Jimmy Page on guitars, Live Aid and Robert Plant | Guardian Live

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page talks to Guardian Music Editor Michael Hann about the band's early days, his Welsh weekend with Robert Plant, Live Aid and his relatively undocumented time in Marrakesh.
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Page was being interviewed at a Guardian Live event in London's Cadogan Hall on 15 October 2014.
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[@beginlinuxguru7354]

Whenever I listen to Jimmy Page, it reminds me of listening to a polite, classic, English gentleman.

[@jx14aby]

Who mumbles.

[@chrischristi1818]

LOL , I've had an English man straight curse me out ; but , something about that accent just made me shrug my shoulders and think to myself : " Alright ... if he's sayin' THAT ; I probably deserve it ... "

[@Moto_737]

On cocain

[@MrKikoboy]

@@jx14aby and is quite full of himself...

[@pitapitmanager8613]

@deekat3279 wow they had groupon back then?

[@jankarlsson8341]

I really love Led Zeppelin. But on Live Aid Page was probably the most stoned person in the western hemisphere, no one to blame but himself.

[@andrewdevine3920]

@Marrowbones I see what you did there.

[@hmobb7838]

Stoned? Lol no no my friend that was all heroin bud

[@lynchlychfeld]

Are you suggesting that he was so high he caused the drummers to forget their parts? I don't think that's how drugs work pal.

[@gr26086]

Travis Iliades the drummers we’re solid at live aid. Watch the footage. This is just Page’s excuse for a poor performance by him and Plant.

[@xaviermouratonabo6499]

I wouldn't be Phil Collins advocate any day of the week.

[@WriteousBible]

Kudos Mr. Interviewer on letting Mr. Page speak without interruption.

[@vincentwhitley8197]

Absolutely. They seem to be friends as he is a "very rare" Respectful interviewer. Jimmy is comfortable here and gives awesome detail.

[@peterrussell3744]

C Beck that’s because he wasn’t American.

[@daffidavit]

It's because there was no microphone in his ear with a producer barking at him that he's got 10 seconds until a commercial break.

[@andrewblake1985]

As much as I am not a Phil Collins fan and I am a Zeppelin fan, I have to say that the drumming wasn't the biggest issue when they played rock and roll at Live Aid. Robert was brutal and Jimmy was not prepared at all.

[@gary6754]

his guitar was out of tune. He literally took the guitar out of its case and began playing.

[@sirjanska9575]

Agreed. Phil's drumming was fine, it was crystal clear as to where the issues lied

[@edenshaw9004]

@@sirjanska9575 he's jimmy page, if it was phils fault then it must of been phils fault

[@sirjanska9575]

@@edenshaw9004 Nice bait dude, no catch today

[@jamesburkjr2803]

Phil was terrible.

[@dr.debajyotibose2928]

The Jimmy Page SWAG starts at 10:06, ""wait a minute, 4 guitarists, I can do that on my own." Class !

[@theloniouscastaneda]

Debajyoti Bose Not really class, if you don’t mind. Humility seems classier. This is sort of braggadocio, but w real justifiable confidence. Imho.

[@usctrojanfreak]

@@theloniouscastaneda pretty much, but you can do that when you're Jimmy freakin Page

[@march3615]

@@usctrojanfreak Actually he can do whatever he wants because he is JP....

[@redshield3296]

I learn the guitar as a child because of this man! I play piano and drums because of Led Zeppelin! I could never thank Jimmy, Robert, John and JPJ enough for how they changed my life.

[@dorothyredman3170]

My sons name is Zeppelin

[@bigboyhours6473]

@@dorothyredman3170 that poor child

[@sextusempiricus7913]

@@dorothyredman3170 : My monitor's name is LED. Nothing o do with the band.

[@napoleonbonerparty1429]

Jimmy so high in Live aid, he didn't need a stairway to heaven

[@joelreid4676]

Over the years I was lucky to have a brother, 4 years older. Who started me on concerts. But that being said meant I saw so many shows with really whacked out musicians. Bonzo coming in a verse too early during Stairway and Plant turning around to look at him. Or Keith Moon who dropped his drum sticks non stop as The Who was booed off MSG STAGE after only 75 minutes. They really sucked.. Keith Emerson who liked his Jack. A lot!..Many others. Gary Thain Uriah Heep. Who had some issues. Jimmy did have his problem for many years

[@302gabe2]

stolen joke

[@tubesrule123]

Got to meet Jimmy and JP Jones and it was as cool as you imagine it would be. Completely genuine, funny, and gracious both of them were.

[@paulinebutcherbird]

Where? When? Anecdote?

[@chriswakefield9538]

Where? When? Anecdote?

[@GeodesicBruh]

Where? When? Anecdote?

[@williamheddy3307]

Jimmy page will always be the master of masters. I know there's Clapton, beck and many others, but Jimmy stands alone in the world of any guitar.

[@jacksondye3446]

both page and clapton are over rated imo. SRV and gilmour better :)

[@justindawson5930]

Jimmy Page style of guitar has a certain something that no one else has. Jack White comes close, but he has said that Jimmy was one of his guitar heroes

[@nicholasprotz4297]

@@jacksondye3446 Nah.

[@gabrielbraga1981]

@@jacksondye3446 SRV is dogcrap, 12 bar blues and minor pentatonic abuser

[@jacksondye3446]

@@gabrielbraga1981 anyone can play the pentatonic scale. However, not everyone can play it like SRV. his tone, dynamics, musical sense and technique were all top notch. His voice, guitar playing and musical ability cemented him as a legend. You strike me as someone who hasn't taken the time to listen to all of mis music objectively.

[@vinnyrac]

The premature deaths of John Lennon and John Bonham robbed the world of music that can only be imagined.

[@naturalmystery]

Re John Lennon, watch the show "For All Mankind" on apple tv. You'll get a pleasant surprize when they get to 1980!

[@davidwolfe6038]

Idk even with bonham alive. Zeppelin was a time bomb. Drugs had killed their performances and page and plant were nearly at a boiling point with each other.

[@bunglegamingmusic1784]

And Freddie Mercury and MJ, and many others

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

Nah bonhams death may have been tragic but i think it saved us from led zeppelin going to utter garbage in the 80s. Its happened to all bands like that in the 80s. Who listens to the who, pink floyd, rolling stones, the kinks etc. 80s output anymore.

[@nogbadthebad2609]

I remember watching their Live Aid performance as it was broadcast and my heart just broke. The 80s look they had adopted and the piss-poor performance were so sad. What I say to everyone is watch the Live Aid performance and see for yourself who is playing and/or singing badly. It ain't the drumming that is at fault! Page and Plant were truly appalling that day.

[@ironking76]

Yes, like amateurs..

[@HarveyBacktheBeatles]

Let me ask you this though? Did you seriously feel that as it happened or when you rewatched it? I mean even the MTV VJS say today that they didn't feel that when they saw it. I can only imagine that because of the shock that John showed up and its was now a reunion that audiences all had blinders on. I mean when you watch it it's not great but I'm sure it wouldn't have been noticed if someone was there and had blinders on.

[@MsHazza73]

Tony Thompson was brilliant on drums and they had a camera pretty much sitting on Phil. Those two would have known the music backwards. Unfortunately for the band (and the fans) it was up front that was just not gelling. Jimmy was all over the place. I don’t know how he can’t see it. He can blame the drummers all he wants, the sound and pictures don’t lie. They just need to be man enough to admit it. In their defence though, they hadn’t played together for some time.

[@hkuraguchi]

Nogbadthebad he was still great and audience liked him

[@ekayaniperforms]

Page said the pick up band didn’t know the songs. At all. Lesson is never assume ! But hey everyone has a bad show. Everyone no exceptions. Vet your side players.

[@cosmosaic8117]

"You have to understand, this wasn't the day of twitting on the internet" :)

[@TheMegagama]

Exactly when does he say that? I think I missed it.

[@anyfing6100]

TheMegagama 1.45~

[@TheMegagama]

Anyfing Haha, thanks.

[@jeffreycarlisle9696]

I read that when he said it

[@vincentkieffer5267]

Just read this brother. Hope all is well

[@CaliforniaPickin]

Such a GENTLEMAN! I was fortunate to meet him when he was playing with The Firm. He was in a 5 star hotel bar, which we personally designed, and I said to my boss at the time, "I think that's Jimmy Page! And he said who? I said The Greatest Living Guitarist who played with the best rock band ever, that's who!" Then when i'm starring at him, he comes over to our table and he toasts our glasses and says hello ! Im like- Get the F outta here! I read and heard he is like this with everyone. He takes pics and signs autographs outside of his homes. I would love to sit and chat sometime with him. He would be a great interview!

[@michelletaylor-gill7484]

CaliforniaPickin he chats to the hookers outside his home too! And then he comes and tells me how pretty they are !⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️

[@tayloratkinsmusic]

Damn...

[@michelletaylor-gill7484]

DMM did you set up your channel to write on jimmy? Jimmy like Eric and mark knopfler are talented intelligent artists...they can't take what the industry put them through and they turn to smack. Jimmy desperately wants to stay off smack so I have been helping him in na for 15 years...he picked up a beer in Brazil 2001...that scarlet person came to na 10 years ago she was a waitress then and pretty dumb...page divorced in 2008 as he wanted me to go out with him to keep him sane...I am not interested in celebrity trash that current date who lives at his house is a tranny and IQ minus 5⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️😘

[@snoek1971]

What a great story!

[@phyllispiscura7007]

CaliforniaPickin WHAT???? I am a Gemini..and .........At a loss for words!!!! Congratulations... LoL... in any event ...I Can't express ...how for one thing...I would have jumped on him Soooo fast!!!!! LOLOL... OMG....I absolutely love and ADORE him!!!!;! For real I LOVE him!!!;;;;+!!!!!

[@melancolie83]

When he said everyone was doing “different things” during Live Aid, I thought he was talking about drugs...

[@emilymathews7073]

Lol

[@deathbypotato5030]

Well yes but yes

[@PolyphonicSigma]

He was...

[@Paolo264]

I'd love to meet Jimmy, share a couple of bottles of wine and ask him a billion questions. Absolute legend.

[@JFK1180]

There are so many insainly good guitarists but only one Jimmy Page. My favorite, hands down.

[@Jackmc2112]

I was 20 yards from Jimmy and he was wasted... it was 100 degrees in Phila 7/13/85 as well. Phil has played on two of Plants records and toured with him as well as genesis. Phil was at the top of his game. You were a drooling drunk that day. Own it bro.

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

Led Zeppelin should play the next Super Bowl half time. That last half time show was terrible!

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Jimmy Page and David Gilmour were my first _guitar heroes._ Listening to those two and Alex Lifeson, is how I initially learned to play the instrument myself. But that's only one facet of how all three changed my life for the better. The sounds and images, the feelings, their beliefs and convictions, all hold deeper meaning for me. To this day that undefinable element I call _musical mysticism_ that all three bands had in a big way, is still what I like discovering more than anything when listening to new bands.

[@benjaminz2523]

I totally agree & concur. It was the same for myself, cutting high school in the 90s riding around town with my friends discovering the entire catalog of Zep & Floyd, all of us obsessed with guitar, and I was excelling very quickly on my own. It was truly the mysticism woven into the aura and personality of both groups, and somewhat the Doors, that really touched my soul as a youth and inspired me beyond words. What an amazing time. Terrible grades in school, but I was getting a much better education in other inner realms on my own that would serve me much better in some ways

[@DJ-mb4gg]

I dont think the drummers were the issue for Live Aid, in fact it was everything else

[@thomasgary1219]

I actually got to see Led Zeppelin in concert may 18th 1973 in Dallas TX in my opinion they were truly at the peak of their careers at that time. They put on an over the top show that night. My girlfriend who is my wife of 43 years now snuck around to the back of the auditorium to what looked like a loading dock with a high fence around it. There was noone else around so we sat there and smoked a joint then all of a sudden we heard some sirens in the distance. It was them with a police escort by this time a large crowd of people had gathered behind the fence there were two limos robert and john paul jones and another guy i didn't recognize got out of the first limo and then john bonham, jimmy page, and some girls got out of the second limo we were fairly close and the thing I'll never forget is we were all screaming like maniacs and jimmy was the only one that actually stopped for a few seconds looked up at us smiled and waved no autographs or anything like that but atleast he acknowledged us A moment in my life I'll never forget

[@banishedfromthedwarfplanet530]

Page has mysteriously turned into an elderly Chinese man.

[@mollykeane2571]

Didn’t you know he’s quarter Chinese?

[@adamdavey2084]

@@mollykeane2571 he is not

[@Lewythefly]

This comment is played out, he's always looked like that

[@tenseventy49]

Looks more like Yoda to me.

[@rakhabaguspratama854]

He looked like Mr Miyagi from Karate Kid

[@patrickhd34]

I was in a swanky hotel in London last year. Wanted a table for lunch, said can I have that one there. Was told no that's reserved for a regular. Turned out to be Jimmy Page. So sat at next table. What people say about him seems to be true. Was all old-school manners and staff loved him. I guess you are like that when you have nothing to prove. Nobody else seemed to recognise him - he clearly liked that.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

you have to understand this is pornography for guitar players..

[@traviskeeler5655]

Agree whole heartedly my brother....I could listen to any of the three remaining tell tales for hours about the L.Z heyday (although JPJ is rather tight lipped...lol...but he DID have the best L.Z quote of all time.....(I paraphrase)...."It's not just that we were the best band around at the time.....it's that we were soooo much better than whoever was #2!!"......Classic!!

[@friardave2580]

I wish I could play. But I pop wood anytime Jimmy is on.

[@vegardyrnes1793]

Word!

[@MultiverseAndy]

The Red LP :O

[@noeltroy2634]

Bang on. I'm riffing one out as I watch it. 🎸

[@charlespeterson3798]

I saw them in December, 68', fourth band on a four band show at The Fillmore. Played first obviously. They played the first album 1st cut to last. At the end there was about a 5 second silence. Then music changed forever.

[@peterk8909]

Charles peterson I was also at this show. They killed. Been a fan ever since. Ended up seeing 7 shows between Madison Square Garden for the recording of the live album and Nassau Coliseum. Great band.

[@daikuone]

@@peterk8909 was that Fillmore east or West in SF? In 68 I was 9 yrs old, and only had a couple albums at that point, didn't know Zeppelin until I heard the second album much later. My life changed after that...

[@peterk8909]

daikuone East.

[@johnw8984]

Charles peterson MUSIC changed when Hendrix experience played Monterrey or the BEATLES on ed Sullivan

[@johnw8984]

daikuone Fillmore East was in NYC.

[@rimbaudscat]

" I could do that on my own....really" -Damn thing is, he could.! He really could!

[@charliesanders8549]

Not live

[@neale.kaufman5168]

Saw Led Zeppelin in 1973... They absolutely BLEW DOG.. THEY SUCKED BEYOND BELIEF....!!!! Led Zeppelin was a studio band.....and no you couldn't play three & four guitar parts at once Jimmer

[@dark_w4rri0r63]

@@neale.kaufman5168 they were literally the greatest live band ever

[@jonburrows2883]

Still blaming Phil for Live Aid. Classy

[@trouttrout3553]

Watch it... you’ll blame Phil, too.

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

@@trouttrout3553 Absolute rubbish, if you watch it Plant had clearly lost his voice and Page was off his head - you can’t blame that on Phil!

[@Ian-gw2vx]

@@craigbroadfoot1851 Last week I paid to see Phil Collins in Genesis, even though he can no longer drum. I wouldn't walk up the road for free to see any of Led Zep for free. The emperors new clothes.

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

@@Ian-gw2vx Robert Plant also refuses to sing Stairway to Heaven on his live shows, which sums up his arrogant disregard for the audience.

[@robmorrison1043]

@@trouttrout3553 , lol. Ive seen enough of Page playing live ro realize, he STINKS! Watch him with Clapton and Beck at an ARMS concert, he was so brutally bad that they were both mortified to be up there with him, and a tech unplugged his cord from the amp. I guess that was Phil Collins fault as well!

[@charliebarber7682]

Like how Jimmy says twitting instead of tweeting

[@richardbinder9662]

Trump is the leader of the twits.

[@the_rover1]

that's why it's called 'twitter'. doesn't necessarily have to do with birds' noises, hence...

[@cafinario]

A key point in this interview...

[@dawstep]

He says 'tweeting' - it's his accent.

[@HBC423]

And he's right

[@johntrump2545]

Page is so mysterious what a guy you could listen to him talk for days! Its unexplainable

[@jakewhitmore6046]

Yes exactly there’s something about him that’s so fascinating

[@grimolarose1]

Wasted at Live Aid yet still blames Phil Collins..

[@tanveerhasan2382]

What happened in Live Aid

[@foreverbooked2964]

@@tanveerhasan2382 possibly the worst rock performance of the century. Robert was sounding bad and Jimmy was so high that he didn't need a stairway to reach heaven. Watch their live aid performance. I bet you can't make it past ten minutes.

[@tanveerhasan2382]

@@foreverbooked2964 unfortunately I just watched the whole thing.

[@foreverbooked2964]

@@tanveerhasan2382 oh you poor soul

[@dominickl4456]

@@foreverbooked2964 the best part about live aid was when Jimmy decided to fight a microphone stand

[@iggytse]

You can't blame the drummer for Robert Plant singing like a dying cat.

[@hypolyxa7207]

And Page himself being drugged out of his mind.

[@Borester]

And his own guitar for being out of tune! 🤣

[@TheNightOcelot]

And Jimmy being drunk/stoned mess

[@colebrian7197]

And Robert interrupting his solo

[@SvenTviking]

Collins was the drummer in both prog rock and Jazz fusion bands, neither of which are genres noted for tolerating bad drummers.

[@gooneybird808]

i was smiling the whole time i watched this. jimmy is the reason i love music and thrash at music.

[@rogerrea557]

Have you ever heard it drum set played Out Of Tune it does not work

[@rogerrea557]

It makes a bass sound like s***

[@1019caveman]

Phil Collin's tells a different story about the Live Aid Gig. And if you watch it I think Plant can't hit the notes and Jimmy's off his head.

[@davemis40]

Plant was on tour with the Honeydrippers and had caught a cold so his voice was hoarse and Jimmy was off his box

[@Snagprophet]

I think one easy answer is that they were in pain. And of course they were. It's insane to think they were being criticised a few years after Bozo's death. It's painful for anyone to read, see, hear, regardless of what following decade they were born in. He made me care about drumming and he'd been dead for over 20 years.

[@leelabizbee]

I actually watched their segment the other night on Live Aid & I need to say Jimmy was off his bonce & played the guitar solo to stairway to heaven perfectly 👌

[@PastelComGini]

There's a disgraceful video of Page, Beck and Clapton playing Stairway to Heaven, and guess what? Collins wasn't there. Oh, and Beck and Clapton were not the problem, if you know what I mean. I really admire this man, but he had his bad life moments.

[@davidreichert9392]

Zeppelin at their worst is still better than most bands' best.

[@davidlishin6455]

David Reichert well said

[@pateagle7191]

Zeppelin never realesed to the public anything substandard. It was always their very best!

[@jessbalfour4312]

Really?, Go watch the 85 Live Aid gig again and then you may want to rephrase that statement..lol

[@BarkaDog]

@@jessbalfour4312 it wasn't as bad as people say it is.

[@zafieronline4884]

I mean... most bands didn’t date 13 year olds at their worst... but sure... yeah better than most

[@odgeUK]

Great job by Michael Hann here.

[@maureenriddle3615]

You have to understand that the girl who was 14 had permission from her parents to date him. Those where different times and they where in love. He treated her like a princess and didnt let her around the industry. She knew exactly what she was doing. Hanging around the Whiskey and such. He was also very young himself.

[@janiakowska]

Page a legend...a musical genius 71 years old... his music is living

[@cdreid99999]

"other peoples music he stole". There fixed it for ya

[@liams706]

@@cdreid99999 nope

[@thomaspick4123]

A great band. Every member, great contributions. I was fortunate to see them play at the time of Blind Faith. So much energy live!

[@markgrant1302]

gotta love that Phil Collins and the other drummer get blamed. page was hammered off his ass at live Aid, Robert plant couldn't sing the songs at live Aid... clearly there was no rehearsal...but sure we'll blame the drummers.

[@mightymartianca]

Yeah, Phil got blamed, when he was the only one who seemed to know what to do. The fact was that they were woefully underrehearsed. And they have admitted as much, which is why they rehearsed the hell out of the O2 setlist

[@kimbostitch7034]

@@mightymartianca Agree, Collins was fine, so was JPJ. Page was lucky to be able to stand up, and Plant seemed hoarse

[@LieutDan3304]

It sure the hell wasn't Bonzo!! and as they said when they broke up that after losing him there was no other drummer alive that could walk in and do what he did.

[@Romchikthelemon]

Phil says that was no rehearsal and he had no idea about second drummer till the Live Aid itself. He would deny from perfoming and that's easy to understand - he is Phil f'n Collins on the drums.

[@billhayward4440]

@@Romchikthelemon Just listened and it's not a total trainwreck like the WHO'S "Won't get fooled again"

[@randolphpatterson5061]

Thanks for caring enough to present this terrific footage. I almost can't believe I was ever thinking it might not be interesting. I'm sure glad I watched! It's wonderful to see & hear things like this. You made it seem as if I was enjoying their conversation right in my own living room. You deserve to be proud of your inspired work behind the scenes. I've 'liked' & subscribed.

[@SpiiderOK]

Jimmy page could be old Bilbo Baggins

[@guitarlover1370]

He'd love that

[@salvatoremodica4115]

More like Gandalf, the wizard.

[@cheftekard7165]

Liam OMG...LOL!!!!

[@aliciaortega4425]

If you watch stairway to heaven the song remains the same live version, I have a comment that's similar to that!

[@brendaeisler553]

He looks like an angel.

[@markusrose9667]

This guy is great with dates.

[@waterwoodguitars6871]

Markus Rose jimmy is still to this day very sharp and on it. He remembers everything super accurately. Hope I’m that sharp at his age.

[@isaacafritsch]

Remembers everything super accurately, except LiveAid. When he was high as a kite. Although, maybe he is remembering his beer-goggled perception of why that set was so terrible.

[@laureh2001]

Collins was awful

[@ireneruthfox]

Seen " Zep " 1969. Boston Tea Party. They played the whole first album. They even did a Beatle cover. 6 month later they where at the Boston Garden. Mind blowing good.

[@johnbettano6026]

I was there as well. Landsdown street saw Janis there as well.

[@mountainstartemple6041]

10:04 He went to see Robert playing and he had 3 maybe 4 guitarists playing ... and Page thought 'wait a minute, I could do that on my own really ' .... LOL - that's so funny and the whole kind of delayed reaction of the crowd is funny!

[@MrMoon-cg2yy]

ROBERT URBAN...So why can't you? ..."TOO MANY NEGATIVE Comments"...sounds like you read them all...do you enjoy pissing yourself off?

[@ozma7339]

Sleipnir Blue I thought that was funny too

[@ytnewt02amgine]

It's funny because it's true.

[@bowelrupture]

@@ytnewt02amgine Actually yes. On the recordings Page would play several guitar parts as layers on top of each other. Live he would play the essential parts of it. Listen to the studio and live recording of Rock and Roll. How he merges parts into one guitar part on the live recording.

[@Sharky165]

@@bowelrupture Yep, the famous "guitar army"! 😁 🎶🎸

[@john564holloway]

Great interview, Michael. Great questions in such a short interview. And thank you, Jimmy, for taking your time with Michael and all you've done for guitar...

[@GriefTourist]

I was there and it was great.

[@keithgoodberg3170]

I'm a Zeppelin fan but the problem at live aid 85 wasn't the drummer's lol.

[@faeryquene]

The story Jimmy tells about the Belgian girl who thought that he and Robert were gay and a couple is hysterical!! :D Silly girl - If I had been so lucky and he'd asked me I would have been off to Scotland with him in a heartbeat!!

[@Fritha71]

I didn't quite understand when this incident with the girl happened - was this way back in the 70s? It is funny because Plant/Page fanfiction has been written for decades and those two definitely made a bit of a tease of the chemistry between them in photos and even on the stage back in the day. Not that they were gay for each other for real but something tells me they were aware of the effect their interaction had on many, mostly female fans, and they played it up. Bless them, rock gods both! =D

[@rosereichert8365]

You and half the female population. Too funny.

[@faeryquene]

***** Jimmy mentions that the girl knew something already about their (then recent) third album so yes, this incident would have occurred in the early '70s.

[@Mortimer_Duke]

What a shame for such an undisputed master of his instrument and an era still to be trying to hang the entire blame for Led Zeppelin's LiveAid performance upon Phil Collins after so many years. He and they remain SO beloved that not one person ever would have thought less of them for their subpar performance given the circumstances. Phil Collins may not have been 100% up to speed, but that had nothing to do the LZ band members' individual and collective performances. With no need whatsoever to be so petty, I hope Mr. Page someday does himself and his legacy the favor of simply acknowledging a very rare off night.

[@ronj9448]

For all that he has done he still seems insecure about it all. I guess that is what drove him to such creative heights.

[@cjaquilino]

And along similar lines, Page and Plant specifically, should acknowledge they influenced heavy metal. They don't have to label *themselves* heavy metal. But, Jesus Christ, they've refused interviews on *few* occasions simply because people wanted to talk about Zeppelin as a *pre-Metal* influence. Ridiculous. It's 2018. That stigma is old. They're denying history.

[@h.j.w2783]

"You have to understand, this isn't the day of...sort of...twitting the internet" 😂 what a legend

[@hawaiianfilter]

Great interview of the greatest guitarist. I am so glad he provided information regarding Live Aid. It was not Led Zeppelin's finest hour. During the set it just gets worst and worst. So glad they did the O2 show and it was filmed and directed so well. Hats off to Page, Plant, Jones and of course Jason Bonham the son of John Bonham. Saw two dates in Chicago in 1977 and they still standout as monumental shows!

[@GuardianLive]

Glad you liked it - we've got the whole thing being published later today (16:00 GMT) if you want to watch more.

[@BubbaZen10]

I've actually gotten sick of people, (AND THEM) saying how bad it was. I'll take their ragged performance over anyone else that day, every time. I was just thrilled to see them together for one day.

[@hawaiianfilter]

I as a Led Zeppelin fan any of their performances is welcomed I agree.

[@hermanhelmich]

BubbaZen10 nothing wrong with being a fanboy

[@BubbaZen10]

Herman Helmich Been a fan. Since i was a boy.

[@robertlepine8801]

My fav of all time since i was 10yrs old (i'm 51). There are a lot of great players but they all have their own styles ie.Hendrix,Eddie Van Halen etc.I think what sets Page apart from the rest (apart from his playing) is the fact that he's a superb song writer. You hear a lot of great players who can't write a decent song and that fact makes him so much better than the rest..Just an opinion.

[@juliacarl584]

Really? Jimi Hendrix was a fantastic song writer as is Brian May. And who else? Eric Clapton has written several great songs. Being a fan should not rob one of his objectivity.

[@paulcadogan7033]

John Bonham was an impossible act to follow. He had his own style and, like Keith Moon, nobody could duplicate it. I remember an interview with Moonie where he described himself as 'the best Keith Moon style drummer in the world".

[@tonymcquarters6593]

Totally incorrect..Bonham was a very average drummer and most drummers could follow his act..and vastly improve on it..

[@rauldorsman8191]

Tony McQuarters so wrong, pls give a listen to fool in the rain

[@tonymcquarters6593]

@@rauldorsman8191 I know that song and I am so right..even if this was the best of Bonham he still lags behind the great drummers such as Carl Palmer..Bill Bruford. Keith Moon..Neil Peart..

[@eduardosurname2029]

@Chris Manzi You dont understand anything about drums, dont have hearing for rhythm.

[@eduardosurname2029]

Drums are rhythm control, fools! Fools in the rain.

[@Payton20ADZ]

He is just wonderful. The Rain Song still continues to hit my heart as my fav song

[@craigofadelaide4960]

Interesting to hear that. Firstly Stairway was, then Kashmir now it's The Rain Song that's my favourite song of theirs. It's ebbs and flows beautifully. The performance of it on Unledded was so awesome

[@lorisrock-rollshow1741]

I love to hear him speak about his past💕

[@jimmyjimmypagessolo]

Thanks for the love and support, it’s nice seeing you here

[@MelancholyPageyBoy]

@@jimmyjimmypagessolowell hi there Jimmy. lol

[@sealteamryx6758]

I discovered zep when i was 12 or 13... led zeppelin the bbc sessions is a cd i had found in my house, and i listened to the live version of Thank You on that album... i listened to that song everyday before going to school lol when i was 13 i got a beginner electric guitar and 10w amp for christmas n have been playin ever since! Thank you jimmy! Youre my favorite guitarist ever

[@dalymc]

Oh yeah, Live Aid was the 2 drummers' fault. He forgets that we watched that set live & can ALL watch it now on KZbin despite their removal of that set from the DVD. Nice try Jimmy.

[@bishlap]

just as you cannot build/put together The Beatles (or other select groups), and even though Jimmy "put Zeppelin together", it's said that no one knew the "magic" that would happen from their first jam together in that garage in London. It's the rarest of the rare to have that perfect storm of talent, energy and chemistry that Led Zeppelin had. I'll admit I grew tired of Zep in mid/late 70's bc it/they were everywhere, but all these years later I realize they were even better than I/we thought whether in their prime or not. I'll sum up w/ this -- How many musical acts, STILL, have the hold on fans like Led Zeppelin does?

[@bigkuyac2224]

Learned to play stairway to heaven including the solo . I realised that not only was page a gifted guitarist he was a musical genius and classically trained.

[@Snagprophet]

It sad to hear about him being taken to court every time someone buys Spirit's broadcast rights, over chord progression. It's really sad tbh.

[@BostonWhoFan515]

Love that jacket Jimmy's wearing.

[@ELLIOT1311]

xAthene I love the jacket you’re wearing.

[@HarveyBacktheBeatles]

the reason live aid didnt work was for the following reasons: 1. Robert had performed alot and lost his voice 2. The monitors were failing 3.Jimmy had out of tune guitars. 4.Jimmy possibly was on something. 5. They never played with either drummer before 6. they had little rehearsal time with tony thompson 7. they had even less time with phil collins. 8. Phil collins did not have a tape to listen to on the helicopter ride to philly with the selected songs. 9. robert, jimmy and John werent able to rehearse any other day than on the day of the show as they were all doing different things.

[@КоляАдаксин]

+Denton Williams "Jimmy possibly was on something" Possibly isn't the word, the dude was fucked out his mind!

[@BubbaZen10]

I like the "possibly" part.

[@RedRose4711]

Sounds interesting!

[@andrewwatts9385]

and Freddie was top of his game with queen

[@RedRose4711]

Of course Jimmy knew how to tune his guitar...it's ridiculous to assume otherwise. He said that in order to have a seamless performance, other people did the job for him. That is nothing unusual in that at all. Virtually every guitarist in a big band have guitar techs to do exactly that.

[@ouidacarrington4719]

I could listen to him all day!

[@OliverPatrickLoughnan]

Same here

[@paulakhs]

you want to get out more!

[@goodi2shooz]

Same...♥

[@jamstonjulian6947]

Playing, yeah. Talking not so much.

[@matttaylor4415]

Blame the drummers?! Are you kidding?

[@IcarusX72]

Lost all respect for him. That is when you are too pompous to admit you F'ed up by being high as a kite and get your sh!t together before a monumental event.

[@blueshowlar]

Wow! What a guy.. What a guitarist. A true superman. Thanks Jimmy for all the music.

[@imranatheistformer-muslim3884]

I think the best performers that day were Phil and JPJ. Jimmy was drunk and Robert's voice had gone.

[@williamheddy3307]

The only thing gone is your tin ears.

[@deathbypotato5030]

Jimmy was drunk and higher than Heaven lmao

[@the_rover1]

5:55 did you notice? he didn't mention Stairway To Heaven, that he did that song on that one as well, he only mentioned The Rain Song and TSRTS. 6:16 his #1 les paul standard 1958 model is such a beauty. my favourite guitar finish in that particular brown/sunburst.

[@wadesaleeby2172]

Thank you Jimmy for all the great vibrations and beautiful music you have shared with the world! Come over for a big bowl of vegetable soup and hearty sandwich to warm you up this winter! All the best to you!

[@JamesThomas-zl9er]

I love the “he had 3 guitarists, and I thought ‘I can do that on my own’” - not a flex, just the truth 🎉

[@marcorodriguez9162]

Alexxxandder, you are almost in the right, Zep's live performances were less tidy than the studio recordings, not only Page´s solos but Plant's voice, but remember that LZ is more than perfection performances, indeed, that was irrelevant. They were like warriors in every gig. Just take a look at some epic moments like "Last Achilles Stand" live 1979, Knebworth or "Since I've been loving you", 1973 TSRTS (included "Stairway to Heaven" solo part...

[@wygantsh]

Jimmy Page is a genius for producing a Led Zeppelin experience that was one of kind and will never be repeated

[@tgozanski]

I'm not going to answer your question, but I will take you through my memories and thoughts at the time you asked me about.

[@garysmith4425]

Their first gig in England was in my hometown Newcastle upon tyne at the mayfair ballroom.

[@chriskesler4115]

jimmy page has left his impresion on many guitarests me included

[@davidlishin6455]

Chris Kesler yes a legend to all guitarist after 1970!!!?

[@safiramusica]

Chris Kesler me too! Last night I was playing dazed and confused, a little bit confused lol.

[@jakq2484]

I love Jimmy but you can’t stand up for Robert when he sounded like Yoko.

[@joeyhuebner10]

Robert was hoarse after a flurry of solo concerts leading up to live aid

[@neilj6322]

6:59 - live aid Personally I think it’s appalling how he threw Phil Collins under the bus for that set when Page was clearly either shitfaced, stoned or both and Plant sounded downright awful

[@volzman5]

This. Page wasn't terrible, but Plant sounded like he was using his voice for the first time...ever.

[@tonywilliambrady1870]

Absolutely right,Jimmy's revisionist history is not borne out by the live aid footage. In an interview directly after coming offstage it was clear he had no idea where he even was lol

[@derrydylanger8994]

All Mr. Page said was that the drummers didn't know the material when they all gathered for rehearsal.

[@AbideinChristFully]

@@volzman5 Plant's voice started going in the 70's, if you listen to him live you can really tell. That kind of singing night after night wears out the vocal chords. Same with Soundgarden. Those singers should have taken a few nights off between singing to heal.

[@thefabulousstevieg]

Good interview, Michael Hann asks relevant questions, and Jimmy is on good form! But where is the rest of the interview..........???

[@GuardianLive]

Funny you should ask, it's coming later today (16:00 GMT).

[@markgowans]

Guardian Members

[@sofakingdrunk66]

Led Zeppelin 1968 to 1980 twelve years of musical masterpieces..

[@georgegood9609]

I love him Just the other day plant and page got back together in 95 and did an amazing tour. I just love and respect you jimmy Thank you

[@Greeneyedhaze]

Oh how I love British rock legend’s voices..They’re so soft and attractive and continue be so from when they were in there prime until now.

[@sidneypasquarelli2122]

One of the best guitarists of all time!

[@timallbritton7329]

Page and Albert Lee may be the two coolest, nicest guys in music. It just brings a smile to my face.

[@JesusLives]

" I could do that on my own....really" LOL amazing guitarists

[@CosmicMerlin]

This was an awesome interview. Great chemistry

[@Jgeneraledger23]

I love how Jimmy becomes so "relaxed" at 5:55 talking about his first love, guitars. Not matter the subject, its fun to watch an expert talking about their craft.

[@flynt1977]

I thought his first love was underaged 14yr old girls. Man was a beast.

[@benjaminaustnesnarum3900]

You can tell he has lived a life of rock'n roll. Wonderful human being!

[@blurelectriczz4649]

I am sorry but am I the only one thinking that every thing is interesting to jimmy page 😂

[@StuartHanson-fo7iw]

Live aid tells me it just goes to show how much effort it takes to be led zeppelin?such a unique band and music that can only be achieved with unbelievable effort,even when you’re the best in the business 👍🇬🇧

[@k3304]

I was in the audience in Philadelphia for Live Aid and i thought Zep's performance was good. Of course, i was high as a kite, too !

[@stevephillips6309]

You would have to be high on smack, speed or coke to appreciate the performance. Totally Whole Lotta Shit!!

[@chrisc3697]

Same here,,,how loud was the audience during their time on the stage. At the time I had no idea that they sucked but watching it now,,,,oh boy.

[@chrisc3697]

@@stevephillips6309 It was a hot and exhausting day and the noise level was off the charts,,

[@jimmyb4728]

For the gratest rock n blues guitarist of all time he is very humble and down to earth. LED ZEPPELIN THE GOAT

[@alancoyle1]

"The drummers didn't know the material" 😂😂😂😂 Doesn't he know that the performance is on KZbin... and it is pretty clear who doesn't know the material, Jimmy!

[@philb4462]

I've seen an interview with Phil Collins about that performance and he is very put out that Page blames him for the performance. He is adamant that he was spot on and it was Page and Plant who were the problems. I've seen the footage and I can't see where the problems are around drumming.

[@CastToVoid]

Yeaaaaah, Phil might not have been the right drummer for the job, but he knew the songs and played well with John Paul Jones. Robert Plant’s vocals weren’t great that day but it was Jimmy Page’s performance that made it an absolute disaster

[@j0llyroger889]

If all else fails blame the Drummers...Page was mashed for a start. They were garbage.

[@robertandrewhale]

I went to this it was a superb evening, I got talking to somebody next to me who was there with family I wish I’d talked a bit more but there was Jimmy Page Ten feet away from me.....it was so relaxed and civilised. Only slight disappointment was he didn’t play.

[@srb-ef3zs]

I can’t fathom him ever being “nervous”.

[@chrishorton615]

That's why he drank before shows up to the 80's, probably one reason he did heroin. He was a bundle of nerves before a show.

[@srb-ef3zs]

@@chrishorton615 would never have guessed he had stage fright!

[@jslute]

Thank you so much for posting this!!

[@MrAitraining]

The drumming was the best thing about Led Zep's performance at live aid.

[@LearnerChess]

LMHO

[@sugarshane8622]

Agreed.

[@sunflowerguy5314]

Gold

[@99davinci]

music royalty when i got my first guitar in 1998 it was d'yer maker i learned C A minor F Then G for the first week i was playing it now i evolved to Mozart and writing classical music thank you Jimmy for being an inspiration Love from Trinidad look what you music Jimmy " led" to it influenced music today and is still im happy to be born in a time where you maverick guys are 500 years from now they will talk about you like Da Vinci and Robert Plant and you Planted a seed years ago that is still growing long life to you Jimmy may you Legacy live on

[@priscillachapman9145]

I love Jimmy Page. I really enjoyed the documentary It May Get Loud. Get Loud.

[@jimmypage5750]

Hello, how are you doing? It is nice seeing you here.

[@frederickberg6781]

So well spoken is Jimmy.......had no idea. One of my all time favs!

[@henkestenke]

Can’t blame PhilCo for the ‘Live aid fiasco’!

[@kellyomalley1873]

Tony Thompson did not know the music!

[@euphoricolly_6785]

KELLY O'MALLEY I hate it when my drummer makes my guitar out of tune and make me play ahead of the band..,

[@davidbaines1425]

PhilCo? Like Bilko..? People like you should have limited access to a keyboard. "If you can't write the correct things, you can only play for 1 hour a day". Said Rupert the journalists' nanny.

[@henkestenke]

Boo-ho.

[@Claybraham91]

@@davidbaines1425 man, this really got to you didn't it?🤣

[@marckipfer8025]

I love how bold and outspoken Jimmy Page is becoming in his old years and I suspect it's out of frustration that I have not emerged yet to impress him and carry on his legacy but you shall see the truth

[@speakeasydoorman4966]

Go live it be it.....no regrets

[@The530n52]

Great interview. Page is the coolest.

[@SRSOS]

My brother worked for a record distributor in St, Louis at the time and as a 12 year old, I had a copy of the first album BEFORE it was released publicly. ATCO records did these radio station distribution albums that one band on one side and another on the other side. In between the songs was this cheesy announcer telling you about another great ATCO band or song. On the other album side was Dusty Springfield. Fell in love with the band immediately. Got to see them play (finally!) at the Arena. Thanks for all the great tunes, Jimmy, Robert, JP and John(RIP).