Jimmy performs for the first time in eight years, at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction.
JIMMY PAGE MADE his first public appearance as a live performer in eight years via a surprise performance at the recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction. The former Led Zeppelin guitarist delivered a prerecorded induction speech on behalf of late American guitar pioneer Link Wray, before taking to the stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with his signature double-neck guitar to play Wray’s classic 1958 instrumental Rumble.
Writing on social media, Page later explained: “I was asked to induct Link Wray into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, a guitarist, instrumentalist and songwriter that I’d admired from the very first taste of the Rumble. I first heard it when I was 14, roaring from a jukebox in my hometown of Epsom. As a guitar instrumental the attitude of it was totally unique in its mystery, imagination and execution – it had a profound effect on me.”
He continued: “Link Wray and Rumble stand alone at the pinnacle in the world of instrumentals, and I was thrilled to stand on stage in New York with drummer Anton Fig and bassist Tim Givens at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last night to induct one of my heroes.”
Page’s most recent appearance on stage was in 2015, when he made an impromptu appearance at Seattle’s Experience Music Project (during their star-studded Founder’s Award show). Another Zep-related shock took place on this side of the Atlantic a few days earlier when Robert Plant put aside his conflicted feelings for Stairway To Heaven to perform the iconic track from Led Zeppelin’s fourth album for the first time in 16, years as part of a benefit concert organised by former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor. Plant’s decision was reportedly swayed by a six-figure donation to a cancer-focused charity, with more than a million pounds raised in total by the event at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire.
This month The Dirt was compiled by Polly Glass, Dave Ling, Will Simpson
Meanwhile, back at the Hall Of Fame, other inductees included Sheryl Crow, the late George Michael, Willie Nelson, The Spinners and Kate Bush. Bush was not present, and acknowledged her induction via a statement on her website, saying: “For me, the real honour is knowing that you felt I deserved it.”
Bush also praised another inductee who was there on the night as Elton John’s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin was honoured. “This little girl from South East London could never have dreamed she’d be sharing the event tonight with Bernie Taupin, an incredible lyricist who inspired me to keep writing songs – to keep trying. Congratulations Bernie!
Congratulations to ever
