Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Jimmy's Doubleneck

I sort of collect pictures of Jimmy Page playing his trademark Gibson SG doubleneck guitar. Page played it onstage during 'Stairway To Heaven', but he also used it for 'The Song Remains The Same' and 'The Rain Song' when they were part of the set.

Seeing him play the massive axe is both larger than life and also complete Lock 'N Loll bullshit pose, and there's nothing wrong with either IMO.

I saw Page in 1983 as part of the A.R.M.S. Benefit Tour (which featured all 3 guitarists from The Yardbirds on the bill: Page, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton). Page closed his set by performing an instrumental version of 'Stairway' on the SG Doubleneck. It was magnificent.

I love the bridge in 'Stairway' right before Page goes into his solo. It's at that moment in the song when Page would always hold the Doubleneck aloft as if he were Arthur wielding Excalibur as he strummed the last few chords before launching into the solo that would wind on down the road, our shadows taller than our souls.. Pure Lock 'N Loll bullshit pose. I fucking love it..

Jimmy's Doubleneck - A.R.M.S. Benefit - 1983