Maybe twenty years ago I read an interview with engineer Eddie Kramer. I think it was in Guitar Player or Guitar World. He spoke about the first playback of Dancing Days. A story we all know. But in this interview he said that once Dancing Days was played for the first time, the four members began dancing, including a moment where they were dancing in single-file in a conga line, with hands on each others’ shoulders. One-two left kick, one-two right kick. Repeat as necessary. I have searched around this site and others and have found reference to that day, but never the conga-line thing that I remember from that original interview. Example: http://www.eddiekram...n_zeppelin.html One day when I as a kid, my mom and I went to a store in Scottsdale called LaBelle’s. Back when stores had stereo departments that actually contained stereo equipment. Once we entered the store I noticed they were playing Dancing Days really loud in the stereo department. I ran full speed to the stereo area. They were really cranking it. To this day when I hear this song I think of that day. Marcel Proust would be proud. Crazy ways are evident In the way you’re wearing your clothes Sippin’ booze is precedent As the evening starts to glow It was 1978. I was fourteen. I was full-bore in the midst of my love affair with this band. At that moment I experienced this great song in its’ absolute fullness. Once I got there I stood in the middle of the department, looked up at the ceiling, and closed my eyes. God I love this band with every fiber in my being. It is possible that I imagined the conga line thing. But I feel I remember it pretty clearly. I remember the phrase "single-file." In the years since I have had deep obsessions about other bands: The Pixies, Tool, Rush, Jane’s Addiction, Radiohead, DJ Shadow, Nine Inch Nails, and others. But in this entire time there was never any other scenario about any other band that I love where I would gladly give five years off my life to have been there to witness. There are other moments in Zeppelin lore that I would have loved to see. Meeting Elvis. The orchestration of Kashmir (still can’t believe no one could help with that recent thread). Watching John create the drum track for When The Levee Breaks. Watching Page record the solos to Heartbreaker or Communication Breakdown. Watching JPJ lay down the bass line to The Rover. 6/21/77. Etc. I love Dancing Days. It’s cool if they just danced around in joy once they heard the first playback. But the conga line thing just kills me. I can see it in my mind’s eye and it fills me with the deepest joy. I would easily give five years off my life to have seen that. Perhaps there is an event in the history of this great band that is so irresistable that you would give five years off your life to have been there, too.

Long Live Bonzo! For those that are not aware of drummer extraordinaire Brian Tichy's brainchild here is the video interview with iDrum magazine's Ian Croft in which Brian details how our fantastic show/event got its start and since that show September 25, 2010, 3 others have occurred.It is now called "Bonzo's Birthday Bash" and most just refer to it as Bonzo Bash now. The show is Executive Produced by Joe Sutton and I am very proud to have been added as producer to the last show. The poster for the most recent show is attached and many many many photos of all who have played this amazing event can be found at our highly active Facebook page https://www.facebook...zosBirthdayBash which we'd love all Bonzonians to come be part of. Here is the press release so you can see just how much heart and soul Brian Tichy puts into this tribute to John Henry Bonham in a fashion unmatched by any other who is not his blood*. BONZO'S BIRTHDAY BASH! SPECIAL GUESTS OF GROOVE ADDED! A Tribute Concert To John Henry Bonham Of Led Zeppelin Rock's top drummers play tribute to rock's greatest drummer! Thursday, May 31st, House Of Blues, Los Angeles Bonzo's Birthday Bash just keeps getting bigger! More than 20 of rock's top drummers, a great opening acoustic band, a great house band, extremely charismatic guest musicians and speakers are all there ready to go! But now, on top of that, we welcome aboard Poison drummer Rikki Rockett as well as Lynch Mob frontman Oni Logan who will both be joining in on the fun! Also adding his thoughts and stories to the event will be Snow drummer Stephen Quadros, aka the "Fight Professor", who is one of mixed martial arts' most respected commentators. Stephen will be speaking in between drummers as will be legendary producer/engineer Eddie Kramer, who is also showcasing his private photos of his time with Bonzo and Led Zeppelin. Bonzo's Birthday Bash is now also offering 2 VIP packages packed with goods every Bonzo fan would live to have. The "Whole Lotta Love" and "Kashmir" packages are available here: http://www.briantichy.com/bonzo.php Singing with opening acoustic act "The Calm Before The Storm" featuring guitar master Mitch Perry, ex-Ozzy bassist Phil Soussan, and Quiet Riot bassist Chuck Wright will be Chas West (Bonham/Lynch Mob/ The Moby Dicks), Shaun Williamson and Lorraine Lewis (Femme Fatale). After 3 groundbreaking tribute shows entitled "Bonzo: The Groove Remains The Same" and a collective passion and respect amongst all the participating drummers, past and present to John Bonham, the greatest rock drummer ever, Brian Tichy and Joe Sutton have decided to go for it once again! Tichy says, "It is a relatively simple concept. When I first thought of this, the idea seemed too cool NOT to try. You get a John Bonham replica drum set, complete with gong and timpani, up front, center stage, and have each drummer perform their favorite Led Zeppelin song with a house band (The Moby Dicks). There are no rules other than to have fun putting your own groove and character into your song choice! It's such a unique night, seeing how all these great drummers approach the same drum set making it their own! And 'The Moby Dicks' hold their own as a true force to be reckoned with! We have structure, and within the structure there is total freedom, making the pace and vibe of this show somewhere between a backyard party and a.... backyard party with a killer band playing Led Zep songs! Haha! 'The Groove Remains The Same' has morphed into 'Bonzo's Birthday Bash', as we celebrate John Bonham's birthday! Tichy went as far as to say, "Bonzo's Birthday Bash is now even more so the equivalent of a gong on fire on top of an erupting volcano next to a wildebeest migration complete with lurking, starving crocodiles and a fireworks finale across the river that not even the Olympics can rival!!" John Bonham deserves it! His right foot alone deserves it!! Bonzo's Birthday Bash is the ultimate tribute show and that's that! So get a ticket, get a good seat, grab a now classic "Bonzo Burger" and get into the festivities! Tickets available at www.hob.com Tickets are $25 and $30 day of show Doors at 8pm. Sponsored by ESP Guitars, Gorilla Snot, Dirty Tequila, Coffin Cases The cast of ever growing drummers and guest players starts here! ---------------------- Steven Adler: (Guns 'N Roses / Adler) Seven Antonopoulos: (Opiate For The Masses / Leaves' Eyes) Carmine Appice: (Rod Stewart, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, drum legend) Vinny Appice: (Black Sabbath, Dio, Heaven And Hell, Kill Devil Hill) Frankie Banali: (Quiet Riot) Gregg Bissonette: (David Lee Roth / Ringo Starr All Starr Band) Bobby Blotzer: (Ratt) Fred Coury: (Cinderella) Jimmy D'Anda: (Bulletboys) Virgil Donati: (Allan Holdsworth / Seven The Hardway) Troy Patrick Farrell: (White Lion) Ray Luzier: (Korn) Khurt Maier: (Salty Dog) Roy Mayorga: (Stone Sour) Mike Portnoy: (Dream Theater / Adrenaline Mob) Rikki Rockett: (Poison) Mark Schulman: (Foreigner / Pink) Matt Sorum: (Velvet Revolver / Guns 'N Roses) Glen Sobel: (Alice Cooper) Brian Tichy: (Whitesnake / S.U.N.) Joe Travers: (Zappa Plays Zappa) Simon Wright: (AC/DC / Dio) Yael: (The Love Project/Ugly Kid Joe) *Special Guests of Groove: Sebastian Bach Jeff Pilson (Foreigner) Billy Sheehan: (Mr. Big, Niacin, David Lee Roth) Eddie Kramer Oni Logan (Lynch Mob) Stephen Quadros the "Fight Professor" Lorraine Lewis Shaun Williamson ========== The Moby Dicks: Michael Devin- bass (Whitesnake) Stephen LeBlanc- keys (Jason Bonham's Led Zep Exp.) Keith St. John- vox (Montrose) Brian Tichy- guitar, drums (S.U.N.) Chas West- vox (Bonham, Lynch Mob, Zep Set) Brent Woods- lead and rhythm guitars (Brentwood Forest) *Jason of course carries his dad's legacy with pride, skill and the deepest respect, and he too has been a drummer in this show. His aunt Deborah has sung in this show, and most recently, a pregnant Zoe was special guest, leading the whole audience in singing happy birthday to her dad, the God of Thunder. We wanted to introduce ourselves to this forum and invite you all to our facebook family and be added to the legacy that so clearly lives here at your forum and website. Sincerely, Noelle Kim Retes Bonzo's Birthday Producer Social Media Director