Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page Celebrates Book With Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Joe Perry
If you’re a fan of rock music from the last few decades of the 20th century, you’ll snap to attention at the sight of a Beatle, a Zep, an Eagle, an Arrowsmith and a Top. Those durable music artists were the center of attention at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood Thursday night for the private dinner celebrating the release of Genesis Publications’ “Jimmy Page” by the Led Zeppelin guitarist and sonic maestro himself.
Rock music legends Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Joe Perry and Billy Gibbons were among the guests who helped Page mark what Page called “the last stop on my promotional tour for the book.”
Given the hotel’s indelible association with rock music acts over the past half century, it’s easy to imagine the assembled rockers once behaving here in a manner altogether more raucous than the respectable evening of exquisite wines, fine cuisine and calm, convivial dining.
Walsh introduced Page with warm words recalling the two guitar virtuoso’s early days when Walsh was in the James Gang and Page a key player in the Yardbirds. “It was around 1968,” said Walsh, “when Jimmy asked me, ‘Do you know anyone who might have a Les Paul?’” If you’ve ever banged your head on a dashboard while listening to any of the rock masterpieces Page and his Zeppelin bandmates created, you know that question got answered affirmatively and for the good of mankind.
Or as Walsh summarized the sentiments of the evening, “As a musician, we all want to thank Jimmy Page for showing us how to do it.”
Page got up and graciously thanked his publisher, Genesis, noting, “They’re celebrating their 40th anniversary this year,” adding with a knowing nod to the passing of time, “And I’ve been at it even longer.” Maybe, but for the enthralled fans joining Page for dinner, memories and the appreciation of timeless rock classics, “The Song Remains The Same.”
(Pictured: Kirk Hammett, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Jimmy Page and Joe Perry)
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