Linda's POV
~~~~
"Are we ready to do the interview?" My boss asks me while I flip on my work mandated tape recorder.
"I think so." I sit down and ready the legal pad on my lap. One of them smiles at me sympathetically. Maybe they notice my nervousness.
I've interviewed big groups before but it feels different this time around. They all sit comfortably in front of me and it feels all the weight rests on my shoulders. John was even kind enough to prep me before I had to leave when I came into the shop for coffee (as he likes to help them out when he can).
"Starting the first question, where does the name Led Zeppelin come from?" I inquire and let cool water slide down my throat to clear the grogginess. It almost sounds like I smoked a whole pack when I woke up.
"Well we were talking to Pete Townshend and Keith Moon at the time y'know, and Keith had mentioned something about a lead balloon which gave me an idea about those Zeppelin planes. So it was Lead Zeppelin but then Jimmy suggested to remove the 'a', and the rest is history."
Is it weird to say that I work for Rolling Stone magazine? Yes, in some ways. I got this big reaction from Mo when I excitedly told her I got the job, and people will ask if I can get them backstage at concerts. But other than that I write tiny columns about people's review of new albums coming out and occasionally get to take photos of music stars. The perk is that I get early releases of music to play at home and write my opinion.
"So did any of you have a lot of musical experience before forming or was it like a cataclysmic meeting of four people who learned together?" I actually had done some research prior to this interview about three weeks beforehand but I know there are lots of other people whom don't know their backstory, plus it's nice to get the firsthand perspective.
They all kind of nudged the quiet tempered member from what I can recall plays bass guitar. He looks back at his hands which makes me back down in my chair. I don't want to intimidate any of them or make them uncomfortable.
"Jimmy and I did some sessions work in the past, me playing various instruments. Jimmy also was in The Yardbirds, while Robert and Bonzo were in club-ish groups. Then the Yardbirds sort of fell apart and now here we are." A silence sat between for that small frame of time and I could feel the stress lurking in once more.
"I think I'll come back to the interview later and start by asking some fan questions." My boss had a chat with me the day before about making sure to ask fan questions by the start. That way maybe the performers will stay a bit longer. "Let's see..this one is from a girl living in Brighton. What's it like getting to perform music for a living in front of the whole world?"
"Well," The dark and curly haired one who's name, I think is Jimmy cleared his throat. "I wouldn't say it's the whole world we're playing for but there's definitely an audience. We get to play around with different techniques and Percy gets to scream his lungs out so it's been working quite well for us I would say." I was fortunate enough to go to one of their concerts to level up (part of my research), it checks out for the remark on screaming.
My eyes fixate onto what appears as his handsomest smile. Meanwhile, those broodingly slight eyes radiating their heat and blush onto me.
Is he trying to flirt with me? And why is it so damn hot in here?
I grip my clipboard and tuck a section of my hair back. Get the heat off me.
"Here's one from a little boy asking if it's safe for his mother to listen to your music? Because, and I quote; 'I just want mummy to be happy.'"
