Can you even imagine where Rock 'n Roll would be today without Jimmy Page?
James Patrick Page was born on January 9, 1944 in Heston, Middlesex, England. Jimmy played in local bands alongside the likes of Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton before becoming a full-time studio musician. Page's studio gigs in 1964 included Marianne Faithfull's "As Tears Go By," The Nashville Teens' "Tobacco Road," The Rolling Stones' "Heart of Stone," Van Morrison & Them's "Baby Please Don't Go," The Beatles' "Hard Days Night" soundtrack and the haunting guitar lead on "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan. Page also played guitar on five tracks of Joe Cocker's debut album, "With a Little Help from My Friends."
In May 1966, drummer Keith Moon, bass player John Paul Jones, keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page recorded "Beck's Bolero" for Beck's debut album. That gave Page an idea to form a new supergroup, which prompted Keith Moon to suggest the name "Led Zeppelin" for the first time, after Entwistle commented that the band would take off like a lead balloon.
Jimmy's vision began as the New Yardbirds with Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones. After a couple of gigs, he changed the name to Led Zeppelin. The band's first album was recorded in October 1968 in London and released on Atlantic Records on January 12, 1969.
Happy birthday to rock's most prolific and influential guitarist, songwriter and producer: Jimmy Page.
-Spencer