You've heard of Watergate, this is 'Siblygate'. An enthralling true story.

DEDICATION
The following story is dedicated to those who have had their dreams crushed by bad notes.

FORWARD

It's been over a year now since I first met Coda and saw them play. I recall being a bit apprehensive about the idea of a tribute band playing my most cherished Led Zeppelin song, the holy grail of all Zep songs...that being 'Since I've Been Loving You' (aka SIBLY). 

With a bit of trepidation, I made my way to Burlington to see them. What came from that night, was a deep appreciation and admiration for the guys. Coda being: Robert Miniaci (vocals), Paul Mathur (keys/bass), Kelly Mauricette (drums) and Rick Mercer (guitar). 

They put on an amazing show and they passed the test. They successfully delivered 'Since I've Been Loving You'.  Check out the video below . What great keyboards, wonderful drums, superb vocals, but let's concentrate on the guitar work shall we? What a powerful, yet gentle solo, every note blends smoothly and correctly into the next. The way the guitarist carries the song through the solo till the very end. When the last note of the song was played, they instantly received the Ultimate Seal of Approval and a fan for life.

Since that amazing night, I've made it a point to get out to their shows to not only support them, but to hear my song. With each show, the performance of the epic 'SIBLY' was more grander than the previous. How can this be? How can they continue to put out stellar performances of this song? Sure they would alter it a bit, to keep it fresh and exciting. Be it, a slight change to the arrangement to reflect the specific version they were covering, include a different solo, altered lyrics, but no matter what little changes were made, the song continued to be even better than the previous times versions. 

Every morning after the show, I would perform the same ritual. Grab the camera, watch 'SIBLY', then upload it, share it, making sure to go on and on about how amazing it was, especially the guitar component of the song, the way the guitarist can play it perfectly, note for note each time was just mind-blowing. I couldn't say enough great things about how they did my song the night before. I would always look forward to the next show to hear it and to see if they could top the time before. Could they continue to outdo their previous versions? 

Well sadly, like how all good things must come to an end, so has my ritual. It was broken on November 8, 2014, when Coda came to my home city, Kitchener. I have to admit though, that they really did outdo themselves on this version compared to past performances. I was still left speechless and felt a little dazed and confused at what I was hearing as I played back the video evidence. Was it a camera glitch? The sound reflecting oddly in the venue? It was really puzzling. I had to get to the bottom of this.

With kleenex close by, trembling fingers, I pen the following tale. Slightly tragic in nature, a heartbreaking little story about a girl, who all she ever wanted was to hear her most beloved song, in her home city by the only band outside of Led Zeppelin that she approves of playing this song. With some minimal comedic undertones I give you "Since I've Been Playing the Wrong Notes: the Rick Mercer story on how he butchered Michelle's favourite song".

PRESHOW

Discussions began in July, to make plans to bring Coda-The Raw Led Zeppelin Experience, to Kitchener for a show.  Over the last fourteen months, I have travelled around Southern Ontario, through rain, snow, blistering heat, to see the guys in various bars and venues. It was always an honour to be in the audience and witness perfection on the stage. After a few shows, I became familiar with the order of the songs, and always knew when 'SIBLY' would be making its grand entrance. Just as 'Misty Mountain Hop' was winding down, the familiar bars of 'SIBLY' would fill the room. I would make sure to have my camera ready to record, in order to carry out the next morning's ritual. Each performance it would become more amazing to watch and hear. With slight, but amazing changes, the song would be taken to a whole new level and I was always in awe and disbelief that this band was able to play it to my satisfaction. At the end of the song, it was definitely a "we're not worthy" moment for the guitarist, who can literally channel Jimmy Page and have a perfect performance.

So it came to be, that everything was finalized to have Coda come here and play. I was thinking, this is great, I get to hear my song in my own city. What can be better than that? After going to so many shows out of town and being thrilled at the way the band played the song, I knew that this would be extra special, as it would be in my own backyard, figuratively speaking. I thought to myself, how could it not be perfect? They've played the song so many times, each time was better than the previous time, and if I compared it to the last show I saw, I was really in for a treat! It was so exciting. To think the guitarist was going to come here and play my song, perfectly, like he had played a dozen times before when I saw them. How could it not be? Not like I haven't seen enough of their shows, and knew what the guitarist could do. Each show, in every city would always be amazing versions. So of course, I was thrilled beyond belief. It would be the highlight of the night for sure. What more could a girl ask for. A dream come true. Her favourite song, performed by her favourite tribute band in her very own city. Pure bliss indeed I tell you.

DAY OF SHOW

The long awaited day was here. This girl was excited and eager to hear her song. Imagine, the last year, driving all around Southern Ontario seeing these guys, enjoying every minute of it. But the highlight was always hearing my song. Today was the day I have been looking forward to. After months of preparation, promoting, Coda was finally here in town, and the biggest pay off: hearing my song here at home, played perfectly by the guys, especially the guitar player. 

I spent a few hours that afternoon listening to Zep tunes, including my song of course. Then for a little trip down memory lane, in anticipation for the evening, I watched a few Coda performances of 'SIBLY'. It definitely set the mood for what I was so looking forward to seeing and hearing that night. There is just something incredible about that opening sound of the song, how the guitar player sets the tone for what is to follow. It beautifully echoes through your head. From the first note till the last, the song takes you on a journey.

Well, with camera in hand, cause you know I need to document the epic moment when 'SIBLY' is being played, I head out the door to the venue. Anticipation building during the ride there. Minutes away but it felt like eternity.

SHOWTIME

We arrived at the venue. There was a buzz through the building. You could feel the excitement as you climbed the steps to where the guys would be performing. We entered the room that already had a good amount of people waiting, to start getting the Led out. As we glanced around, we saw some of the guys on stage setting up, tuning the instruments and other pre-show rituals to get ready for the next few hours of Rock and Roll. I noticed how intense the guitar player was. He was checking all his guitars, making sure they were perfectly tuned and ready to go for the night ahead. Since he was looking so determined, I was more positive than ever, and confident that he was going to kill my song. I just didn't mean for it be taken literally.  

As the room began to fill, the excitement grew. The guys looked great, dressed sharp and were eager to kick off their set. Lights were dimmed and the ghostly sound of the beginning of 'In The Evening' began to pour out of the speakers. It was so exciting to see the guys on stage here in Kitchener. Now to sit back and count down to my song.

Track by track, they were right on cue. Vocals were strong and powerful, yet gentle and soft when they needed to be. When the song called for keyboards, they were magical and hypnotic. When bass was required, it came to the forefront. The drums were thunderous at times, rhythmic otherwise, carrying the song along note by note. The guitars were on their way to being as close to perfection as humanly possible. It was reminiscent of the first time I had seen them play over a year ago, and it still puzzled me at how good this guitar guy really was during every Zep song. 

As they proceeded through the set list, each song better than it's predecessor, it was finally time they began the familiar intro notes of 'Misty Mountain Hop'. I knew my song was next, so I made sure my camera was ready. There was no way I was going to miss documenting this epic performance. This was going to be the best memory of the night. We were less than five minutes away, from my beloved song being played. This was it. For the first time, 'Misty Mountain Hop' dragged on forever. Since when did this song become so long?
It was at this time, I leaned over and asked Bonnie if the setlist was going to be the same. Was my song going to be coming up next? She indicated that she thought so. We'd have to wait and see. Again, how long is this song? I don't ever remember it being this long.

Then, finally, the song came to an end. I quickly pushed record on the camera. But, instead of going right into the opening notes of 'SIBLY', the band stopped so Rob could check to make sure the sound was alright, and we could hear him. I was thinking, woah, checking the sound..that must mean that it's going to be epic and they want to make sure we all could hear the amazing song that was about to be played. 

With sound confirmed, we were off. Rick began the ole familiar notes of 'SIBLY'. The notes I had heard many times before that would give you chills. The song continued and while I was loving it, just for the fact that I was hearing them play it here in town on this chilly November night, there was something that seemed not all that right. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Was it just me? Was it the sound acting up in the room? Shortly before the first verse, Bonnie had leaned over and asked if it was just her or was Rick off? I hesitated, so that I could listen carefully first, to see if I noticed what she had noticed. I in fact was hearing a slight variation in the guitar player's playing and nodded to her that he did seem a bit 'off''. At first, I was thinking, oh, maybe it's a different version. It wouldn't be the first time that they altered the song a bit. Sometimes doing a live bootleg version as opposed to an official released studio sound. The more I listened though, I was like, well the other guys aren't playing differently, just the guitar player. It was like he was doing his own version of 'SIBLY'. I would have had no problem with them playing a different version. I'm always up for hearing a new take on the song, especially by these guys. But, it was just a bit strange since the guitar player was the only one playing 'this' version.  

As the song continued, it would dip in and out from being what appeared to be in tune and not in tune. It didn't seem to phase the other band members though. They continued on, playing their familiar parts correctly and didn't seem to really notice what the guitar player was doing something off on his own. Was it just some really good improvisation? Adding his own little touch to the song, be it a special occasion tonight? Or was there some other reason why it seemed the guitar player was a straying from the rest of the band?  People have been known to get choked up while listening to 'Since I've Been Loving You'. It really is a beautiful song, the melody, the lyrics and of course the amazing guitar throughout the song.  Tonight however, I was choked up, trying to figure out, what did I do to ever deserve this type of cruel joke? Was my song being ruined on purpose? Did I say something that the guitar player did not like? Was there something else that was going on, that would make him decide to play the song that way? All these questions, yet no answers. 

Despite the odd notes and barely recognizable version of my beloved song, I continued to tape. I had to retain the footage, so that way once at home, I could go over it to see if I could spot any little thing that would explain why the guitar player appeared to be having problems with the song. Was his fingers cold, was he using the wrong strings? Was he daydreaming about what he was going to eat when he was done this show? All I knew, is that I was looking forward to the next morning's ritual to watch the video and get to the bottom of it.

The rest of the night however, was amazing, go figure. The setlist included some of the hits and everyone enjoyed themselves, dancing, laughing, singing along..all except one girl who was still trying to figure out what happened to her beloved 'SIBLY'.

Before we knew it, the night was over. Everyone appeared to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the positive feedback was heard all around the club. As the guys took down their equipment and packed it away, we were already talking about the 'next' time they would play here in town. I didn't bring it up about my song at this time, since I wanted to go home and watch the video first. We all said our goodbyes and another Coda show was in the books. 

AFTERMATH

I awoke Sunday morning, eager to watch the footage from the Coda show the night before. I still had this feeling that my song was just a little bit off, but wasn't sure if it had been just me or if everyone, including the guitar player noticed the off sounding notes during 'SIBLY'. Like I do after every show, I grabbed the camera and started going through the photos and videos. 

I soon located 'SIBLY', and began to watch. Once it got past the 'soundcheck' by Rob, the guitar started. The familiar guitar intro came in strong, but then just when I was getting into it, the sound changed. Even through the camera's tiny speaker, you could still pick up something that resembled the song, yet not quite. It was still hard to pinpoint what the problem could have been. I kept the video going, and then found myself in disbelief. It really did happen, the guitar player ruined my song. What was he thinking? 'Oh my tears, they fell like rain'...indeed they almost did. I still wasn't convinced that I was hearing it properly, so I decided to watch it on the computer instead. Maybe with better sound I could really tell if it was just a fluke or if indeed the song was altered, but not in a good way.

I watched it again on the computer. Yep, same ole ill sounding notes, sorta organized chaos and couldn't quite figure out what was the guitar player thinking? Or better yet...what was he doing? I've always had the utmost respect for Mr. Mercer. Seeing him play the song numerous times before, always left me mesmerized at his talent. But for some strange reason, I just couldn't give him the same amount of praise. It was tragic, yet comical, that of all places...here in my city..he would then decide to have an 'off night'.

I made the decision to go directly to the guitar player himself to see if I could get answers on his performance. I politely brought it up, if he had noticed anything during the song regarding his performance. At first it seemed he wasn't quite sure what I was referring to. I began to play the video for him. Within the first few notes, he barreled over laughing and I think he was even in shock over his own playing. Was it genuine, that he wasn't aware that he ruined my song?  

After many bouts of laughter, he then tried to pass the blame. First it was the monitors, then he couldn't hear the singer, oh maybe it was the drummer, yeah, that's it, the drummer. It became a long running joke all day, about how hundreds of miles around Southern Ontario, seeing them play all over...the only time, they decide to 'ruin' the song, is here in my own city. My most beloved song, ruined at the hands of a guitar player who just couldn't play the proper notes.

As we watched the footage in question, which has now been securely hidden from the public eye, he decided it would be a good idea to give a young up-and-coming guitar player, lessons on how NOT to play 'SIBLY'.  Watch the very informative video here: 

I have to give the guitar player credit, he admits now to butchering my favourite song. He has since tried to redeem himself, by performing an exclusive instrumental version of 'SIBLY'. He knows however, that I shall be anxiously waiting for the next Coda show, to see if he can return to performing 'SIBLY' with great perfection that I know he's capable of doing. Will 'SIBLY' be given the proper recognition that it deserves? Will it once again be played with all the proper notes? Only time will tell. Until the next Coda show, stay tuned.

UPDATE

Since this writeup, we have reached out to Mr. Mercer, requesting a sit down interview to have him tell us his side of the story regarding this scandal. We wanted to get the hard cold facts, from the guitar player himself. He has graciously accepted the offer to answer those very important questions as to why he butchered my favourite song. Stay tuned for an exclusive one-on-one in the near future.