro to "In the Light," and everything he does on "Zooma."
- Kate, East Lansing, Mich.

His droning, ambient piece, "4 Minute Warning," from Brian Eno's Opal compilation, Music for Films, Vol. 3.
- Mark, Oregon

Obviously, there are many more where these came from. And, as John Paul Jones reveals in his recent letter to fans at www.johnpauljones.com, there's more to come:

Christmas already! How the time flies.

As you may have noticed I have not been touring this year as hoped. Events and builders have conspired against it for the past months but I hope to get back on course in 2003. I have meanwhile been honing various musical skills and working on some new instruments. I have also been singing quite a bit more and will soon unleash a value added JPJ!

Work also continues on the forthcoming Led Zeppelin DVD, it all looks and sounds very exciting and should be coming out soon. I am still reminded what an incredible band it was, (excuse the modesty;-) I think that sightings of us meeting for this project have given rise to many rumours of reunions etc., but rumours they are.

In the meantime I hope that you all have pleasant and peaceful holiday and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Best Wishes
John Paul Jones
Christmas 2002

Tribute bands keep Led Zeppelin's undying appeal alive

This news originally appeared in an edition of the newsletter "On This Day In Led Zeppelin History."

Keeping Led Zeppelin's undying appeal alive through imitation are today's Led Zeppelin tribute bands. Listed here are six bands, half in the United Kingdom and half in the United States. This constitutes only a few of the Led Zeppelin tribute bands in the world.

United States

• Zoso
  http://www.zosoontour.com/
  Reader's comment: "If you're ever in the Charlotte, N.C., area, you might want to check out Amos' Southend. They have a lot of tribute bands, and a Zeppelin tribute band from Los Angeles called Zoso appears there about every two or three months. They are due in for another show on Nov. 27. These guys are absolutely amazing." - Scott, North Carolina, Nov. 21
  Next shows: Tonight & tomorrow, Univ. of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
• Four Sticks
  http://www.four-sticks.info/
  Next show: Tomorrow (Nov. 23), Black Rock & Blue, Fairfield, Conn.
• Led Zepland
  http://www.ledzepland.com/
  Next show: Nov. 27, Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
  Rumor has it a studio album is on the way!
  

United Kingdom

• Fred Zeppelin
  http://fly.to/fredz
  Reader's comment: "I went to The Limelight Club in Crewe to see a tribute band called Fred Zeppelin. What a performance these guys gave! A two-hour-plus gig was absolutely fantastic. Their renditions of 'Dazed and Confused' and 'Stairway to Heaven' were the best I have heard from any tribute band." - Ashley, Chesire, England, Oct. 30
  Next show: Tonight (Nov. 22), Schofields, Birmingham, England
• Simply Led
  http://www.simplyled.net/
  Reader's comment: "This was a special event that I will remember for all my life. The reason why I'm unsure of the set list is because I was just having too much fun. It was also very refreshing to see how the audience seemed so split between old people coming for a bit of nostalgia and younger kids coming to see what the whole fuzz was all about. Simply Led surely showed them that." - Daniel, Reykjavik, Iceland, April 9
  Next show: Dec. 14, Club 85, Hitchin, England
• Whole Lotta Led
  http://www.wholelottaled.co.uk/
  Next show: Tonight (Nov. 22), Central Station, Wrexham, England
  Then: Tomorrow (Nov. 23), Pavilion, Bath, England (where Led Zeppelin played in 1968 and 1971)

Letter: What's that noise on 'Black Dog'?

These comments originally appeared in an edition of the newsletter "On This Day In Led Zeppelin History."

More than 30 years after its creation and release, and more than 20 years after my first hearing it, "Black Dog" never ceases to amaze and challenge on both visceral and musical levels. Where is that downbeat, anyway?)

However, I could swear that during the final instrumental coda/solo, over Page's Leslie guitar solo and Plant's panned vocal moans, I still hear some leakage voices --not unlike the leakthrough voices on "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" and "Misty Mountain Hop" (possibly an earlier guide vocal) as well as Sister Sledge's "We are Family" and Kool & the Gang's "Celebration." In this case, of course, it's not like explicit party talk, but it almost sounds like spoken leakthrough as if they had recorded the sound of the otherwise final "Black Dog" mix in the control room and heard Page, Jones, etc., speaking quietly over it...?

Jay

Thanks for the question, Jay. I don't hear it, but I did have a great time trying to keep track of how many stray clicks there are from Bonham's drumsticks. But maybe some of my other readers are hearing voices too and would like to comment.

Oh, and a special note to my next-door neighbors. (Hopefully, they're on this mailing list.) That loud music you just heard was "Black Dog." It's over for now, but don't be surprised if it comes on again before midnight. And please don't call the police on my birthday!

Jason Bonham says mother would proudly approve if Led Zeppelin reunion included him

Jason Bonham was gracious enough to grant an interview to Lemon Squeezings on Oct. 17 after a concert with his current band, Healing Sixes, at the Thunder Dome in Baltimore. Behind a drum set, this thirtysomething musician sounds tight. But leaning against a bar and sipping from a can of Diet Coke, Jason shows his loose, easygoing demeanor.

Healing Sixes played a great set of material from its new CD, Enormosound, and three Led Zeppelin covers ended the concert on a high note for the energetic crowd. Luckily enough, that's just when things were beginning for myself and the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer. Off to the side of the stage, he made himself available to sign autographs for new fans and to answer questions regarding bootlegs, cars and his take on the possibility of a Led Zeppelin reunion in 2003.

"I'd be a fool not to ask you if you have any plans for next year, with all the rumors circulating," I coyly phrased the question. Apparently, the London Times was more straightforward when the newspaper recently posed the question to him by telephone.

According to Jason, an interviewer for the Times said that Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones had met on a certain day. Jason, knowing about the work being done on a Led Zeppelin DVD through a common contact, said they were probably meeting to discuss the DVD project.

But the Times insisted that they had also discussed reuniting. Jason said that he had not been contacted by anyone from Led Zeppelin or their management. "So, I phoned Jimmy to see whether he really did want me," Jason told me. "I left a message for him asking to call me and let me know. Well, I haven't heard back."

Jason said he would be comfortable drumming for a reunion and that his mother, Pat Bonham, would proudly approve. "My mom has said that she will give full support to the tour if I'm on the drums but not if anyone else is on drums," Jason said.

Although he hasn't heard from Page about the reunion, he has heard from the engineer on the Led Zeppelin DVD project. Jason said that the man helping Page on the project is Kevin Shirley, who also worked on the Healing Sixes CD as well as Live at the Greek, the double live album by Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes. Although Jason was not able to name any specific footage that would appear on the upcoming Led Zeppelin DVD, he said he's heard it's all excellent footage.

While fans prepare for the first official live release by Led Zeppelin since 1997's BBC Sessions, Led Zeppelin bootleg collectors have been enjoying a highly productive round of newly released soundboard recordings, video releases, and more. Trying to ascertain the sources of these newly discovered recordings, some fans assume that it must be coming from someone near the band.

Since Jason's name has been mentioned in the past in conjunction with such guesses, I asked him whether he knew where such recordings were coming from. He did not claim responsibility for any leaks. However, he hinted that he has been in possession of some recordings that are not available in trading circles, including at least one with a concert date previously unknown to Led Zeppelin historians. Lemon Squeezings will certainly follow up on this issue!

In the meantime, Healing Sixes is scheduled for the following appearances in the eastern United States and Canada:

• Oct. 21: Philadelphia (Venue TBA)
• Oct. 22: B.B. King's, New York
• Oct. 24: Hard Rock Cafe, Toronto
• Oct. 25: Double D's, Morristown, N.J.
• Oct. 26: Palace, Lansford, Pa.
• Oct. 29: Stone Pony, Asbury Park, N.J.
• Oct. 30: Crocodile Rocks, Allentown, Pa.
• Nov. 1: Town House, Williamstown, N.Y.
• Nov. 2: Jarrod's, Attleboro, N.Y.
• Nov. 6: Zanies Too, Indianapolis

And coming soon, dates on the West Coast!

London Times reports Led Zeppelin reunion tour certain; could it be true?

The London Times has just reported that Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones will reunite for a concert tour in the United States to take place in the summer of 2003. People are writing me on a daily basis saying that contracts have been signed. I receive e-mails from John Paul Jones himself with no comment.

As I've said before, history says don't believe the hype. History says there are a lot of people who want it to happen. History says there are a lot of people who expect it to happen. History says it might be considered. History says it might even be SERIOUSLY considered!

But history says IT WON'T ACTUALLY HAPPEN. I would be surprised if it does happen. But if it does, and if they call themselves Led Zeppelin, I want to introduce them at a concert, telling tens of thousands of people: "Hold onto your seat. Here comes Led Zeppelin!"

Fans drive Volkswagen bus decorated with Zep symbols

This news originally appeared in an edition of the newsletter "On This Day In Led Zeppelin History."

Two of my readers have a Web page devoted to their 1971 Volkswagen bus. It's as old as Led Zeppelin's fourth album, and it has the four symbols freshly painted on it. Maryland's Richard and Bernadette are truly one... er, um, two-of-a-kind Zep fans. You can see their painted bus at http://www.richardjnash.com/vw_photos.htm (This content is no longer available).