Jimmy Page: The Guitar Legend

One of the most influential artists in the history of music is Jimmy Page. His monolithic riffs laid the groundwork for what eventually became heavy metal, yet added a variety of touches from different genres to his music. Page’s pursuit of perfection aided him in earning his reputation as a legendary guitar player, songwriter, and producer, in both solo and collaborative efforts. Led Zeppelin was his band, music was his job, and the guitar was his love.

Jimmy Page was born in Middlesex, England on January 9, 1944 (“Jimmy Page”_). “He seemed mildly interested in music. He’d have a go on anybody’s piano when we went visiting, but we di

Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll. New York: Rolling Stone Press, 1995.

dn’t have one of our own,” says his mother. (York 25) Up until the age of thirteen, his only real experience with music was in a choir. His parents bought him a Spanish guitar, and he seemed so natural that he was mostly self-taught, aside from six lessons. Unlike most rock stars, his parents encouraged interest in music greatly. His parents allowed Jimmy and his buddies to hold jam sessions in their living room. Page’s first electric guitar was a second-hand 1949 Les Paul (York 25). He was inspired by Elvis Presley’s “Baby Let’s Play House” (“Jimmy Page”_). The first true rock band which he played in was Neil Christian and the Crusaders in 1960 (“Jimmy Page”_). Page fell sick with glandular fever after only a few months and was concerned about being able to continue playing with the band. He then turned to his second love, art. Page attended art college in Sutton, Surrey for eighteen months, but still maintained a strong love for music (York 27). “Jimmy was a freak for the guitar but he didn’t play one. He just used to draw strip cartoons of rock bands, starting from 1955. Then I discovered that I’d already met Jimmy through his gigs with the Crusaders…but I didn’t know him then on a personal basis,” recalls Jeff Beck (York 28). His love for both music and art were conflicting. “I was missing lectures, taking days off and I finally had to make a choice. I suppose at that particular point I was really enjoying the session work. Many of the sessions were really good and I was allowed to do the solos which I found to be really constructive work. So it was down with painting or playing. It wasn’t too difficult a decision to make. Art college days were over,” Jimmy

Some topics in this essay:
Led Zeppelin, England January, Beck York, Jimmy Page, Sutton Surrey, Rees Crampton, Page”_ Page, Accessed April, John Bonham, Keith Moon, led zeppelin, jimmy page, “jimmy page biography”_, accessed april, page biography”_, heavy metal, “jimmy page, pursuit perfection, jeff beck, page’s pursuit, “jimmy page”_, page’s pursuit perfection, rees crampton 583, “amg music guide, led zeppelin definitive,