My original idea for the opening tracks of ‘Houses of the Holy’ was that ‘The Song Remains the Same’ (originally called ‘The Overture’) would be a rousing instrumental introduction with layered electric guitars that would then segue into the next one, later to be titled ‘The Rain Song’.
Again there would be a contrasting acoustic instrumental movement that led to the first vocal of the album and the first verse of the song. During the routining of ‘The Song Remains the Same’, (then titled ‘The Plumpton and Worcester Races’), the half time vocal section was born and ‘The Overture’ shaped into a song. These rehearsals were done in Puddletown, on the River Piddle in Dorset.
When we came to record this on 18th May 1972 on The Rolling Stones’ mobile truck at Stargroves, the backing track of ‘The Song Remains the Same’ was played on a Fender electric 12-string, with Les Paul overdubs and standard tuning. ‘The Rain Song’ was in an unorthodox tuning on the six-string. On live shows it became a workout feature for the double neck.
ON THIS DAY… 28 MAR 1973
‘HOUSES OF THE HOLY’ BY LED ZEPPELIN WAS RELEASED
My original idea for the opening tracks of ‘Houses of the Holy’ was that ‘The Song Remains the Same’ (originally called ‘The Overture’) would be a rousing instrumental introduction with layered electric guitars that would then segue into the next one, later to be titled ‘The Rain Song’.
Again there would be a contrasting acoustic instrumental movement that led to the first vocal of the album and the first verse of the song. During the routining of ‘The Song Remains the Same’, (then titled ‘The Plumpton and Worcester Races’), the half time vocal section was born and ‘The Overture’ shaped into a song. These rehearsals were done in Puddletown, on the River Piddle in Dorset.
When we came to record this on 18th May 1972 on The Rolling Stones’ mobile truck at Stargroves, the backing track of ‘The Song Remains the Same’ was played on a Fender electric 12-string, with Les Paul overdubs and standard tuning. ‘The Rain Song’ was in an unorthodox tuning on the six-string. On live shows it became a workout feature for the double neck.
28 March 1973
I’m sorry, I guess I went on an unscheduled hiatus. So many of Jimmy’s recent posts have been repeats of last year’s, and because I would lose a couple followers after each reblog, I thought you guys might be annoyed by the repeat posts. I will start again, thanks so much for the message!
18 FEB 1975
I was in Dominica between Led Zeppelin tours
I went to Dominica between Led Zeppelin tours to meet up with beat poet Royston Ellis who was residing and writing in a building catering as a cricket pavilion, rum bar and living quarters in Mero outside the capital Roseau.
Dominica’s rum could be had straight up, with juices or with herb infusions. One of these brews was called Nani, another was called l’absinthe, with wormwood. I guess this was a follow through from the old French colonial rule and the penchant for absinthe. I have fond memories of the local ‘joy juice’.
During a vacation in the Far East, I made a stop in Nepal. I hope my photos of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur can translate the sheer magnificence of that spiritual location.
Today I travelled from Bagan, Mandalay back to Rangoon and then on an evening flight back to Bangkok, Thailand. Here is a small selection of photos from my day in Myanmar.
It had always been an ambition of mine to visit Burma, now Myanmar, and on this day in 2009, aided by a visa processed by the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, I was in Rangoon, soon to travel to Bagan.
When I applied for my visa in Bangkok, I was asked if I was going to perform a concert in Myanmar and I assured the gentleman I was not. In fact, I was to leave my guitar there in Bangkok. The official said he hoped I was telling the truth because if not he might get into trouble.
I hope my photographs (of Rangoon, Bagan and Mandalay) convey just some of the visual splendour and mystery of this country.
24 January 2009
18 JAN 1969
I PLAYED AT THE GRANDE BALLROOM, DETROIT WITH LED ZEPPELIN
I returned with Led Zeppelin to play three nights at the underground venue, The Grande Ballroom in Detroit, and this was the second of three nights. These were spirited shows to a spirited audience and on each night we extended our set with encore after encore. I played the Grande with The Yardbirds eight months earlier.
