Best Of 2025(strictly for fun and heated argument)
By Peter Jesperson
It seems I have a tie for #1! Though they are quite different from one another, these two albums had a similar impact on me. Released 10 months apart - Broncho in January, and Tristen in November - they acted as sort of bookends for the year. I listened to them both incessantly, and love them equally.
01.a Broncho - Natural Pleasure
Any album that opens with a lyric like, “Imagine time when it don’t fly by” is bound to get my attention! Please allow me a few moments to praise this crazy piece of high art! To my way of thinking, Broncho ringleader, Ryan Lindsey, is a bona fide visionary. While that’s a rare distinction, he’s certainly not alone there. Maybe a little like, say, Phoebe Bridgers, Broncho stand above most for me, working loosely in a kind of alternative pop music, and seem to have zero creative boundaries. Ryan’s impressionistic ideas, and often indecipherable lyrics, unlock my imagination in an unusual way that I find very stimulating. Almost like listening to someone singing in a language that I don’t understand literally, but get the gist in a broader sense. Somehow, when I came to that conclusion, it made my relationship to Broncho’s music all the more personal. Starting out in Norman, OK in 2010 as a punk band with simplistic songs that conjure the simplicity of, say, the Ramones; they then proceeded on their singular path to shape-shift and defy expectations; they got more pop, with a garage slant; and then they added a large dose of art; in the 2020s, they became something harder to define, incorporating all of the above - punk, pop and art - into one delectable musical stew. Natural Pleasure is an album I don’t think I’ll ever get to the bottom of. It’s un-figure-out-able. Every time I put it on, it sounds fresh to me, and I hear it in a new light. What a unique gift that is!(https://broncho.bandcamp.com/album/natural-pleasure)
01.bTristen - Unpopular Music
I love the eternal mystery of how artists come to their best work. I have no idea why, after a 20+ year career, five previous albums, six EPs, eleven singles, and multiple collaborations with other artists, Tristen has suddenly climbed several rungs of the ladder and made the finest album of her career to date, as near-perfect a record as I’ve heard in years. Unpopular Music is a beautifully, meticulously built record. I can’t count how many times I’ve put the album on and, when it was over, I just played it again. As always, Tristen’s singing is masterful. I almost hate to say this because it may imply the other songs are lesser (which they are not), but the three track run from “Bully” to “Selkie Woman” to “Know By Heart” has a spine-tingling effect on me, some real musical magic going on here. This section is my favorite twelve and a half minutes of music in 2025. In particular, the purity of her voice on “Know By Heart” stops me in my tracks … it is astounding, and could very well be her single best recorded vocal to date. Even the album cover is a thing of puzzling beauty. I’m also pretty sure she and her husband, multi-instrumentalist/collaborator/engineer, Buddy Hughen, are complete Beatle nuts, though the subtle evidence comes off as so completely natural and firmly ingrained in their musical DNA, you could miss it if you weren’t paying extra-close attention. The one place where I think the influence is specifically noticeable is on “Rose And Thorn,” where the melody line has a McCartney-esque rise and fall. Further evidence of the strength of this record is in the choices Buddy makes on how to perfectly fit in the guitar solos. As prominently conveyed by the album title itself, Tristen’s wry acceptance of her place in the music biz hierarchy just makes me love her even more: “Seeking unpopularity since 1982, I’m incredibly successful at it. Highly rated still, I’ve been working on independent thought and moral courage. By now, I feel an intellectual responsibility to be unpopular.” I beseech you to give this album a listen - Pop Rock at its very best!(https://tristen.bandcamp.com/album/unpopular-music)
02. Truman Sinclair - American Recordings
Though only 24 years old, Truman Sinclair has been coming into his own for a long time. Music for him is a calling, and has been since he was quite young. He formed his first real band, an emo trio - Frat Mouse - when he was 17, releasing a slew of singles and four albums between 2019 and 2024, hitting the road, and building a following that filled clubs from LA to NYC. While all this was going on Truman immersed himself in music, attending USC to study music production, recording in his bedroom, and interning with producer/musician, Dave Sardy (Oasis, The Walkmen, LCD Sound System). On February 4th, 2022 Truman put out the first release under his own name, a single on Bandcamp, “Dog.” Then came five more singles, an EP called Friends & Family & Enemies and, in January of 2024, a second EP entitled Pale Moon Pale Horse, containing the song “Pale Horse,” one that resonates heavily with audiences to this day. Truman’s breakthrough came in November of ’24. Picked up by sturdy LA indie label, R&R, it was, oddly enough, a snappy little murder ballad singalong by the name of “Joel Roberts” that did it. A folk song that went viral. It was a harbinger of what was to come. Truman’s first full-length - American Recordings - hit the racks on Valentine’s Day 2025, and on several songs a fair bit of rock was added to the folk. Playing live anywhere, anytime (house shows, backyards, small clubs, neighboring cities), Truman got down to the serious work of having fun, doing the only thing he ever wanted to do - write, record, and perform. Cause and effect, the major labels and publishers came knocking. More on that in a minute. American Recordings, is a stunning piece of work. 10 songs clocking in at 32:00, concrete evidence of the arrival of a formidable young artist. Here’s where I should say, full disclosure, Truman is managed by my son, Autry. But I assure you this ain’t just nepotism talking. I feel certain I’d have found and loved Truman’s music, with or without my boy’s involvement. And it all comes down to the songs. To my ears, this is undeniable stuff. A cornucopia of the aforementioned rock and folk, plus ballads and love songs, waltzes, field hollers, songs that echo the greats - Dylan and Cohen and Young - while subtly showing the stamp of current artists from Alex G to Big Thief. As for the future, Capitol Records and Warner Chappell Publishing became Truman’s new partners. So far, Capitol has released two singles, and two EPs. Another series of four singles are planned through August, with the album due out on September 4th. And much live work will ensue, including 11 shows on a European/UK tour in April with Tyler Ballgame, a headlining show in London on the 28th, a 16-date full-band tour in the U.S. opening for Courtney Barnett in May and June, and headline tours of the UK and the U.S. in the fall. (https://trumansinclair.bandcamp.com/album/american-recordings)
03. Suede & ‘Lene - Hymns For Lost Things
This debut album by Suede & ‘Lene is a modern stew, concocted from the wisdom of experience, well-oiled skill, and just the right blend of social consciousness, humility, and humor. It’s a work that’s important for what it says and how it says it. The project is helmed by Angelo Petraglia and Eulene Sherman, a pair of transplanted New Yorkers living in Nashville. Angelo writes the words. Angelo and Eulene write the music. Angelo sings lead, primarily playing rhythm guitar and keyboards. Eulene handles backing vocals and bass guitar. Angelo has been at this music thing for quite a while. He was first inspired to pick up a guitar when he was in 3rd grade, after seeing Ricky Nelson perform on TV. Following art school, Angelo’s new wave band - Face To Face - had a successful dalliance with Epic Records and big shot producers like Arthur Baker, Chris Lord-Alge, and Jimmy Iovine. He later moved to Nashville, thinking “Maybe I could pay the rent writing for country artists.” And it worked! Angelo found a community there, but a broader one than he anticipated. In addition to accessibility to veterans like Don Everly and Harlan Howard, he encountered up and comers like Kim Richey, who he not only wrote with, but who he earned his first producer credit with. Angelo quickly became a sought-after songwriter, working with the likes of Carrie Underwood, Patty Griffin, Taylor Swift, and Trisha Yearwood, the latter bringing him a Grammy nomination. A chance encounter in the late 90s with two teenage brothers, Nathan and Caleb Followill, permanently altered Angelo’s music career. While the three were working country songs together, influences from Angelo’s rock ‘n’ roll background began to seep in and as he explains, it all “kinda morphed into the Kings of Leon in the upper bedroom of my house.” Angelo would go on to produce, and coproduce, the band’s first seven albums. Eulene Sherman is no stranger to the studio or the stage either. Twin talents in acting, as well as writing and performing music, kept her active in both fields. She bounced back and forth between classical vocal training, academic years attending a New York City actor’s conservatory, and doing her own music. Angelo and Eulene made this album the way Dylan did it in 1966: using the best musicians Nashville had to offer,while not striving for a strictly country result. The sessions quickly gelled with players of an extraordinarily high caliber. Like Sam Bush (New Grass Revival, Emmylou Harris) on mandolin and violin; and Dan Dugmore (Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor) on pedal steel.It must be said that Eulene’s polished and masterful backing vocal arrangements are key to the album’s success - at times sassy, at others reminiscent of the cultivated choral treatments in the early work of Leonard Cohen. They lift the songs up and deftly frame Angelo’s gruff lead singing, which Eulene is quick to point out “is part of his greatness.” Angelo’s facility with words is prominently on display in the album, many of them constitute a concise and welcome political commentary. Take “Livin In The Country” for instance - an anthem everyone needs to hear. The lyrics hit hard: “Every star, every stripe, bein’ used to wipe up the blood on the floor/You ain’t livin in the country you fightin for!” Then later: “I’m tryin to find that channel/You know the one where the good guys always win?/You better take a look around you/You ain’t livin in the country you grew up in!” As you listen, you’ll find more than one song that references a fictional figure, “Jane.” Arresting reflections on life pour out of her as she lurches back and forth between a sympathetic optimism that draws others to her, and struggling with her life as a musical artist. I’ll never forget hearing the album’s daring opening song, “Message From Jane,” for the first time. It’s like a short story about a struggling artist, with a chilling conclusion. In one of the album’s best lines, Angelo lays it out, “She’s always landing somewhere/Just this side of famous.” Track #2, “B.O.T.T.,” with its slinky riff references Eulene and her grandmother - a celebrity photographer who lived above Carnegie Hall and often babysat her granddaughter: “When she was little she’d dance around the halls/With Bela Lugosi and Andy Warhol.” Another standout track is “Dangerous Times,” putting a breezy, country flavored tune alongside words of warning. The autobiographical “Nashville ‘93” describes the city as Angelo first saw it. And “Ophelia,” with its boozy, Salvation Army Band horns, is a song for the ages.Focusing on his own artistry has long taken a back seat for Angelo. But when he and Eulene found their mojo, it was all systems go. This collection of songs is a lively and thought-provoking ride. I think it’s worthy of your close inspection.(https://suedeandlene.com)
04. Peter Holsapple - The Face Of 68
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the first time I listened to this new Peter Holsapple album, I was completely gobsmacked. I’ve liked pretty much everything Peter has ever done, and to my ears The Face Of 68 is right up there with his best work, and that includes the group he’s best-known for - The dB’s. Every song here counts. Peter sings them with confidence and flair. And one of the things that really stands out is the bluesy, raunchy guitar playing. Having the great Don Dixon (R.E.M., Smithereens, Tommy Keene) in the producer/mixer’s chair didn’t hurt either. My feelings about the album were reinforced when Jennifer and I saw Peter live at the wonderful, homey, Wild Honey Backyard Amphitheater in Eagle Rock (87 capacity). He’d booked a handful of solo dates on the West Coast during the summer but, for the LA area show, Wild Honey team member, David Jenkins, helped Peter put together a band of local hotshots: Nick Vincent on drums, Geoff Pearlman on guitar, and David Nolte on bass. They were so tight, you’d never have guessed they only had two rehearsals. The new songs were more powerful live than on record. You can definitely hear echoes of Peter’s past on The Face Of 68, but this record isn’t about then, it’s very much now.(https://peter-holsapple.bandcamp.com/album/the-face-of-68) 05. Halfway - The StyxThe Australian octet has done it again. They’ve made an album so well thought out and carefully planned, paying such close attention to the most minute details, that it’s daunting to write about. I feel like I should take a college course on it first. I'm constantly flabbergasted by the group’s fierce and deliberate dedication to their art. Even the album package is painstakingly done. From the moment the needle drops on The Styx, there's an immediate air of importance and weight. The subject matter sprung from personal struggles some band members experienced, all framed in a fictional story set around Christmas 1986, exploring themes of love, isolation, and betrayal. As frontman, John Busby explains: “This one started quietly. Just my guitar and vocals, layering (other instruments) track by track and then recording the drums last. A weird back-to-front album, but it gave us the chance to put the story/songs first rather than concentrate on how they would work live.” Halfway manages to blend alt-country and indie rock seamlessly. The album was expertly mixed by Mark Nevers (Lambchop, Bonnie Prince Billy). Germany’s Country Music News summed it up well: “It’s a record that makes the deeply personal feel universal, a feat that few bands accomplish with such grace. Across nine timeless albums, Halfway continues to solidify their legacy as one of Australia’s most essential and compelling storytellers.”(https://www.halfway.com.au/project/the-styx/)
06. Wet Leg - moisturizer
With this, Wet Leg’s 2nd album, they have surprised me a 2nd time. Hearing their debut single, “Chaise Longue,” in 2021, I’d initially mistaken them for a “One Hit Wonder,” but found the subsequent full-length to be solid and tons of fun. LP #2 actually tops the 1st. The songs are more thought out, the melodies are stronger, and thanks to lots of touring, they now sound like a real band. I’m particularly fond of the tunefulness of “davina mccall” and the catchy chorus on “pokemon.” On “mangetout,” lead singer Rhian Teasdale’s audacious, deadpan delivery on the lyric “You wanna fuck me? I know most people do” makes me laugh every time. And the gang-vocal-sing-along on album closer, “u and me at home,” constantly gets stuck in my head. I love what Pitchfork wrote about the album - “moisturizer totally transformed Wet Leg, turning the Isle of Wight five-piece into a band as funny, acerbic, and clever as NME always said they were.” If I have a criticism of the group, it’s that I think they got popular faster than they could keep up with in their live performance - they were great in clubs, but don’t yet command the stages in the larger venues they are now playing. (https://wetleg.bandcamp.com/album/moisturizer)
07. The Barr Brothers - Let It Hiss
Another highly accomplished album from these exceptional musicians, songwriters, and inventors. The Barr Brothers are like inventors in a class all their own, creating a mesmerizing kind of progressive rock/avant-garde/folk hybrid. And in live performance, they are untouchable. (https://thebarrbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/let-it-hiss) 08. Julianna Riolino - Echo In The DustThe 3rd album from this fearless Canadian singer/writer/performer. A fabulous batch of songs, her best yet. Favorites include “Smile,” “Let Me Dream,” and the big production number, “Seed” in which Julianna updates the 60s girl-group sound, singing multiple parts in the album’s most dynamic track. (https://juliannariolinosings.bandcamp.com/album/echo-in-the-dust)
09. Taylor Swift - The Life Of A Showgirl
The thing I like best about this album is that it’s 12-songs running a little over 40 minutes, short (for her) and to the point. Great pop songs, thoughtfully and gleefully performed, with all the bells and whistles of a top of the line ultra-modern 2025 production.(https://store.taylorswift.com/collections/the-life-of-a-showgirl-shop)
10. Robert Forster - Strawberries
Another eccentric, witty, and wonderful album from the co-leader of one of the greatest rock bands of all-time, Brisbane Australia’s The Go-Betweens. This one was recorded in Sweden with a local backing band, giving it an especially cohesive feel. Robert Forster is wearing his elder statesman status very well. (https://robertforster.bandcamp.com/album/strawberries)
Reissues, Archival, Live
Bob Dylan - Through The Open Window, 1956-1963 (8-CD set)
The 18th installment of the always impeccably well put together Bootleg Series. Favorites include the jaw-dropping letter-perfect 7:53 rendition of traditional song, “Barbara Allen,” the first concert performance of “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” and the complete 27-song Carnegie Hall concert from October 26th, 1963. 139 songs, 48 of ‘em never before released. As always, the detailed liner notes are essential. This time written by Sean Wilentz, Professor of American History at Princeton. This set lives right next to my stereo, always at the ready.(https://www.bobdylan.com/news/the-bootleg-series-vol-18-bob-dylans-bootleg-series-volume-18-through-the-open-window-1956-1963)
The Beatles Anthology 4 (2 CDs)
The “Julia” rehearsals may take the cake, but I couldn’t get enough of the whole damn thing. (https://usastore.thebeatles.com/products/anthology-4-2cd) Nick Drake - The Making Of Five Leaves Left (4 LP/4 CD set)Nick’s first album made a huge impact on me in my late teens, and I devoured this exhaustive set of demos, alternate versions, and outtakes over and over again. Includes a 60 page book, full of studio documentation, interviews with people who were there, and sometimes hard to follow liner notes.(https://superdeluxeedition.com/reviews/the-making-of-five-leaves-left-by-nick-drake-sde-review/)
David Bowie - I Can’t Give Everything Away 2002-2016 (18 LP/13 CD box set)
Covering Bowie’s last 4 albums, and related singles, live shows, and alternate versions, with a 128-page hardcover book, there’s a psychic weight to this for me that is hard to explain. His latter day work, especially 2013’s definitive, towering achievement, The Next Day, showed him to be a true artist to the final breath. (https://store.davidbowie.com/collections/i-cant-give-everything-away)
Supergrass - Road To Rouen 2025 Remaster + extras (2-CDs)
I llove this album more and more as time goes on, and am thrilled to have the extras.(https://supergrass.tmstor.es/product/road-to-rouen-20th-anniversary-edition-cd)
The Outfit (Daniel Romano & Band) - Live In Oslo
Another blistering live set featuring old and new songs by one of the most explosive live groups of the day.(https://danielromano.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-oslo-2)
Faces - Early Steps
The first recording sessions with Rod Stewart, rehearsals, alternate versions, some vocal-less backing tracks. The Faces and Rod Stewart records of this era are some of the best sounding rock records I know of, so I played this one constantly. If I’m not mistaken, only three of the tracks were previously released on the ‘Five Guys’ box. Either way, the Faces and Rod Stewart records of this era are some of the best sounding rock records I know of, so I played this one constantly.(https://www.ccmusic.com/early-steps/603497812868)
Singles/EPS
Fat, Evil Children (aka F.E.C.)- “Colorado River” (single, streaming only) 7/16/25(https://fatevilchildren.bandcamp.com/track/colorado-river)- Can’t Stop (6-song EP - Released on CD, cassette, and streaming) 11/28/25(https://fatevilchildren.bandcamp.com/album/cant-stop) Truman Sinclair - “song for burning canyon come” (single, streaming only) 1/8/25(https://trumansinclair.bandcamp.com/track/song-for-burning-canyon-come)- The Battle of Cahuenga (6-song EP, streaming only) 3/25/25(https://trumansinclair.bandcamp.com/album/the-battle-of-cahuenga)- “dustland” - 10/17/25 (streaming only, 1st release on Capitol Records)(https://music.apple.com/us/album/dustland-single/1843473893)- “sugar” 11/14/25 (streaming only)(https://music.apple.com/us/album/sugar-single/1848492252)- “bloodline” (acoustic) 12/11/25 (single, Bandcamp, streaming only)(https://trumansinclair.bandcamp.com/track/bloodline-acoustic)
Stuart Fork - Pacific Ragdoll (5-song EP, Bandcamp, streaming only)New music under a new name from a longtime favorite - Kevin Castillo of Coco B’s, Black Swan Runners, etc.(https://stuartfork.bandcamp.com/album/pacific-ragdoll) Phiz (Tristen & Cortney Tidwell) - i lost my fkn mind/If I Had known (7-inch 45, streaming)(https://phiz.bandcamp.com/album/i-lost-my-fkn-mind-if-i-had-known) ------------------------
Live (in LA unless otherwise noted) January26th - Fat, Evil Children - Zebulon, opening for Downy Mildew27th - Becoming Led Zeppelin film premier30th - Listening party for new Tristen album, Unpopular Music February8th - Tommy Stinson w/Karla Rose - Stu Space - Burbank, CA22nd - Truman Sinclair & Band with Ella Woolsey - Zebulon - American Recordings record release party25th - Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets - The Troubadour March13th - Iain Matthews and Russ Tolman with Robert Lloyd - Healing Force of the Universe (venue/record store in Pasadena) April1st - Martha Wainwright with Brad Barr (from the fabulous Barr Brothers) opening, and playing in her band. Special guest appearance by Martha’s father, Loudon Wainwright! - The Troubadour2nd - hey, nothing - The Roxy 6th - Mike Campbell - autograph session for his book, Heartbreaker - A Memoir - Book Soup - West Hollywood, CA6th - Jake Xerxes Fussell with Harrison Whitford - Gold-Diggers 7th - Jake Xerxes Fussell with Henry Barnes - McCabe’s - Santa Monica, CA17th - Neil Young film - Coastal - Burbank 16 Theater28th - Pink Floyd film - Live At Pompeii - Chinese Theater30th - Waylon Wyatt - Desert Spot May11th - A Day With David Bowie photo exhibit - photography by Christine de Grancy - Santa Monica Art Museum 16th - Bob Dylan & Band - Hollywood Bowl 19th - Private tour of Abbey Road!!! - London, UK21st - Supergrass - The Roundhouse - London, UK25th - Tim Keegan & Friends - The Sound Lounge - Sutton (West London), UK June13th - Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes - Venice West, Venice, CA27th - Broncho - The Belasco 29th - Peter Holsapple & Band - Wild Honey Backyard - Eagle Rock, CA July26th - Frat Mouse with Fat, Evil Children - The Troubadour29th - The Mastersons & Friends - with special guest, Leslie Stevens - Gold-Diggers August15th - Faith Boblett with Steve Brantseg, The Scarlet Goodbye (feat. Danny Murphy) - Palmer’s - Minneapolis25th - Bob Mould - interview, moderated by Fred Armisen + performance - The Grammy Museum September5th - Supergrass - The Hollywood Palladium25th - Truman Sinclair, duo with Diego Fernandez - The Lodge Room October3rd - Taylor Swift - The Making Of The Life Of A Showgirl documentary - Burbank 16 Theater17th - Wet Leg - The Greek Theater25th - Gold Star - Oblivion - Highland Park, CA November5th, 12th, 19th, 26th - Truman Sinclair & Band residency10th - Neal Weiss & Bill See - The Village Well (bookstore), Culver City, CA13th - Julianna Riolino & Band - Backyard Party (warehouse) - Pasadena, CA19th - The Replacements - Expanded Let It Be Release Party - Permanent Records Roadhouse (club/record store)20th - Cameron Crowe - Interview/Discussion for his book The Uncool - The Ricardo Montalban Theater 21st - The Replacements - Expanded Let It Be Release Party #2 - Licorice Pizza (record store) - December7th - The Autumn Defense - The Lodge Room15th - Promo event for the film and soundtrack of Oh.What.Fun. at Largo, featuring The Bird and The Bee (Inara George/Greg Kurstin/Joey Warnonker/Gus Seyffert/Gabe Noel/Alex Lilly/Wendy Wang/Willow Geer), Uwade, Hrishikesh Hirway, Madison Cunningham, and Robin Pecknold. The soundtrack is great too, and features some artists that weren’t present for the live show - like Sharon Van Etten, Weyes Blood, St. Vincent, and Jeff Tweedy (the latter doing a knockout version of The Band’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight”!). (https://music.apple.com/us/album/oh-what-fun-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1849427478) -------------------------- In The Must Mention Category The UKIn May, Jennifer had work in London, so Autry and I tagged along. Jennifer had been there a few times, I had only been once in the summer of 1979, and it was Autry’s first time. We covered so much ground in 10 days, I wasn’t sure if my feet were gonna get me back home. From the breathtaking British Museum and the Victoria and Albert; dinner with Peter Perrett and family; meeting up with my old pal and former Replacements’ soundman Mike Bosley and visiting him at his Apple office atop the infamous Battersea Power Station; seeing Supergrass live at the Roundhouse; a fab train ride north to Liverpool, where we were Beatle geeks for three days, and among other things actually toured the childhood homes of Lennon and McCartney; another glorious train ride all the way to the south coast of England, where we visited our friends The Keegans, and caught a live set by Tim and Quincy Keegan and their band; a stroll along Regent’s Canal on a beautiful, sunny afternoon where, with Jennifer wearing a Twin/Tone Records t-shirt, we encounter a jogger who runs past and shouts: “Twin/Tone! I LOVE The Replacements!”; and quite literally a dream come true - thanks to Jennifer’s film music connections, the three of us had a private tour of Abbey Road recording studios … one of the most overwhelming and surreal experiences of my life … I spent the entire time thinking “Am I really here?” The Replacements - Let It Be expanded I’d looked forward to being involved with an anthology of The Replacements’ Let It Be for a long time. To me, it’s unquestionably their best work. And arguably the most important record I’ve ever been involved in, so doing it justice was imperative. Gargantuan amounts of gratitude to the following for making it so: Rhino’s Jason Jones for co-producing with me, Justin Perkins for mastering/remastering/mixing, Elizabeth Nelson for the liner notes, art director Rory Wilson, product manager Mimi Gontar, and the rest of the Rhino team! Premier of the film Becoming Led ZeppelinMy wife Jennifer has done music clearance for many years. It’s behind the scenes work, and she rarely gets credited on screen or in print, or invited to premiers for that matter. So it was exciting to be included this time around. I’ve been a Led Zeppelin fan since Day One, and love all their records. Jennifer was never much of a fan … until she started seeing rough cuts of this film (the first one was over 4 hours long!). The interviews with the band members, especially John Paul Jones, won her over. The premier was in LA at the famed Chinese Theater, which certainly added some pizzazz. To pick up our tickets, we were directed to a Will Call table, then told to enter to our left. As we rounded the corner, we suddenly realized we were walking up ‘the red carpet,’ with a bank of photographers snapping photos. It was so unexpected and happened so fast, we didn’t have time to get nervous. It sure was an experience we’ll never forget though. It was, as they say, “one for the books”!