How Long Was Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin was a British rock band formed in 1968, composed of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. The band created a heavy, guitar-driven sound that would influence other genres of music. The recording of Led Zeppelin’s first album was completed in 1968 and released in 1969, though the band had already gained some fame as a live act. While Page was the band’s leader, his participation in Led Zeppelin lasted until the band’s breakup in 1980.
Jimmy Page’s involvement with Led Zeppelin began in August of 1968, as Page and Plant began assembling the new band. With Page as the band’s leader, Bonham and Jones rounded out the lineup. Before settling on the name Led Zeppelin, the band was known as the New Yardbirds. Page took a hands-on approach to the band’s recordings and live performances, more so than some of the other members.
Led Zeppelin released nine studio albums and went on numerous world tours between 1968 and 1980. Page’s playing style consisted of blues-based licks combined with exercises from his study of Eastern culture and musical modes. As the band’s leader, Page was also responsible for the musical and conceptual direction of the band’s albums. As established in the group’s contracts with record companies, all four members of the band shared the publishing rights. Playing alongside Plant and Bonham enabled Page to become even more creative as a musician.
Page and Led Zeppelin’s popularity grew steadily in the early 1970s, with the band becoming one of the most successful rock acts of the era. Hit singles such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love” made Led Zeppelin one of the most influential rock bands of all time. While the band was considered controversial at times, the members of Led Zeppelin were praised for their musical accomplishments, with particular focus on the guitar playing of Page. Page’s mastery of blues guitar and willingness to explore different musical genres has inspired countless modern guitarists.
Led Zeppelin’s career was cut short in 1980 following the death of Bonham, but it was really Page’s decision to move on and pursue solo projects. Including the posthumous releases, Page was a member of Led Zeppelin for the twelve years that the band was together. Although he has performed with other artists over the years, Page’s most lasting legacy will be his work in Led Zeppelin.
Live Performances
Page’s time in Led Zeppelin included a large portion of live performances.The band routinely played sold-out stadium shows and toured the world in the 1970s. Jimmys showmanship and stage presence made Led Zeppelin performances legendary. At a time when many concert performances were conservative, Page’s willingness to experiment and introduce improvisation to his guitar solos in live settings pushed the boundaries of traditional rock concerts.
Page’s skill with a guitar, his showmanship and flair for finding uniquely off-beat sounds on the instrument combined to make Led Zeppelin’s live performances memorable. His larger-than-life presence and willingness to go in musical directions that other guitarists wouldn’t were a major factor in Led Zeppelin’s legend. Playing arenas and stadiums full of people was an energy that all the members of Zeppelin enjoyed.
Page and the rest of the band primarily toured in Europe, the United States, and Japan in the 1970s. Page saw these countries as extremely diverse, opening his musical mindset to wider influences. Audiences reacted with wild enthusiasm and adoration toward the notoriously anti-interview band. People from all walks of life traveled great distances to hear Zeppelin.
The band’s infamous 1977 tour of the United States was being filmed for their “The Song Remains The Same” movie. After touring for 20 days, Zeppelin returned to London where Page organized a larger-than-life show at Knebworth Park. An estimated 500,000 people attended the two concerts.
Live performance would become more and more a part of Led Zeppelin’s repertoire as the years went on. Page was both the mastermind and the focal point of this dynamic and influential band. He was able to transform these chaotic live settings into a place of musical appreciation.
Solo Projects
Led Zeppelin’s rise to fame, with Page as its leader, brought him international recognition. Following the breakup of Led Zeppelin in 1980, Page quickly returned to form by starting his own solo career. Page released his first solo album, Outrider, in 1988 and released two more solo albums in the 1990s. Page saw solo projects as a way of finally breaking through the barriers inflicted by his status as a member of Led Zeppelin.
Page also released a DVD called Playin’ Up a Storm in which he played covers of some of his most beloved guitar tunes from throughout the decades. In 1996, his third solo album “Walking Into Clarksdale” was released which featured some of his greatest studio work to date. The album was hailed as a success by critics and fans alike.
In 2003, Page reunited with the surviving members of Led Zeppelin for a highly anticipated 20th anniversary show. The concert was praised by critics and fans of Led Zeppelin and was seen as a triumphant return for the band. Following the 20th anniversary show, Page returned to writing and recording, mostly in his home studio, which he calls his “inner sanctum”.
Page continues to record solo and small-group material, and although he has a vast catalog of material, he remains musically active. His legacy as one of the greatest guitarists of all time is undisputed, and his work in Led Zeppelin was instrumental in establishing the foundation of hard rock and heavy metal.
Collaborations
Page fronted several successful collaborations with other artists over the years. He released the album “No Introduction Necessary” (1978) with Roy Harper and “The Firm” (1985) with Paul Rodgers. In 1990, he reunited with Plant in the supergroup “The Honeydrippers”, in which they recorded a remake of the Robert Johnson classic “Rockin’ at Midnight”, among others.
Page and Plant went on to release their first collaboration album “No Quarter” in 1994. The duo ttoured the United States and Europe in 1995 and released their second collaboration album “Walking Into Clarksdale” in 1998. Page and Plant also performed several Led Zeppelin songs together, such as “Kashmir”, “No Quarter” and “The Rain Song”.
In 1999, Page produced the album “Destiny” by the Black Crowes, which was a huge success for the band. In 2002, he co-produced the supergroup Peter and the Wolf album with his former Led Zeppelin bandmate, John Paul Jones. Page also co-wrote the song “Yallah” with Jones, which was released on the album.
Page has continued to collaborate with artists throughout his career. He has been featured on a number of albums by artists from different musical genres, ranging from funk icon Miles Davis to blues metal artists Deep Purple and from the “Three Day Week” single by Elvis Costello to the “Lifetime” album by the soul-jazz band Boz Scaggs. Dashboard Confessional’s single “Hands Down” also featured Page.
Guitar Collection and Swansong Records
Page is famous for his versatile guitar collection, which includes electric-acoustics, 12-strings and slide guitars. He is the owner of approximately 50 guitars, many of them made by master luthiers. He also has a large number of acoustic and electric guitars made by Gibson and Fender. Aside from his impressive collection of guitars, Page also owns a large collection of musical instruments and amplifiers.
In 1974, he founded Swansong Records with Peter Grant, manager of Led Zeppelin. It was planned as an independent label to take advantage of the band’s popularity and to capitalize on their rapidly growing fan base. The label released albums
