Let's celebrate the legendary Jimmy Page, the guitar maestro, on his 82nd birthday! While he's renowned for his work with Led Zeppelin, his journey began much earlier, establishing him as a sought-after session guitarist in London. Today, we uncover four iconic songs featuring Jimmy's talents, which might just surprise you!
But here's where it gets intriguing...
"As Tears Go By" by Marianne Faithfull (1964): This early composition by The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Keith Richards was destined for greatness. However, their manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, believed it didn't align with the band's style. Instead, he gifted it to the aspiring 17-year-old Marianne Faithfull, and with Jimmy Page's 12-string guitar magic, it became a hit, reaching the top 10 in the UK and the Billboard Hot 100.
"Baby, Please Don't Go" by Them (1964): Hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Them brought a unique blues-inspired garage rock sound. Led by the young Van Morrison, this band's cover of the blues standard, with Jimmy's guitar prowess, became their first hit, climbing to the top 10 in the UK.
"Downtown" by Petula Clark (1964): Already a UK music star, Petula Clark's breakthrough in the US came with "Downtown." Written by Tony Hatch, this track featured Jimmy Page among other session guitarists, and it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in 1965.
"I'm Not Sayin'" by Nico (1965): Christa Paffgen, known as Nico, transitioned from modeling and acting to music, dating Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones along the way. Her debut single, a pop rendition of Gordon Lightfoot's song, featured both Jones and Jimmy Page on guitars, with Jimmy also producing the track. While it didn't chart, Nico's journey continued with The Velvet Underground, introduced to her by Jones.
These songs showcase Jimmy Page's early contributions to music, long before Led Zeppelin.
And this is the part most people miss...
Jimmy's session work not only shaped the sound of these iconic songs but also played a pivotal role in the careers of these artists.
So, what's your take on these hidden gems? Do you think Jimmy's session work is often overlooked? Feel free to share your thoughts and let's discuss!
