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Jimmy Page: La biografía definitiva (Música)
Jimmy Page fue el líder de la banda más grande del mundo durante la década de 1970, Led Zeppelin.
Con montañas de dinero, puertas giratorias de groupies y un consumo excesivo de drogas, Led Zeppelin escribió la biblia del rock ‘n’ roll, con Jimmy Page al frente en todo momento. Pero todo tenía un precio: la desmesura y finalmente la tragedia les golpeó duramente para asegurarse de que este Zeppelin, al igual que el Hindenburg, acabara en llamas.
Basándose en una extensa investigación y a partir de conversaciones con el guitarrista y su entorno, Chris Salewicz desentraña el enigma que supone la figura de Jimmy Page, presentando el retrato más completo del hombre y su obra. Cubriéndolo todo, desde sus primeros días como uno de los mejores músicos de estudio de Londres hasta décadas de auténtica lucha de poder con su compañero de banda, Robert Plant.
554 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2018
82 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Chris Salewicz
49 books34 followersChris Salewicz's writing on music and popular culture has appeared in publications around the globe. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 12, 2021
"Their music's loud, almost to the point of pain, but they don't use volume just to cover up deficiencies. The volume is part of their attack. They don't tease audiences to share their inspiration. Instead, they blast out with raw, jagged power - enough to bust a new door into your brain. They use their instruments like a brush and palette, creating frenzied visions that tumble through space." -- Canadian journalist Robert Harvey on Led Zeppelin (circa summer of '69), on pages 177-178
Now, here's the conundrum - after 500 pages I still don't feel like I learned much of anything new or exciting about British guitarist / songwriter / composer / producer James Patrick Page - "the original enigmatic rock star," as accurately stated on the cover flap - but yet for fans of 60's / 70's classic (or 'dinosaur,' if you're cynical) rock music this was still a finely detailed and interesting biography. First gaining notice as a session musician during the mid-60's - where he played on such hit songs as the Who's 'I Can't Explain,' the Rolling Stones' 'Heart of Stone,' and even Shirley Bassey's brassy 007 tune 'Goldfinger' - Page soon became the guitarist for blues-rock band The Yardbirds. However, said group was critically and commercially on its last legs, but it would soon have a stunning rebirth . . .
Led Zeppelin hit the ground running in late 1968, and the rest is music history - and WHAT a history it was. A monster of an act - considered one of the early innovators of the heavy metal genre - the quartet reigned supreme worldwide in both album sales and concert earnings from approximately 1969 to 1976. They had the tools and they had the talent, and they certainly left a mark with a fair number of indelible songs like 'Whole Lotta Love,' 'Immigrant Song,' 'Over the Hills and Far Away,' and (of course) 'Stairway to Heaven.' Salewicz's biography is most interesting when focusing the Zep years - and let's face it, that's probably what most of us are really here for (unless you want a few unsavory stories about groupies, or the alcohol and heroin use that helped derail the success train of the group) - and it doesn't disappoint with coverage of both the great music and the personalities.
Now, here's the conundrum - after 500 pages I still don't feel like I learned much of anything new or exciting about British guitarist / songwriter / composer / producer James Patrick Page - "the original enigmatic rock star," as accurately stated on the cover flap - but yet for fans of 60's / 70's classic (or 'dinosaur,' if you're cynical) rock music this was still a finely detailed and interesting biography. First gaining notice as a session musician during the mid-60's - where he played on such hit songs as the Who's 'I Can't Explain,' the Rolling Stones' 'Heart of Stone,' and even Shirley Bassey's brassy 007 tune 'Goldfinger' - Page soon became the guitarist for blues-rock band The Yardbirds. However, said group was critically and commercially on its last legs, but it would soon have a stunning rebirth . . .
Led Zeppelin hit the ground running in late 1968, and the rest is music history - and WHAT a history it was. A monster of an act - considered one of the early innovators of the heavy metal genre - the quartet reigned supreme worldwide in both album sales and concert earnings from approximately 1969 to 1976. They had the tools and they had the talent, and they certainly left a mark with a fair number of indelible songs like 'Whole Lotta Love,' 'Immigrant Song,' 'Over the Hills and Far Away,' and (of course) 'Stairway to Heaven.' Salewicz's biography is most interesting when focusing the Zep years - and let's face it, that's probably what most of us are really here for (unless you want a few unsavory stories about groupies, or the alcohol and heroin use that helped derail the success train of the group) - and it doesn't disappoint with coverage of both the great music and the personalities.
December 4, 2018
The title announces the definitive biography of Jimmy Page, so the trouble with this book starts on the cover before readers even open it. In 1979 'author' Chris Salewicz published a negative, anti-Zeppelin article in a magazine I won't identify; safe to say its editors disliked Page's band more than the writer himself. I recall this minutiae because my hobby is collecting Led Zep memorabilia. I have a ridiculous familiarity with the band, so much so I can pinpoint every magazine article and book Salewicz took his verbiage from; he even quotes YouTube comments verbatim. I was dumbfounded to read some of my own research appear word-for-word on page 218. Avoid this slipshod halfhearted non-journalism at all costs.
May 3, 2019
"Jimmy Page: The Definitive Biography" is a massive book, detailed, researched, and thorough, focusing primarily on Page's musical career both as a session musician and as the founder of the mega-group, Led Zeppelin. It's focus is on the things most fans are most interested - the Zeppelin years. As such, it details the quick rise of Page to guitar god status and his - and the band's - downfall in arrogance, in drug addiction, and eventually, with the death of Bonzo (John Bonham, the drummer) choking to death on an alcohol binge, the end of the biggest Tyrannosaurus rex of rock bands, and Page's withdrawal and hermitlike years following the dissolution of the surviving three-quarters of the band. As such, what you are reading feels like a modern-day Shakespearean tragedy.
From the introduction, the author and is determined to present Page and the band in an honest light, warts and all. With an arrogance and a swagger that came from early success, there was violence around the band, groupies, including underage girls, were ever-present, as were what would become mountains of coke and heroin and booze. In the later years, the tours were marred by riots in the streets and by musicians who were so doped up, they could barely complete a set. And, whole chapters are given to Page's fascination with Alistair Crowley and his twisted world of black magic.
The tours are each discussed, particularly the success of the American tours, as well as the production of each album, the pressures of putting out each album, and the sales success of each.
It is a testament to how awesomely talented Page is that his music has remained so popular for so long and that each and every note of many of the songs are instantly recognizable. For me, I would have liked to hear more about the composition of the songs, but that's probably a different book.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
From the introduction, the author and is determined to present Page and the band in an honest light, warts and all. With an arrogance and a swagger that came from early success, there was violence around the band, groupies, including underage girls, were ever-present, as were what would become mountains of coke and heroin and booze. In the later years, the tours were marred by riots in the streets and by musicians who were so doped up, they could barely complete a set. And, whole chapters are given to Page's fascination with Alistair Crowley and his twisted world of black magic.
The tours are each discussed, particularly the success of the American tours, as well as the production of each album, the pressures of putting out each album, and the sales success of each.
It is a testament to how awesomely talented Page is that his music has remained so popular for so long and that each and every note of many of the songs are instantly recognizable. For me, I would have liked to hear more about the composition of the songs, but that's probably a different book.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
November 7, 2018
I've read plenty of books on Page and I have to say that, as stated in the title, this is the definitive biography. Very well-written and meticulously researched, featuring source material from lengthy interviews by the author as well as those he worked with.
It's a comprehensive look at the Zep guitarist's life, from his birth to session musician to present. It is also very balanced, it's certainly not a total Jimmy love-in, but Salewicz provides a highly detailed examination of one of the greatest living guitar heroes.
It's a comprehensive look at the Zep guitarist's life, from his birth to session musician to present. It is also very balanced, it's certainly not a total Jimmy love-in, but Salewicz provides a highly detailed examination of one of the greatest living guitar heroes.
April 12, 2019
From his days as a prodigy, being on television with a Skiffle band when he was just 13, to being a professional studio musician while he was still in art school, to riding the crest of the rock and roll dream in the 1970's as lead guitar in Led Zeppelin , Jimmy Page led a charmed life. It was also a life with a darker side, which included alcohol, cocaine and heroin, the arrogance and violence of their gangster-affiliated management, a consistent interest in underage or a least much younger women and a fascination with the occult. Journalist Chris Salewicz covers it all in detail depicting a man who though at the center of the spotlight was always essentially a loner and collector, even an academic, rather than a social creature. Page's is a difficult life to get to the bottom of but Salewicz manages to cover all its contradictions and complexities. - BH.
June 8, 2022
Sour-grape flavored prose in a sadly transparent attempt by Chris Salewicz to exploit interviews he was granted with Page in the 1970s. In a 1979 article in New Musical Express, Salewicz could not hide his contempt for Page, and Salewicz gleefully espoused what he believed to be the superiority of punk music. Forty years later it’s abundantly clear Salewicz still resents Page but didn’t resent the potential dollars a book about Page might bring. The antagonistic text of the book is bursting with inaccuracies, wild conspiracy theories, and between each line is his glaringly palpable lament that Salewicz failed to slay the rock "dinosaur" in 1979. He failed on this occasion as well.
December 16, 2021
Perfect. One of the best rock biographies for sure. I would enjoy it if it was ten times as long. It's just never ending, the mystique around Jimmy Page. I think the very reason we even read the books like these is to lift the curtain, to find the man behind the myth. In this case, probably thanks to Jimmy's continuing interest in occult and Aleister Crowley, but also to his quite unpredictable personality (contrary to predictably moronic behaviour of the drummer), the mystique and secret remain after all is said and done.
The Song Remains the Same, in their own words.
That may be the universal mark of good rock biography. Get me closer to my idol, but don't take anything from him and don't take from me what I already got. Is it always possible? I don't know, just a thought.
The Song Remains the Same, in their own words.
That may be the universal mark of good rock biography. Get me closer to my idol, but don't take anything from him and don't take from me what I already got. Is it always possible? I don't know, just a thought.
September 3, 2019
Another book that went into great technical details but left me feeling like I still didn't know the real Jimmy Page.
March 27, 2020
JIMMY PAGE: THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY by Chris Salewicz is an excellent and exhaustive written account of the life and times of Jimmy Page; one of the most important and influential guitarists in the history of rock music.
Author Salewicz covers every aspect of the musician’s life from childhood up to the release of the book, and the in-depth research of Page as both musician and individual are very well done; especially considering it’s subject is someone so shrouded in mystery (often created and used to effect by Page himself), and never resorting to sensationalism or glamour, but is written in what would seem to be as honest and accurate an accounting as the author assemble with the information he gained through an incredible amount of research, also containing interviews with many figures of Page’s life at different stages of his career and personal life.
Musicians and others with interest in Page (and Led Zeppelin) should read this biography as it is a wealth of information about both his personal life and his career.
5 stars.
Author Salewicz covers every aspect of the musician’s life from childhood up to the release of the book, and the in-depth research of Page as both musician and individual are very well done; especially considering it’s subject is someone so shrouded in mystery (often created and used to effect by Page himself), and never resorting to sensationalism or glamour, but is written in what would seem to be as honest and accurate an accounting as the author assemble with the information he gained through an incredible amount of research, also containing interviews with many figures of Page’s life at different stages of his career and personal life.
Musicians and others with interest in Page (and Led Zeppelin) should read this biography as it is a wealth of information about both his personal life and his career.
5 stars.
April 16, 2019
Chris Salewicz's biography of Jimmy Page is a comprehensive account of the life of the man considered by many to be the world's greatest guitarist. Regrettably, Page is also a most reclusive character. Therefore, any biography of him has to be from a distance or taken from the interviews he did (mostly in the 1970s) or from the opinions of those who have worked with him. So it is with this book. Most of the stories recounted here are only too well-known by those of us who were fans in the 1970s and literally clung to any and every interview or photo of the band as they were rare. Neither a hit piece nor a fawning study of Page, this is a fair account of a mercurial figure. When the band was good, they were very good; but when they were bad, they were horrid. Not news to followers. I actually remembered some of the interviews recorded in this biography from having read them when they were published. While Jimmy remains perhaps one of the strangest and most secretive musicians of all time, he is still enigmatic enough to arouse interest. I imagine it will ever be so. Without direct help from Page, this biography about covers it all -- positive and negative.
August 25, 2018
The constant "will they, won't they" question that hangs in the air whenever the subject of Led Zeppelin is raised, is, for me , irrelevant. My view is that we should focus on what we have and what we have had from this phenomenally successful rock band. Led Zeppelin set the bar from what followed, and Jimmy Page was at the forefront of their success, in his role as producer and as guitarist.
2018 marks the 50th Anniversary of Led Zeppelin's formation in which they morphed from the name the New Yardbirds which toured Scandinavia, returning to creating their debut album, and the rest as they say is history. In the years since they have now sold over 300 million records, lost a founding member in John Bonham in 1980, and have fleetingly performed live over the years, usually with Bonham's son Jason on drums.
There have been countless books published about Led Zeppelin and in particular Jimmy Page. Chris Salewicz has nailed one of the better ones in "Jimmy Page, the Definitive Biography" although, like his fellow writers no-one has ever been able to create a Led Zep book with the collaboration of the three remaining band members. That looks like changing later in 2018 when Led Zeppelin themselves launch a 50th anniversary publication. Meantime, you will have to make do with this
very well researched and intelligently written Jimmy Page biography.
2018 marks the 50th Anniversary of Led Zeppelin's formation in which they morphed from the name the New Yardbirds which toured Scandinavia, returning to creating their debut album, and the rest as they say is history. In the years since they have now sold over 300 million records, lost a founding member in John Bonham in 1980, and have fleetingly performed live over the years, usually with Bonham's son Jason on drums.
There have been countless books published about Led Zeppelin and in particular Jimmy Page. Chris Salewicz has nailed one of the better ones in "Jimmy Page, the Definitive Biography" although, like his fellow writers no-one has ever been able to create a Led Zep book with the collaboration of the three remaining band members. That looks like changing later in 2018 when Led Zeppelin themselves launch a 50th anniversary publication. Meantime, you will have to make do with this
very well researched and intelligently written Jimmy Page biography.
May 23, 2020
Surprisingly boring. I never felt like I really learned anything about Jimmy Page as a person. The black magic mythology was only speculated on by the author, in what seemed to be a weak attempt at creating some allure to keep the reader's interest, but all it did was make me roll my eyes. In the end, Page comes off as a pretty unlikeable guy. I will try to find a better bio of him.
If you like biographies that read as a factual timeline, go for it-- this is chock full of "they recorded this album then," and "they toured in this city then" -- but I prefer to learn about the humanity of someone, and this one missed.
If you like biographies that read as a factual timeline, go for it-- this is chock full of "they recorded this album then," and "they toured in this city then" -- but I prefer to learn about the humanity of someone, and this one missed.
August 26, 2018
A great read on a living musical icon
I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin and was always intrigued by Jimmy Page.. it’s not the best book I have ever read but it’s a great and easy book to read
given the reader an inside to a living musical icon and one of musics biggest rock groups
I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin and was always intrigued by Jimmy Page.. it’s not the best book I have ever read but it’s a great and easy book to read
given the reader an inside to a living musical icon and one of musics biggest rock groups
February 1, 2019
Incredibly well researched and referenced biography of (undisputably) the greatest rock and roll guitarist their is. Not just for fans of Led Zeppelin, it also reveals deep and dark insights into the music machine, the excesses available to musicians, and of their succeptibility to changing fashions.
June 23, 2019
Interesting person. Fascinating story. Author's style and opinions were too blatant at times, including sections where the author seemed more interested in his own story than Page's. I learned a lot about the people behind the music.
April 29, 2019
Hard to put down even knowing how it all turns out. Led Zeppelin is my all time favorite band, coming of age in their hay day. Jimmy Page is the master.
January 13, 2022
Have to say I thoroughly loved this biography on the enigmatic founder of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page. It’s a very thorough and all-encompassing portrait that doesn’t try to glorify or mythologize Page or Led Zeppelin themselves. In fact I would say I’m surprised at how relatively bad they sometimes come off as in this book, but I also appreciate the objective tone that Salewicz approached the subject matter in, going so far as to voice his own disapproval of their legendary behavior and debauchery of the 1970s. But on a pure reading level it was very enjoyable and I feel that I’ve learned a lot more about Page and indeed Zeppelin itself than I’ve known before. Highly recommended to any fans of the band and Page
March 5, 2025
Love Page; loved the book.
April 17, 2019
Definitive in some ways, but the post-Zeppelin years are largely glossed over.
Sadly, the truly "definitive" biography will only come with Page's involvement and after his death, but this'll do. For now.
Sadly, the truly "definitive" biography will only come with Page's involvement and after his death, but this'll do. For now.
September 19, 2019
Fascinating character Mr. Page. Wildly gifted musician who, as a studio hand riding the 1960s rock pop wave London branch, made himself a millionaire by the time he started Led Zeppelin. (Watch “The Wrecking Crew” on Netflix. It will give you a general idea of how much money was being made by musicians doing studio work in that era). Zep was supposed to be “The New Yardbirds” but decided, eh, screw it, and became, well, Led Zeppelin.
Yes, amazingly, unlimited supplies of money, drugs and women to young men can lead to episodes of regrettable behavior. Who knew?
The most regrettable action on Mr. Page’s part would be his hard to understand skipping of the funeral of Robert Plant’s five year old son. When soon thereafter John Bonham died (only Zep member that could be bothered to show) Plant pulled the plug on the band. He went his own way for the most part and has had a very successful solo career. “Raising Sand,” with Allison Krause is an absolute gem.
Page himself, having nothing left to prove, has become the curator of Led Zeppelin’s memory. Page was and is an astonishing musical talent, and this is a really fine biography if you’re interested in Mozart with a Strat, many drugs, much money and an annoying interest in the occult.
Yes, amazingly, unlimited supplies of money, drugs and women to young men can lead to episodes of regrettable behavior. Who knew?
The most regrettable action on Mr. Page’s part would be his hard to understand skipping of the funeral of Robert Plant’s five year old son. When soon thereafter John Bonham died (only Zep member that could be bothered to show) Plant pulled the plug on the band. He went his own way for the most part and has had a very successful solo career. “Raising Sand,” with Allison Krause is an absolute gem.
Page himself, having nothing left to prove, has become the curator of Led Zeppelin’s memory. Page was and is an astonishing musical talent, and this is a really fine biography if you’re interested in Mozart with a Strat, many drugs, much money and an annoying interest in the occult.
November 30, 2021
I had already consumed 2 excellent Led Zeppelin biographies, by Barney Hoskyns & Mick Wall, & I was hoping to learn more, much more, about its founder & guitarist post-1980, after the death of John Bonham caused the demise of the band. That event takes us to page 430 in this 499 page book. Which leaves only 69 pages in which to chronicle the following 38 years of Page's life to 2018, when the book was published. That was disappointing. But Page's years as a wildly successful session muso before joining the Yardbirds are explored & that made the book worth it. I have read a lot of rock music biogs or memoirs in my time & our Jimmy comes across as one of the weirdest characters of them all. But he has breathed rarefied air almost all of his life.
April 3, 2022
I was interested in Jimmy Page the guitar player, songwriter and band leader. This book delivered on the band leader part, and added in lots of Jimmy Page the womanizer and occultist, but paid short shrift to his guitar expertise. It was well researched to an extent, but suffered from lack of input from the principals. Frequently other books about the band were quoted, and prior magazine articles written by the author were annoyingly included verbatim. Even more annoying was the constant relating of recounted events to various zodiac signs.
There was enough in the book to draw me to the end, but it wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for.
There was enough in the book to draw me to the end, but it wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for.
March 11, 2023
This didn’t feel like it was any more about Jimmy Page than it was about all the members of Led Zeppelin . It was mostly a chronological listing of the shows the band played and when their recordings occurred .. I think the author’s claim to fame are two ancient interviews with Page . Do I feel like I know anymore about Page than I did before reading this book? Very little . If you want to read a good book about Jimmy Page … light and shade by Brad Tolinski .. I read this book several years ago and it is one of the best books about a rock musician that I’ve ever read
January 2, 2023
Although filled with many facts of Page this book unabashedly fills itself with sex drugs and the occult. There is no insight to the character nor his music abilities. Instead the author uses inference to whip up what is a very depressing picture.
Instead of reading this cheapness you should instead read the Led Zeppelin Biography by Bob Spitz which is a more fair and balanced writing.
Instead of reading this cheapness you should instead read the Led Zeppelin Biography by Bob Spitz which is a more fair and balanced writing.
July 11, 2019
A fine biography of the king of the riffs - Jimmy Page. Entertaining all the way through. Jimmy Page has lived the archetypal rock star life - music, women, drugs, alcohol and scandal. Full coverage is given to his guitar playing starting as a young teenager playing skiffle; becoming the best session guitarist in the business and then onto the Yardbirds and of course, one, if not the greatest rock and Heavy Metal band - Led Zeppelin. Page was famous for combining the blues with innovative riffs (especially on Physical Graffiti) and also playing folk songs on the acoustic guitar, notably on Led Zeppelin 3 and No Quarter. Without doubt, the legendary guitarist is a strong contender for the No 1 spot - only Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton can make a similar claim. It is clear that Jimmy Page is proud of his Led Zeppelin legacy and so he should be but perhaps he has spent too much time on that golden period, sacrificing time that could have been used coming up with something fresh that could have competed with the standards he set with Led Zeppelin. It is clear how important Robert Plant has been to him and not being able to find a suitable replacement has been the biggest problem he has faced post-Led Zeppelin days. Out of respect for the great man, I will skate over the scandalous and dark side of his character, which is explored in the book. Whatever his demons, it appears that Jimmy Page has come out through the other end and is one of rock’s great survivors - which is great for his fans. I had the pleasure of seeing Page & Plant at Glastonbury in 1995 - a brilliant performance. I still believe he has more to give and a solo tour would be welcome. I for one will be there subject to ticket availability. This biography is recommended. Nevertheless, an autobiography from Jimmy Page himself would also be appreciated.
May 20, 2025
Jimmy Page is an enigmatic and fascinating figure, and I sense the author gets pretty close to the heart of the story. Page himself supposedly has written an autobiography which will be published posthumously, and will hopefully explain what he has been up to since seemingly leaving music creation off the table. Page often speaks of his musical philosophy of shadows and light, and his life arc has itself been seemingly torn between shadows and light as well. The musical ventures of Page are thoroughly documented. He had a singular vision, handpicked a band that brought that vision to light and was on top of the world for a time. The shadow? While Page was disciplined and astute in building his musical empire, the drugs he took to help fuel his vision and help him stay up for days at a time in the studio finally brought him down. That and the entire enterprise of Led Zeppelin, which had grown dark and unhappy. Page has only worked sporadically in the public eye since Zeppelin broke up. He has spent many years now curating Led Zeppelin videos and music and working on reissues. It always seemed like he kind of picked up his ball and went home because Robert Plant would not sing with him anymore. I suppose it can also be a little daunting to try something new after all your wildest dreams and careful planning came through. Or maybe it’s as simple as him thinking he can’t top it so why try. Or that he just doesn’t have the energy to go there anymore. These mysteries remain unsolved, but much is revealed in this entertaining book. The author speculates Page is spending a lot of time on his Aleister Crowley interests these days. I guess we’ll all find out when Page’s book comes out.
January 25, 2021
Biographies can go either way for me but Chris Salewicz wrote one of the better books about Marley and this one really gripped me. I love Led Zeppelin but have never read anything other than the whitewashed official releases opposed to this which is full of gory detail.
The author cleverly starts with two stories about Page/Zeppelin at the height of their popularity which feature two of the less savoury incidents. This had me hooked, I wanted to know more so eagerly ate up Page’s early life and career and found the creation of Zeppelin and the recording of their early albums fascinating. The debauchery was always there but even though these blokes were my heroes I never realised just how fucked up the band became and just how bad they could behave. Page’s dabbling with the occult is alluded to throughout but there is very little hard evidence that there was anything truly disturbing going on. This could easily be written off as mysticism as marketing.
Salewicz interviewed Jimmy Page twice during the latter half of Zeppelin’s career and these are reproduced in full. Other than that the author’s sources are people supposedly close to the band and much is lifted from other author’s work. This makes me question how much of the book is solid fact and how much is a case of 2 + 2 = 5. The final part of the book describes Page post Zeppelin and how he recovered although never really reinvented himself. As much as I love Led Zeppelin nothing Page has done since has moved me in anyway, in fact I find his constant milking of the Led Zeppelin cash cow is distasteful. This book is good though, recommended for Zep heads.
The author cleverly starts with two stories about Page/Zeppelin at the height of their popularity which feature two of the less savoury incidents. This had me hooked, I wanted to know more so eagerly ate up Page’s early life and career and found the creation of Zeppelin and the recording of their early albums fascinating. The debauchery was always there but even though these blokes were my heroes I never realised just how fucked up the band became and just how bad they could behave. Page’s dabbling with the occult is alluded to throughout but there is very little hard evidence that there was anything truly disturbing going on. This could easily be written off as mysticism as marketing.
Salewicz interviewed Jimmy Page twice during the latter half of Zeppelin’s career and these are reproduced in full. Other than that the author’s sources are people supposedly close to the band and much is lifted from other author’s work. This makes me question how much of the book is solid fact and how much is a case of 2 + 2 = 5. The final part of the book describes Page post Zeppelin and how he recovered although never really reinvented himself. As much as I love Led Zeppelin nothing Page has done since has moved me in anyway, in fact I find his constant milking of the Led Zeppelin cash cow is distasteful. This book is good though, recommended for Zep heads.
August 24, 2021
As promised, Chris Salewicz has delivered to us the truly definitive biography of Led Zeppelin and session guitarist Jimmy Page. It is, in my opinion, the best book for fans who want to know more about Page, because it is so incredibly well-written and intensely researched. Even if somebody thinks they know a lot about Page, I can guarantee that reading this book will give you new knowledge and shine a new light on him because it seems that every single possible angle has been written about by Salewicz. At times, I myself even questioned whether Salewicz had put his work to a name that was in fact written by Page; some things were so personal that it seemed incredible that an outsider was writing it, and not somebody within the band and Page's life.
However, a certain amount of patience is required by those who take on the monumental task of reading this book because it is so in depth and there is so much information to take in. I knew nothing of Led Zeppelin or Page before reading this book, so I had to concentrate all the way through so I didn't miss anything - when reading this book, it is important to always stay focused.
There is also an extreme focus on black magic, and Page's obsession with English occultist Aleister Crowley (1875-1947).
What I also really enjoyed about this book was that there was a focus on the musicians around Led Zeppelin and Page, and also on the music which inspired his own work. I think that it is really important when learning about a new person to know who they were driven by and what got them into their work as it brings everything into perspective and quite often allows me to relate to them.
However, a certain amount of patience is required by those who take on the monumental task of reading this book because it is so in depth and there is so much information to take in. I knew nothing of Led Zeppelin or Page before reading this book, so I had to concentrate all the way through so I didn't miss anything - when reading this book, it is important to always stay focused.
There is also an extreme focus on black magic, and Page's obsession with English occultist Aleister Crowley (1875-1947).
What I also really enjoyed about this book was that there was a focus on the musicians around Led Zeppelin and Page, and also on the music which inspired his own work. I think that it is really important when learning about a new person to know who they were driven by and what got them into their work as it brings everything into perspective and quite often allows me to relate to them.
July 13, 2020
I started this audio book back in March right as the pandemic hit the states. I got about halfway through before stoping, which resulted in the end to audio books for a while. On a recent road trip I picked this back up right at the time when Led Zepplin was hitting it big in the 70s. I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the beginning. I do have to say the introduction caught my interest. The story about a David Bowie, Jimmy Page and the red bottle of wine was pretty interesting. I also learned a lot about about Jimmy’s early career as a session player as well as his time with the Yardbirds. The middle on is what I wanted to read. It was interesting to read the stories - many of which were the basis for the movie Almost Famous. Stories filled with the debauchery that Zepplin and many of the mega rock bands in the 70s bands were famous for. The power shifts between Page and Plant over the years, which resulted in Plant reigning over the group in the end is the stuff rock history is made of. Drug and alcohol abuse, marriages, affairs and unfortunately deaths of band members and even band members’ children. There is a strange evils mystique to Jimmy Page that makes him intriguing. Is Jimmy really into Allister Crowley? Is he really into the Occult? If so, what was the influence on the band. The details within the stories laid out in this book make this both a must read for any Zepplin fan and a reference book for any rock history buff like myself. I gave it four stars because the beginning dragged a little bit for me.
March 17, 2025
Chris Salewicz’s Jimmy Page: The Definitive Biography offers an in-depth, meticulously researched look into the life of one of rock’s most enigmatic and influential guitarists. Salewicz captures Page’s rise from a session musician to the mastermind behind Led Zeppelin, weaving together personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and deep musical analysis. The book does an excellent job of exploring not just Page’s technical brilliance and innovation, but also the complexities of his character—his obsession with the occult, his perfectionism, and the highs and lows of his career. Fans will appreciate the level of detail, particularly when it comes to his groundbreaking guitar work and the creative process behind Zeppelin’s legendary albums.
What sets this biography apart is its balanced approach—Salewicz doesn’t shy away from the more controversial aspects of Page’s life, including the excesses of the 1970s rock scene, yet he avoids sensationalism, focusing instead on the artistry and vision that made Page an icon. While some readers may wish for more direct input from Page himself, the book still paints a compelling portrait through interviews with those who knew him best. Whether you’re a lifelong Zeppelin fan or simply fascinated by the evolution of rock music, Jimmy Page: The Definitive Biography is an essential read, offering a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a musical genius.
What sets this biography apart is its balanced approach—Salewicz doesn’t shy away from the more controversial aspects of Page’s life, including the excesses of the 1970s rock scene, yet he avoids sensationalism, focusing instead on the artistry and vision that made Page an icon. While some readers may wish for more direct input from Page himself, the book still paints a compelling portrait through interviews with those who knew him best. Whether you’re a lifelong Zeppelin fan or simply fascinated by the evolution of rock music, Jimmy Page: The Definitive Biography is an essential read, offering a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a musical genius.
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