What do Richard Nixon, Joan Baez, and Jimmy Page have in common? Why, they share the same birthday, of course!
Guitarist, songwriter, and producer James Patrick Page, OBE, was born on the 9th of January, 1944. A very short version of his impressive resume would include being an in-demand British session musician in the 1960s (recording with everyone from Nico and Donovan to The Who and The Kinks); following Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck in the Yardbirds' lead guitarist spot; and eventually forming Led Zeppelin.
What does Jimmy Page have in common with Bob Dylan? Well, on the surface, not much. They have never recorded or played together. However, The Yardbirds, with Page, covered Dylan's "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)," at a BBC session on March 17, 1967.
While Page has not, as far as I can tell, recorded any other Dylan songs (except possibly as a session musician), Zeppelin's former lead singer, Robert Plant, has covered Dylan's "Girl From The North Country" and "One More Cup Of Coffee (Valley Below)," and bassist John Paul Jones has been hanging around with his neighbor Robyn Hitchcock, so one would assume they probably do the occassional Dylan song. In addition, Jones' side project, Mutual Admiration Society, has been known to perform "Subterranean Homesick Blues" in concert.
Dylan and Page were influenced by many of the same rock, folk and blues artists, and have both been accused of plagiarism.
Like Dylan, Page was influenced by Joan Baez. On Zeppelin's eponymous debut album, there's a cover of Anne (Johannsen) Bredon's "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" based on a version released by Baez. It was originally credited to Page and Plant. Bredon sued in 1980, and since 1990, her name has been added to the credits.
Dylan and the Yardbirds have each recorded the blues classic "Rollin' and Tumblin'" with new lyrics, and claimed authorship. Dylan's version was released on his 2006 album, Modern Times. The Yardbirds' recording, retitled "Drinking Muddy Water," was released on the 1967 album, Little Games. It was credited to band members Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Jimmy Page and Keith Relf. Dylan and Led Zeppelin also each interpreted the old blues song, "In My Time Of Dying."
Dylan mentioned Page on his Theme Time Radio Hour program during the "Heart" and "Presidents" episodes.
Page had this to say about Dylan at the 2011 Ivor Novello Awards:
- Question: Bob Dylan turns 70 this month. What does he mean to you?
- Jimmy Page: "Bob Dylan...Oh my goodness ... He changed it all, didn't he? Yeah, he's just remarkable, Bob Dylan. His early work ... and still now. He is just head and shoulders above so many people".
In the embedded clips at the left:
- Jimmy Page on Bob Dylan: Interview at the 2011 Ivor Awards (@1:45)
- Yardbirds at the BBC 1967, "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)."
- Led Zeppelin - "In My Time Of Dying," Earl's Court, London, May 25, 1975.
- Led Zeppelin - "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You," Danish TV, 1969.
Keep up with Bob Dylan Examiner news. Just click on Subscribe above, or follow @DylanExaminer on Twitter. Thanks for your support. ...
Comments