James Patrick "Jimmy" Page Biography and Timeline

Birth of James Patrick Jimmy Page

Birth of James Patrick "Jimmy" Page

Birth of Jimmy Page

Birth of Jimmy Page, later guitarist, producer and founder of Led Zeppelin.

Role range: 1944-

Crusaders

The Crusaders give Jimmy Page his first taste of touring life and an appearance on a single, "The Road to Love"

Decca Records

Mike Leander signs up Jimmy Page as a session musician for Decca Records. Jimmy Pages first session for Decca is recording "Diamonds" by Jet Harris & Tony Meehan which goes to Number 1 on the singles chart

Session Guitar

Builds a reputation as a leading London session guitarist before joining the Yardbirds.

Role range: 1963-1966

Yardbirds

After being invited to replace Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds Page turns down the offer and suggested his friend Jeff Beck

Immediate Records

Page is hired by Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham to act as a producer for the newly formed Immediate Records label, which also allowed him to play on tracks by John Mayall, Nico, and Eric Clapton

She Just Satisfies

Jimmy Pages first solo recording is a single for Fontana Records, "She Just Satisfies"

Becks Bolero

Keith Moon, bass player John Paul Jones, keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page record "Becks Bolero" in London's IBC Studios

Yardbirds

Joins the Yardbirds, first on bass and later as lead guitarist.

Role range: 1966-1968

Yardbirds

Switches to twin lead guitar with Beck when Chris Dreja moves to bass. Page is again offered to join The Yardbirds and at first plays bass guitar

Scandinavian Tour

Plays the first Scandinavian date under the New Yardbirds name.

Role range: 1968-1968

Led Zeppelin

Keith Relf and Jim McCarty leave the Yardbirds, allowing Jimmy Page to form the New Yardbirds.

Yardbirds

The Yardbirds collapse after touring pressure, personality differences and limited commercial success.

First Rehearsal

Rehearses with Plant, Jones and Bonham for the first time in London.

Role range: 1968-1968

Led Zeppelin

Page recruits Plant and Bonham, while John Paul Jones asks to join the new band.

New Yardbirds

Uses remaining Yardbirds commitments to launch the New Yardbirds line-up.

Role range: 1968-1968

Olympic Studios

Records the debut Led Zeppelin album quickly at Olympic Studios.

Role range: 1968-1968

Yardbirds

The New Yardbirds appear on a Scandinavian tour before adopting the Led Zeppelin name.

Led Zeppelin Album

Releases Led Zeppelin's debut album through Atlantic Records.

Role range: 1968-1980

Led Zeppelin II

Releases Led Zeppelin II during intensive touring.

Role range: 1968-1980

Led Zeppelin III

Releases Led Zeppelin III, broadening the band's acoustic side.

Role range: 1968-1980

Bron-Yr-Aur

Works on acoustic material at Bron-Yr-Aur cottage with Robert Plant.

Role range: 1970-1970

Led Zeppelin IV

Releases the untitled fourth Led Zeppelin album.

Role range: 1968-1980

Stairway to Heaven

Page records the guitar solo for Stairway to Heaven, later widely praised by guitar readers.

Stairway to Heaven

Builds Stairway to Heaven from acoustic opening to electric climax.

Role range: 1968-1980

Houses of the Holy

Releases Houses of the Holy with Led Zeppelin.

Role range: 1968-1980

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin's Tampa stadium show breaks the Beatles' single-act attendance record.

Swan Song Records

Launches Swan Song Records as Led Zeppelin's own label.

Role range: 1974-1983

Physical Graffiti

Releases the double album Physical Graffiti on Swan Song.

Role range: 1968-1980

Earls Court

Begins Led Zeppelin's celebrated run of Earls Court concerts.

Role range: 1968-1980

Presence

Releases Presence, recorded while Plant recovered from injuries.

Role range: 1968-1980

The Song Remains the Same

Releases the concert film The Song Remains the Same.

Role range: 1968-1980

Knebworth Festival

Returns Led Zeppelin to major British stages at Knebworth.

Role range: 1968-1980

Breakup

Announces with the band that Led Zeppelin cannot continue without Bonham.

Role range: 1968-1980

Led Zeppelin

After Led Zeppelin split, Page attempts the unrealised XYZ project with former Yes members.

XYZ

Page explores the unrealised XYZ project with former Yes musicians after Led Zeppelin ends.

Coda

Releases Coda, collecting unreleased Led Zeppelin studio material.

Role range: 1968-1980

Death of James Patrick Jimmy Page

Commissioned by director Michael Winner to record the soundtrack to the film Death Wish II

ARMS Charity

Jimmy Page makes a successful return to the stage with the ARMS Charity series of concerts in 1983 which honoured Small Faces bass player Ronnie Lane