"Hate" is a strong word. I don't think Robert ever hated David Coverdale. In fact the two were friendly if not quite friends from the 70's to about the mid 80's. After all these years, and nearly 30 without even a hint of controversy between them I think it's fair to look back on the period and call it a bit silly. I always thought Robert went far too much over the top in his criticism. I think Coverdale responded nearly as harshly (as I recall DC said something like "You can say there's no love lost between Robert and myself. I wouldn't send him cat food if he was starving.") I can't look into Robert's mind but Coverdale having this massive late-career spike in popularity after dying his hair blonde probably set him off. In some ways I can't blame him at all ... in others I wonder how Robert was able to keep up such sustained public disdain for somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 years (only to end up singing Shake My Tree on the 1995 Page/Plant tour which ... was surreal). If you talk to both men privately I'm nearly certain they would both say it was silly. Coverdale extended an olive branch to Robert about 10 years ago. Not sure it was accepted. Page and Coverdale have remained on quite good terms in the years since the Coverdale/Page project. In retrospect it was neither Robert not Coverdale's best moments.

If Gorman is to be believed (and as someone pointed out above Steve goes into GREAT detail about his meeting with Page) then he and Page have a good relationship and I would figure he'd ask Page about the incident before putting it in the book. Gorman has been talking about the Page thing with friends for awhile now. Apparently he told Dean Delray about it on his podcast (off the record) in 2014 and Delray asked Rich about the Page stuff when he had Rich on his podcast in 2016. So this wasn't just for the book and it was clearly something that bothered Gorman for a long time.

The conversation was spurred on by Pete Angelus who was in discussions with Curbishly and Page about continuing the partnership. Apparently the band was aware (according to Gorman) that there was this next step but no one in the band other than Rich was aware the conversation took place until Jimmy told Gorman in 2002. Page approached Rich who basically brushed him off and then things came to a sudden end. In fact Gorman's description of the Tonight Show performance was fascinating because of how different Page was as opposed to the day before when he was happy, jovial, and wanting to continue the tour thanks to Angelus' doctor friend. Page had back surgery shortly after arriving back in England. Also, I think we can thank Pete Angelus and his doctor friend who worked on Page's back for Jimmy quitting drinking permanently. At least that is what I can infer from Gorman's book. It's a fascinating section that I think all Zep fans should read considering it was Jimmy's last ever tour. Edit: Additionally Pete Angelus kind of sprung the recording of the Greek Theater concerts on Page at the last moment and Gorman goes into great detail about how uneasy that made Jimmy and how reluctant he was to record it.

It was a conversation with Rich apparently. Also I suggest everyone read the book. Theres about 4 chapters on the Page/Crowes tour alone and they are really fascinating. A great insight into how the tours came together and how Pete Angelus really helped Page mend his back in LA. A great anecdote about Jimmy standing poolside drinking Evian that Gorman has. I'd recommend the book anyway. It is full of amazing stuff about Robert Plant as well and it's clear Gorman has a big admiration for BOTH men. Fancy that.

I suspected there was more to Page leaving the Page/Crowes tour in 2000 but if what Gorman says is true I suppose Jimmy really wanted to make music with the Crowes and when Rich Robinson rejected the idea of making an album he decided that he wouldn't fight through the back pain to finish the tour. Also it didn't take long for Chris Robinson to start griping about the tour in 2000. (the book REALLY levels Chris Robinson in a way that few biographies have done to other artists. It's a sight to behold) Gorman also flew into a rage when he found out (from Jimmy) what Rich had said and the next few pages are filled with more swear words than I've ever read in one place. Like I said the whole chapter is a sight to behold. Actually Jimmy comes across REALLY well. Genuinely excited and happy to be with the Crowes and even made jackets for everyone. He said that when he saw Jimmy again in 2002, by then, Jimmy had stopped drinking and "looked younger" than he did when he was touring with the Crowes two years before.

Not sure if anyone has got a chance to read Steve Gorman's book that just came out but the chapter on Jimmy Page is pretty amazing. Aside from Gorman describing Page as a great guy who he even took a nap next to there is a fairly explosive revelation that Rich Robinson told Page "We have enough songs" when he offered to work with them during the 2000 tour. Gorman alleges that Jimmy treated his back enough to continue with the tour, even though he was in pain, but "lost heart" after that conversation with Rich Robinson and Gorman seems to think that was a big reason Page abandoned the 2000 tour. It's a fascinating passage that I don't want to spoil for everyone. Gives insight into what was going on during 99-00 aka: the last time Jimmy Page toured.

Allison Krauss will feature on a track called “Lost Boy” on the new Magpie album: https://www.jambase.com/article/magpie-salute-in-here-ep

Wasn't sure where to put this, but here is the brand new Magpie Salute single "In Here" Very Stones-y (what's new right?). Extremely catchy song

Will be interesting to see what Gorman says in his book. He said on Dean Delray's podcast a few years ago that Page offered to produce the next Crowes album but Rich Robinson declined. Then they ended up with Don Was. It's intriguing considering how Page-influenced their album "Lions" is. Particularly Cypress Tree which you can hear Rich playing in the soundcheck video on youtube. You could tell Gorman loved playing with Page. He definitely is a Page-type drummer.

Steve Gorman has his book about the Crowes coming out in September. One of the things he always drops hints about in interviews is the "whole story" about the Page and Crowes 2000 tour. I know Gorman holds Page in extremely high regard and you can argue that (considering the short amount of time they played together) Gorman clicked with Page better than most drummers post Bonzo. I'd be interested to hear what happened from Gorman's perspective. Jimmy injured his back in Albuquerque or Phoenix or something, I believe, but it always perplexed me why they didn't just reschedule. I'm sure the tour was a moneymaker considering how they were touring with The Who and saved money on equipment/stage set up and whatnot. It will be interesting to read. I'm going to assume it would be "Page drinking and Robinson brothers fighting" or something like that. lol. Who knows. Also check out The Magpie Salute (featuring Rich Robinson and Marc Ford) and Trigger hippy (Steve Gorman's band). Both are releasing great music. https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Handle-Death-Crowes-Memoir-ebook/dp/B07MLRFLBC

I think this album could do with a remix and I'd love to see a boxed set because their writing sessions were fully documented by Coverdale on video. Also the 4-5 leftover songs and the ideas for the follow up would make a pretty wonderful boxed set methinks.

I'm 90% certain the "tension" between Page and Clapton was addiction related. It was kind of dismaying to hear Page a couple years ago downplay/deny his drug addictions in an interview (the one with Chuck Klosterman maybe?) when it was obvious to everyone. That being said his post cocaine addiction; his Firm tours were pretty good albeit a bit safe, the solo Outrider tour was less safe but consistent, the CP Japan tour was again very consistent, the Page/Plant 95-96 tour was up and down (drinking I assume), the 98 tour was possibly his best post 1975, the Black Crowes tour was also great (although I think his drinking was beginning to play havoc again ... maybe providing the impetus for him to give up drinking entirely). I've always felt that Page's nerves and the lack of addictive crutch has contributed to his unwillingness to tour solo since 2000. Some of those Black Crowes 2000 tour dates were great. Particularly the first handful.

Interesting tid bit from Coverdale regarding one of the songs on the upcoming Whitesnake album "The riff-heavy Flesh & Blood includes one track, "Gonna Be Alright," built from a riff written for what was supposed to be a second Coverdale-Page album with Jimmy Page that never transpired. "It's been sitting gathering dust for 20-odd years 'til destiny proved (Hoekstra) was the one to finish it off for me," Coverdale notes."

You can tell the album was filled with good ideas but they really didn't have "songs". They went with the underproduced, minimal overdubs approach. I think Shining in the Light is the closest they came on the album to an actual completed thought but even that kind of goes on too long. Sons of Freedom bugs me as a song for a short (ish) uptempo song in rambles so much. It was a good album but not much more than that. Blue Train could have been an epic and whenever I listen to the album I come away slightly disappointed it wasn't...just, MORE than it was. And yeah, it was very much sounding like Jimmy Page as the guitarist in Robert's band.

Here is a direct link to the Coverdale Page discussion between DC and Trunk It's been amazing to me how Jimmy and Coverdale have remained friends after all this time all things considered.