Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page

Photo: Stephen Lovekin

Source: Noise Creep

Jimmy Page is preeminent among British Invasion musicians, most famous as guitarist for Led Zeppelin. As Led Zeppelin is or will be elsewhere addressed in the HMR Project, this account concerns Page's career largely apart from that band. Born in Heston, Middlesex, on 9 January 1944, though Page didn't appear on a commercial record until 1963 as a studio musician, he first recorded at age 13 with his skiffle group on Huw Wheldon's 'All Your Own' show on 6 April of 1957 (some sources including IMDb prefer 1958 which would make him age 14). I've not been able to clearly identify who were the members of this early band.

'Mama Don't Want to Skiffle No More' / 'In Them Ol' Cotton Fields Back Home'

James Page Skiffle Band on the 'All Your Own' television show 6 April 1957 or 1958

'Mama Don't Want to Skiffle No More' composed by Charles (Cow Cow) Davenport

'In Them Ol' Cotton Fields Back Home' composed by Lead Belly 1947

Page was age fifteen when he joined a band called the Red Cats in 1959 (previously the Redcaps) which became Neil Christian's Crusaders in 1960. Quitting school to work with the Crusaders, Page recorded his first demos with that outfit i spring of 1960 consisting of 'Restless', 'Red Sails in the Sunset', 'Your Cheatin' Heart' and 'Danny'. Along with Page the Crusaders consisted of Chris Tidmarsh who became Neil Christian at vocals, John Spicer at bass and Jimmy Evans on drums. It was with the Crusaders that Page scratched his first commercially issued titles in late 1960 toward later issue by Joe Meek for Columbia in December 1962. Those were 'The Road to Love' / 'Big Beat Drum' on SP Columbia DB 4938. During this period with the Crusaders Page also accompanied performances of "rocketry" (poetry rock) by Royston Ellis from late 1960 to July of 1961. They appeared on Southern Television together in late 1960. Per 'Jet Black' below, in 2011 Page dropped an 'On This Day' recalling its recording at the Mermaid Theatre on Friday 21 July 1961 which Ellis, at whose show this was performed, remembers as Sunday 23 July. Numerous others, however, have multiple reasons to date it sometime later in 1963. See also LIVEledzeppelinLIVE and the On This Day Archive.

'Road to Love'   Jimmy Page w Neil Christian & the Ivor Raymond Orchestra

Recorded late 1960   Matrix 7XCA 26191   Issued on Columbia DB 4938 Nov/Dec 1962

Composition: John Barlow

'The Big Beat Drum'   Jimmy Page w Neil Christian & the Ivor Raymond Orchestra

Recorded late 1960   Matrix 7XCA 26192   Issued on Columbia DB 4938 Nov/Dec 1962

Composition: Jacobs / Lawrence

'Jet Black'   Jimmy Page w the Crusaders

Recording date of 21 or 23 July 1961 strongly disputed to be more likely sometime 1963

From a Royston Ellis slot at the Mermaid Theatre London

Composition: Jet Harris

Page began a busy career as session guitarist in 1963. Per below, dates are rendered verbatim per the Jimmy Page website [sessions]. Some of those, however, look more like issue than recording dates, so I interpret "Sessions" in the header to mean "session work" more than recording events. Dates are quoted below without distinguishing between session or release unless a more probable recording date seems elsewhere noted [such as Led Zeppelin-PyZep which in turn leaves doubts as to some session versus issue dates when compared variously with 45 Cat, Discogs, RYM and Wikipedia]. Sessions at the Jimmy Page website commence on 2 January 1963, presumed a recording date, with Jet Harris and Tony Meehan per 'Diamonds' and 'Hully Gully'. 'Diamonds' saw issue with 'Footstomp' on Decca F 11563. 'Hully Gully was released with 'Scarlet O'Hara' on Decca F 11644. A session with the Brook Brothers followed on 2 February toward 'Trouble is My Middle Name' / 'Let the Good Times Roll'. Other studio work in 1963 included such as 'The Worryin' Kind' (Columbia DB 7067) by Brian Howard and the Silhouettes.

'Diamonds'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Jet Harris & Tony Meehan

2 Jan 1963    Decca F 11563

Composition: Jerry Lordan

'My Baby Left Me'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Dave Berry

Poss Dec 1963 toward Decca F 11803 in Jan 1964

Composition: Arthur Crudup

Page came into big demand as a session guitarist who could play extemporaneously to just right measure. Adapting well to anything, his began a prolific recording career, sometimes attending three sessions a day during his first three years as a studio musician. Session work in 1964 and 1965 included the Stones, Jeff Beck, The Tremeloes, Brenda Lee, Joe Cocker, The Them, The Seekers, Rod Stewart, Petula Clark, Billy Fury, Tom Jones, Herman's Hermits, Marianne Faithfull, et al. Page did session work on either lead or rhythm guitar to 1969 prior to Led Zeppelin. In the meantime he filled spots at the Marquee in London with such as Jeff Beck, Cyril Davies, Alexis Korner and Eric Clapton. Since session work is supportive, titles below are more a showcase of British airwaves in the sixties than of Page hogging the show. Again, dates aren't interpreted as sessions or issues unless they differ from the Jimmy Page website or appear probable.

'Tobacco Road'   Session work by Jimmy Page w the Nashville Teens

26 June 1964   Decca F 11930

Composition: John D. Loudermilk

'The Crying Game'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Dave Berry

17 July 1964   Decca F 11937

Composition: Geoff Stephens

'Is It True?'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Brenda Lee on tour to England

Prob 28 Aug 1964   Decca 31690 / Brunswick 05915

Composition: John Carter / Ken Lewis

'Bald Headed Woman'   Session work by Jimmy Page w the Sneekers

23 Oct 1964   Columbia DB 7385

Page also recorded a version of this w The Who

Composition: Shel Talmy

'Downtown'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Petula Clark

Prob 30 Oct 1964 toward Warner Brothers 5494 in Dec 1964

Composition: Tony Hatch

'I Can't Explain'   Session work by Jimmy Page w The Who

Prob Nov 1964 toward Brunswick 05926 / Decca 31725 in Dec 1964 or Jan 1965

Side A of first single issued by The Who   Side B: 'Bald Headed Woman'

Composition: Pete Townshend

'Baby Please Don't Go'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Van Morrison & The Them

Prob 6 Nov 1964 toward Decca F 12018 in Dec 1964

Composition: Traditional credited to Big Joe Williams 1935

'Here Comes the Night'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Van Morrison & The Them

Prob 6 Nov 1964 toward Decca F 12094

Composition: Bert Berns

'Sunshine Superman'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Donovan Leitch

Prob Dec 1965 toward toward Epic 5-10045 on 1 July 1966

Composition: Donovan Leitch

In 1966 Page joined guitarist, Jeff Beck, bass player and future partner, John Paul Jones, drummer, Keith Moon (The Who) and keyboardist, Nicky Hopkins, in the recording of 'Beck's Bolero' composed by Page. He also became a member of the Yardbirds that year, Beck having already filled Eric Clapton's gap. When Beck was fired in 1968 for continually not showing up Page decided to reconfigure the band into the New Yardbirds, soon to become Led Zeppelin, a name suggested by Keith Moon.

'Bolero'   Jimmy Page backing Jeff Beck

Prob May 1966 toward toward Columbia DB 8151 in March 1967

Keyboard: Nicky Hopkins   Bass: John Paul Jones   Drums: Keith Moon

Composition: Jimmy Page prob w Jeff Beck

'Jeune Home'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Johnny Hallyday

Prob 1968 toward Philips 844.855 BY (France)

Music: Jacques Revaux   Lyrics: Ralph Bernet

'Love Chronicles'   Session work by Jimmy Page w Al Stewart

1968 or 1969 toward the 1969 Stewart album 'Love Chronicles'

Music: Jacques Revaux   Lyrics: Ralph Bernet

Composition: Al Stewart

All members of Led Zeppelin contributed to compositions. Of main credit to Page were such as 'Dazed and Confused' (1968) 'Black Mountain Side' (1968) and 'Tangerine' (1970 / lyrics disputed). Page can, of course, be heard on any Led Zeppelin album released during the sixties, seventies and eighties from 'Led Zeppelin I' in 1969 through 'Coda' in 1982. It was 1970 that the relationship between Led Zeppelin and folk musician, Roy Harper, began when they capped 'Led Zeppelin III' with a tribute to Harper titled 'Hats Off to (Roy) Harper'. Page arranged that from lyrics in Bukka White's 1937 Delta blues 'Shake 'Em On Down'. Page then appeared on Harper's 1971 'Stormcock'. Harper and Page would perform together numerously throughout their careers. Just here we'll slip in a few titles by Led Zeppelin featuring Page a little more tellingly than session work above. 'Bron-yr-Aur Stomp' refers to a cottage in Wales where Led Zeppelin hung out.

'Black Mountain Side'   Jimmy Page w Led Zeppelin

Oct 1968 toward the debut album 'Led Zeppelin' issued 1 Jan 1969

Composition: Jimmy Page

'Bron-yr-Aur Stomp'   Jimmy Page w Led Zeppelin

1970 toward 'Led Zeppelin III' issued 1970

Composition: Jimmy Page / Robert Plant / John Paul Jones

'Hats Off to (Roy) Harper'   Jimmy Page w Led Zeppelin

1970 toward 'Led Zeppelin III' issued 1970

Composition: Jimmy Page w lyrics from Bukka White's 1937 'Shake 'Em On Down'

'The Same Old Rock'   Jimmy Page w Roy Harper

1970 toward Harper's 'Stormcock' issued 1971

Composition: Roy Harper

In 1972 Page composed 'Lucifer Rising' for a short film in progress by director, Kenneth Anger, which Anger ended up rejecting in 1976 upon a falling out with Page and wife, Charlotte. Page's soundtrack would be replaced by Bobby Beausoleil's in 1980. Page eventually issued 'Lucifer Rising' in 2012 with additional music.

'Lucifer Rising'   Soundtrack by Jimmy Page

1972 toward 'Lucifer Rising' directed by Kenneth Anger

Dropped in 1976 toward replacement by Bobby Beausoleil in 1980

Composition: Jimmy Page

Picking up after Page's main career with Led Zeppelin, find below edits from the ARMS Charity Concerts of 1983 during which Page shared stage with such as Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and Jeff Beck to fund research in multiple sclerosis.

'Who's to Blame'   Jimmy Page w Steve Winwood

ARMS Concert at Royal Albert Hall 20 Sep 1983

Composition: Jimmy Page

'Who's to Blame'   Jimmy Page w Paul Rodgers

ARMS Concert at Madison Square Garden 8 Dec 1983

Composition: Jimmy Page

Also of note during the eighties was work with longtime associate, Roy Harper, who issued 'Whatever Happened to Jugula?' featuring Page in 1985. Page also performed with Paul Rodgers (Free / Bad Company) and the Firm including the albums, 'The Firm' of 1985 and 'Mean Business' of 1986. Other work in the eighties included collaborations with Led Zeppelin comrade, Robert Plant, on the albums, 'Outrider' and 'Now and Zen'.

'Hangman'   Jimmy Page w Roy Harper

Live at the Cambridge Folk Festival 28 July 1984

Composition: Roy Harper

'Hangman'   Jimmy Page w Roy Harper   Television

'Old Grey Whistle Test' broadcast 16 Nov 1984

Composition: Roy Harper

'Twentieth Century Man'   Jimmy Page w Roy Harper

From Harper's 'Whatever Happened to Jugula?' issued 4 March 1985

Composition: Roy Harper

Notable in the nineties amidst much else were acoustic collaborations with Robert Plant (such as the album, 'No Quarter', released in 1994), the remastering of the Led Zeppelin catalogue, more charity concerts and Page's first performance with the Black Crowes in 1999 resulting in the album, 'Live at the Greek', released in 2000 filled with Led Zeppelin covers. Led by Chris (vocals) and Rich Robinson (guitar / vocals) since 1984, the Black Crowes have been rocking for nearly forty years at the time of this writing. Contributing to 'Live at the Greek' were Audley Freed (guitar), Eddie Harsch (keyboards), Sven Pipien (bass) and Steve Gorman (drums). Pipien was replaced at bass by Greg Rzab soon after 'Live at the Greek'. It is Rzab on bass at the Jones Beach Amphitheater below [Punk to Funk Heaven]. 'Bring It On Home' below is among blues standards written by Willie Dixon, recorded by Sonny Boy Williamson II in 1963 toward issue in 1966 on Checker 1134.

'What Is and What Should Never Be'   Jimmy Page w the Black Crowes

Filmed live at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles 18/19 October 1999

Composition: Jimmy Page / Robert Plant

'In My Time of Dying'   Jimmy Page w the Black Crowes

Filmed live at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles 18/19 October 1999

Composition: Led Zeppelin from Blind Willie Johnson's 'Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed' of 1928

'The Lemon Song'   Jimmy Page w the Black Crowes

Filmed live at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles 18/19 October 1999

Composition: Howlin' Wolf / Led Zeppelin

'Nobody's Fault But Mine'   Jimmy Page w the Black Crowes

Filmed live at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles 18/19 October 1999

Composition: Jimmy Page / Robert Plant from Blind Willie Johnson 1927

'Celebration Day'   Jimmy Page w the Black Crowes

Filmed live at the Jones Beach Amphitheater in New York 10 July 2000

Composition: Jimmy Page / Robert Plant / John Paul Jones

'The Wanton Song'   Jimmy Page w the Black Crowes

Filmed live at the Jones Beach Amphitheater in New York 10 July 2000

Composition: Jimmy Page / Robert Plant

'Heartbreaker'   Jimmy Page w the Black Crowes

Filmed live at the Jones Beach Amphitheater in New York 10 July 2000

Composition: Led Zeppelin

'Bring It On Home'   Jimmy Page w the Black Crowes

Filmed live at the Jones Beach Amphitheater in New York 10 July 2000

Composition: Willie Dixon 1963

Page has received too many awards and honors for this account of him to approach. He didn't publish so many books so it's less intimidating to attempt mention of his limited edition autobiographical coffee table tome of photographs bound in 512 pages put to print in 2010 by Genesis Publications titled 'Jimmy Page' [see Genesis Publications / Wikipedia]. That's a wrap.

'The Same Old Rock'   Jimmy Page w Roy Harper

Filmed live at Royal Festival Hall 5 Nov 2011

Composition: Roy Harper

To be one of the dynamos of Led Zeppelin was to generate not a few record sales helping to make Page one of the wealthiest musicians on the globe. With that band alone selling above 200 million albums, estimates of Page's worth range from $78,000,000 [IMDb] to 125 million pounds ($162,000,000) [Business Insider]. What those numbers represent apparently vary widely (net v gross?), but whatever the value of Page's estate it affords some nice bricks in London while maintaining an internet presence at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.