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Jeff Beck

A Man With a Storied Biography Jimmy Page Inspired Thousands to Pick Up Theguitar

When writing a Led Zeppelin biography Jimmy Page is often at its center.  This legendary guitarist began plying his trade as a session man in London, playing on the albums of several important British bands including The Who and The Kinks, as well as pop stars Joe Cocker and Marianne Faithful. 

 

Page managed to parlay this success into a comfortable career as a professional musician, although he was itching to do original work of his own.  When Eric Clapton left the Yardbirds in 1964, it took a bit of convincing but Page finally agreed to abandon the safe money of session work and take a risk on rock and roll.  He formed a great musical partnership with lead guitarist Jeff Beck, and when Beck left the group Page was given the keys and told to reform things as he saw fit.  The result was Led Zeppelin.

 

Page was the primary musical driver in the band, and he not only did his best to channel and focus each member’s musical contributions, he also produced a large body of the group’s work.  His guitar sound was raw and inventive, and he was not afraid to take chances with the instrument and try new things.  Page was never a technically outstanding guitarist, but he overcame that through the originality of his arrangements.  He carried over that same attitude when it came to experimentation in the studio, and he was known for employing effects in new ways and trying out different methods of using microphones and amplification.

 

In one of the more interesting chapters of his biography Jimmy Page was also known to be quite fascinated with the occult.  He published occult materials and owned the prior home of famed master of the black arts Aleister Crowley.  He was obsessed with Crowley, and some of the more superstitious fans of the band have claimed that Page’s dabbling with forces he may not have completely understood led to some of the bad luck that befell certain band members towards the end of the group’s career.

 

Not affected by these wild accusations, Page continued to record in the 1980’s and 1990’s, forming the group The Firm and collaborating with several artists in different genres.  He recorded two albums with former Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant in the 90’s, ‘Walking Into to Clarksdale’ and ‘No Quarter’.  His most recent recorded work was on a live album with the band The Black Crowes in 2000.

About the Author

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is the mystical rehersal studio for rockers DEMON TWEAK. Listen as they prepare for battle with the evil trickster Loki by playing home brewed classic rock direct from Ragnarok.Also read articles on your favorite classic rock band written by resident historian VIRGIL THE STORYTELLER.