Hey Peter, Thank you for your original post. It's what prompted me to sign up here and reply. I'd no idea anyone was interested, outside of a few random emails that came to me via my website. Your post was the door I hesitantly opened, not knowing what to expect. It turned into an opportunity to remember that long ago and far away period of my life, and has been such a positive experience. So thanks.

Thanks, Reswati. I am deeply moved by the works of the northern renaissance. When I was in Amsterdam a few years back, I entered the Rijksmuseum like a pilgrim visiting a shrine. I haven't seen the new museum building yet, but I hear good things about the space and light. There was interesting art all over the city. You are so right about the remarkable achievements in science/technology. I think it was Clarke who wrote "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

If Mr Page wanted to commission a painting, and what he wanted was within the reach of my ability, sure thing. A CD cover is a complex piece of graphic art, which is a very different skill.

Actually, I grew up reading a lot of science fiction (Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, Bradbury, Herbert). In my wildest dreams I would've emigrated to Mars, and my kids would be piloting intergalactic spaceships. The Peeping Ghost, on 19 May 2013 - 02:34, said:

This is funny. I am not sure it's a Wella product, but I did a campaign for Sunsilk shampoo. I was even on the packaging labels - ah, fame. Barry Lategan did the photo, very soft focus, golden and dreamy. I loved it. Never was the Helmut Newton type. When they sent me to show him my portfolio in Paris, Newton said, and I quote, "Honey, you have a face like pancake syrup, but you'll make a lot of money." To be fair, he pretty much nailed it.

There's a whole thread in Ramble On that follows the evolution of the painting, which was commissioned last year by Dan. It was a very collaborative project, and I can't say enough good things about working with him.

I've been meaning to post this. Here's the finished TSRTS-themed still life, which happily now resides in Canada: And for scale, here it is with the artist:

Hey thanks, Sam. That's a really nice shot.

Oh my goodness. Where did you find this? I look cheerful, Mr Plant looks pleased, and it's nice to see something unposed. It must've been pretty nippy on the set. Stone radiates cold and never seems to warm, if memory serves. I'd like to download it, if that's okay. Thanks for posting it.

Now that was gallant. Untrue, but very nice all the same. Self-deprecating humor is something he uses to disarm even his most hostile interviewers. I'm thinking of the Terry Gross interview on Fresh Air.

Okay, now that's funny. This just tickles me. I've gotten the impression that he's somewhat embarrassed about the film in general and the fantasy sequences in particular. Sounds like he was throwing out a humorous non-sequitur remark, a good way to deflect the topic. It worked, too.

Well, my stars. I did not know until this day that I was supposed to be Guinevere. "Guinevere's adbuction by men is a recurring theme throughout Arthurian legend, and when kidnapped, she must be saved - the epitome of the damsel in distress." I suppose that makes Plant's character Lancelot. The question would be is he rescuing her from imprisonment by Sir Meliagrance, seduction by nephew Modred, or from being burned at the stake by Arthur. It's good to be the damsel. In distress, not so much.

Someone emailed me this question "How did you manage to get the job as maiden in the film 'The Song Remains the Same'? and I thought the answer might fit in here. I was called in to the offices of Models One, my modeling agency in London for a go-see 3pm on July 15. I'd been working abroad for three years by then, doing editorials for Vogue and lots of ads for makeup and hair products, so I wasn't an unknown in that respect. It wasn't a cattle call, where hallways and rooms were packed with hopefuls. I showed up at the appointed time, handed over my portfolio to be looked over, left after a brief meet and greet with April and Josie (the two agency owners) and the director. My brief note in my journal is this: "The director's (looking for) a surrealistic, archetype woman. Love. Princess to be won." I expect all the photos in my portfolio of me with golden ringlets looking dreamy and virginal were the main selling point. I gave it no more thought, since I did go-sees every day and couldn't predict which jobs I'd get. My attitude was generally very que sera sera. Also I was on an extended journey the month of August, driving from St Tropez to Marbella to Tangiers, then looping around Morocco. A couple of weeks after I returned to London, on September 16, I got the word I'd been cast. I was driven to Mr Clifton's offices to meet Mr Plant. Looking back, Plant might have taken a liking to me because I was an American hippie. I'll never know. I wrote in my journal that he was not what I expected at all. A tall, well-built man, neither slight nor consumptive, which was the fashion with English musicians then. He looked prosperous, as though he lived well, and was much younger than I expected. What I remember of that first meeting is really a single, sharp moment. Plant was standing on the stairs as I was leaving. He had that larger-than-life, charismatic glow. He didn't blend into the environment at all. He kept tossing his hair back from his face in what seemed an unconscious, habitual gesture, and that fascinated me. It was so unlike other men I knew, both the rougher sort and the wealthy, powerful conservatives. He was singular. September 17 I was packing for a stay in a country house - a Downton Abbey sort of place, so I was excited about that - when suddenly I was picked up and driven to Wales instead. September 18 was spent on wardrobe fittings, hair and makeup. September 19, they shot the fight, Plant coming up the staircase, and the princess scene. Et voila.

A copy of No Quarter is on its way to me. Looking forward to it. Following along reading the comments about the press conference. People are certainly very passionate here. I watched some of it and listened to all of it while I was painting yesterday. As a former journalist, and having been thrown into the scrum of a celebrity press conference, I have sympathy for the devils. The marching orders given an (ethical) journalist are in direct conflict with the jobs of PR flacks. It's a cat meets dog situation. The writers are dispatched to bring back copy that their bosses think is of the most interest (aka, will sell the most) to their targeted readers. Thus the focus of the questions asked depend upon the outlet - music mag, international news, local paper, etc.. Who gets called on to ask these questions is decided by the PR guys, and chosen for 1. greatest potential media exposure 2. positive slant towards the client 3. favors owed. The flack's mandate is to provide a buffer for the client, and limit client responses to safe and preferably canned self promotion, while obtaining the widest exposure. If there is a free press, you can't tell them what to ask, but they know if they piss off the PR folks/client they will be ignored or deflected, and next time around they'll be shut out. If they don't ask what their editors want to know, they lose their jobs. A really good question is open-ended and fresh. One that engages the celebrity and provokes an interesting response, ideally with new information, without being offensive. I can tell you, that when you are in a packed house, given the opportunity for a single question to what amounts to a committee to answer, it's hard to come up with something that will accomplish that. You're stuck with a kind of 'Hail Mary pass' moment. From my perspective, the PR guys did a very credible job. They maintained control and the questions, while not what people with the breadth of knowledge might prefer, were decent while being respectful, almost worshipful. Jones, Plant, and Page acquitted themselves well, with dry wit and self-deprecating humor.

Thanks! Unledded sounds like it's exactly my cup of tea. I've seen references to it here and there, but unlike early performances and random clips like a concert by Plant in Dubhai, I saw no glimpse of it on Youtube. I'll look for it on Amazon, unless there's a better source you recommend. Struggling through When Giants Walked the Earth. Gah. Hate those fictionalized inner soliloquies. Makes me appreciate something like IMGL all the more.

Money back guarantee? Sweet! After decades of being oblivious to the band, suddenly references seem to be everywhere. Case in point, last night I'm pecking away on the laptop, my spouse turns on the tv and I hear Mr Page, on what turned out to be a fascinating Palladia program, It Might Get Loud. I got him to TIVO the whole thing so I can review it at my leisure, sans commercials. Now if there were only similar documentary/reminiscences with Jones and Plant.

Now, see, this is the beauty of a cordial and civilized exchange of views. I'll get that DVD, Stryder, and stand ready to be corrected. Thanks Mott, Fishhead, Jabe, and Slave to Zep, I too often tend to see things in black and white instead of considering the myriad possibilities in between. I just read Stryder's post to my husband, adding, "that could work, as long as they don't do Whole Lotta Love," and he said, "unless it's an acoustic version.' Intriguing thought.

Thanks, that makes sense. I think I've stumbled across one too many elderly, microphone-twirling guys on the Palladia channel and unfairly assumed that's what people want and expect.

On the hopes of fans versus singer, I can see both sides. Joni Mitchell came through Atlanta some fifteen or so years ago. I'm a life long admirer of her music and I was thrilled. I snagged my ticket and spent the week before her concert singing Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock and Free Man in Paris around the house and while I folded laundry and ran carpool. The night of her performance came. She wore a swanky gown and sang melancholy covers of torch songs. As a long time fan, I was so disappointed. As a mature woman I understood why these classic songs appealed to her. As an artist I applauded her desire to sing what she felt moved to sing, not what the audience wanted. But boy, was I bummed that she didn't sing A Case of You.

Slave to Zep, you may well be right. Let me be quick to say this is more my working theory than firmly held belief. I might be projecting my own experience of aging (I consider myself what my vet calls my eight year old dog – ‘senior, but not yet geriatric’). It's been tougher than I anticipated to accept the inevitable limitations. Last May I visited The Getty Villa in LA's exhibit of Aphrodite-related art. My favorite objects were the embellished metal hand mirrors of beautiful former courtesans, which they dedicated to the temple of Aphrodite once their looks faded. "You grant beauty, my Queen, but creeping time withers your gift. Now since your gift has passed me by and flown away, receive, gracious Goddess, this mirror that bore witness to it."

I've been reading about and listening to Led Zeppelin, along with watching interviews and performances on You tube clips. It is probably not unlike the experience of someone younger who comes across the band, gets hooked on the music and curious. Absorbing forty-ish years of history compressed into a few weeks. Still reading and listening. In my heretical opinion, Plant is right to refuse to participate in resurrecingt LZ.. Page is first and foremost a musician and if reasonably scheduled could come close to his glory days in performance, as could Jones. Someone could fill in for Bonham, as he broke new ground that is now replicable. However, what Plant brought to the table - an eight octave range and a testosterone-fueled, charismatic virility - is gone. It can't be faked or duplicated. Not to put too fine a point on it, for him to prance and strut is as inappropriate as a crone in puff sleeves and stilettos. What he does now - follow his Muse where she leads him - is altogether admirable, as disappointed as fans may feel.

1st Was there any other takes or scenes filmed with you in the castle,that were not used for TSRTS? Not that I remember. I'm sure they did more than one take, and I might have blinked or reached out a hand or something. 2.nd There is the sequence when the riding woman hands the sword over to Robert Plant. Was it your part ,too? Nope. 3.rd.Where exactly were all of your scenes filmed ? In a room in a castle in Wales (as opposed to a studio set or CG or something.) 4.You mentioned before that the acting was just a job for you. It wasn't really acting. I was more of a prop than a character. Acting requires the ability to construct a character and bring it alive. Modeling requires the ability to hold still and remain in focus for long hours, while the the hair/ makeup/wardrobe/lighting people do their thing, then look fresh, sultry, and animated instead of sulky, bored, and stiff. It's a different skill set. Had the whole thing any reflection on your life or thinking lateron? As I've said, my heroes were writers. If I'd spent two days with Gabriel García Márquez or T. H. White, author of The Once and Future King, no doubt I would have volumes of detailed reminisces to share. I supposed it reinforced for me that my future lay in the field of writing, rather than on screen. I loved the written word, and I knew the deft use of language was something I wanted to contribute.

Ladies - Miss Melanie, Slave to Zep, Knebby, Deborah, Gigi, Planet Page aen27, Sue, Laura, Angel - represent. That's another unexpected and welcome aspect of this forum. I assumed fans would be men of about my age, able to qualify for social security this year. Come to find out the demographic includes a wide range of ages and both genders. That is so cool to me.

I'm developing a theory about this forum. I'll admit to a little trepidation about identifying myself as the maiden in any public way. Especially on the Internet. But by a combination of whim, happenstance and luck, this is where I posted. Lo and behold, people here are not only kind, they are positively gallant. My theory is that people who identify with this segment of the film are idealists, attracted to the concept of chivalry and knightly virtues like mercy, courage, valor, fairness, protection of the weak, and courtesy to women. Just sayin'.

My pleasure. "In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest, perhaps obsessive, in niche subjects." I confess I had to Google anorak up, as I thought it meant a heavy, hooded coat, suitable for competing in the Iditarod. I love learning a new use for a word. It appeals to the writer in me. An additional fact; I was paid 130 quid for the job. It's noted down in the back of my journal. That was for both days and travel. While mostly all I did was stand quietly and stare like a deer in the headlights, I did make one contribution. Mr Plant was discussing what to do once he vanquished the guards and turned to the princess. I suggested he kiss the sword and salute her. I don't know if I came up with that from reading Le Morte d'Arthur or some hazy idea of the rules of courtly love. At any rate, Mr, Plant liked it and that's what he did. The way it's edited, it happens before the fight, right after the knight first sees the maiden, and all that's visible is a glimpse of him lowering the sword after he's held it to his lips. I thought it spoke well of him, that he was open to suggestions.