Posts Tagged ‘Led Zeppelin’
You can buy the console Led Zeppelin used to record Stairway to Heaven
The Helios console Led Zeppelin used it to record Stairway to Heaven is for sale. And that’s not all. The mixing desk is the combination of two recording consoles pulled together n 1996 by Elvis Costello and Squeeze’s Chris Difford.
This slice of history is for sale at Bonhams:
They used part of the Island Records Basing Street Studio 2 Helios Console (1970-1974) and part of Alvin Lee’s Helios console from Space Studios (1973-1979).
The two consoles were combined in 1996 after Difford and Costello acquired both from storage in order to set up their own studio HeliosCentric Studios ‘which would be for everyone to use – a chapel of music in a quiet spot.’ They sought advice from the original creator of Helios, Dick Swettenham, and carefully amalgamated the pair to create what is arguably one of Swettenham’s first, last, and largest project.
The newly combined console was installed on a peaceful farm in Rye that became a haven for musical artists and has been in constant use ever since. Artists who have used the console in both their original and amalgamated guises include: Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Stephen Stills, Jimi Hendrix, Mott The Hoople, Cat Stevens, Free, KT Tunstall, Athlete, Paolo Nutini, Sia, Olly Murrs, Dido, Pet Shop Boys, Scouting For Girls, David Bowie, Paul Weller, Mud, Gary Barlow, Supergrass and Keane.
Department Specialist Claire Tole-Moir comments: ‘It is hard to overestimate how crucial a role this console has played in the British rock and pop scene. It is entirely unique, being an amalgamation of two already incredibly influential and important consoles, and in its current form has hosted some of the most popular bands of recent years. Songs and albums recorded on this bespoke console and its original parts rank among some of the most recognizable and best-loved pieces of music in existence, and have resulted in Grammys, Brit Awards and multiple number one spots. This console is a piece of Britain’s modern cultural history.’
Spotter; Dangerous Minds, Flashbak
Posted: 30th, November 2018 | In: Music, News, The Consumer | Comment
Led Zeppelin To Reunite At An Alright Jamaican Party
Leadsinger Robert Plant, left, and guitarist Jimmy Page, right, of the British rock band Led Zeppelin perform at the Live Aid concert at Philadelphia’s J.F.K. Stadium, on July 13, 1985.
IT seems weird when really famous bands don’t get back together, especially when the lead singer is still alive. Look at Abba. Look at Talking Heads. Look at The Smiths.
Look at Led Zeppelin.
With the latter, Bonzo has obviously gone, but rest of them are still hanging around and even got it on for one night in London. So what’s the problem? Roll out the hits, don’t embarrass yourself and let everyone listen to ‘Black Dog’ really loud. Sounds like a winner, right?
Well, Jimmy Page has said that he is ‘fed up’ with Robert Plant for delaying Led Zeppelin reunion plans, so if you’re looking for someone to blame, blame ‘Percy’.
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I was a Led Zeppelin Roadie from 1971-74 – and this is what I remember
IN I was Led Zeppelin Roadie 1971-74, one man rakes over the coals of his memory. You can almost smell the burning. After Spinal Tap’s roadie has finished recalling this and that, you can wonder about memories of Zeppelin here.
Members of the pop group Led Zeppelin and singer Sandy Denny, pose in London in September 1970 after receiving their awards in the Melody Maker Pop Poll. Led Zeppelin, John Bonham, left; Robert Plant, second from left; and Jimmy Page, right were voted top group in both British and International sections, and Robert Plant topped the British male singer section. Sandy Denny was voted Britain’s top female singer. Date: 01/09/1970
Jimmy Savile: If only he’d swung his axe like Jimmy Page at Lori Maddox
THE media is great, isn’t it. The very people who say ‘how dare the tabloids not go after a breathing Jimmy Savile’ are the ones who say the tabloids should not publish half truths and be subject to strict guidelines and even stricter libel laws. ‘Jimmy Savile must never happen again,’ they say. ‘Journalists should be licensed,’ they say.
The big problem with journalism is when the writers are fans. Take Jimmy Page, the Led Zepellin guitarist who “dated” a 14-year old child when he was an adult. And look at Michael Hann’s piece in the Guardian on Celebration Day, a film about the band:
Led Zeppelin: ‘There was a swagger – we knew we were good’ – The film Celebration Day captures Led Zeppelin onstage in all their glory in 2007. The band discuss their musical legacy, reputation for excess – and why they will never reunite again.
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Posted: 12th, October 2012 | In: Celebrities, Key Posts | Comments (6)
The top ten dubious songs of the Jimmy Savile era
NOW that the dam has burst, and Sir Jimmy Savile stands exposed, the revelations about him and his fellow DJs confirm what many have known for years: that the pop music business of the fifties, sixties and seventies was a world in which middle-aged men surrounded themselves with young girls and boys and indulged themselves with impunity.
And the musical clues weren’t always subtle either. So as our contribution to the great debate, ladies and gentlemen/guys and gals, we present the top ten dubious songs of the Savile era…
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – Sonny Boy Williamson (1937)
First recorded before the war, covered later by the legendary electric bluesmen, then later still by the bands of the mid-sixties British “blues boom” of the mid-sixties. This would be the template for all that followed.
Little Child – The Beatles (1963)
“Baby” and “child” were part of the rock’n’roll lexicon from the get-go, but this title nevertheless remains uniquely peculiar.
Young Girl – Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (1968)
This chart-topping Top of the Pops favourite is highly unusual, in that it actually questions the idea of “going too far”, and concludes that it might not be such a great idea after all…
Stray Cat Blues – The Rolling Stones (1968)
The 15-year-old subject of this sordid tail would later be adjusted to 16 for live performances
Vagabond Virgin – Traffic (1968)
“You were barely thirteen, so fresh on the scene…”
Born Late ’58 – Mott the Hoople (1974)
“Detonator, jail-baiter,” proclaims Overend Watts. Take the title and the release date and “do the math”.
Sick Again – Led Zeppelin (1975)
Jimmy Page’s 14-year-old girlfriend was referenced in “New Style” by the Beastie Boys (If I played guitar I’d be Jimmy page/the girls I like are underage) but Zep’s paean to juvenile groupies said it all years earlier…
Jailbait – Ted Nugent (1981)
“Jailbait’ was a popular phrase of the time, and several artists released tracks with that title, including Wishbone Ash, Nils Lofgren and Motorhead. This is Ted Nugent’s typically unsubtle take on the subject. (Well I don’t care if you’re just thirteen/You look too good to be true/ I just know that you’re probably clean There’s one lil’ thing I got do to you.)
Lemon Incest – Serge & Charlotte Gainsbourg (1985)
The most inappropriate father-and-daughter duet since Frank and Nancy’s “Something Stupid”. Charlotte later described the single, recorded when she was 12, as a “provocation”. It is the 630th best-selling single of all time in France…
Playground Bang-a-round – Rye Spangle (2001)
OK, this is actually a Chris Morris spoof, but a gold disc would surely have awaited this glam classic back in 1973…
Posted: 8th, October 2012 | In: Key Posts, Music | Comments (3)
Prince Charles Gives Robert Plant A CBE
PRINCE Charles gives Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant his CBE from the during the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Posted: 10th, July 2009 | In: Celebrities | Comments (4)
