Jimmy Page

James Patrick Page was born on January 9, 1944 in Heston, England. He began his music career when he was 16, filling in as a session musician during the early to mid 60's. He appeared on the albums of many well known artists such as LuLu, Tom Jones, and Dave Barry, as well as several less known artists. His best work was done under the production of Shel Talmy, where he appeared on releases from The Kinks and The Who.

In 1964 when Eric Clapton left the Yardbirds, Page was offered the position as lead guitarist, but he turned it down in order to continue his lucrative session career. In 1966, however, Page finally joined the YardBirds as a bass player. The band now starred Jeff Beck in the lead guitar role, but the new combination didn't work, and the band disintegrated leaving Page with the rights to the band's name, and a contracted tour of Sweden to fulfill. With the help of manager Peter Grant, Page found new musicians for the new Yardbirds. They included Session veteran John Paul Jones, drummer John Bonham, and singer Robert Plant. The band completed the tour of Scandinavia as the New YardBirds, but changed their identity for their tour of England to Led Zeppelin. Their debut album was recorded in just 30 hours, and was released in 1969. This new heavy blues rock band was an instant success in England as well as in the U.S., their first album went into the top 10 within 2 months. Their second album, Led Zeppelin II reached #1 within two months, and every album after that has gone platinum. The band toured for 2 years before deciding to take a break and tour on alternate years.



Following the asphyxiation death of Drummer John Bonham in 1980, the band broke up, Page didn't touch a guitar for nine months. When he did finally pick one up again, he began a solo career working with the band Yes, and doing the soundtrack for Deathwish II.

In 1983-84, he toured to benefit ex Face Bassist and friend, Ronie Lane and others who are afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis.

Two years later, to show people he wasn't the drug user he was rumored to be, Page formed the band Firm. However, he was arrested for possession of cocaine, his second offence, in the fall of 94. The band released 2 albums and did a tour to minimal fanfare.

In 1989, Page went on to release another album Outrider which went platinum, and earned him a Grammy nomination for best rock instrumental, and sent him on his first solo tour.

In 1994, he released another album with vocalist Robert Plant entitled No Quarter Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded

At the heart of the Led Zeppelin sound is the great mastery that is Jimmy Page. His intricate guitar work and production were a big part of what made the band so great. Page has set benchmarks for every guitarist who follows. His acoustic technique in Black Mountain Side is by far one of the most difficult to accomplish. On this track, he uses what is known as the D-A-D-G-A-D tuning system. (these are the notes the guitar is tuned in from bottom to top)- it is notoriously difficult to accomplish. And how can we forget the gently picked music of Stairway to Heaven, off of their Led Zeppelin IV album released in 1970. He has shown every one the understanding of Rock as "Sculptured noise".