Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Fuck Yeah Zeppelin

What's the meaning behind that famous led zeppelin picture of an oldman on the top of a hill holding a lamp?

You mean the Hermit!

Famously featured on the gatefold of Led Zeppelin IV, the Hermit is a tarot card figure representing silence, inner search, and reflection. Jimmy also paid homage to the Hermit in The Song Remains the Same, where he dressed up as him during his fantasy sequence.

Jimmy had this to say about it:

"The inside cover was painted by a friend of mine. It's basically an illustration of a seeker aspiring to the light of truth."

I hope this clarified!

-JayCee

Can you give a link to Jimmys films from India?

Here.

That's the Bombay one (only standard 8mm reel and it's not got sound if I remember so don't expect much!) and if you look in the sidebar there's links to other ones from Japan etc.

~ Ree

Was John Paul Jones also into photography?

I don't know whether he was specifically interested in it, but with the number of countries Zep visited it's safe to assume he would have taken pictures/filmed video footage just as Robert and Jimmy did (you can see Jimmy's little films from India etc on Youtube actually)

~ Ree

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aaaaah thank you so much for helping me find that radio interview! MUCH MUCH LOVE!

No problem, thanks for letting us know and only too glad to help :)

~ Ree

Have you heard of the Led Zeppelin 2014 reunion? I think it's just a bunch of rumors.. I was wondering if you had any info on that?

Ah yes, that was sparked when Robert said that he had "nothing to do" in 2014 during his interview on 60 Minutes in Australia around February. When asked about a potential reunion, he said "They're (Jimmy and JPJ) quite contained in their own worlds and they leave it to me. I'm not the bad guy… You need to see the Capricorns – I've got nothing to do in 2014."

Jason Bonham then wrote this on his Facebook:

And after that there's been speculation back and forth for the last months but nothing to confirm or deny it, as is Zeppelin's own delightful way. Jimmy's hinted in the past at new material emerging (from him, not necessarily anything to do with Zep) but thus far there's been no follow up to that. We shall just have to see.

~ Ree

which is the concert where they took their pants off? they were performing in their underwear?

I can't find the photo right now, but I know which one you mean. It was taken by Kate Simon during a rehearsal at Bray Studios in '79. Must have been pretty warm there but I think they're wearing shorts rather than their underwear.

~ Ree

Hi! Love the blog! HUGE Zep fan! I was just wondering about something, I've been looking for this radio interview that zep did sometime in the 70s, where they get calls from fans and some chicks get to speak with robert and call him the sexiest man alive, it's pretty funny and sweet and quite hilarious at times. it's also an american radio show/interview. I've been looking for this all over the web, the last time I found it was somewhere on tumblr, do you by any chance know where I can find it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo8opg5U1Rc

I think this is the interview you're talking about? I think it was about 1972/3 that he did this one. Let us know if you meant a different one!

~ Ree

I recently watched (again) the LZ DVD with a couple (young) musician friends - who had never seen it. After seeing Moby Dick, one commented that drummers should just never attempt to do drum solos as no one on the planet comes close to Bonham's brilliance. I concur. We were wondering if any guitarist has attempted Page's (very signature) bow + guitar playing?

Yes, other artists have mimicked this style. It's a very desirable sound which lends itself to several songs. The well known ones I can think of of the top of my head:

I should point out, Eddie Phillips of The Creation actually used a violin bow on "Making Time" and "Painter Man", released in 1966, before Jimmy used the same technique on record.

Jón Þór Birgisson (Jónsi) from Sigur Rós is very well known for using a cello bow:

Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead, who plays it live on "Pyramid Song":

Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) has used one before, as did Mike Oldfield , and Roger Waters (yes, that one) used a bowed bass on a couple of tracks.

Aside from that there are of course several others and many other guitarists in bands who might not be so famous use the technique live and in the studio regularly.

Cheers,

~Ree

if you could ask one of the band members anything what would it be?

I'd ask Robert if he ever found that confounded bridge.

~ Ree

Have any of you ever looked into Aleister Crowley or Thelema? Curious to hear your views on it.

I have, for several years now, not so much because of Zeppelin but because these "alternate belief systems", so to speak, have fascinated me for a long time. I have read several of Crowley's writings and also literature to do with the occult. I think, as far as Jimmy is concerned, what he has said on the matter should be the final word as regards to his interest in it. He never attempted to hide his fascination, but he never openly admitted to being a Thelemite. Obviously he gained a lot of knowledge and drew what he did from it and it manifested itself in his life and his music. And if you want a personal opinion, Jimmy was absolutely right when he said Crowley was a "misunderstood genius of the 20th century." I think some of his views and philosophies are extraordinary when you consider the times he was living in.

Actually, a funny anecdote. A friend of mine actually helps at an auction place which sells, amongst other things, occult paraphernalia and we were going through the records once and found several items either given or purchased by a "Mr J. Page" from around the 70s/80s.

~ Ree 

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I once heard that on one LZ song Plant is actually playing the guitar, while Page is playing a slide guitar, mandolin or something. Is this true, and if so what song? Thanks. You have a truly amazing site!

You are correct! The song to which you are referring is "Boogie with Stu." At least, that's what we are led to believe.

He gave an interview awhile back, mentioning his guitar playing on a track:

"There's a song called 'Sloppy Drunk' on which I play guitar and Jimmy plays mandolin."

It has been widely accepted by the Zep community that "Sloppy Drunk" was the working title for "Boogie with Stu," so it could be either him playing on the track and being modest by not mentioning the title, or possibly an unreleased take.

Robert played guitar on early takes for "That's the Way," "Down By the Seaside," and more.

And, thank you!

-JayCee

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