Along with Jimi Hendrix and former Yardbirds bandmate Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page is popularly considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, particularly for his time in Led Zeppelin. Monster riffs like “Whole Lotta Love” and “Black Dog” characterised Zeppelin’s sound, but it’s Page’s solos that really stand out.

Hardcore fans tend to prefer “Heartbreaker”, but “Stairway To Heaven” is arguably one of the greatest guitar solos of all time.

It would be wrong, however, to relegate Page to “the guy who played guitar for Robert Plant”. Even before he formed Zeppelin, Page was a renowned guitarist. After starting as a session musician, recording with The Who, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, and many more besides, he joined The Yardbirds. Initially the band’s bass player, he soon switched to dual lead guitar with Jeff Beck, and then the band’s lead guitarist when Beck left.

The Yardbirds disbanded in 1968, but Page wanted to keep going. With Plant, drummer John Bonham, and studio genius cum bassist John Paul Jones, he formed the New Yardbirds and fulfilled the band’s outstanding touring obligations. After the tour, they called themselves Led Zeppelin, and the rest is history…

Page continued to play shows casually for over 30 years after Zeppelin’s break up. He recorded sporadically with a variety of artists throughout the 80s, including a solo album, Outrider, released in 1988.

Top Song