"Bob Spitz" author of The Beatles? Is that you? That was a great book.

More pictures here. Photos with Jimmy on Page 2.

At the London Palladium, Oct. 23rd Care of Bob Harris' Twitter feed...

OGWT

New post on Jimmy's Page today gives great details about recording the first album: The inception of the epic Led Zeppelin I So we're in the 50th anniversary of Led Zeppelin, and on this day on 25th September 1968 heralds the inception of the epic Led Zeppelin I album: the moment whereby I would be able to manifest the sounds and layers I had heard in my head and also prove my status as a producer. The group went to Studio No.1, Olympic Studios, 117 Church Road, Barnes, London, SW13, having extensively rehearsed the material for Led Zeppelin I at my house in Pangbourne and we had had the opportunity to perform a good percentage of that material during a few concerts in Scandinavia and the UK to experience our music in a live situation under the clandestine cloak of the Yardbirds. In those days, the studio time was scattered and limited over a few days in September and October, dictated by Olympic's availability. Thus, with the aid of my old friend Glyn John's masterful engineering, at 11pm on Wednesday 25th September 1968, we began our recordings and embarked upon committing this eclectic powerhouse to tape. Much has been speculated about the initial recordings, so I thought it would be useful to show the worksheet from RAK that gives the dates and times that we were scheduled initially to go in. It makes fascinating reading.

Archives for the Wichita Beacon are available for a fee here. Even without paying for access, from the small previews, it's clear that the Yardbirds played Wichita in both 1966 and 1967 (and Jim McCarty collapsed during the show in 67). Wichita Beacon, August 12th, 1966: English Rock The Yardbirds, an English (band?) with five hits to their credit (will play in?) Wichita Monday [August 15th, 1966] for a KLEO (radio?) dance at the Cotilion Ballroom. The dance will be from 7 ... and the group will give two performances during the evening -on(?)...another at 10pm. Wichita Beacon, October 11th, 1967: TEEN DANCE will be held Sunday [October 22nd, 1967] at the ...will feature a battle of the bands to... to play with The Yardbirds Oct 22nd;... Wichita Beacon, October 18th, 1967: THE YARDBIRDS will play ...at the Cotillion. Also playing ... Secret and the Avalons, two w(inners of the?) battle of the bands. Admission .... from 6 to 10 p.m. Advance ....at the Record Shop, 221 E. Wi...(and at?) the Cotillion. Wichita Beacon, October 25th, 1967: ...Complying with the adage "The show must go on," The Yardbirds finished their performance Sunday without their drummer. During their first set, Jim McCarty collapsed on his drums and was rushed backstage and then to the hospital. ...

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere yet...Jim McCarty has written an autobiography called "Nobody Told Me: My Life with the Yardbirds, Renaissance and Other Stories" , and the introduction is by Jimmy Page. It is pricey... Here's the link to purchase: http://www.lulu.com/ca/en/shop/jim-mccarty-and-dave-thompson/nobody-told-me-my-life-with-the-yardbirds-renaissance-and-other-stories/paperback/product-23700764.html

The MacLean's Toothpaste ad is completely new to me. I wonder what era of the Yardbirds it's from? The toothpaste was available in the US. This is the original vinyl: (https://www.popsike.com/MACLEANS-TOOTHPASTE-66-RADIO-JINGLES-LP-THE-YARDBIRDS/120063677723.html )...my guess is 66, maybe Jeff Beck, but could also be session musicians with just Keith Relf.

Interview with Glyn Johns. He talks about the Led Zep I starting at 10:07. Also, he mentions George Chkiantz, who worked on several Zep albums, at 3:35.

He was clearly exaggerating about the two years comment, but since the interview took place in late Sept, early Oct 68, I would think his comment about two great shows "just before we split" should be taken at face value. I don't think he was talking about dates in March.

This article was posted over at the RO site: The Yardbirds: Only Jimmy Left To Form The New Yardbirds Jimmy Page, in a quote from October 1968: "We didn't do any gigs in England for two years, so no wonder we lost popularity. But just before we split we did a couple of colleges that were really fantastic. I was really knocked out." So they did a "couple" of colleges...Luton (maybe), and where else?

Wow, I've never seen the actual cassette before. Thanks for posting!

I've heard that JPJ was a member for a short time. Mick Fleetwood mentioned seeing Herbie Goins with JPJ in his first book.

March 30, 1968 from Melody Maker.

Greta Van Fleet