Coolest Shit Ever: Jimmy Page And Jeff Beck Playing Together At The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony
7 Apr, 2009 in Coolest Shit Ever, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, fnord, music
Youdopia, you know of my affinity for Led Zeppelin, and Jimmy Page. Last weekend, Jeff Beck was inducted, by Jimmy Page, into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, and it was cool. The super cool part is what you’re about to watch, which is Jeff Beck (same age as Jimmy, by the way… 65) playing Beck’s Bolero with the fellow who wrote it, and played along on the album… Jimmy Page. They’ve been friends for over 50 years now, and it’s really great to see Jeff play. He’s amazing. He is a maestro. He practices every day, never did drugs, and is… a virtuoso. Note that Jimmy is playing a Fender 12 string. That’s the Coolest Shit Ever.
Also note the little break into the Immigrant Song. That’s cool. People on the Led Zeppelin forums have been (some of them) wondering why Jimmy didn’t solo. Well, I postulate a few reasons.
- It’s not his night. It’s Jeff’s.
- It’s not his song (even though he wrote it), it’s Jeff’s.
- He can’t hold a candle to Jeff, really. Jimmy hasn’t toured in 9 years. He’s awesome, but come on.
- He’s playing a 12 string. Soloing on a twelve string is akin to soloing on a 12 string. It’s a rhythm instrument.
- He is too awesome. If he soloed, half of Cleveland would become instantly pregnant.
Right on. Two things – the 12 string is the very one he played on the recording of Beck’s Bolero AND Stairway… gotten out for the historic occasion! Whoa…
Also, boy are you right about the pregnancy thing…
Thanks for the info, Cat! No kidding! The same guitar as Beck’s Bolero, AND Stairway. Wow. That’s awesome. Thanks for coming by my blog.
Too bad the video got removed. I haven’t see it.
Why didn’t Page solo? I’d vote for #1 and #2. And #5 (LOL!).
As for #4, well… No, no, a dozen times no! If a twelve-string is strictly a rhythm instrument, someone should notify George Harrison Roger McGuinn immediately! And Page, for that matter. Jimmy sounded pretty nimble on the 12-string on “The Song Remains The Same”, IIRC…
Anyway, yes – this is cool! Very cool. Beck was one of my role models when I was an aspiring guitarist. (So was Page.)
Page played the Fender XII on “Stairway”? COOL. I’d assumed it was one of those Gibson twelves. (Well heck, he was always playing that double-neck SG in photos.) I long thought that he’s played that great “Stairway” solo on a Les Paul, but apparently it was played on a Telecaster, through a Standell (?) amp. Awesome solo, great tone. Telecasters are great – start with a slab of wood, add a bolt-on neck and a couple of hi-fi pickups, and you have rock’n'roll history. (I’m a Strat and Tele guy, what can I tell ya.)
Hey Watchman,
Thanks for the heads up about the video being removed. I replaced it with a working link, so come take a look. Thanks for the insights into guitars.