Unbeknownst to many, Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist of Led Zeppelin, had a prolific career as a session musician before he became a member of The Yardbirds. Before he formed one of the most influential hard-rock bands in history, Page was already making waves in the music industry as a sought-after session guitarist in London. In honor of his 82nd birthday, let's take a look at four songs by famous artists that featured Jimmy Page as a session musician. 'As Tears Go By' by Marianne Faithfull (1964) - Page played a 12-string guitar on the recording session for this song, which became a hit and reached No. 9 on the U.K. chart. 'Baby, Please Don't Go' by Them (1964) - Page played guitar on a few of Them's early songs, including a cover of the blues standard 'Baby, Please Don't Go', which became the band's first hit and reached No. 10 on the U.K. singles chart. 'Downtown' by Petula Clark (1964) - Page was one of several session guitarists who played on this song, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 2 in the U.K. 'I'm Not Sayin'' by Nico (1965) - Page played guitar and produced this song, which was not a commercial success, but marked the beginning of Nico's singing career. These songs showcase Jimmy Page's versatility and talent as a session musician, and his ability to work with a wide range of artists and genres. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that Page's contributions to these songs were not as significant as his work with Led Zeppelin. However, his session work was an important part of his career and helped establish him as a talented and versatile musician. So, what do you think? Do you think Jimmy Page's session work is as important as his work with Led Zeppelin? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
