Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin are like Michael Jordan and the Bulls, Tom Brady and the Patriots. Steve Urkel and Family Matters. They just go together. But like Jordan, Brady, and Urkel (aka actor Jaleel White), before someone gets famous, there is a past that comes before. One that often includes hard work and sacrifice. But that past can be overlooked or forgotten once someone becomes uber-famous.
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But we want to remember the past. So, below, we’re taking a look at the early career of one of the greatest guitar players and songwriters ever. From session player all the way to the Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin to legend.
These are 6 songs you likely didn’t know Page played on prior to being a household name.
1. “I Can’t Explain,” The Who (1964)
Early in his career, Page linked up with music producer Shel Talmy, who worked with both the Kinks and The Who. As a result, Page worked with both bands, too. Page played rhythm guitar on the track as a session artist (someone hired to play in the studio for the recording, not a musician associated with the band otherwise). Page also played on the song’s B-side, “Bald Headed Woman.”
2. “As Tears Go By,” Marianne Faithful (1964)
Co-written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, “As Tears Go By” was recorded by U.K. singer Marianne Faithful. It hit No. 9 on the U.K. charts. For his part, Jimmy Page played the elegant and lush 12-string acoustic guitar on the track. A year later, the ‘Stones released a version of the song on their album, December’s Children (And Everybody’s).
3. “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” Van Morrison and Them (1964)
A traditional blues song made popular by Big Joe Williams in 1935, “Baby, Please Don’t Go” was recorded and made even more famous by the band Them, which was fronted then by a teenage Van Morrison. Page played on the track, likely rhythm guitar (as best as anyone can remember).
4. “I Pity the Fool,” The Manish Boys (1965)
First recorded by Bobby Bland in 1961, the British-born band The Manish Boys recorded their version a few years later. Fronting the Manish Boys? None other than David Bowie (then known as Davie Jones). The song was produced by Shel Talmy. According to legend, during the recording Page also gave Bowie a guitar riff that would feature on Bowie’s songs, “The Supermen” and “Dead Man Walking.”
5. “Goldfinger,” Shirley Bassey (1964)
The title song for the hit James Bond film, starring Sean Connery, saw Page as a session player for this one, too, contributing background acoustic guitar on the song’s instrumental version. A major coup for any young player at the time. By now, Page had this and his work with the Kinks and The Who.
6. “With a Little Help From My Friends,” Joe Cocker (1969)
The title track on Joe Cocker’s debut album, “With a Little Help From My Friends” is a cover of the Beatles song made famous on their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, sung by Ringo Starr. Many know it as the theme song to the hit ’90s show The Wonder Years. In fact, Page played on five songs from the album, including the title track, contributing his six-string.
Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage
