Jimmy Page and that old black magic
 |
| Jimmy Page with The Tower House, left. Next door is Robbie Williams’ Woodland House |
Sunday was gorgeous in London, hitting 27c, so we took a stroll to Holland Park, on the way passing Jimmy Page’s 1875 gothic mansion, on the park’s edge. Now, we all know Jimmy’s interest in witchcraft, black magic and Satanism, and his house certainly fits the bill, as you can see from the pic above.
 |
| One of Jimmy’s rooms in The Tower House – just what you’d expect from a black magic devotee |
As a bit of trivia, Jimmy Page bought The Tower House in 1973 for £350,000 (£4m in today’s terms), outbidding David Bowie. Its previous owner, actor Richard Harris, bought it for £75K after hearing Liberace had put in an offer. And just down the road is the London HQ of Posh and Becks – Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice/fashion designer) and David (soccer player/Miami MLS owner) Beckham. On the subject of David Beckham, did you know he’s from the same part of London as Robert Johnson’s producer, Don Law? Don’t believe me? Well, here’s the link to something I wrote earlier.
https://paulmerryblues.com/2015/04/reds-legend-david-beckham-and-blues.html
 |
| Led Zeppelin and the President. You don’t get more honoured than this |
Heart’s Stairway to Heaven brought tears to the old bands’ eyes
Carl’s email alerted me to Jimmy’s band, Led Zeppelin, appearing at Washington DC’s Kennedy Centre, as recipients of its annual award honouring exemplary achievements and contributions to American culture. In the video below, you’ll see Zeppelin’s three surviving members, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, sitting a row from President and Michelle Obama. The Led Zepps are each wearing the rainbow-coloured sashes and medals presented at a White House ceremony hours earlier. The Zeppelin tribute, featuring Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson performing ‘Stairway to Heaven, was saved for last. Playing drums behind them was John Bonham’s son, Jason. Their performance brought stairway’s composers, Page and Plant, to tears.
Blues great Buddy Guy, now nudging 90, was also honoured at the ceremony. Rolling Stone magazine has more about the night on the link below:
 |
| Buddy Guy’s new album features Van Morrison |
