I wasn't there but I can relate to this post. This is very well put. 77 may have had the benefit of the tunes from Graffiti and Presence in their repertoire but if I could go back to one show it'd be pre 75. If you saw them in Seattle in 72 then you saw the greatest rock band at the apex of their career. One of the all time greatest rock concerts .

There is a very nice sounding aud/sbd matrix of 5/25/75 by Blue Congo ( forum member) , I think he called it King Jimmy and The West Bromwich Blues Band. As stated above , Winston's matrix of 8/4/79 is really excellent.

That is one photo where the band all look very humbled and deferential. Thanks for sharing.

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Exactly. Not to mention Gil Evans, one of his closest friends, musical inspirations and allies.

Excellent summary Strider, I almost felt inclined to change my mind about the '77 tour after reading that, except a couple major issues with the tour have made me listen less and less to shows from that tour. Mainly, Page's struggling with his chops pretty much every show. Also, the waffle was super sized, No Quarter became overblown and boring, Moby Dick was indeed Over The Top, and Bonzos playing was somehow more predictable than on previous tours. I'm sure if I got to attend a show though, I'd still be awestruck . Time to revisit The Birmingham show. ?

I would have to say in some ways 72 was the peak for me, in terms of his technique, flow of ideas and feeling. Listen to his playing on Dazed and Confused from Long Beach. It's just astounding ! I love his playing in 73, on both Europe and US shows he is consistently brilliant ...but there are signs of the sticky fingers syndrome that seemed to settle in for good through the rest of his live playing. For me though, his solo on No Quarter from TSRTS soundtrack is the peak. Too hard to choose, 69-73 are the pinnacle for me.

That would have been a sonically cool collaboration for sure, but I have never read any mention of Zep or Page by Miles, ever. Miles became more friendly towards rock players in the 80's. Mike Stern played with him at that time and he was a fan of Page. I don't think having jazz knowledge would have mattered, as many of Miles' musicians in the 80's were not jazz musicians really at all. They were funk and rock players. I think although Miles was pretty vocal early on in his disdain for rock, he also paid attention to what was happening in the late 60's and adapted elements of the volume, energy and sonic textures to his music. He heard bands like Zeppelin, Sly, and Jeff Beck at Newport 69 and he incorporated some of those concepts in his music for sure. Bitches Brew is evidence of that influence. He liked Hendrix and there are some stories about them getting together and jamming , and even a possible collaboration with Gil Evans. Seems like they didn't have enough tome to work things out before Jimi died in Sep of 70. But yeah, something like Lucifer Rising or the DeathWish soundtrack with Miles would've been very cool!

Damn, I guess having a 14 year old muse is possible...but really fucked up.

Not sure where or when, but I remember reading Millard was delayed en route to the venue on 6/23/77...maybe someone else can corroborate?

Very true , most 77 shows would require major fixing. IMO, 77's best feature was the setlist. Every other aspect of the bands performances were inferior to previous tours. Except for the ever stalwart Jones. The more I listen to '77 shows, the less I want to listen again.

Huh? Dazed and Moby are bad in your opinion on HTWWW? Not to me. Dazed is just off the hook bad ass, aside from the beginning of the jam when Jones and Page are in two different keys. LOL. The middle of Dazed '73 ( bow solo /jam section ) is more varied and may be " better" than in '72 , but that's just how it evolved. The way the band plays the head on HTWWW is so full of dynamic power and Plants voice is at its best. The ending is total Hammer of The Gods! Bonzo's solos on both versions of Moby Dick are brilliant but TSRTS is so chopped up, the editing is annoying. The version on HTWWW is much better in terms of continuity, his chops are incredible and I love the wood shell drum sound. I'm not a big fan of the compressed EQ job on HTWWW but I love Bonzo's green sparkle kit , especially the bass and toms. They have much more warmth and tone than the vistalites.

I've seen that pic before, but never heard it was possibly the last. Didn't even know it was taken after the summer '80 tour. Bonzo's face looks quite sunburnt and he does indeed look very thin. Does anyone here know if any pics were taken during the rehearsals in Sep of '80?

Good catch. It is likely a double exposure or superimposed shot of Rufus Jones playing with Duke Ellingtons band on their UK tour of 1967. Dukes band wore light/ white jackets which the sleeves are partly visible on the trombone players. Speedy also played a dark pearl Premier kit on that tour so that has to be it.

Thats not correct about Speedy. He played with Basie, Duke Ellington and James Brown in the 60's. I have a few records with him playing. I think he was active even in the 80's. Rufus "Speedy" Jones Born May 27, 1936 Died April 25, 1990 (aged 53) Genres Jazz Occupation(s) Drummer Instruments Drums Years active 1950s–1990 Associated acts Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, Henry "Red" Allen, James Brown I suppose they could've used some stock session photos to create a hip montage . Were these pics used as promo?? That would make sense then.

That's my thought too. I think there is video footage of this scene as well , might be wrong. They look more "officious" somehow than just groupies.

Yes! Very much so. I still am fascinated by these images. It looks to me like a reflection of the control room glass, not a montage or superimposed but that's definitely a possibility.

Another pic from the session. Anyone know who the drummer is?

Ah I see, sorry. I thought that was a GIF made from DVD menu footage from that gig. I'm sure I've seen it somewhere on the dvd.

I have read that the date is Sept 5 1966 on Page's website. Who is the drummer in the glass? Kenney Jones is the only name I could find related to that session, and that sure ain't him.

Looks like Zach Galafanakis worked for Showco...talking to JP.

That's from Reykjavik, Iceland June 22 1970

The Hawk is back in Chicago. Wind chill is -15 ° F.

Wish I could make out the print on the scoreboard. Pretty sure that's from 75, not 73.

Personal taste indeed. I strongly disagree, Page was clearly more versatile than Stevie. Consider all the variety of styles and influences represented in the Zeppelin catalog compared to Stevie's. The different effects that Jimmy either pioneered or commanded in his arsenal, the use of alternate tunings, the variety of sonics, the compositional variety. I'm certain that his experience in the London session scene contributed to his versatility. Stevie was a great blues player, but he didn't have that breadth of variety. Also, when did Stevie Ray Vaughan play Jazz? He is by no means a jazz player. Talk about rather rubbish! Still, Jimmy was sloppier.