Why Jimmy Page Struggled To Play the Stairway Solo Correctly Live

This is a fun, light hearted and somewhat informative look at why (in my opinion) Jimmy Page struggled to play the Stairway solo accurately in a live setting.

[@conrad98gtp]

I don't think Jimmy ever played anything the same twice.

[@vitoriapureza7018]

True

[@sicotshit7068]

NO he didn’t, always around the core of songs, but whatever moved him at the time. I love that about his playing, some of his greatest solos were during live performances.

[@eddebatte9905]

Saw them live at Madison Square Garden around 1973. Garden had a haze of marijuana smoke rising. The solos for Stairway and Heartbreaker were deliberately played somewhat like the record, but greatly elongated and improvised. This was not a problem to the audience. Totally different seismic, visceral experience from the records and live films altogether. Not only could you hear the music, but you could feel it. Crowd went crazy. Blew the roof off the place!

[@thegolfnut812]

Saw them through a similar haze as well at the same time frame and had the same experience you did. Saw many bands including Blind Faith, Traffic and others. It was great.

[@captinbeyond]

If you went to any concert in the 70's you would have that pot haze waffling around. I think people would be smoking pot even at a Carpenters concert.

[@tomruth9487]

Yeah that was my impression when I heard them, it was not like they played their set list at all. It was very creative.

[@Xray-Rep]

Circa 1968 my fiance' and I saw Janis Joplin and Iron Butterfly at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. Both concerts were excellent, but the performers were hard to see because of the thick pot smoke. What a fantastic time that was!

[@stonepaintertim]

you make the fine distinction: not only HEAR the music but FEEL it, which was the point of live music then; no one thought a later generation of monday morning quaterbacks would be making armchair analysis from guitar shops

[@caryheuchert]

Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd was different from his contemporaries. Even though his playing was also blues-based, he could play his iconic solos again and again - note-for-note without losing the feel.

[@ringchild]

gilmour said more with one note than many said with 100

[@danielblaise156]

@@ringchild YES! I can’t get enough of that sweet Gilmour sound.

[@pj-1888]

@@danielblaise156 go watch the live aid performance . When nick Mason rips his earphones of to hear David's solo.. Comfortably numb

[@greegm3304]

Gilmour doesn't play note-for-not solos.

[@marcuswilson3485]

I found that really boring. I do like Pink Floyd tho.

[@tomruth9487]

I saw them play live in 1969 at a festival. You're right, not just the solos, but the whole show was improvised. You never knew what tune they were going to play, or if they would suddenly shift to another song. It was really impressive, I would say the best rock performance I've ever seen.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

That’s pretty amazing!

[@johnpike5836]

oh...then it wasnt because Page was hammered on coke he nearing fell over a couple times he was so smashed. We know that Page Knew his way around a Recording Studio, cut and splice, a half dozen takes and over dub. Look bub, he couldnt even feel his face he was so fried... J P Jones and Bonham were the entire show for me. J P Jones was a tremendous under rated addition, pure talent (not hopped up on Dope) To My Ear; all of Bonham's drums were tuned to the same pitch. He'd often Take a Turn around the entire drum kit, they all sounded the same in terms of Pitch. LED ZEP; LIVE? 1. not even close to the album sound track. 2. Bonham AND Page Live; freakin' hammered on dope. 3. Plant never ever put the Heart and Soul into his LIVE performance (comparable) 4. In total; sloppy flubbed notes Page. Rated as one of the best guitarists that ever lived (the 20th Century PUNCHLINE to a BAD Joke) Watch Gary Moore Live Montreau Jazz fest. SRV; knew One Lick . (White Version; BB King)

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@johnpike5836 Like Ace Frehley, Page was an iconic rockstar with issues. Not the best technique wise but such a strong presence overall. But players like Eric Johnson, Gary Moore, Steve Morse, Bonamassa, SRV, EVH, Frampton etc. those cats had live chops for days.

[@brettjamz3]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker keep up these videos Marty. It's good conversation. And obviously your a fan of rock and roll. It's how we keep it alive!!!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@brettjamz3 will do! I have some upcoming plans 😉. Thank you !!

[@hazor777]

Page had a way of creating his own style , which a lot of times is erratic , but it's what made his personality imprinted into his playing. Sort of you hear a few notes and go "Yep, that's JImmy Page" . May not have been the most technical player, but very few could match him in composition and recording ideas and sounds etc...

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Agreed! He was very very unique.

[@hankrogacki8356]

Page = Exquisite

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@hankrogacki8356 💯💯💯

[@kilgoretrout321]

Look, let's just call it like it is, he doesn't play the right notes at the right time lol. It's not good when he does that. But it's not like it happens all the time. Only when he's hammered and on hard drugs...

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@kilgoretrout321 we all have our issues lol.

[@garth5326]

Forgiven Marty . I know you are a Page fan. I'm a 60 year old Page fan and been playing Jimmy's guitar style and music since I was 13 When I play for people its always the Zeppelin songs that people seem to be moved by. Though I'm average, people seem to consider me a really good guitarist, I feel, because I have been so influenced by Jimmy Page. I says so much about the man.Thanks for making this video Marty.

[@morganwittlin9399]

Jimmy Page is a virtuoso when it comes to guitar and inspired tons of guitarists in some way he doesn't play things the same way twice because he's the kind of guitarist who likes to improvise and he doesn't like to play stuff the same way twice I can listen to Zeppelin all day and not get sick of it they're one of the most iconic and greatest classic rock bands and you can't deny that

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Very true. He's one of the best and one of my favorites! He was limited by the lack fret access on that EDS1275 he used live rendering that last lick impossible. I always wondered why he couldn't pull off that final lock live, and then when I got one of the guitars I realized it can't be done lol

[@Ravens69]

Jimmy didnt play the same way twice because he was an extremely sloppy guitarist. End of story.

[@ruslankbr5243]

@@Ravens69he is very sloppy but he could play differently every time but without serious mistakes if only he could.

[@Axesmellsgr8]

​@Ravens69 not completely true

[@kevingill648]

I saw Led Zeppelin at Earls Court London in 1975, he had no problem at all with the Stairway To Heaven Solo! you could here the noticeable parts of the solo and the rest was improvised and it was fabulous! also why would you even play the solo the same as what's on the the album? Jimmy Page is from a time when guitarists were at their very best, unlike the boring guitarists of today!

[@stevestrang2376]

Personally, I thought the live Stairway solo in TSRTS was epic! I liked it even better than the studio version.

[@stonepaintertim]

me too; when it first was released it sounded like a cry from walkin out on the tightrope--something that could only be done live, in a large space with lots of people witnessing

[@patrickmacleod2415]

Me too. It is better than the studio version.

[@scottn7464]

That is without a doubt, no questions the all time best 3 minutes of recorded music ever!

[@alfrescodimieary6580]

Absolutely agree in my opinion it’s one of the greatest solos ever recorded

[@peterwarden7471]

What is TSRTS?

[@zosometalgod]

Page didn't struggle! He's a great improviser! He becomes a guitar the guitar becomes him! That's why I love about the Zeppelin not every show was played note for note! The whole band became one and played off each other that's why you could never replace a member of Zeppelin!! Long live Bonham!!

[@matthewkennedy7283]

I agree, it was always improvised, and often improved Even. But at times he was a little to loose (probably just a little too intoxicated)

[@carmineredd1198]

if page had been in black sabbath he would have been thrown out for not being perfect, same reason as ozzy was booted

[@angelskaixo5188]

As a musician of 17 years, it easier to improv then it is to play it note for note consistently

[@dothetruffleshuffle6233]

I had the same thought, how did he struggle? If by struggling he means playing the trill at the end differently, then still no. Like you guys were saying Zeppelin was an improvisational band. They never played a song the same way in each performance. And that's the beauty of their sound. It would get boring, especially for the musicians, to play their music note for note like the album. They're more expressive improvising and trying new ideas to an already known song. I don't see him struggling in that solo, he played it masterfully.

[@angelskaixo5188]

@@dothetruffleshuffle6233 he is actually coping out and taking the easy path. Improving doesn't require as much focus. Its easier

[@ukguitarnoodle]

Page weighed about 6 stone (joke) whilst wearing a coffee table around his neck. plus heroin. he Rocked

[@ericpertnikovs8866]

If the solo is played, and is different from the record, that’s not a mistake. That’s called artistry and talent. The only time a solo, for that matter a song, is identical to the record, is when you listen to the record again. Music is alive, songs evolve. Do you really want Jimmy Page to mime to the record?.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I think you commented without watching the video. The point I made was the Gibson EDS 1275 is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th fret for the final lick in the solo. The “struggle” is in relation to the guitar design, not the guitarist Jimmy Page. I also bring up the point you made above in the video. But thanks for the comment I appreciate the interaction 😎

[@MrMillipeed]

Agreed 100%

[@jamierodriguez3554]

And to answer your question sometimes I do

[@alphacentauri8083]

Interesting hearing you mention that 70's guitarists were more like blues or jazz players. I don't know if that's really an apt comparison, especially in the traditional jazz genre with its complex phrasing, modulation, and chord melody arrangements. Even in the jazz-rock space, musicians were on a whole different level compared to 70's rock guitarists. I started playing guitar in large part because of Page, but when I heard Carlos Rios' solo on Gino Vannelli's song Brother to Brother (1978) I realized that there was more to the electric guitar than bluesy pentatonic licks. That solo blew me away!

[@AaronEddieHYo]

Sure it is. They all just played pentatonics

[@alphacentauri8083]

@@AaronEddieHYo There's more than pentatonic scales going in in 70's "jazz"-rock. Listen to the solo in the song I mentioned in my post.

[@MEGAMIGA]

@@alphacentauri8083 True and Prog Rock as well!

[@SeanR01]

Jazz is like a 9 dimensional chess game compared to blues and pentatonic scales

[@kentwood9821]

You make an important distinction, but it doesn't take away from the fact that some really beautiful things were played on the guitar in the 70's using comparatively simple toolkits (blues and pentatonics). It's easy for anyone to 'take a stab at' soloing like that effectively but doing it well requires major talent and dedication. Doing jazz well requires even more dedication and my hat is off to those folks. Their music goes deeper, technically, but reaches a more rareified audience who can appreciate that. Blues rock, done well, creates a magic that can move millions.

[@gd7561]

I've been wondering about this for years, Marty. Finally, we have the explanation. It was literally impossible to do it. You're right, he should have had them custom make it differently!!!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for the comment and courtesy. 😎🎶🎶

[@zublacus]

Absolutely....I had no idea why he didn't play one of the most iconic licks of all time. Now we know!

[@robertacolarette1594]

I always thought that bands especially Zep never wanted to play a song live exactly like the record. I know sonically it’s impossible because of double tracking and adding bits to a recording. I just thought with Jimmy it was never a case of “can’t” with a solo. I just thought when he played live he just wanted to go with the moment and feel the music and the band was so tight they all could play along that way. They could never really duplicate again any particular live performance.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Very true indeed. I agree.

[@brolinofvandar]

Led Zeppelin were an intentionally improvisational band. There are interviews with them where it's said they often wrote their songs with "jumping off points", that allowed an easy transition from the core song into an improv session (which often included rock and roll medleys), then back to the core song. I challenge anyone to find two live recordings of Led Zeppelin in which they play any song exactly the same, much less like the studio recording. A note for note reproduction was never the point, the jam was. Also, if you listen to Led Zeppelin's studio work, you should notice that there's more than one guitar track. Live, it's just him and the one guitar around his neck at the moment. Which ultimately means, he's playing rhythm and lead pretty much simultaneously. I've seen others comment that it takes a certain amount of musical genius to know just which notes from each to actually play, to get each part across without it feeling like anything was left out.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@brolinofvandar I agree with your points. I have studied improvisation for many many years and have been in a lot of bands. My favorite bands have been Power trios so we could really open up and improvise and create new music every time we played it.

[@stonepaintertim]

exactly; performance art is not studio recording

[@mikecarroll5853]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker zapa spoke about the ax men that would hit it note for note that night and wonder what the people had paid for at their show. Could have listened to the album. Went to the show to hear you give me something exclusively inherent to that night's show. 🎶 Your demonstration of the trade off with the double neck is news to me. I nvr thought that through. Excellent share.

[@baronsting]

I remember my earliest guitar teacher saying that his stairway live solo was just an extended jam to fill time. But in my mind I was thinking "but why then do I know and hear it note for note which seems to fit it absolutely perfectly." Over all my years of rare recordings and having a friend who was a massive collector of bootlegs and my own collection let me assure those of you only having the SRTS movie and record that you have his best live performance of stairways solo, he never topped that night at Madison Square on any live recording I've ever heard.

[@mjp96]

whatz SRTS

[@a-z1-481]

@@mjp96 song remain the same

[@baronsting]

@@mjp96 zeppelins movie the song remains the same. Acronym

[@digiorno1142]

Check out the version from Orlando 8/31/1971 and Tokyo 9/23/1971. Two of the best versions, imo Orlando is slightly better.

[@larryayres4592]

I never saw him struggle on the Stairway solo. Sounded great to me.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I agree Page is amazing. My point in the video was the guitar is the struggle, not Page’s lack of ability. It’s simply not designed to reach the 17th and 20th frets for the last lick in the solo.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@Garry miller I think you haven’t watched the video? Just to be clear, the video was really about the Gibson EDS 1275 double neck guitar. And that It is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th Frets for the final riff. The guitar is unwieldy and a beast to play, hence the struggle we all have playing this guitar. It is not a reference to Jimmy Page’s Ability or inability as a player. I am a Jimmy Page fan and think he is a great musician and a pioneer of electric guitar and a true wizard at that.

[@robinhood480]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker just so you know... most of us “get it”. Nicely done ✅

[@jamiemorgan4146]

@Garry miller LOL... You’re so right ..:👍🏻

[@zublacus]

@Garry miller Someone didn't watch the video. Busted. haha

[@willemmoller6736]

You're working on the assumption that a solo is only 'right' or 'accurate' if it's exactly like on the record. Why on earth can't Jimmy plays his solo on his song any way he likes? There's no 'right' or 'wrong' or 'mistake' when it comes to improvising a live solo, it's about staying in the moment and keeping the creative momentum going. Simply replicating the solo on the record is for cover musicians (and boring to my ears), not someone with Jimmy's improvising abilities. Same goes for any performer in jazz & blues or any genre who can actually improvise, it's what make them exciting and different every night

[@nablaphysics]

Seems like you didn’t watch the video.

[@augustmozart1055]

Sure it was a struggle to duplicate the studio version, but the live version is really another song. The live version, while it's is indeed "Stairway" is a masterpiece in it's own right. Sometimes the solo wold be a few minutes, sometimes as long s 7 unites or longer. Every night was different, and this is what made Zeppelin who they were. His style was sloppy, loosely tight .....but this is his brilliance. However , great vid man!!

[@carlbaumeister3439]

I wonder why they didn’t make the 12-string be the shorter neck, and the 6-string the longer?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I know right? It’s really super short!

[@philipperouch6196]

you're absolutely right : I also have a 1275 and I never figure how Jimmy was able to play this part as I was struggling a lot (of course I'm not Jimmy) and I was thinking that he has bigger hands than me to be able to reach the notes but now I know why he played often the lick one octave lower

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Sometimes he gave it a shot, but yeh a lot of times he would play it lower. You just can’t reach it on this guitar lol.

[@Sasser2015]

I think it was just all about the approach of the band in question. You mentioned Lynyrd Skynyrd..... those guys (like the Eagles) played every song and every solo note-for-note live. Zep was more improvisational and Page wasn't trying to play the Stairway solo note-for-note, but he'd revisit certain themes. When live, I think the solo section would go on for many more bars than the studio recording anyway. Personally, I prefer the improv approach to the note-for-note method.

[@gummiesrule88]

"Correctly" is an interesting concept in this context. It was his solo, and he could do what he wanted with it. Many many versions sprang out of that studio version. Page was never going to Steely Dan that sh*t in concert. He definitely wasn't trying to copy the album version.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Not sure you watched the video? Just to be clear, the video was really about the Gibson EDS 1275 double neck guitar. And that It is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th Frets for the final riff. The guitar is unwieldy and a beast to play, hence the struggle we all have playing this guitar. It is not a reference to Jimmy Page’s Ability or inability as a player. I am a Jimmy Page fan and think he is a great musician and a pioneer of electric guitar and a true wizard at that.

[@sbrave]

He never played a lot of his solos verbatim. I love the live solo from Stairway from TSRTS. He was one of those guys that was on like a MF or not so on, but always interesting.

[@zublacus]

I can assure you...if the guitar allowed Jimmy to play that iconic lick...he would have played his 7 minute solo and ended it flawlessly with that lick...played correctly and perfectly. But guitar impeded it..and he had to go another route.

[@zublacus]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Nope. They aren't watching the video. They are furiously typing because "Jimmy Page struggled" came on their feed and since Jimmy is God...you must be satin. You KNOW Jimmy would have played his 7 minute extravaganza solo and ended his free form solo with that signature lick if he could. He's not an idiot...and knows that lick is epic. What's funny how stuff changes...by 1978, Eddie playing eruption note for note live without deviation because by then if he didn't live they would have said it was "faked" in the studio. And the birth of shredding was born.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@zublacus it’s actually become funny! I love the salty comments. Lol But you’re right man. That’s when the shredding really began. “Or it must be studio trickery!!!!”

[@philwhelan3854]

Zappa said that playing a solo the same as on the record was pointless. It’s a musical point of view and you play what you feel on the night . I’ve played solos in the studio , in the moment, and have struggled to recreate them .

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Same here. I won’t write a part anymore that I can’t replicate live. Thing is, Page could replicate it live if the guitar was set up to play it properly. My main point was he missed the very last notes in the solo because the EDS1275 has no upper fret access. You can reach the 17th fret or beyond making that a minor triplet run impossible. So the limitation was the guitar. Not Page himself.

[@gtrs4life]

Page is brilliant. My favorite solo by him is from Since I've Been Loving You. Like most of his solos, it was improvised in the studio. Absolute beauty. Achilles Last Stand is also amazing, as is Stairway to Heaven. I was triggered by the title of your video, but didn't know about the cutaway limiting access to 17th position until you mentioned it.

[@sbrave]

SIBLY is my fav solo as wel!

[@sunkmanitutankaowaci2733]

SIBLY is great, I prefer Tea for One even tho they are quite similar

[@gtrs4life]

@@sunkmanitutankaowaci2733 Ugh, Tea for One. That song doesn't do it for me. Page himself said that it doesn't even have a proper ending - they winged it in the studio and you can tell. It's a watered down SIBLY. Sorry about that. The solo does have some moments, though.

[@zublacus]

Is it amazing when you watch the video instead of just typing due to title? I had no idea that guitar couldn't play that iconic lick.

[@tunnelportterror]

Because he recorded it with a Telecaster, ran through a device that made it sound like a keyboard....he gave the details in a rock magazine during the 1990's interview. Then he used a Les Paul without the studio setup live later , so it was impossible to make it sound exactly like the record.

[@jmar7631]

"Didn't play the solo right?" Surely you know he really pushed and stretched the music when he played live, liked to experiment and improvise, and he was more interested in evoking emotion than he was in technique. He was very experimental and pushed boundaries. All of that is why he is so great. Anyone trying to determine whether he played anything "right" is pointless because it was right for him at the time he played anything and that's all that counts. Sorry, thumbs down. ;)

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Not sure you watched the video. Just to be clear, the video was really about the Gibson EDS 1275 double neck guitar. And that It is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th Frets for the final riff. The guitar is unwieldy and a beast to play, hence the struggle we all have playing this guitar. It is not a reference to Jimmy Page’s Ability or inability as a player. I am a Jimmy Page fan and think he is a great musician and a pioneer of electric guitar and a true wizard at that.

[@brbadge]

I agree. They definitely were not trying to copy everything exactly. Hell, even David Bowie’s band used to jam a little bit.

[@nyobunknown6983]

I agree 100%.

[@josenoventa6852]

Is the footage at 2:42 really from the New York concert? I doubt it. The Wikipedia entry on "The Song Remains the Same" states that the concert was re-staged at Shepperton Studios in England, where all the close-ups were filmed. Most of the footage in the film is actually not from the original concert; it's all play-back. It could be that the original sound was re-mixed or re-recorded too.

[@gd7561]

It drove me crazy that he never got it right in concert. That solo has some of the most famous hammer-ons and string bends in history.

[@zublacus]

I think there's no doubt that Jimmy would have played that iconic lick, if he had a guitar that allowed him to do so. He's not an idiot. He knows that lick is iconic. Thanks to Marty, I had no idea that guitar prevented that lick. Now we know, and all the Zeppelin freaks are losing their shit.

[@earld158]

he never tried to play it like the album. He improvised the majority of his solos. He rarely played anything the same way twice

[@TheUlesifah701]

Great take on this Marty !! Love your channel and everything you do bro!! Glad that there’s still a bunch of us passionate about all this and the way you described the 70s and just going for it was something more people need to hear! Anyways , great stuff my dude !! Funny quick story… one night many years ago , I brought my future baby mama home from a night out… I had a digital deadbolt and she asked the code…. I said , well think Van Halen ya know !? She didn’t get the 5150 reference… needless to say I’m a single parent now!! 😂

[@bobbyn.9773]

Well I was at the 1973 MSG concert and his solo was brilliant but he went thru a period where he was going thru a huge substance abuse and a heroin addiction and he was pretty bombed on stage at times but if you look at his Page/ Plant tour he was simply brilliant and just look at the one time concert from Celebration Day and he was spot on so his playing has been fantastic since he stopped smoking and partying for decades now..I got to spend time with him a few times because his girlfriend is a dear friend of mine and he is at his best right now, check him out when he played with the Black Crowes on tour he was simply brilliant!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for the comment. He was great on the Crowes dates. I am a huge fan. Just to be clear, the video was really about the Gibson EDS 1275 double neck guitar. And that It is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th Frets for the final riff. The guitar is unwieldy and a beast to play, hence the struggle we all have playing this guitar. It is not a reference to Jimmy Page’s Ability or inability as a player. I am a Jimmy Page fan and think he is a great musician and a pioneer of electric guitar and a true wizard at that.

[@bobbyn.9773]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker he still practices and creates at his home in Tower House but the pandemic has really ruined everything but he did the background music for Scarlett Sabet ( his girlfriend) spoken poetry album called Catalyst and also produced the album and it was just brilliant! He is a master of sounds...kinda similar to what he did with the Death Wish soundtrack...cheers

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@babylemonade2868 sadly we will probably see all of it once he’s gone. Or some of it. Anyway.

[@henryb160]

Page would often record solos and pick out the parts he liked and then put them together. This isn't so unusual. And recently I head that EVH would do the same. However, I believe the difference is that EVH would then force himself to learn the finished solo until it was second nature, whereas Page just didn't bother.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

True! Zep were really about the improv and art im the music. Plus the EDS1275 has no access to the a minor position on the 17th fret. He had no room for that last lick. 😫

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

For me, Page's live playing was great all the way thru Physical Graffiti. I love the Presence record, but the smack and other drugs did him in from 1977-1983 or so. But man, he came back with a vengeance in the late 90's. I went to several of the "Clarksdale" gigs where I have not seen Pagey play as great since 1975. Unfortunately, a nostalgic audience hit the hot dog and beer stands whenever they played a new song from "Clarksdale" (which is better than several of the LZ records), and that wasn't going to be tolerated by Robert Plant who is about the here and now. The two have not made a record since because fans are too scared to be challenged musically by something new. "When The World Is Young," "Walking Into Clarksdale," "Burning Up," "House of Love" and several other cuts from "Clarksdale" are as great as LZ in their prime. The fans ruined it. I actually screamed at a fan who went for a $15 beer when they broke unto "Burning Up": I screamed "Do you fucking realize this could've been on Physical Graffiti? All you're going to do is make Plant a solo artist. We won't tolerate this from fans."

[@manuelfraiman5534]

when it 's the time for it, older artists often complain about nostalgic audiences that are not ready to enjoy new songs...

[@yes_head]

That Gibson enjoyed huge popularity for stage work in the 70s among prog bands. Steve Howe of Yes used it on "And You And I" and Alex Lifeson used it on "Xanadu". I think Steve Howe's main beef with it was the weight. But you're right about guys from that era thinking more like jazz musicians when it came to solos. Their solos were usually a different animal every night, and not all of them were pretty to look at!

[@rocknrollman9913]

Let yourself be carried away by natural vibrations, that was the way guitar legends done it, no right or wrong, it was rock&roll!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Well said!

[@Braglemaster123]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I’m 66 and saw Led Zeppelin 6 times live. Your theory is only speculation and I ridiculous. I saw never struggle live Nebworth 1979 I a perfect example.

[@Braglemaster123]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I see you can’t play it. It’s best that you create your own sound and put it on KZbin. See how many hits you get with own music 🎶

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@Braglemaster123 I think you missed the point of the video. It was about the limitations of the Gibson EDS1275 Doubleneck guitar not page. Lol. Page is awesome.

[@JohannDaart]

2:09 "he's just a simple musician". At the stage of Stairway to Heaven, he was in social stratosphere dude. Whole band got crazy big after LZ1 and 2, flying all over the world.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I hear you man. But all in and all, still just a musician. Not putting him down at all. But at the end of the day we guitarists create sound with wire and wood. That’s all. Meaning he’s a mortal man and a regular dude. But still, he is legendary!

[@johngerson7335]

Dang. 60 years old, been playing for forty-six years, can play that solo note-for-note _on my SG, or my Gibby L6._ For all that any of that matters (it really doesn't, lol), I never considered the fact that not only is the end of that solo out of reach on the 1275, the last fret that would provide the highest note for the pull-offs _isn't even there!_ Cool video Marty, thanks. Oh, and btw, there was _one_ shredder then: Frank Marino. Just sayin'...

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yes Frank Marino indeed! Cheers 🥂

[@listairgin]

I always wondered why it was never played like the original recording Marty, thanks for explaining this. I was thinking of learning this solo and was wondering if I could use a single neck Gibson SG as it’s the only humbucker equipped guitar that I have access to? Thanks in advance for a reply. 🌅🌌🌠🕊

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yep, they will work I just fine 🤟🏻

[@listairgin]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Thanks so much Marty 🌌🌅🌠.

[@timhawthorne62]

Jimmy Page played all of his solos different when live. That's why Zeppelin was killer live

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Just to be clear, the video was really about the Gibson EDS 1275 double neck guitar. And that It is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th Frets for the final riff. The guitar is unwieldy and a beast to play, hence the struggle we all have playing this guitar. It is not a reference to Jimmy Page’s Ability or inability as a player. I am a Jimmy Page fan and think he is a great musician and a pioneer of electric guitar and a true wizard at that.

[@siggyretburns7523]

Music, especially American blues, wasnt meant to sound identical to how it was written. The riffs take care of identifying the song. But its played according to the players feelings at that moment

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Just to be clear, the video was really about the Gibson EDS 1275 double neck guitar. And that It is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th Frets for the final riff. The guitar is unwieldy and a beast to play, hence the struggle we all have playing this guitar. It is not a reference to Jimmy Page’s Ability or inability as a player. I am a Jimmy Page fan and think he is a great musician and a pioneer of electric guitar and a true wizard at that.

[@kentrepeta3458]

He didn't struggle- the live solo was always an elaborate jam (only later on post Zep did the solo revert to more normal). And you can do the last lick but it is not easy. Barre the E and B strings with your index finger at 17 and hammer on E 20 with your middle finger and release the index finger off 17 so you can move your hand to move leverage and do the bend on E at 20 with the middle finger. It takes lots of finger strength to get the full bend but it can be done. I've always found the harder part was going from the 12 to the 6 heading into the solo.

[@healingsoundsnature5417]

The energetic sound of an intense electric guitar I spend the day cheering for my friend's music. Have a nice day friends too. Thank you 🤠❤☘

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for the comment. 😎🎶🎶

[@healingsoundsnature5417]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Thanks for the new friend's comment. Thank you friend I think it will be a beautiful day for a friend's comment. thank you. 🙏😎🎶🎶🎸

[@mikemorgan548]

That was a poor explanation. On TSRTS version he misses the bend but it is possible to do on that guitar (I did 1000 shows with ZoSo) I rarely missed it. On other versions he does it through (I figure) an early Eventide (up 1 octave) in the 5th position (5th fret)

[@ericstewart9742]

Good to know! I always wondered. PS when you played the 12 string part it reminded me of a cool thing I discovered while listening to Stairway on headphones. The guitar layering had the unintended effect of creating what sounds like a female voice which you can hear (if you listen very hard) singing “aaaaaaaaaahhhhh” throughout the section.

[@marcoborrillo8097]

I had no idea. I kinda wanted to add the double-neck Gibson to my collection, now I'm not so sure anymore. How the heck did they release a guitar that can't go at least up to the 21st fret?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I guess they probably didn’t think someone would want to go up there lol. But seriously. No a minor pentatonic up there can be had. 😂

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@marcoborrillo8097 what guy? Me? Lol. I’m just having fun man.

[@marcoborrillo8097]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker sorry I guess that came out rude. I removed it. More seriously, I'm surprised Jimmy Paige didn't have the guitar customized. 15 frets is definitely not enough. Thanks for the video.

[@michaelshearer3559]

When you think about guys like Page and Gilmour, they truly are remarkable in every way. It still blows my mind how great the songs are.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

It’s almost like divine intervention stepped in and guided the way. Truly amazing works they have created.

[@chriscampbell9191]

That's the first thing I thought -- the guitar used. I wasn't aware of the lack of cutout on the doubleneck, but it makes sense. It's difficult to make a stretch for the really high notes if you can't get your hand up there.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I never would have known unless I had one and tried. Still a great guitar but not the easiest to play certain things. Especially live.

[@chriscampbell9191]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Understood. Especially after seeing that part of your video. I play slide and with a couple of my guitars it's tough to play up past fret 21 -- something one obviously doesn't do with slide very often -- but a lot of guitars have a bit of wood up there, makes it tough to play well in the higher registers... Either way, great vid.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@chriscampbell9191 thanks for the comment, I appreciate it!

[@i.p.knightly149]

The Stairway solo on TSRTS is one of my favorite solos on the planet, it's brilliant. That "bowlero" part is on another level, I've never heard anybody cover that like Jimmy plays it. The tone on his SG is one of my favorite guitar tones anywhere. The trill part at the end is pretty much a nothingburger.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

It’s is amazing.

[@PalindromeDesign]

I so empathize with the tambourine thing. I was singer in a band that covered Steely Dan.... 45 total seconds of vocals.... six minutes of jamming.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Hahaha! I was watching a Boston video on KZbin from 2015 the other day and the lead singer had a massive e tambourine solo during the smokin' solos. Made me crack up.

[@frankeevee]

I love Zeps studio albums but I just couldn't get into their live stuff they would just turn songs into horrible long and different songs all together I just couldn't get into it but Zeppelin was definitely one of my favorite bands that forged the way for many bands after them

[@reineh3477]

The thing many comments forget, it is NOT if Jimmy wanted to play it same way or not. But that he couldn't play it the same way because of a shorter neck.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You got that 100% correct. Thank you for commenting. 🥂

[@willip66]

Excellent. Have to say, I never gave the different solo on the live version any thought probably because I always listen to the studio version and have heard the live version maybe twice. Great to note that he couldn't do that ending trill due to the SG double neck design constraints. Very interesting vid thankyou.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thank you!!

[@georgecaplan11]

4:43 recently saw this video and it seems more interesting now that Gibson are doing a new limited run of the double necks. I bought the recent Squier Paranormal Jazzmaster xii and its a pretty good affordable 12 string for my amateur purposes.

[@matthewjones8865]

Great insight Marty into Jimmy’s playing of this song and how sometimes it’s played not so good . I was only watching a video of Led Zeppelin and Jimmy playing Stairway To Heaven live and the solo was pretty bad. SORRY to say this because his an awesome guitarist, but unfortunately it is what it is sometimes the beauty of this song is lost in the performance. It’s funny sometimes this song gives me goosebumps other times it falls way short of the mark. Anyway the world is a better place with the magical Jimmy Page. Thanks for this video 🙏

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Well said Matthew! Thank you for the comment!

[@georgehgordy1690]

At 5:04 Have you seen Berton Averre play the extended solo ( That solo is badass ) in My Sharona live on his Les Paul.. He goes past the 15th fret and it is spot on... He is criminally underrated as a guitar player

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks, I need to check that out!

[@jaredbader1415]

I disagree with the term "struggled" I prefer the way he played it live especially 1973, over the studio any day. I would say that the studio version struggled to achieve what the live versions were able to accomplish.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I respect that. But really I was referring to the limitations of the Gibson Double neck EDS1275 not Page’s ability as a guitarist. The EDS 1275 is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th frets on so that last riff is impossible. Makes it hard to navigate live.

[@jaredbader1415]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker it's difficult but not impossible. He hits it in many bootleg recordings I've heard but he usually didnt play that last bend in the riff but chose a lower note instead. You have to understand though that for live Zeppelin freaks like myself lol the terms "struggled" and "correctly" are not well received as we rarely if ever desire to listen to the studio stuff.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@jaredbader1415 think of it this way. If it’s raining outside and you have a bad umbrella that has hole in it you would struggle to stay dry. No fault of your own. So if you are trying to execute a specific part on a guitar that is not designed to reach certain notes you will also struggle to hit those notes. The guitar is a beast to play live and is a physical struggle. But it looks cool and served the purpose.

[@jaredbader1415]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I portray Jimmy in a Zep tribute. You are correct it is a beast to play live!!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@jaredbader1415 awesome man! I used to play Richie in the Slippery When Wet band in Atlanta. (When it all began) Tribute shows are fun and you really get to understand the inner workings of a guitarist after doing it for years! Especially when you have to delve deep into years of albums and styles. I can only imagine the rabbit hole Jimmy Page would be in regards to getting styles and eras down. But fun!

[@josh_is_in_phase]

I have an Epiphone G-1275 double neck, and while it is still quite difficult, that ending trill part to the studio solo is achievable. It actually makes out like the telecaster in the studio (which definitely had vaster fret range over the EDS-1275). Great video!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks Josh!

[@lifeson8362]

1st guy to ruin it for me on a 1275 was Alex in ESL on Xanadu. Arguably my fav solo by him. Nobody looks cooler than Page with a Red 1275 and that dragon suit 😎🤘

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

He sure did. Iconic imagery!!!!

[@tvs3497]

That's all right, he always looked cool trying. Chalk it up to inferior equipment. In fact, when I saw them in Raleigh/Durham in '69, his amp quit right at the point the Whole Lotta Love solo began. They got it fixed, and after a couple other tunes, they came back on and played the song again just so the audience could experience the song with the solo. I was 15 and went with my older brother who was 17. He got right up front but I was more comfortable in the back.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for replying. That’s a great story btw! 🎶😎

[@waynevarrelman9363]

No, Jimmy pulls off the ending solo in the movie!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Hmmm. I don’t think he actually gets up on the 15th and 17th fret? I believe he plays it an octave down on the g string starting on the 14th?

[@pschroeter1]

I don't remember much jamming during Roundabout by YES. The goal was to reproduce they biggest hit and signature tune. There was often a long solo section in Yours Is No Disgrace, but also Wurm and I've Seen All Good People.

[@vulpeish]

^ ^ Imagine how boring it would have been for Jimmy Page to play exactly the same solo every night! I think he said in an interview that he would always go for feel rather than accuracy.The man was just on fire! For example the ridiculous solo he does on Heartbreaker then ends it by going ....gwaannn gwaan gwaan gwaan....oh just kidding! Then the band hits it like a steam train!!!!!Ouch sorry run out of superlatives to decribe Jimmy Page. Foxy Love fae Scotland VVxx

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I agree. Plus it was the times. It was expected and encouraged to extend these parts out. I love it.

[@bryanwilliams3665]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Pagey was at the top of his game on the 2nd half of the 1973 tour (USA leg) 1972 he was still developing, 1974 they didn't tour, 1975 started getting getting patchy ( started heroin) 1977 was a mess.....and then it got worse . Poor man in 1983 couldn't string 2 notes together....Then he got good again later.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@bryanwilliams3665 yeh sadly that happens to a lot of our heroes. I love Page and think he is truly one of the most influential pioneers of electric guitars we will ever hear and we’re blessed to have been born to witness it.

[@502baking9]

They needed a 2nd guitar player to do their stuff live. Everything was multitracked. I've seen a great zep tribute band; they had 3 guitar players. Eagles Hotel California sounds almost identical live but you need numerous musicians. Look at all the old 70s bands still touring have a half dozen back up musicians

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@502baking9 yeh, as time progressed it became even more evolved and layered!

[@peterprice5896]

I totally agree but I think we must agree that the improv solo at madison square gardens was a work of art in itself it was melodic soulful melancholy.

[@chebrneck]

He never struggled. It’s called alternate arrangement and improvisation

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

True! Those were the days. I was really only referring to the EDS1275 double neck is designed where it’s impossible to reach the 17th and 20th frets for that last lick. It’s a cumbersome guitar in relation to what he used in the studio.

[@bryanwilliams3665]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Yes .. I own one. It's a difficult instrument that's just a compromise..The 6 string neck is set too low, the 12 string too high lol!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@bryanwilliams3665 I always forget what toggle switch changes the necks and which one changes the pickups. Haha. Not good mid song.

[@bryanwilliams3665]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Good video Marty.! You probably had it right, I couldn't see.. The lower bout switch is the neck... The one under ya elbow is the PUP selector.. That should be in the middle for stairway live solo...If youre a Page fan , I replicate the Les Paul 1973 tones on my channel..The pickups are an UNBALANCED set ( low wind in Bridge , Overwound in Neck ..unusual)

[@1960clapton]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I knew he used a Fender Telecaster for the studio version… your video nicely demonstrates the limitations of Gibson EDS1275 placing physical limits on trying to get close to studio version licks. I think people are getting hung on your use of the phrase “…play the solo correctly” perhaps not even watching the video to understand what you meant. If the title was “why Page couldn’t recreate the studio solo version” might be a better turn of phrase, but then I am sure you would have been bashed for that as well😅

[@CUNNINGBRAD]

A delicate subject handled respectfully & nicely resolved. 👌

[@adozensparrows]

Sorry to tell you, you got it wrong. Here's where: You played E on G-string 8th fret. Page's rhythm is playing F-maj. Next time play F on G-string 9th fret. (Why would you play an E note over an F-maj rhythm chord?) Look into it you'll see . .

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

E over Fmaj makes and Fmajor 7 tonality and I like it so that’s why. It’s my video so I can play whatever I want. I don’t need to explain it but I guess I just did. Plus I am not trying to play it correctly I am only demonstrating you can’t play the last riff on the 17th and 20th fret of the EDS 1275 based on the guitar design. Which is the “fun” point I was trying to make in the video.

[@adozensparrows]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker . Amigo, I'm not trying to put you down. That's unprofessional. I played it your way for years until a buddy of mine casually pointed out my mistake. It's no big deal. I was just picking hairs with you about the whole 'correct'-thing in your video title

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@adozensparrows It’s OK I didn’t take it as a put down. I just really don’t know what you’re talking about I guess I am just confused

[@bryanwilliams3665]

@@adozensparrows The biggest mistake people make is using the bridge humbucker..Pagey of course played the solo live in the middle position getting the classic T Top Hollow Chirp sound

[@bmelvin1234]

Jimmy page was asked if there were special messages playing his music backwards. He said no, it’s hard enough playing it forwards.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

So true ha! Zoso

[@bryanwilliams3665]

For tone chasers, on my channel,. I replicate and build all the pickups used at Madison Square Garden in 1973, including the Double Neck Set which is very different to their modern set .They have all the "Chime" that is missing today.

[@AlanWinterboy]

Thanks for that insight. Never occurred to me that the SG doubleneck structure was so much to blame.

[@danc9837]

thanks Marty, this was a great vid

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thank you!

[@mirrormundo]

You could improve the sound quality of your videos. For instance, from 2:33 to 2:51 it's hard to hear Page playing through the noise.

[@surfintheuniverse]

I just watched a Vido, about Rush, working to make sure what they record they can play live

[@melonhusk-kt5ys]

one of these days.... one of these days i shall own an eds1275 just a question how is the action on the 12 string neck?

[@guitarttimman]

I think people were disappointed that he left out that "open note" part because everyone was so used to hearing it, but the rest of the stuff he did made up for it. He certainty could've done it, but I'm thinking he maybe didn't realize the impact that open note had on the song. I don't think he struggled at all. He could have done it. He just didn't see the significance of it at that time. Watch his solo take on "You Shook Me" with the Black Crowes. It is way better than the Crowe's guitarist's take but his is still awesome. Page has a unique way he played with Led Zeppelin, but he could also change his style to sound just like everyone else. He wanted to sound different in Led Zeppelin, and he did. The man is phenomenal.

[@jeffreythemeditator]

didn't know what to expect from the title, but I found a great guy talking about a great guitarist.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man! 😎☮️

[@ScottM3]

Seriously? He was never trying to play anything the same way from night to night or tour to tour. That is what makes him and the band great. There are 350 plus shows circulating and every night is unique.

[@stevec5462]

The solo in the Song Remains the Same is 2.5 mins not 6!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Lol. Thanks for checking. 😂😂. That’s still a lot of Tambourine time for plant.

[@dbbubba1]

The solo is a series of performances that were "punched-in" while recording. It isn't one take, so it is disjointed at a few places. The recorded guitar tone really doesn't allow the solo guitar to stand out in the mix, either. To really hear the solo listen to Zappa's band in '88 playing "Stairway to Heaven." Zappa scored the solo pretty much note for note and horn section plays it. You can clearly hear everything good and bad about the melody in this performane.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You are correct! Thanks for the comment BTW. He really had trouble playing parts in the doubleneck since it is impossible to hit the last lick since it can’t be played last the 16th fret.

[@ab9957]

The necks on that doubleneck may have changed from night to night also. I've mucked up solos because my fingers could feel the neck bowing at the end of a gig and strings didn't feel right.

[@jamestoops7228]

Cont'd. The most. Jimmy said it was Staireay to Heaven because he said that it was the one song he had to play the lead part as close to the original as possible or their fans would get mad.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

It’s too bad he had to play it on a guitar that made that last riff impossible. Since you cannot reach the 17th and 20th fret to play it. I feel his pain.

[@Boogieplex]

Another reason may be is that he didn’t write that solo all at once. He did numerous takes in the studio,and he spliced in his favorite parts. So maybe it wasn’t the easiest for him. Not sure. Also, I did not know that double neck SG’s necks were shorter scale? My 61’ SG reaches that last lick just fine. Anyway,I suspect if you ask Jimmy, he would tell you they never played a song the same way twice,as they were extremely experimental live. Im really intrigued though about double neck SG scale…im going to have to figure that out.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for the comment man! Yeh some of the 70’s bands (especially Zep) was about taking the leads WAY outside the box so that’s understandable. It was expected for guitar players to do that. It was a flexing moment. Much like shred was in the mid-late 80’s. For real though, you can’t reach past the 16th fret on the double neck. You could tap it I suppose lol.

[@Boogieplex]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Oh im just surprised I didn’t know this already,but ive only recently bought an SG(i had dozens of guitars ,but never an SG until recently). But yeah,you nailed the video. The only disappointment was the talking over your solo,I could just make out though that you had great tone and technique. But i get it,copy right infringement is a downer for guys like us.Great job Marty!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@Boogieplex I got tagged for using the track or the song remains the same video. Blocked twice. It sucked. I spent 8 hours in the video. Thanks For the comment man I appreciate it. ☮️

[@DaveH-10]

Totaly think everyone that saw the video title was on the attack and thought you were a bashing him . On the contrary you made some great points about the gear and the difficulty of playing it. If anything you are standing up for him and people just don't get that.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yeah it’s a total knee-jerk reaction I think for most people to run to the defense of their hero, or to attack someone they don’t know. But it’s OK, the interaction has really helped my viewership and that’s just how KZbin is. We have learned to exist in a toxic state of existence which is kind of sad lol. I appreciate the comment and the fact that you took the time to respond. I’m not the best KZbinr in the world by far, but I’m having fun with it and that’s the point. Thank you again.☮️🎶

[@David-pb6lz]

Right at the end of the solo move your hand back to the 12 string and see if you can end it back on the 12 string. That would sound awsome.

[@johnd.obrien6838]

It's worth pointing out that although it is true that in the mid '70s the world of rock music *per se* had not yet its shredders (Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen, et al), in the world of _fusion_ there were already players like Al Dimeola, who could not only rip on electric guitar but on acoustic as well (the live album _Friday Night in San Francisco_ being 'exhibit A' in this regard).

[@markushalfmad]

What exactly does one mean by ''play correctly'' ? If it's like ''play note per note exactly as was recorded in studio'', one might just as well play the CD (or record for that matter).

[@thomassmith5349]

I don't think his intent was ever to play it exactly like the record live, probably thought that would be boring. Most of his songs live he changed up a little, which to me, is part of the greatness, changing the mood and playing with emotion is much more satisfying then mechanically playing note for note replications of something he has already done.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I agree 100%. However, just to be clear, the video was really about the Gibson EDS 1275 double neck guitar. And that It is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th Frets for the final riff. The guitar is unwieldy and a beast to play, hence the struggle we all have playing this guitar. It is not a reference to Jimmy Page’s Ability or inability as a player. I am a Jimmy Page fan and think he is a great musician and a pioneer of electric guitar and a true wizard at that.

[@MarkMikelVideos]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Isn't amazing how many people completely missed your clearly stated point?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@MarkMikelVideos lol yes. But I get it. I like the interaction though. It helps the algorithm for me. 😂😂 Plus I like to interact with everyone. It’s all good!

[@ollelinderholm8996]

Agree with what is said here, one thing that always bugged me though, How come Page never hits the correct minor "6th" in like the last part of bar 4 ? (of the album version) Live he plays the more bluesy e-note in that same lick, whereas on the record, phrase ends on the f, which is much more melodic..my opinion anyway..I have yet to hear Any Live Version where he ends the phrase on the f (like the recorded solo...), makes me wonder..(no pun intended😄) maybe he had "help" in the studion Or,...somebody suggested that note, and he later forgot? whatever.. hehe! I never understood why live is so different than recorded, and im not talking about "jazzing it up" the vibe is different live vs recorded original..I think..Love em both though 🙂

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for the comment. I honestly think that Jimmy Improvised so much and took so many liberties, their songs grew and morphed into a completely different pieces over time. Which is natural for a band. You record the stuff. Then over time Find out live how the song breathes. It’s a touch situation because when you record something it is immortalized and that is what people expect from you. Even 20 years later when you have grown into a different person and player. Catch 22.

[@thegood9]

I'm with you. I had an EDS 1275 (cherry just like yours !) and when we would try and play that song I always had to improvise the ending because of that fretboard being short on frets at the higher registers. It was a fun guitar that always got the crowd going, but, not suitable for "blistering" solos.

[@lanatrzczka]

I have the Epiphone 1275 and it's the same exact thing. There's just no way to get into the A minor position in the upper octave.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yep it’s a great guitar but you gotta play that last riff down an octave :)

[@georgehgordy1690]

At 3:11 I believe it's because guitarists of that era like Jimmy Page were inspired by Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt more than the next generation of guitarists that followed.. But that's just my opinion... Nice upload BTW.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks, I appreciate that! I also agree with you

[@bmp-2267]

If you tune the six string to f and play the solo in a flat, can you hit the final riff then?

[@pentegarn1]

I was just at Boleskine House on Loch Ness...it was awesome! It burned down a while back so you can just walk right in. I did the "Star Ruby" ritual in the front yard...probably yards away from where it was written by Crowley. lol

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Quite an experience I am most certain!

[@michaelgoodridge671]

Jam tracks, you should focus on your own guitar solos etc. So easy to criticise, and remember, page wrote the music, show mr. Page some respect

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I think you commented before watching the video. Just to be clear, the video was really about the Gibson EDS 1275 double neck guitar. And that It is impossible to reach the 17th and 20th Frets for the final riff. The guitar is unwieldy and a beast to play, hence the struggle we all have playing this guitar. It is not a reference to Jimmy Page’s Ability or inability as a player. I am a Jimmy Page fan and think he is a great musician and a pioneer of electric guitar and a true wizard at that. Plus I create jam tracks. Play to jam tracks. Teach. Perform regularly. Do recording sessions. Have a home studio. Have toured. And have adult sons who are also established musicians. I have developed my own style and sound and have played the guitar for over 35 years. Not to mention graduated from a music university. Not that I am flexing, but since you brought up suggestions on what I should do I figured I’d share what I have done.

[@bryanwilliams3665]

The Coolest Guy in Manhattan suddenly become the 5th Coolest guy in Manhattan, the second Led Zeppelin hit Madison Square Garden in 1973. ..Led Zeppelin 'live' is my drug ,and Jimmy Page is my dealer .

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Preach it,brother! 🎸🎸🎸

[@arthurmee]

I'm 66 and I think you've got it right about the seventies. Many of the rock bands I saw did the same. They extended solos and crucially they improvised . . .a very Jazz thing to do . A lot of the guys had heard jazz in their younger days. I would say tbat shredding did exist but it was slower than the eighties guys you mention. Good video . . .

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thank you for the comment. Yes, totally. The influences of the players in 70’s had a lot to do with the extended styles and solos. Very much a jazz/blues approach. It was great (although sometimes a little too much lol) but overall amazing period for rock bands and guitar. 😎

[@arthurmee]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker yes, definitely a bit too long sometimes. As for the drum solos. Some of my friends called them 'the toilet break' 😁

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@arthurmee lol. Yeh the drum solos (toilet breaks). 😂 Some bands did bass solos. Definite toilet break.

[@kdbrock100]

Richie Blackmore, Ted Nugent, Frampton just to name a few. Maybe...maybe more dynamic than the 80s solos but I don't get the statement there were no shredders or they were slower (think Highway Star). Also, go ahead and take a piss during a Geddy Lee solo.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@kdbrock100 good additions. Yes that would be a piss break with Geddy lol.

[@ejb5034]

I wonder why Gibson cut the number of frets to 20 on that SG style body when my SG (69) has 22 frets and the horn is about even with the 20th fret. Plenty of room to reach those top notes.

[@j.c.ferrell1154]

If you're talking about the album version I don't think that makes it the correct version it was just the one that made it on to the album Jimmy played what he felt

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

He is mostly just pointing out the physical limitation of the guitar.

[@JudgeFredd]

The « mistakes » are the whys this solo is such a legend

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I totally agree! I was really only pointing out the neck on EDS1275 is impossible to reach the correct position for that last lick . :)

[@MrBoots1987]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker way cool video man . I’ve always wondered why the solo was never the same at the end when it’s played live .

[@williamknell864]

After the 3rd album, Zeppelin should have toured with a rhythm guitarist, or another multi-instrumentalist, like JPJ. When he played with the Black Crowes, all the extra players, made some of his more developed arrangements come alive nicely onstage.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yeh I can totally get behind that. As the music became more layered it was harder to replicate the same live. They started off a blues band and went to Kashmir.

[@johnperiard9594]

When i saw The Firm in '85 i lamented "Why is Jimmy playing a brown tele?" Little did i know the neck was from his dragon tele on which he recorded the Stairway solo.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

That’s cool!

[@jameslang1509]

Was used on Outrider tour 88 also. I heard.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@jameslang1509 I totally forgot about the Outrider era!