Reflections of Dread Zeppelin's first 20 years.
By Kerrio O'Presley

Every calendar year brings forth events that are later regarded with importance. Millions will regard 2009 as a year of consequence; for myself and countless others 2009 is important because it marks the 20th anniversary of our beloved Dread Zeppelin. Writing about Dread Zeppelin is typically easy for me but this is a difficult assignment because there is so much to say. There is so much to impart regarding the members of the band and the music that it's hard to know where to begin.

My first experience with Dread Zeppelin dates back to circa 1991 at a party near the Ohio State University in Columbus. “What is THAT?” I asked anyone within earshot as Tortelvis warbled “Black Dog” on a radio tuned to a college station. The combination of Led Zeppelin, reggae and Elvis had me hooked from the very first. I was already an Elvis fan but as my love for Dread Zeppelin grew so did my fondness for Elvis. Dread Zeppelin also made me a greater fan of Led Zeppelin. I soon found that I preferred Dread Zeppelin to Led Zeppelin.

In October of 1993 I attended my very first Dread Zeppelin show at the venerable Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio. I was happy and excited to finally see Dread Zeppelin live but a nagging question haunted me. Would they be as good live? Real greatness in rock music is rooted in the live performance - would Dread Zeppelin live up to my expectations? Happily, Dread Zeppelin was even better than I could have imagined. After the show I made it my personal mission to “spread the Dread.”

Perhaps the best way to begin is with my assessment of the individuals that comprise Dread Zeppelin. It has been my good fortune to know most of the members of Dread Zeppelin. Let me assure you that each member of the band is a genuinely charming and pleasant person. In fact, they are thoroughly gracious and polite. It may be hard to believe that an eccentric, nearly nude man named Butt Boy is a very nice person but it is true.

I can also tell you that they are a truly fun group of people to be around. Years ago I was lucky enough to travel and dine with the band. In my adventures with Dread Zeppelin I soon discovered that each of them has an incredible sense of humor. Sharing a meal with them in a diner outside of Detroit is an experience I'll never forget. Having fun is important to Dread Zeppelin. This convivial spirit is a primary factor in the continuing success of Dread Zeppelin. I once heard Tortelvis say “If it's not fun, I don't want to do it.”

They are indeed a fun-loving group but they are very serious musicians. I've often remarked that music and performing for their audience is the only thing that Dread Zeppelin takes seriously. For those of you who have not seen Dread Zeppelin perform you may wonder if they are really as good as they sound in the recordings. Yes, they really are that good. This is a group of enormously talented people, each of whom has a variety of artistic gifts.

Dread Zeppelin never fails to surprise me. Through the years they have consistently delivered music that is appealing in their own inimitable style. This is remarkable considering that the source material, the music that inspires Dread Zeppelin is well-known. A good example of this is “Stairway to Heaven”. There are very few songs of the modern rock era that are as well-known as this Led Zeppelin chestnut. Yet once “Stairway to Heaven” goes through the creative minds of Dread Zeppelin, it is new again. This is true from their first treatment to the most recent, my favorite, from “De-jah-voodoo”. “Stairway” gets a huge reaction at live shows and remains a mainstay on the set list.

Every musical group faces pressure from fans to recreate the same show, their greatest hits for their fans. This is a tough task for any band, especially one with such a storied past as Dread Zeppelin. Any band finds it hard to balance the old with the new yet I think Dread Zeppelin has accomplished this very successfully. Each new recording over the years has succeeded in keeping with tradition while delivering music that is fresh and exciting; “Bar Coda” is an excellent example of this. From “Celebration Day” to the Bob Marley favorite “No Woman No Cry” Dread Zeppelin is true to form. Just when I think that Dread Zeppelin can't possibly top their last recording they amaze me with renditions of “Thank You”, “Out On The Tiles” and the outstanding “That's Alright Mama”.

Maybe Dread Zeppelin's longevity is due to the evolution of their style, a progression beyond the fusion of musical genres. Dread Zeppelin is not merely producing covers that are self-conscious parodies; Dread Zeppelin has become a genre unto themselves. This would not be possible if it were not for the passion and creativity of the band as individuals.

Though I didn't have a chance to meet all the members of Dread Zeppelin that came before, I can comment the ones that I did have a pleasure to spend time with.

Tortelvis has freedom that would surely make Elvis Presley jealous. Because he is not limited to just the Elvis mythos Tortelvis is able to belt out “My Way” and then casually slip behind a drum set for “Moby Dick”. This freedom of expression has allowed Tortelvis to become an entertainer with considerable skills. He can sing a reggae song with authority and easily transition to the sweeping vocals of “I Can't Quit You Baby” with a smoothness that even Robert Plant can't top these days.

Once upon a time Butt Boy lurked around the edges of the stage playing bass but his greatest contribution with Dread Zeppelin is his guitar work. Butt Boy is a powerhouse guitarist capable of shredding metal licks to a delicate acoustic elegy. After all, only someone really comfortable in their skin could perform like that wearing as little as Butt Boy. Don't let the costume, or lack thereof, fool you – he is a reserved and humble man.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the very important contributions of Carl Jah, Ed Zeppelin, Spice and Bob Knarley. Carl Jah is a very accomplished and adept guitarist and I've witnessed many Led Zeppelin fans mesmerized by his fretwork.

Ed Zeppelin can really work a crowd! Each member of Dread Zeppelin has a rapport with the audience but Ed seems to have a gift for coaxing a shy audience into a head-bobbing crowd. Ed is also known for doing an acrobatic back flip on stage. Alas, he no longer does this so I feel fortunate that I was able to see him do it once.

Bob Knarley has certainly impressed me as a bassist and producer. He has added a great deal of depth to the Dread Zeppelin sound. I'm also crazy about his theremin! Seeing a theremin played live with such precision and skill something to behold.

Spice is perhaps the most appropriately named member of Dread Zeppelin because he adds...well, spice. Spice adds more than just a beat and rhythm to Dread Zeppelin. Spice's work as producer for “Bar Coda” is superlative.

No Dread Zeppelin live experience is complete without the servile Charlie Haj. Though all of the members of Dread Zeppelin have their fans it's always Charlie who is the object of the most fascination. Charlie gamely accepts affection and cheers of men and women alike with cheerful dedication. No towels have ever been handled with more ability and dedication.

20 years in the scope of passing time is naught but a twinkle but in the world of music, 20 years is a very long time. Many musicians and bands are heralded for much less than our dear Dread Zeppelin has given us through the years. The very fact that Dread Zeppelin has not only survived but continues with such commitment to their audience is no small feat.

Thank you, Dread Zeppelin for all the fun, music and great memories.