Jimmy Page Takes to the Stage

Last weekend, legendary musician, producer and Genesis author Jimmy Page surprised the rock world by appearing live on stage for the first time in eight years. Invited to induct the songwriter and guitarist Link Wray, he performed a cover of Wray's iconic 1958 instrumental 'Rumble' at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in New York. Page appeared holding his legendary Gibson EDS-1275 double neck (famously used to perform Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven') and played the song on the 12-string neck, wowing the audience, including 2023 inductee and fellow Genesis author, Tom Morello, who collected an award on behalf of Rage Against the Machine.

Writing on Instagram, Page said:

"I was asked to induct Link Wray into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame; a guitarist, instrumentalist and songwriter that I'd admired from the very first taste of the Rumble. I first heard it when I was 14, roaring from a jukebox in my hometown of Epsom. As a guitar instrumental the attitude of it was totally unique in its mystery, imagination and execution - it had a profound effect on me. Link Wray and Rumble stand alone at the pinnacle in the world of instrumentals and I was thrilled to stand on stage in New York with drummer Anton Fig and bassist Tim Givens at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame last night to induct one of my heroes." 

Page spoke about how 'Rumble' influenced his playing in the 2010 documentary, It Might get Loud:

"The first time I heard the Rumble... that was something that had so much profound attitude to it," says Page in the movie, as he plays the record back. "He starts to increase vibrato on his amplifier and it gets more and more intense... I was pulled into those speakers by this wonderful guitar playing, [I thought] 'I gotta get to grips with that.'"

Pages mentions Link Wray's 'Rumble' in his book Jimmy Page: The Anthology, when reflecting on his own use of vibrato, and Page's legendary double neck guitar is featured in two stunning photographic editions he picked to be included in The Anthology Portfolio, entitled, 'Double Neck Army' and 'Stairway to Heaven'. 

Watch Page's full performance at the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony here: