To your first point, I agree completely. In fact, that's my point, too! Page just seems to get held to a different standard on that score. Being upset at his non-appearance is different -"what rotten luck about that unfortunate knee surgery/broken finger, I was looking forward to seeing him perform." Folks rolling their eyes and making snarky comments about how he COULD'VE been there, not to mention implying he lied and misled people, is something else again, however. And it was NOT his fault the word didn't go out until the night before, putting him in an embarassing situation that should have been avoided. Yes. It was improperly handled by the promoters of the tribute. I believe Allison did PM you to your satisfaction on the "no equivocation and well in advance" score. I only know what I read here in this thread: “Furthermore, the promoters at Montreux apparently knew well beforehand that Pagey wasn't going to show, and the knee thing was indeed the 'spin'. That is the actual story--I was there (at Montreux and in Selfridges!!).” http://forums.ledzeppelin.com//index.php?s...st&p=234620 and “…it was only a last-minute thing (lie or whatever) on the part of the promoters--they announced it the evening before the show and had apparently known about it for weeks!” http://forums.ledzeppelin.com//index.php?s...st&p=234687 It may have been "spin," though he DID have the surgery, as you acknowledge. My other point is, damn if he's not one person who's completely entitled to decide not to perform with Plant, one bloody time.

My mail at least has been mail. You're the one who brought it out in public. Meet you on the DL, as I both originally suggested many days ago, and have been doing.

What's good for to the goose, and all that.

OK, first, about Ahmet Ertegun dying - you're holding Page responsible because he didn't see in his scything ball that Ertegun was several months away from death due to falling at a future Rolling Stones concert? Let me see if I have the rest straight, as well - Page told Nobs in good time that he would not be performing at a tribute attended by many people besides Page. IOW, Page bowing out hardly meant the proceedings needed to come to a screeching halt. We do not know what, if anything, he communicated personally to Ertegun; well, anyway, I don't. His public reason for not attending was a quite reasonable one - he'd recently had surgery. But people keep implying that wasn't the REAL reason, and somehow whatever the REAL reason, which they either don't know or won't/can't reveal, it was selfish of Mr. Page. These are the same people who will say about Robert Plant with a straight face "He's not selfish, he's just doing what he feels like," and who don't think it was a big deal he couldn't stop rehearsing for two days to attend the American Recording Academy's bestowal of a Lifetime Achievement Grammy even though it was clearly of some importance to others in his circle of acquaintances. I'm not saying Plant didn't have that right, I'm pointing out the hypocrisy; apparently only certain people may do what they feel is most important to them. Others have to do things to please everyone. So, Nobs or whoever else was responsible for such things chose not to make Jimmy's withdrawal public until very far along in the proceedings, yet it's Page's responsibility the organizers didn't take him at his word from the start and alert the ticket buyers? Better to announce he'd changed his mind and would be there after all. Or were they interested in how many tickets they could sell with Page's name on the program? Or are you saying Page himself misled the organizers, was wishy-washy, said yes, then no, then maybe? Honestly, I would appreciate having the point clarified. Maybe this will help with the raw emotions: the only person I saw mention Ahmet Ertegun in public, sending wishes that he get well while he was still alive (although unconcious), was Mr. Jimmy Page at the British HOF awards ceremony in 2006, when Led Zeppelin was inducted. (Not saying there weren't others, just saying Page is the only person I saw or heard.)

Hence the . Any reasonable person would know I was being facetious in return. And, um, Evster darlin', your mail to me hasn't actually been full of love and kisses, you know. When you get over the idea that I am required to behave according to a different set if rules than you are, do let me know.

Jimi Hendrix should come back from the grave to please you? Not Page's fault the promoters didn't tell the public farther in advance. And what a shame, since there are such hard feelings about it. Seems to me they owe Jimmy an apology. Page has busted his ass his entire life. What's the big deal if he didn't feel like travelling and performing several weeks after surgery? That's perfectly legitimate to the orthopedic surgeons I know. I sure haven't heard what, if anything else, was going on, and doubt those who remain miffed about it will explain it, either. If I had to guess, I'd say somehow Planty pissed him off good and proper, but heck, maybe he just felt like playing old timey gospel songs down by the lake instead. No one's explained yet why that's not his perogative every bit as much as it is Robert Plant's.

You probably hit the nail on the head, right there. I'd hope Page paid his respects to Ahmet personally, as well. Surgery in May leading to cancellation for a July or even an August gig just doesn't sound like bullshit to me. I had elbow surgery last year, and much to my boss's annoyance, was out of work for three months, and on half time for three months after that. Believe me, this did not mean I was sitting in a rocking chair doing nothing for three months! There were just certain things I couldn't do, and other things it would've been unnecessarily risky to do. No point going under the knife if you proceed to fuck it up two months later, especially if you're not exactly a youngster. It's normal for it to take a good year for soft tissues to repair themselves. Whether there was more to it is beside the point, far as I'm concered. If anyone on earth has a right to skip what he doesn't feel like doing, it's Jimmy Page.

Understood. Although to my mind, if the surgery was before, that's more reason not to perform, rather than less. Anyway, the implication that it was some nefarious, last minute bald-faced lie without anyone ever giving details is what gets my goat, to be honest. If the promoters knew about it in advance, he covered his professional obligation. After that, either accept it at face value, or come out with what the real beef is. He bowed out on Roy Harper after that, and noone looked sideways.

Well, sitting around drinking and eating with a buddy isn't quite as demanding as standing (not to mention moving around) with a heavy guitar on stage. Just playing devil's advocate, you understand. Maybe it was artistic or personal differences, and that's the polite excuse given, instead. But until I learn the actual story, I'm going with the fact (and it is a fact) that Page was suffering from knee pain at the time, enough to require eventual surgery. There is that.

Awesome, thanks for that! Now to find it...

Without commenting on what was happening at Montreux, Page had arthroscopic knee surgery in 2006, didn't he? Knee problems would hardly be unheard of for a man of his age.

I'm very happy today. It's gorgeous and clear, and in about 15 minutes my wonderful husband and our three crazy dogs and I will be hopping into our little truck and heading over the hills and far away to the wilds of Sonoma. Six whole days at the beach, walking, reading, sleeping, foolin' around, eating lovely food and drinking lovely wine. Oh, and listening to Zeppelin, of course! I purposely left the lap top at work so they can't bug me, so I'll miss the good people here, though. I will be going analog with a pen and paper, like back in the day. Life is good.

I sure do! Gosh, it's tough, but I think I can... just... about... handle it.

Oh, thank you! {{{Medhb}}} I haven't been here in a awhile, needed a pick me up, and now look... I'm gobsmacked. There just is no other word... AND it's a bigger version, thank you thank you - somehow that one makes me really think of him as angel. Then, there's THIS one from earlier on, which makes me think of finding him in my garage when I was a teenager (and the fun that might have ensued... )

Don't know, but, does anyone have an explanation for why he has such great taste in art and such funny taste in trousers? (Well, circa this photo...) More seriously, there are several photos that seem to be part of this shoot... maybe someone can identify or locate the interview/article they ended up in?

Heh... big shed. But, point taken. Who's the director of that sequence, and, can we ask him? I haven't watched that part in a long time, I'll have to check it out next time.

I have no actual knowledge to share, but would hazard a guess this was filmed on a soundstage, from the bright quality of the light coming in the windows, and the stage smoke all around.

Obviously from the costume, I suppose. But, I was hoping for the actual show. I do not know the photographer, either - anyone? Thanks for the info at any rate, I didn't know that was a regular part of his performance.

Question for the host, or any of you other knowledgable people - where/when was this photo taken? I would dearly love to hear the music that Led (heh) to this: Thank you kindly!

Nice post, hotdog. Excellent points.

Yes, I can see what you're saying about the UK fans. I was never upset they played at the O2 or in London, it seems right and proper to me, over due, even. The US making Zeppelin is partly just the numbers. Obviously the American market is bigger. I don't know what the population of the UK was in the 70s, somewhere in the tens of millions? There were 200 million or so folks in America then, with commercial radio stations every which way, even in rural areas. (See "American Grafitti" for a take on downtown Stockton, CA in the fifties...) No doubt their fans in UK felt the same, or even more passionately, than US fans, it's just that there were more US fans, possibly with more disposable income, too. The Beatles success here showed the way, and paved the way. Also, rock is mainly an Amercian form of music, like jazz and blues. Many "British invasion" bands, up to and including Zeppelin, made no secret of being inspired by American rock and blues. So not only was the music familiar and already well loved here, flattery will get you everywhere. So there it is: population, habit, history, and outlets for the music to be heard, played and sold, all rolled in to one opportunity. Zeppelin took it and flew.

Thank you sister! Wow... that first one is just... "here honey let me help you out of your things..." And that second one is just sublime. I'm not usually one to get all silly and squeal all over a message board, but damn!! Sigh...

Most excellent! Doesn't matter how long it takes, it matters that you guys hung in there and did it!

We got home late last night and so didn't listen to our phone messages until this morning. On the machine was a message from our vet, who had done surgery on our dog Eve earlier this week. She removed a large and very aggressive growth from Eve's chest, leaving an 8" scar. We have been bummed ever since, we just adopted Eve last year and were sad to contemplate the possibility of cancer. IT WASN'T CANCER! It was just a cyst! I am so happy right now. :-) Eve is the black dog in this pic:

I think I read that same thing... not to mention, the photographic evidence.