JIMMY PAGE: HEAVY METAL GODFATHER
Page, using more foot pedals, feedback and bottom end, produced a metallic blast of sound that would come to be labeled “heavy metal.”
His guitar is slung low, hanging almost to his knees. His head is thrown back, with dark curls of hair flowing onto his shoulders. His eyes are closed or glazed over, his mouth fixed into a pout. The fingers on his left hand move deftly across the fretboard, while a small plastic pick, grasped in his right hand, attacks the strings.
The pose is a classic one, favored by most heavy metal guitar heroes. But who originated this style, back when there was no one to copy? Jimmy Page, guitar virtuoso —who solidified the 60’s British blues rock movement, defines heavy metal lead/rhythm guitar with Led Zeppelin throughout the 70’s and, in the 80’s, well, we’ll just have to wait and see.
