Before Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame became known as one of rock’s most important guitarists, he was a session musician hiring out his talents to various other acts. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a highly sought after backing musician, lending his chops to some now pretty classic works.
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During and after his tenure in the legendary rock band, he continued to play in the background of several iconic albums. Here are seven of them.
1. Sunshine Superman – Donovan (1966)
A young Page can be heard lending his six-stringed skills to Donovan’s classic 1966 album Sunshine Superman. He played the electric guitar on the album’s iconically daydreamy title track along with various others.
2. Kinks – The Kinks (1964)
The guitar virtuoso can also be found on The Kink’s 1964 self-titled debut. Several of the album’s tracks like “I’m a Lover Not a Fighter” and “I’ve Been Driving on Bald Mountain” received some Page magic. Page can be heard taking up the 12-string acoustic guitar.
3. Truth – Jeff Beck (1968)
Another album that features Page on the 12-string guitar is Jeff Beck’s solo debut, Truth. The tune, “Beck’s Bolero,” is graced with the artist’s multi-stringed talents. On the album, Page finds himself in good company alongside Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Keith Moon, and his future Led Zeppelin bandmate John Paul Jones.
4. Dirty Work – the Rolling Stones (1986)
The Rolling Stones enlisted a post-Zeppelin Page for their 1986 deep cut, Dirty Work. He can be heard playing the electric guitar on the hard-hitting track, “One Hit (To the Body).”
5. Now and Zen – Robert Plant (1988)
Page assisted his Led Zeppelin bandmate Robert Plant on his fourth solo album, 1988’s Now and Zen. His intricate guitar solos are unmistakable on songs like “Heaven Knows” and “Tall Cool One.”
6. Right by You – Stephen Stills (1984)
Page’s trademark sound whispers with a deep bluesy-ness, something he lent to Stephen Stills’ 1984 solo release, Right by You. His guitar chops can be pinpointed on tunes like the album’s title track, “50/50,” and “Flaming Heart.”
7. The History of Eric Clapton – Eric Clapton (1972)
Eric Clapton’s 1972 compilation release, The History of Eric Clapton, features various tracks from the artist’s tenure in bands like Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, and The Yardbirds, a group with which Page was also associated.
The compilation’s U.S. release features a track titled “Tribute to Elmore,” an instrumental homage to the great blues musician Elmore James by the two guitarists and former bandmates.
(Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage)
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