On this date, an event occurred which has had a profound effect on my life. And likely on yours, too. See, on August 12, 1968, Jimmy first jammed with Robert, John Paul and Bonzo in a tiny basement room in London. The song was Train Kept ‘A Rollin’ (which Page had played both in its original form and as Stroll On with the Yardbirds. Each member at some point was interviewed about that seminal experience and each said that they immediately knew. Magic. Synergy. Sum greater than the parts. Musical energy on, perhaps, a level never experienced before.
Now, it can be debated who invented heavy metal and what was to be the most cranked music throughout the ’70s. An argument could be made for Blue Cheer. Or Black Sabbath (who were known as Earth). Or even going way back to Gloria by Van and Them. But even if Page didn’t invent the genre, he and his lads certainly perfected it. Teenagers will still be listening to Black Dog, Whole Lotta Love, and Dazed and Confused long after all of us are gone.
Thank you beyond words Jimmy for being the mastermind and architect of my favorite music for all these decades. It has made all of our lives so much richer.
Long live rock.
