Happy 69th Birthday Jimmy Page

I had discussion this past year with some guys forming a Led Zep tribute band. While it never panned out, I spent a number of weeks digging into the guitar playing of eight Led Zeppelin songs, and casually learning/relearning about six more. Even for an old Led Zeppelin fan like me, who has played guitar for 40-years and learnt the instrument on the stylings of Jimmy Page, it was eye-opening.

On the Song Remains the Same, an incredible piece of musical composition, he plays this one lick. It's just a note really, except he bends the note 2 1/2 tones, from a B to an E, then brings it back down in staccato shots half a tone at a time: E! D#! D! C#! C! and back to B. It's simple in essence, I could teach it to a beginner, although it takes some physical strength to bend a note 2 1/2 tones on a 12-string. But it's also brilliant, pure musicianship required to make it sound like anything at all.

The catalogue, especially after the third album, is full of examples. There was virtually no wasted notes: if Jimmy Page played it, there was a reason for it.

On his 69th birthday it's worth pointing out that after a lifetime of playing, in my late-40's I'm still discovering the mysteries of what Jimmy Page did in his 20's and early 30's. I'm still finding magic in the notes he created.

Happy 69th Birthday Jimmy Page. For all of it, and for all that is still to come.

On the Occasion of John Paul Jones Birthday

Happy Birthday to the quiet man with the bass that roars and rock'n'roll's premier mandolinist, John Paul Jones, who is 67 today:

Jimmy Page 68 for his 68th

Instead of the usual platitudes, since Jimmy Page is turning 68 today, here he is from 1968.



Happy Birthday, Jimmy Page.

Happy Birthday John Paul Jones

The last couple of years I have wished John Paul Jones a happy birthday, and a year full of music and friends, both old and new - prefereably music with old friends. On Boxing day a report emerged that Them Crooked Vultures are back in the studio recording their second album, and I must say I'll gladly take music with new friends.

Either way, happy 66th birthday John Paul Jones.

Happy Birthday Jason Bonham

Has it really been four years since Jason Bonham sat in his fathers stool, and kept the Led Zeppelin clock ticking?

Today is Jason Bonham's 45th birthday, a tribute to how old all of us are who remember him as a kid. And a birthday in Vienna with good bandmates, that can't be so bad.

Happy 45th birthday Jason Bonham, from one Zeppelin fan to another.

Happy 67th Birthday Jimmy Page

Last year, Jimmy Page talked about new material and some live shows, including specific mention of the Peace Concert in China. None of it happened. Fans of the guitar legend did get, however, a high end book release.

Late in the year, Page opined that he was "desperate to be playing," and hoped new material and live shows where in the cards for 2011. We hope so too.

Today, however, Dr. Page, OBE, is celebrating his birthday, and Ramble On wishes him nothing more than a very happy birthday, and many more.

Happy 65th Birthday...

John Paul Jones

Retirement age comes but once a lifetime, and John Paul Jones has hit the official age of retirement. Music fans worldwide can only hope he doesn't take the hint of age, and continues working.

Whether with Led Zeppelin, as a solo artist or with Them Crooked Vultures, Jones has proven to be a rhythm section tour de force. May he continue to be so.

The last couple of birthdays, I have wished Jones a year traveling with old friends. Last year, it was modified to friends, old and new. This year, let me modify it again, and wish John Paul Jones a year of music, of friends, health and happiness.

Happy 65th Birthday John Paul Jones.

Happy Birthday Robert Plant

Born on this day 60 years ago, he is the voice and face of Led Zeppelin. When I was very young I, and I have met many since who think so, thought he was the guy Led Zeppelin.

Besides Led Zeppelin he has a solo career that spans over 25 years, 8 albums, plus an EP of R&B classics under the band name "The Honeydrippers." Most recently he has done a successful collaboration with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss.

Welcome to your pension years Mr. Plant. Perhaps it's time for that one last big tour, you know, while there's still time.

Happy Birthday Robert Plant

Born on this day 60 years ago, he is the voice and face of Led Zeppelin. When I was very young I, and I have met many since who think so, thought he was the guy Led Zeppelin.

Besides Led Zeppelin he has a solo career that spans over 25 years, 8 albums, plus an EP of R&B classics under the band name "The Honeydrippers." Most recently he has done a successful collaboration with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss.

Welcome to your pension years Mr. Plant. Perhaps it's time for that one last big tour, you know, while there's still time.

Happy Birthday Jimmy Page

Born this day in 1944 he's the founder and musical heart and soul of Led Zeppelin and the model that millions of guitarists have used in their own playing, both as a player and a performer.


He is, in the opinion of this blog, the greatest rock and roll guitarist and one of the most interesting and intriguing people alive today. Furthermore:

Happy 64th birthday Jimmy, and thanks for the memory.

Happy Birthday Jimmy Page

Born this day in 1944 he's the founder and musical heart and soul of Led Zeppelin and the model that millions of guitarists have used in their own playing, both as a player and a performer.


He is, in the opinion of this blog, the greatest rock and roll guitarist and one of the most interesting and intriguing people alive today. Furthermore:

Happy 64th birthday Jimmy, and thanks for the memory.

Happy Birthday John Paul Jones.

Born this day in 1946, he put the Mellow in Yellow and the Led in Zeppelin. A soft spoken man with a bass that growls, and a deft touch on the keyboard, John Paul Jones today turns 62.

A very happy birthday Mr. Jones. My birthday wish for you is that you get to spend the year travelling the world with some old friends, and making a big pile of money in the process.

Happy Birthday John Paul Jones.

Born this day in 1946, he put the Mellow in Yellow and the Led in Zeppelin. A soft spoken man with a bass that growls, and a deft touch on the keyboard, John Paul Jones today turns 62.

A very happy birthday Mr. Jones. My birthday wish for you is that you get to spend the year travelling the world with some old friends, and making a big pile of money in the process.