16 FEB 1972
I arrived in Perth with Led Zeppelin
Heavy Rock - with discipline
by John Bryant
Perth has probably never seen a concert quite like it. Certainly, a Festival of Perth attraction has never been so "heavy". The Led Zeppelin rock group's only concert at Subiaco Oval last night at the beginning of an Australian Tour was unique. The pelting rhythm and distinctive brackets of the group - consisting of electric guitarist Jimmy Page, organist John Paul Jones, drummer John Bonham and lead vocalist Robert Plant - were different from any rock group that has appeared in Perth. And the 8000 people who went enjoyed every minute of the two and a half hour performance. Some were so keen to see the most popular English heavy rock group to ever appear live in Perth that they did not mind climbing fences to get in. Police and officials were kept busy preventing and removing people entering the stadium. Early in the programme about 30 youths could be seen running across the stand adjoining the members' pavilion at the Oval. Presumably they did not pay for seats in that stand.
Soon after the concert began, Robert Plant told the audience, "Anyway we took 36 hours to get here, so we are going to have a good time". That drew a wild cheer from the audience. The group performed on the shell-backed stage. The sound produced by the amplifiers placed on each side of the stage was at times painfully loud. The group wound up to its full potential during heavier numbers. Perhaps for the older eardrums, a few less decibels would have been appreciated.
The Led Zeppelin represents a rock music expression whose main contribution is originality. As has been suggested, it can produce a domineering, pulsating sound in which the heavy rhythm section is the only distinguishable feature. Alternatively, Page's electric and acoustic guitar, with Jones on bass or organ and Plant's powerful voice can produce a dominant form.
Finally, the group is capable of a gentle and melodic treatment to a rock ballad. The group specialises in heavy rock, to which it owes its fame. Wailing guitars, breaking away from the basic rhythm produced by the bass guitar and drums, and a staccato vocal section build up to the powerful crescendo that features frequently in their music. Regardless of the style used, their musical interpretation is disciplined. It is this control of instruments and voices that helps the group reach its full potential.
Taken from 'The West Australian' - Thursday, 17th February 1972
15 FEB 1969
I played at Thee Image, Miami with Led Zeppelin
14 Feb 1974
I joined Roy Harper at the Valentine concert in Finsbury Park, London
ON THIS DAY… 13 FEB 1972
On this day in 1972, all the Led Zeppelin members stopped off in Bombay for an overnight stay en route to an Australian tour. But here in Bombay, the members of Led Zeppelin got to taste the exotic perfume of this fascinating city and managed to be tourists for a day. It was wonderful to experience the kaleidoscopic images we got to savour.
ON THIS DAY… 12 FEB 1965
HEINZ AND THE WILD BOYS RELEASED ‘DIGGING MY POTATOES’ / ‘SHE AIN’T COMIN’ BACK’
11 FEB 1985
‘THE FIRM’ BY THE FIRM WAS RELEASED
I arrived in Perth with Led Zeppelin
On this day in 1972 Led Zeppelin arrived in Perth to begin an Australian tour, arriving from Bombay, and the customs decided to give us a lengthy examination and ended up confiscating four miniature drums that we had bought in India on the grounds of uncured animal skin – I guess they considered that a result!
Heavy Rock - with discipline
by John Bryant
Perth has probably never seen a concert quite like it. Certainly, a Festival of Perth attraction has never been so "heavy". The Led Zeppelin rock group's only concert at Subiaco Oval last night at the beginning of an Australian Tour was unique. The pelting rhythm and distinctive brackets of the group - consisting of electric guitarist Jimmy Page, organist John Paul Jones, drummer John Bonham and lead vocalist Robert Plant - were different from any rock group that has appeared in Perth. And the 8000 people who went enjoyed every minute of the two and a half hour performance. Some were so keen to see the most popular English heavy rock group to ever appear live in Perth that they did not mind climbing fences to get in. Police and officials were kept busy preventing and removing people entering the stadium. Early in the programme about 30 youths could be seen running across the stand adjoining the members' pavilion at the Oval. Presumably they did not pay for seats in that stand.
Soon after the concert began, Robert Plant told the audience, "Anyway we took 36 hours to get here, so we are going to have a good time". That drew a wild cheer from the audience. The group performed on the shell-backed stage. The sound produced by the amplifiers placed on each side of the stage was at times painfully loud. The group wound up to its full potential during heavier numbers. Perhaps for the older eardrums, a few less decibels would have been appreciated.
The Led Zeppelin represents a rock music expression whose main contribution is originality. As has been suggested, it can produce a domineering, pulsating sound in which the heavy rhythm section is the only distinguishable feature. Alternatively, Page's electric and acoustic guitar, with Jones on bass or organ and Plant's powerful voice can produce a dominant form.
Finally, the group is capable of a gentle and melodic treatment to a rock ballad. The group specialises in heavy rock, to which it owes its fame. Wailing guitars, breaking away from the basic rhythm produced by the bass guitar and drums, and a staccato vocal section build up to the powerful crescendo that features frequently in their music. Regardless of the style used, their musical interpretation is disciplined. It is this control of instruments and voices that helps the group reach its full potential.
Taken from 'The West Australian' - Thursday, 17th February 1972
15 FEB 1969
I played at Thee Image, Miami with Led Zeppelin
This is the second of two dates that Led Zeppelin played at Miami’s underground club, Thee Image. This is the same club where I got to hook up with a friend during the Yardbird days, Mike Pinera, who was to find fame in Blues Image before going on to join Iron Butterfly and Alice Cooper’s band.
14 Feb 1974
I joined Roy Harper at the Valentine concert in Finsbury Park, London
Roy Harper’s Valentine concert was at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park in 1974 and I joined him on this memorable gig. During the acoustic part of this set, I played ‘Male Chauvinist Pig Blues’ and then both Roy and I switched to electric when we played ‘Too Many Movies’ and ‘Home’ with the classic rhythm section of Keith Moon on drums and Ronnie Lane on bass. We rehearsed earlier that afternoon.
Roy had an award made for that evening: ‘The Harpic Award’ for the contributing musicians. John Bonham became the MC and they were duly distributed. Harpic was an affectionate name for Roy.
Roy had an award made for that evening: ‘The Harpic Award’ for the contributing musicians. John Bonham became the MC and they were duly distributed. Harpic was an affectionate name for Roy.
ON THIS DAY… 13 FEB 1972
On this day in 1972, all the Led Zeppelin members stopped off in Bombay for an overnight stay en route to an Australian tour. But here in Bombay, the members of Led Zeppelin got to taste the exotic perfume of this fascinating city and managed to be tourists for a day. It was wonderful to experience the kaleidoscopic images we got to savour.
ON THIS DAY… 12 FEB 1965
HEINZ AND THE WILD BOYS RELEASED ‘DIGGING MY POTATOES’ / ‘SHE AIN’T COMIN’ BACK’
Today sees the 1965 release of ‘Digging My Potatoes’ by Heinz and the Wild Boys - a song I’d known by Big Bill Broonzy and Lonnie Donegan. I had done a number of sessions for Joe Meek and this is one I particularly remember as he’d asked me to overdub a solo on this track. All the recordings I did with Joe Meek were in his now legendary home studio at 304 Holloway Road. Joe was a sonic visionary and pioneered the use of limiters/compressors and echo in a radical way during his illustrious career.
11 FEB 1985
‘THE FIRM’ BY THE FIRM WAS RELEASED
After teaming up for the historic ARMS tour in the US, Paul Rodgers and I decided to make some music together and here was the first LP from that collaboration. The self-titled ‘The Firm’, was recorded at The Sol Studios. Paul Rodgers, (formerly of Free and Bad Company) on vocals and guitar, (ex-Roy Harper) Tony Franklin on bass and hair and Chris Slade (future drummer for AC/DC).
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvJoJg5Vey4"]Closer - The Firm - live 1984 - YouTube[/ame]
Paul Rodgers’ vocals are remarkable.
