Jimmy Page

The Definitive Biography

By: Chris Salewicz

Narrated by: Tom McGairl

Length: 16 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

An in-depth biography of Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page by the acclaimed biographer of Bob Marley and Joe Strummer, based upon the author's extensive research and interviews.

The original enigmatic rock star, Jimmy Page is a mass of contradictions. A towering presence in the guitar world and one of the most revered rock guitarists of all time, in private he is reclusive and mysterious, retiring and given to esoteric interests. Over the decades, he has exchanged few words to the press given the level of his fame, and an abiding interest in the demonic and supernatural has only made the myth more potent.

But in the midst of this maelstrom, who was Jimmy Page? Rock journalist Chris Salewicz has conducted numerous interviews with Page over the years and has created the first portrait of the guitarist that can be called definitive, penetrating the shadows that surround him to reveal the fascinating man who dwells within the rock legend.

©2019 Chris Salewicz (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"[An] ever-readable tome... Anyone intrigued by how a soft-spoken boy from the west London suburbs became one of the world's most famous musicians won't be disappointed."--The Times (London)

"A hard-riffing new book that reveals how Jimmy Page became the dark heart of Led Zeppelin"--The Mail on Sunday (London)

"[Salewicz] lovingly records all the highs and bathetic lows of the rock-star afterlife."--The Sunday Times (London)

Page

Only a fair story and performance. To long of a book. Rambles on and on and on.

Very insightful biography

A very good book about one of the greatest guitarist and songwriters in rock ‘n’ roll!

Good book about a weird guy

As a Zeppelin fan, this gave me what I was looking for. I'm not sure how a feel about it though. The book was tough at times because Jimmy Page was a fantastic guitar player but also a weird guy that did some terrible things. I feel more connected with the music now that I know a little more about what he was doing, feeling, etc. so I don't regret it. His music wouldn't be the same if it was any other way. The book does a fantastic job of being unbiased, they lay it all out for you as it happened. I definitely don't think its for everyone, probably just the hardcore Zep fans out there.

Interesting, But Uneven

The subject matter is obviously very interesting, but the author’s personal opinions come across too strongly, and he insists on referring to silliness like astrology and magic as if it had an actual impact on Page’s life outside of the natural consequences of his interests in it. The narrator is also awful, and his comical mispronunciations are so frequent that it can easily take you out of the story.

Needs better production.

While I enjoyed this title the producers should have worked more closely with the reader to correct his bad, often comically bad pronunciation of titles and place names. It got to the point where it becomes distracting from the book itself.

HAPPY 79TH BIRTHDAY 1/9/23 , Jimmy!

Excellent book as ALL of them are! I have listened to these many times and I never get tired of it and I always find something new that I missed on previous reading. I don't think we'll ever know the entire truth of their 11 years of rock and roll. I enjoy every second of it. I did notice some mistakes like when they stated John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page were both 21 at the same time that would be impossible Jonesy was born January 4th, 1946 and Page was born January 9th 1944 so they'd be a year and 5 days apart at one time but never 21 years old at the same time. Jimmy Page has a wonderful coffee table book written by him was wonderful pictures and a chronological story of his life. That's definitely worth reading as well in addition to the Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin book. Many wonderful live concert dvds are available as well as the ones on YouTube. I'm kind of a Led Zeppelin fanatic, but I believe they are the best band there ever was far above the Beatles with their bubble gum pop music better than the who and I will believe that Page was a better guitarist than Jimi Hendrix because look who's still alive and look who's dead. they both had a different style; just sad that heroin got in the way as it does with so many. heroin and cocaine very tragic. nonetheless any of these books you read you'll find something different in every one of them.

Tedious in its details without a cohesive story line

The details in this book are too numerous for my mind to catalog or relate in a cohesive way. The story contains interesting rock’n’roll factoids, but no real feel for Jimmy Page’s character— nor anyone else’s. It’s like listening to a savant who knows dates, addresses, names, songs, amps, guitars and babbles on—- without a relatable story. I’m probably not going to finish listening.

Very good Biography

This is an excellent book about a rock god, but this book isn’t about worshiping him. He is presented flaws and all. Great insight into some of the timeless Zepplin moments and separates myth from legend. The narrator was good, his accent lends itself well to the content though I feel like he mispronounced a few words. All in all a great book.

Great Book

Very Interesting. Lots of new info not in Hammer of the Gods and other books. Some of the names of rockers were mispronounced. In an audio book, that is hard to follow, and it took me 30 secs on the computer to verify. But the text is great, and I recommend it.

Utter Rubbish

I was interested in hearing about Jimmy Page, the musician. What I got was a tabloid hit piece. Only listened to the first 30 minutes before enough was enough. Do not buy if a Jimmy Page or Zep fan.