This week, Christopher Long brings home another $5 vinyl bargain — a surprisingly pristine copy of Little Queen, the 1977 “gold medal” winner from Heart.

Gov’t Mule tackles Dark Side of The Mule at iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, with Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening paying homage to his famous father. Michelle Wilson soaks up the second half of a bucket-list adventure.

This week, vinyl purist Christopher Long does the unthinkable: he reviews one of those shiny Walmart reissues. Relax, it was a gift — he got it for FREE. Plus, it’s Led Zeppelin III, so cut the poor guy some slack, why don’t ya!

This week, savvy shopper Christopher Long scores an abused vinyl copy of The Long Run, the 1979 Eagles classic, from a local junkie for a pack of smokes and a can of pop.

A Tribute to Led Zeppelin (Provogue/Mascot Label Group). Review by Michelle Wilson.

Guitarist Robert Evan Trop of Beach Viper discusses his influences and growing up on Elvis.

John 5 and the Creatures give a class in Guitar God 101 at the Social.

Peoria’s power-pop purveyors teleport coast-to-coast on extensive U.S. “Invasion” tour.

Action Painting (Numero Group). Review by James Mann.

Thelma & the Sleaze wowed the crowd at Will’s Pub!

Walter Carter has acquired the first ‘burst Les Paul. Oh, one can dream…

Loves You (Put Together). Review by James Mann.

Heartbreak (Omnivore Recordings). Review by James Mann.

The world mourns the loss of a true musical master, Doc Watson.

Gemma Ray slams one clever cultural retro-reference into another, all the while wielding her harmonies alongside the tones from her Gretsch – deliciously awry. At least that’s how May Terry hears it.

The Best of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame + Museum Live (Universal Music / Time Life). Review by Carl F Gauze.

Too young to be fully cognizant of the more embarrassing excesses of Gothic music over the past twenty years, the young Turks of NYC’s own Blacklist are, perhaps unwittingly, the best hope of redeeming Goth-metal. Fresh from a European tour complete with horned hotel antics, Blacklist frontman and provocateur Josh Strawn told Ink 19 all about how he learned to stop worrying and love Motorhead and Scott Walker equally.

Author Charles R. Cross delivers a unique and detailed account of Led Zeppelin’s recording history – one platinum-selling record at a time.

Shelton Hull suspects Jimmy Page is pleased with this unabashedly unauthorized biography.

James Mann finds it hard to say goodbye to an American Genius, and recounts all the wonderful ways he said hello.