Jimmy Page Prepping ‘New Songs’, Claims No Lack Of Material
Legendary guitarist and producer Jimmy Page has “lots of material,” according to a new interview with Rolling Stone, and the Led Zeppelin member plans to develop it in the coming months, with an eye toward a new album or tour on the horizon.
“I have ideas of what I want to do,” the 70 year old legend says, “but they’re pretty complex. I would love to play live again. I love playing live. It’s wonderful.”
Having spent the majority of the last few years prepping the new Led Zeppelin remasters, which hit shelves on June 3rd, Page concedes he is now free of any distractions that might get in the way of new material. The guitarist, who admits he plays “at least once a week” says he will be “playing daily for the foreseeable future,” adding “I want to get myself back into playing shape. I’m a bit of a perfectionist about these things.”
“I’ve got lots of material I’ve written on acoustic guitar. Lots and lots. And right now I need to get myself up to speed, and that won’t take too long. But I don’t know what musicians I’d play with. I do have material and a passion for it. I need to work towards it, and now I can without all the other side issues going on.”
-Jimmy Page
When asked about the possibility of a co-headlining tour with former Yardbirds bandmate Jeff Back, who recently spoke out about his experience touring with Brian Wilson, Page was hesitant, saying any future plans were still uncertain:
“That would be great, but I don’t know. I don’t know what’s going to happen. At this moment, it’s safe to say that I haven’t been playing gigs. I’ve been doing this Zeppelin project, but now I intend to start getting to a point where I could play some gigs. But what those gigs are going to be, I don’t know yet.”
-Jimmy Page
Page has only recorded sporadically since Led Zeppelin broke up in 1980. Any new release would be the first for Page since 1998’s Walking into Clarksdale, which he recorded with former bandmate Robert Plant under the moniker Plant & Page.
Meanwhile, Billboard confirms that Page’s “photographic autobiography”, which was originally released in 2010, will see a wider printing later this year. “Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page” will be released by Genesis publications, four years after its original, sold-out offering. On May 10th, Page will also receive an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music.
Images via Ultimate Classic Rock and Inquirer
