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.

Post-Led Zeppelin Career

After Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980, Page attempted to form a supergroup with ex-Yes members Chris Squire and Alan White to be called XYZ however it came to naught. Page made a successful return to the stage with the ARMS Charity series of concerts in 1983 which honoured Small Faces bass player Ronnie Lane. Page then linked up with Roy Harper for an album and occasional concerts, performing a predominantly acoustic set at folk festivals under various guises such as the MacGregors, and Themselves. In 1984, Page recorded with Plant as the Honeydrippers. Various other projects soon followed such as The Firm, with Paul Rodgers, session work for Graham Nash, Box of Frogs, and Robert Plant, a solo album Outrider, a collaboration with David Coverdale in Coverdale Page, and a live album and tour with the Black Crowes. In addition, he also collaborated with director Michael Winner to record the Death Wish II and subsequent Death Wish 3 soundtrack, released in 1982 and 1985.

Related Topics:
Led Zeppelin - 1980 - XYZ - 1983 - Small Faces - Ronnie Lane - Roy Harper - 1984 - The Honeydrippers - The Firm - Paul Rodgers - Graham Nash - Box of Frogs - Robert Plant - Outrider - Coverdale Page - The Black Crowes - Michael Winner - Death Wish II - Death Wish 3 - 1982 - 1985

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Led Zeppelin reformed in 1985 for the Live Aid concert with Phil Collins and Tony Thompson on drums replacing John Bonham, who had died in 1980.

Related Topics:
Led Zeppelin - 1985 - Live Aid - Phil Collins - Tony Thompson - John Bonham - 1980

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In 1994, Page reunited with Plant for the penultimate performance in MTVs "Unplugged" series. The 90-minute special, dubbed Unledded premiered to the highest ratings in MTV's history. The session was released in 1995 as the CD ', and in 2004 as the DVD No Quarter Unledded. Following a highly successful 1995 tour, to support No Quarter, Page and Plant recorded Walking into Clarksdale, their first new album together since 1979. Page has been one member of Led Zeppelin who has always left open the option for a group reunion.

Related Topics:
1994 - MTV - Unplugged - No Quarter Unledded - Walking into Clarksdale - 1979 - Led Zeppelin

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Since 1990, Page has been heavily involved in remastering the entire Led Zeppelin back catalogue and is currently participating in various charity concerts and charity work, particularly the Action for Brazil's Children Trust (ABC Trust), founded by his wife Jimena Gomez-Paratcha in 1998. In 2005, Page was awarded the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his Brazilian charity work, and was also made an honorary citizen of Rio de Janeiro later that year. His daughter, Scarlet Page, is a respected photographer.

Related Topics:
1990 - Led Zeppelin - Jimena Gomez-Paratcha - 1998 - 2005 - Order of the British Empire - Rio de Janeiro - Scarlet Page - Photographer

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In 1998, rap singer/producer Sean "Puffy" Combs (now known as "Diddy") adapted Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" for a new song that he was contributing to the movie Godzilla. The song was recorded in two different studios via satellite link-up, with Combs singing in New York City and Page playing guitar in London. The end result was "Come With Me". Combs and Page later performed the song live, with a rock band and full symphony orchestra, on Saturday Night Live. This collaboration between one of the innovators of rock 'n' roll and a rapper some consider greedy and untalented, was not well received or regarded by many Led Zeppelin fans; many others, however, found Combs' adaption more respectful of the original song than its critics thought, and also pointed out that Page's participation constituted a full endorsement of Combs' adaption by the veteran guitarist/producer.

Related Topics:
1998 - Rap - Sean "Puffy" Combs - Led Zeppelin - Kashmir - Godzilla - New York City - London - Saturday Night Live - Rock 'n' roll

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