Jimmy Page Biography

(Guitarist and Founder of the Rock Band 'Led Zeppelin')

Birthday: January 9, 1944 (Capricorn)

Born In: Heston, Middlesex, England

Jimmy Page is an English musician who rose to fame as the guitarist and leader of the popular rock band ‘Led Zeppelin.’ Also a talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he began his career as a studio session musician in London. As a young boy, he was greatly impressed by Elvis Presley and started playing the guitar at the age of 12. Though he initially received some lessons, he was largely self-taught. As a teenager, he used to play at local halls and joined the band ‘The Crusaders’ when he was 15. However, an illness forced him to put his musical career on hold, after which he decided to focus on his studies. But he could not distance himself from music for long; he started performing when he was still a student. Within years, he made a name for himself as a skilled instrumentalist, and eventually went on to found the rock band ‘Led Zeppelin’ along with singer Robert Plant, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. The band became famous as the progenitor of heavy metal and hard rock and achieved phenomenal success.

21
Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In January

Also Known As: James Patrick Page

Age: 80 Years, 80 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Jimena Gómez-Paratcha (m. 1995–2008), Patricia Ecker (m. 1986–1995)

father: James Page

mother: Patricia Page

siblings: Karen Page Errington

children: Ashen Josan Page, James Patrick Page III, Jana Page, Scarlet Page, Zofia Jade Page

Partner: Charlotte Martin (1970-1983)

Born Country: England

Guitarists Record Producers

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

City: Middlesex, England

  • 1

    What guitars does Jimmy Page use?

    Jimmy Page is known for using a variety of guitars, including his iconic Gibson Les Paul models, Fender Telecaster, and various other custom-built guitars.

  • 2

    How did Jimmy Page form Led Zeppelin?

    Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin in 1968 after his previous band, The Yardbirds, disbanded. He recruited Robert Plant, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones to form the legendary rock band.

  • 3

    What is Jimmy Page's playing style?

    Jimmy Page is known for his innovative and influential guitar playing style, incorporating elements of blues, folk, and Eastern music into his rock music. He is also known for his use of the bow on his guitar and his intricate guitar solos.

  • 4

    What are some of Jimmy Page's most famous guitar riffs?

    Some of Jimmy Page's most famous guitar riffs include "Whole Lotta Love," "Stairway to Heaven," "Black Dog," "Rock and Roll," and "Kashmir."

  • 5

    How did Jimmy Page get the nickname "The Wizard?"

    Jimmy Page earned the nickname "The Wizard" due to his exceptional guitar skills and innovative techniques, which set him apart as a virtuoso in the world of rock music.

Childhood & Early Life

Jimmy Page was born James Patrick Page on 9 January 1944, in Heston, Middlesex, England, to James Patrick Page Sr. and Patricia Elizabeth Page. His father was an industrial personnel manager and his mother was a doctor's secretary.

He became interested in music at a young age and took guitar lessons for a short while. He then began playing with the local bands and it did not take him long to realize that he wanted to become a professional musician. However, an illness made him rethink about his future plans and he took a break from music to study at ‘Sutton Art College’ in Surrey.

He began performing at the ‘Marquee Club’ while he was still a student. He played with several bands and soon gained a reputation as a popular session guitarist. He then quit school to focus on music.

Continue Reading Below
Career

He became a much sought after session guitarist during the 1960s and played with many popular bands, including ‘The Rolling Stones.’

In the mid-1960s, he joined the blues-influenced rock band ‘Yardbirds.’ Though the band was initially successful, it soon fizzled out and was disbanded in 1968.

Jimmy Page reconfigured the band in 1968 with a new line-up which included himself, vocalist Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham, and multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones. The new band was called ‘Led Zeppelin.’

The band released their debut album ‘Led Zeppelin’ in 1969. It featured a fusion of blues and rock music, and became a commercial success. It had tracks, such as ‘Good Times Bad Times,’ ‘Dazed and Confused,’ and ‘Communication Breakdown.’

The band became very popular following the release of their debut album. Hence, the members of the band were encouraged to release three more albums in quick succession over the next couple of years: ‘Led Zeppelin II’ (1969), ‘Led Zeppelin III’ (1970), and ‘Led Zeppelin IV’ (1971).

‘Led Zeppelin’ went on to become one of the best-selling bands in the United States. They released a total of nine studio albums, all of which reached the top 10 of the US Billboard album chart, with six of them reaching the No.1 spot.

Tragedy struck when the band’s drummer John Bonham died in 1980. The band disbanded, and Page was inconsolable after the loss of his dear friend. For a long time, he refused to touch the guitar.

Eventually, he returned to music and started performing again on stage. During the 1980s, he collaborated with bands like ‘The Firm’ and ‘The Honeydrippers.’ He also reunited with former bandmates of ‘Led Zeppelin’ to perform live on a few occasions.

During the 1990s, he was deeply involved in remastering the ‘Led Zeppelin’ catalogue. The decade also saw him reuniting with Robert Plant for a performance in MTV's ‘Unplugged’ series, which was recorded and released as ‘No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded.’

Continue Reading Below

Page has since continued to enthrall his fans with his music and live performance. He performed alongside Leona Lewis at the 2008 ‘Summer Olympics.’ He also co-produced the documentary ‘It Might Get Loud.’

He has also performed at the ‘Royal Albert Hall’ in London and was featured in the two-hour long BBC Radio 2 show ‘Johnny Walker Meets.’ The multi-talented guitarist has plans of forming a new band in order to produce fresh music for his beloved fans.

Major Work

Led Zeppelin’s album ‘Led Zeppelin II’ was the band's first album to reach number one in the UK and the US. Considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rock albums by music critics, it was certified 12× Platinum by the RIAA for sales in excess of 12 million copies. Jimmy Page is credited for the production of this super-hit album.

Awards & Achievements

‘Led Zeppelin’ won a ‘Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award’ in 2005.

‘Led Zeppelin’ was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 1995 and the ‘UK Music Hall of Fame’ in 2006.

In 2005, Jimmy Page was made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his charity work for ‘Task Brazil’ and ‘Action For Brazil's Children's Trust.’

He received ‘Kennedy Centre Honors’ alongside bandmates Plant and Jones in 2012. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the ‘Berklee College of Music’ in 2014.

Personal Life & Legacy

Jimmy Page was in a relationship with French model Charlotte Martin during the 1970s. They broke up in the early-1980s. They have a daughter.

He married Patricia Ecker, a model and waitress, in 1986 and had a son with her. The marriage ended in divorce in 1995.

His third marriage was with Jimena Gómez-Paratcha. He adopted Jimena’s daughter from a previous relationship. The couple was blessed with two children. Jimena and Jimmy divorced in 2008.

In 2014, Jimmy Page started dating actress and poet Scarlett Sabet. Scarlett is 45 years younger to him.

Facts About Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page is an avid collector of occult and supernatural artifacts, including Aleister Crowley memorabilia. His interest in mysticism and the supernatural has influenced his music and image throughout his career.

Page is known for his unique approach to playing the guitar, often using a violin bow to create haunting, otherworldly sounds. This technique has become synonymous with his style and has been emulated by many aspiring guitarists.

In addition to being a talented musician, Page is also an accomplished visual artist. He designed the iconic album covers for Led Zeppelin's "Led Zeppelin III" and "Houses of the Holy," showcasing his creativity beyond music.

Page is a dedicated philanthropist and has supported various charitable causes over the years. He has been involved in initiatives to promote music education in schools and has donated to organizations focused on environmental conservation.

Awards

Grammy Awards
2014 Best Rock Album Winner
1999 Best Hard Rock Performance Winner

See the events in life of Jimmy Page in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Jimmy Page Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/james-patrick-page-1851.php

People Also Viewed

Eric Clapton Biography
Eric Clapton
(British)
 
Brian May Biography
Brian May
(British)
 
Slash Biography
Slash
(British)
 
Jeff Lynne Biography
Jeff Lynne
(British)
 
Robert Smith Biography
Robert Smith
(British)
 
Gavin Rossdale Biography
Gavin Rossdale
(British)
 
Steve Winwood Biography
Steve Winwood
(British)
 
Brian Eno Biography
Brian Eno
(British)