Imagine one of the greatest guitarists of all time, a rock god synonymous with legendary riffs and earth-shattering performances... and then picture him playing anonymously on someone else's song. It sounds crazy, right? We're talking about Jimmy Page, the mastermind behind Led Zeppelin, and believe it or not, before he was a household name, he was a sought-after session musician. Yesterday marked what would have been his 82nd birthday, giving us the perfect excuse to delve into his pre-Zeppelin days.
Most people know Jimmy Page for his electrifying work with Led Zeppelin, the band he formed from the ashes of The Yardbirds in the late 1960s. He initially joined The Yardbirds in 1966, stepping in for bassist Paul Samwell-Smith. He quickly transitioned to guitar, creating a formidable dual-guitar lineup alongside Jeff Beck. But here's where it gets interesting...
Before his Yardbirds days, Jimmy Page was making a name for himself as a top-tier session guitarist in London. He lent his incredible talent to numerous early recordings by artists who would later become famous. So, in celebration of Jimmy Page's birthday, let's explore four songs by well-known artists that feature the iconic guitarist – songs you might never have suspected he played on!
1. "As Tears Go By" by Marianne Faithfull (1964)
Did you know that one of The Rolling Stones' earliest songwriting efforts, "As Tears Go By," was actually given away? Mick Jagger and Keith Richards penned the tune, and their manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, recognized its hit potential. However, he felt the baroque-pop ballad didn't quite fit The Stones' raw, bluesy style. Instead, he handed it to Marianne Faithfull, a promising 17-year-old singer he'd met at a Stones party, to record as her debut single. And guess who played the 12-string guitar on that recording session? None other than Jimmy Page! "As Tears Go By" became a hit for Faithfull, reaching No. 9 in the U.K. and No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. The Rolling Stones later recorded their own version in late 1965, scoring a No. 6 hit in the U.S. in early '66. But the original features that unmistakable Page touch.
2. "Baby, Please Don't Go" by Them (1964)
Them, a blues-infused garage-rock band hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, was fronted by a young, fiery singer named Van Morrison. Jimmy Page contributed his guitar skills to several of Them's early tracks, including their rendition of the blues standard "Baby, Please Don't Go." Released in October 1964, Them's version of "Baby, Please Don't Go" became their breakthrough hit, climbing to No. 10 on the U.K. singles chart. But this is the part most people miss... Page's contribution wasn't just a simple rhythm part; he added a distinct, almost aggressive edge to the track, a precursor to the heavier sounds he'd later explore with Led Zeppelin. Jimmy also played on other Them tracks, including "Mystic Eyes" and "Here Comes The Night", both of which became Top 40 hits in the U.S.
3. "Downtown" by Petula Clark (1964)
Petula Clark was already a well-established music star in the U.K. when she achieved massive success in the U.S. with "Downtown." Written by songwriter/producer Tony Hatch, "Downtown" was released as a single in October 1964. It dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in January 1965, also reaching No. 2 in the U.K. Now, the song features layers of instrumentation, and Jimmy Page was just one of several session guitarists who contributed to the track. His specific contribution is difficult to isolate, but his presence added to the overall sonic tapestry of this iconic song. Some claim his work is more prominent in the instrumental break, but it's a subtle contribution nonetheless.
4. "I'm Not Sayin'" by Nico (1965)
Nico, born Christa Paffgen, began her career as a model in the 1950s and also pursued acting. She even had a role in Federico Fellini's classic film La Dolce Vita. By the mid-1960s, she decided to embark on a singing career. Nico, who was dating Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones at the time, signed with Andrew Loog Oldham's Immediate Records label. Her debut single was a pop interpretation of Canadian folksinger Gordon Lightfoot's "I'm Not Sayin'." Here's the interesting part: both Brian Jones and Jimmy Page played guitar on the track, and Page even produced the song! However, despite the star power involved, the single, released in August 1965, failed to achieve commercial success. Jones also introduced Nico to Andy Warhol, leading to her involvement with The Velvet Underground in 1966. The song itself is a fascinating piece of pop history, showcasing Page's early production skills and his ability to adapt to different musical styles. But here's where it gets controversial... Some critics argue that Page's production was too polished, stripping away the raw emotion of the original folk song. What do you think?
So, there you have it – four surprising songs featuring the legendary Jimmy Page before he became the guitar god we all know and love. It just goes to show that even the biggest stars have humble beginnings. Which of these songs surprised you the most? And does knowing that Jimmy Page played on them change how you hear them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
