It was hip and happening in Mey in 1979
THERE was a real buzz in the public bar of the Mey Hotel. Everyone was trying to look cool, calm and collected, myself included. Oh the vanity of youth!
But it was 33 years ago... with age comes a mellowing and maturity that panders less, these days, to ego. My overriding memory is of folk at the bar discreetly asking one another: "Which one is Jimmy Page?" I hadn’t a clue.
All I knew was that earlier that afternoon the legendary Led Zeppelin guitar maestro had officially reopened Phillip’s Harbour at Harrow (in the district of Mey).
Under the auspices of the Job Creation Scheme a community initiative had seen the old pier reinstated. Somehow, the then local councillor, Bill Mowat, doubtless through his media and music world connections had, incredibly, convinced one of the most influential and important rock guitarists of the generation to perform the honours.
Page, who had purchased Boleskine House, the former home of the legendary occultist Aleister Crowley, on south Loch Ness-side, must have felt suitably impressed to have made the long and winding journey to Caithness.
Apparently there was some embarrassment when the plaque was unveiled and they saw the name Led Zeppelin had been misspelt...
A small cabal of musos – Page somewhere amongst them – wined and dined in a corner of the lounge while a hippie-type churned out obscure chord progressions on his acoustic guitar. Who was I to talk? I’d raided the depths of my dad’s wardrobe and was resplendently attired in a moth-eaten burgundy waistcoat and a really "cool" collarless grandfather shirt. Yes, it was all hip and happening in Mey that April day back in 1979!
I bought a carry-out of six cans of Tennent’s lager because later that evening one of my favourite local bands, High Society, was playing in the village hall as part of the ongoing celebrations. Page, rumour had it, was going to make a guest appearance!
Things didn’t go according to plan. Under the cover of darkness I tripped in the car park when I went back to my car – an even cooler Austin 1100, not – to collect the aforementioned carry-out. The plan was to try and sneak them passed the village bouncers who were guarding all who came and went into the hall.
Luckily for me, or so I thought, I’d saved one can from hitting the deck so I made sure it would be mine as I stuffed the others down my loose-fitting grandfather shirt.
There must have been some mix-up; when I went to open the can in the dance hall, it sprayed foaming lager all over a bunch of really tough-looking chiels who were quite obviously NOT impressed... I looked round the hall. The band had just struck up with a cover version of Thin Lizzy’s "Rosalie". The Mey gorillas were growling. I thought I was going to endure a long, lingering death as they threatened to tear me apart limb by limb...
And there he was, waving, to me. Yes, me! Page smiled, saluted the wee crowd – must have been less than 20 of us – and walked out into the night.
As my great fortune had it, I had a couple of spare cans to share with the gorillas. They mellowed – the little monkeys!
I don’t know what happened next. I think they ran out of 50p coins in the electric meter. But it provided an ideal diversion and, at first opportunity, we legged it!
And, all these years later, now that I have a chance to check out a Led Zeppelin tribute band, I can reminisce about those "good old days".
LED Zeppelin, according to Wikipedia, are "widely considered one of the most successful, innovative and influential rock groups in history".
Various sources estimate the group’s sales at more than 200 or even 300 million albums worldwide. They’ve been described as "the biggest band in the world". They disbanded in 1980, following the untimely death of their drummer John Bonham. He was just 32.
The remaining members went their separate ways pursuing solo projects but reunited in 2007 to play a one-off tribute concert at the O2 arena in memory of the music executive Ahmet Ertegun. Jason Bonham, son of the band’s original drummer, stood in for his late father.
According to Guinness World Records, Led Zeppelin hold the world record for the highest demand for tickets for one music concert – apparently there were 20 million online requests for the reunion show.
Eden Court wasn’t exactly at full capacity last week when Hats Off to Led Zeppelin took the stage.
"As well as being the only UK tribute act officially endorsed by Marshall amplifiers they are proud to be co-managed by Warren Grant, the son of legendary Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant, who said after seeing them live: ‘You guys really did the band justice!’" (At least that’s what their website says!)
I sometimes have mixed feelings about tribute bands. They’re obviously never going to be the real thing. But, that said, Hats Off to Led Zeppelin live up to their claim to be "a stunning tribute band to the greatest rock band ever".
These boys rock! And then some more...
So they entertained us with all the Led Zep classics. A superb rendition of "Kashmir", the bluesy "Since I’ve Been Loving You" (said to have the best guitar rock solo of all time), Robert Plant’s albatross, "Stairway to Heaven", "Rock ’n’ Roll" and, for an encore, "Whole Lotta Love".
Peter Eldridge, Jack Tanner, Kevin Oliver and Simon Wicker may not be so synonymous with the Led Zep names of Plant, Page, Bonham and John Paul Jones – but they are mega talented musicians in their own right.
"Shut your eyes," said one reviewer, "and you would think you were listening to the real thing!" I must agree. Hats off to them!
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Were you at Harrow that day and remember seeing Jimmy Page? Tell us your memories at www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk