Jimmy Page

James Patrick Page OBE , known as Jimmy Page, (born January 9, 1944 in Heston, Middlesex, England) is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in rock and roll. He was a founding member of Led Zeppelin and, prior to that, a member of The Yardbirds from late 1966 through 1968. Before these two groups however, Page was one of the most in-demand studio guitarists in England.

Led Zeppelin

Page's past experiences both in the studio and with the Yardbirds was very influential in the success of Led Zeppelin in the 1970s. As a producer, composer, and guitarist for the band, he was one of the major driving forces behind the rock sound of that era, with his trademark Gibson Les Paul guitar and Marshall amplification. In the studio, Page often used a Supro amplifier and a Telecaster guitar. His use of distorted fuzz guitar ("Whole Lotta Love"), slide guitar ("You Shook Me", "In My Time of Dying"), pedal steel guitar ("Your Time is Gonna Come", "Tangerine"), acoustic guitar ("Gallows Pole", "Ramble On") and recording techniques made Led Zeppelin a prototype for all future rock bands. His landmark guitar solo from the song "Heartbreaker" (Led Zeppelin II) has been credited by Eddie Van Halen as the inspiration for Van Halen's trademark 2-hand tapping technique. Page also put to use his bowed playing technique he developed during his session days, and experimented with feedback devices and a theremin. His guitar solo in the famous rock song "Stairway to Heaven" was voted by readers of Guitar World Magazine as the greatest guitar solo of all time.

Related Topics:
Led Zeppelin - 1970s - Gibson Les Paul - Marshall - Telecaster - Whole Lotta Love - Guitar solo - Led Zeppelin II - Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen - Tapping - Theremin - Stairway to Heaven

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In 1976, Page started using heroin. This habit would severely affect his later performances with Led Zeppelin, which were often hit-and-miss. Page and drummer John Bonham would frequently be absent from the recording studio in the band's later years, showing up after songs were already written. As a result their final studio album (In Through the Out Door) was more heavily influenced by bassist John Paul Jones and singer Robert Plant.

Related Topics:
1976 - John Bonham - In Through the Out Door - John Paul Jones - Robert Plant

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