Jimmy Page: Magus, Musician, Man: An Unauthorized Biography

by George Case

Jimmy Page - Magus, Musician, Man is a meticulously researched life story of Led Zeppelin's legendary guitarist and producer. From his childhood in war-torn Britain and his pivotal role in the recording studios that launched the British Invasion of the '60s to his milestone achievements, his dark, nefarious excesses with Led Zeppelin, and his emergence as a revered cultural icon and honored philanthropist, this biography - the first ever written about Jimmy Page - portrays all his spiritual, artistic, and personal dimensions. Swinging London, the Sunset Strip, Bron-yr-Aur, Kashmir, and Clarksdale: Magus, Musician, Man traverses through all of Page's hallowed stomping grounds and tells, at last, the complete story of one of rock 'n' roll's most enigmatic and influential talents.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Rock N Roll, Led Zeppelin

294 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2007

Reviews

[``Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectly adequate but not very interesting unauthorized biography of Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. It mostly charts the path of his music career with a few interesting tidbits about his personal life including heroin addiction and an interest in Satanism. He is one very private and strange guy to put it mildly. Nice to know he has mellowed with age and seems like a ordinary and responsible adult now who devotes time and money to his favorite charity. Page is a musical prodigy who taught himself to play guitar and easily mastered the instrument in a few years to become a professional musician and is still considered one of the greatest Rock N Roll musicians of that era.

[Gina M Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 true rating but definitely not worth rounding up to 4, this biography is written by a die hard Zeppelin fan & includes specifically technical details of every piece of equipment ever used by Page, minus the bad press of "Giants" (which covered the more juicy aspects of the band's behavior & rumors), is not a biography I'd recommend if a reader could only choose one.

Lacking true facts in countless areas, it often reads like a second hand report or repeat of news or rumors without confirming the truth. The author also leaves out most of the sordid reality behind Page as a subject of the book. Worst of all, each chapter begins with some occultist quote as if real information on this aspect of Page would ever be provided-it never was.

I had hoped for an in - depth study of the man, musician & magus as the title seems to promise; this book does not deliver more than surface level public knowledge, even the included photographs are not revealing nor anything not seen in major publications already.

As a Zeppelin fan & as a reader in general, I was deeply disappointed in this so - called biography. When I compare this to any other music related biography, it is the driest, most uninformative & uninteresting writing I've had the misfortune to read.

[Randee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a heavy metal maniac. I love guitars and the people who play them. There are many guitarists I admire, envy and enjoy....just to name a few: Hide, Slash, Joe Perry, Brian May, Zakk Wylde, Warren de Martini, Frank Hannon, Randy Rhoads, Aoi, Uruha, Miyavi, Chachamaru, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Jeff Beck, Rick Nielsen, Rik Emmett, Jimi Hendrix, Angus Young, George Lynch....you get the picture, I am leaving out a multitude. I have loved listening to them and hundreds of others my entire life but there are only two that have made me feel like I was having a holy experience, that I was getting closer to the Gods. John McLaughlin, in his Mahavishnu Orchestra days, and Jimmy Page...they bend those strings like Gods themselves in my very humble opinion. Much has been written and said about Jimmy Page, much is unknown since he rightly plays his cards close to his chest. Naturally, I, like many others, would like to know more of what goes on in his head. All I know is that very few before, now or after can do what he does and that's what I call special. I will listen to him until the end of my life and be glad that I was alive to hear such an extraordinarily gifted musician.

[John Branney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those biographies that the author received no cooperation from the subject in the writing of the book. The author went ahead anyway and researched and wrote the book from existing information from various and wide ranged sources. The book is well organized with the sources of the information explicitly documented.

The author writes very well. I particularly liked how he used his musical background to give insight on how a particular song was written or played.

Despite the positives of the book I only rated it three stars since there were no relevations in the book about Jimmy Page since everything in the book had previously been known, but just not consolidated.

[Danny McCaffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any rabid Zeppelin lover won't be stopped by bad reviews. So far so good. It sheds light on his early session work credits. The guitarist for Zeppelin was also the six stringer behind Joe Cocker's roaring cover of "I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends", and recording sessions for--The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Donovan, and more. More than ever I realize, this man IS Classic Rock.

[Ninia Frania · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[lily devine · Rating 2 out of 5]

IM DONEEEE ⛓️(no jail or handcuff emoji?)

[Cormac Zoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe it or not, it took me a long time to really appreciate Led Zeppelin and their Magus-guitarist, Jimmy Page. And believe it or not, that length of time was determined by two psycho girlfriends who also happened to be obsessive Led Zeppelin fans. I connected the two, psychosis and Zep-fandom, and only made the mistake twice in dating ... luckily, my mistake of re-examining Page and Zep came about when I traded for my first Zep bootleg concert with another bootlegger. He has the Texas Pop Fest performance of Zep (1969.08.31) for a Hendrix concert I had (I don't remember the exact date but it was a near-last date from Europe where fans were booing because Jimi wasn't playing Foxy Lady and the 'heavy-pop' hits fans apparently preferred ... only a few weeks before Jimi took a few too many downers and didn't wake up on this planet).

And that was my complete turnaround on Zep. The Texas Pop Fest performance was at the end of their third North American tour and actually on their way home to the UK. It is a shorter performance than their standard concert length at that time (as most festival performances are or at least were at the time). Along with the smile prompted by the MC's announcing them as "The Led Zeppelin" while Bonzo, JPJ, and Page are thumping out the beginnings of "Train Kept A'Rollin'", Zep's opener early on and again on their last European tour. Page's double-stop bend for the train whistle warns of a runaway freight coming down the tracks and indeed, seconds later, it's upon you, roaring down, the rhythmic thumps of the track separations keeping time as Plant finally comes in howling and they are off and running. Hearing this for the first time after only having the average and tired presentation from "The Song Remains The Same" as a reference point of a live Zep performance, the difference gives you gooseflesh and sets your heart rate a good thirty percent higher than it was just moments before. Page's guitar screams as if ablaze while the below-decks engine room of Bonzo and JPJ have stoked to the highest pressure all the while warning as Plant is warning any unaware ships in their path with some of the most sexual and powerful siren calls ever to be heard in rock history. Even the slow blues numbers in this performance give a passion that is rarely met on stage by any other band. And so I became a Zep disciple, collecting all the bootlegs i possibly can, still many holes need filling, but with over a thousand cd's that i rotate through regularly, I found what so many people had claimed: that Zep's live performances were beyond what the single movie released to the public showed. Indeed ... they are one of the top three live bands ever imho (The Who and Springsteen being the other two).

So now we have another Zep book. Zep books are turned out cheap and shoddy most often with "Hammer of the Gods" leading the way in trash and lower-level writing. I suppose still "Hammer" is required reading for the seamier rumors, etc, of Zep's decade of dominance, but really, it is only best appreciated by stoned teens.

Case's bio on Jimmy is of course nearly as much a Zep bio as that of the singular guitarist for the group. But it is well-written (not the usual 3rd or 4th grade level typical to rock books) and well-researched as the bibliography and notes will show. And it does capture the beginnings of the young guitarist quite well and gives the reader a solid background on where the style and method came from. Also there is quite a lot about the gear Page used/uses. Most books will barely mention this as either the author isn't interested or doesn't understand so assumes the same for his audience but I can't think of why anyone would think it is unimportant. But Case does a very good job of covering this as well as the studio methods Page used that were contrary to the studio standards of the time but helped to define that unique Zep studio sound.

Overall, this is a very good bio of one of the most important guitarists in rock history, both from the acoustic and electric side of the guitar not to mention the alternate tunings he so often used (and frustrated me and other guitarists when trying to figure out how Page ever got some mof those unique sounds ... for example, 'Going to California' ... we knew it was G and C but never realized the alt tuning he used to get the special sound and feel ... this was long before the internet where tabs and video lessons were freely available).

As with most fans who become a bit more than the typical fanatics the term is used for, you'll want to get this book. Along with "Led Zeppelin: 1968-1980 by Keith Shadwick", this is one of the top five or so books out there (I haven't read the newest 'Interviews with Page" book so i can't comment on that). Shadwicks' books is by far the best book for Zep fans interested in other parts of their history aside from the tiresome 'red snapper' story.

[East Bay J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a pretty serious fan of Jimmy Page. As a guitarist, songwriter and producer, he was largely responsible for the output of one of my favorite bands (Led Zeppelin). He’s been an inspiration to me on several fronts, musical and otherwise. For me, guitar inevitably goes back to Page, because that’s where, for the most part, my guitar journey began.

And all that is leading up to my admitting I expected to be disappointed by this book from the get go. Bios just aren’t all created equal. The eye of the beholder plays a significant role as well. Reading about something you are very interested in and know a lot about often carries the strongest potential for negative criticism of all.

So, ultimately, I was pleased to find the read pleasant. I didn’t learn many new facts or gain any new insight into Page. Most of these stories have been told in the several Zeppelin bios in existence (one of my favorites is Ritchie Yorke’s The Led Zeppelin Biography, on the cover of which LED ZEP is spelled out repeatedly on packages of PEZ candy). Despite any repetition, it was still fun and interesting to hear it again, as it were. Kind of like hearing stories about your crazy uncle, who happens to be your favorite.

However, while this is a good piece of biographical work, it left me ultimately unsatisfied, though not necessarily through any fault of the author’s. The thing is, having read these stories so many times, I find I really want to hear from the participants. And not in quotes from interviews that took place thirty years ago, either. I want a bio from Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Robert Plant (and one from Jason and Pat Bonham about John Bonham) and I want them NOW. Make it snappy. All three surviving members of Led Zeppelin are terribly intelligent, articulate, well spoken men and it would be a shame for them to pass on without a healthy discussion on the whole thing. I want to hear Page’s view of these events and the things about them that make them memorable to him. I want to know how Page feels right now, today, about his career and experiences.

But Case has done a fine job and I appreciate the opportunity to revisit the legendary tales of Jimmy Page. More impossibly rare, unseen pictures would have been nice, though.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

HB -- library -- I am reading this book as a discovery about myself.. I luv Led Zepplin and my favorite is Kasmir. I was lucky enough to see LZ 5 times. I can remember the 1st time they came out on stage it was as if a canyon was lit with fireworks. Bathrooms were off bounds since the drugs and sexual abuse was rampant in or near the bathrooms. If I needed to use the pot I had to have a sober person be holding the stall door closed. going near the stage especially during certian songs was dangerous, since there were no inhibitions. Those concerts were very wild, almost frightening and there was no one there to stop it. It was more than a show, LZ opened the doors to fantasy.

[Pikiora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book, slightly dry and with many of the same stories you can read elsewhere but an interesting book none the less.
This book excells when it comes to describing his music though, the Author has a thorough understanding of the guitar and cords (...er is that how you speel it? :P) and such so gives quite detailed accounts of...riffs (?) etc...
As you can probably guess it was lost on me. Im sure though that others who understand it, Will find it very interesting.
A nice easy read.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author gets credit for not sensationlizing what has certainly been a sensational life, but geez, throw me a bone, dude! I guess the book is interesting if you want to dissect every chord progression in every Led Zeppelin song ever written, but it doesn't offer much insight into the man behind the power chords. I haven't learned anything I didn't already know from "Hammer of the Gods." What makes Jimmy tick? You won't learn it here. He is surely far more interesting than what you'll glean from this book.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad portrait of a very mysterious and media-shy man. It's unauthorized, and it uses as it's sources a lot of third hand accounts - which makes you wonder as to the veracity of some of the things you read about Page. Never the less, it was interesting enough to read all the way through. It's obvious that Page has never recovered from the demise of Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham; and that heroin took it's toll on Page and probably very well hindered his recovery from the disbanding of Led Zeppelin in the wake of Bonham's death.

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far too technical and not gossipy enough for the likes of me. If you understand guitar, by all means read it. If you want an understanding of what life looked like to a rock god of the 70s, you won't find it. I did find myself marveling at the intricacies of guitar stuff that I'd never even thought about. I'm a musical dunderhead and this was so far over my head that I got dizzy.

[Juliana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unauthorized biographies are for the most part always dull and boring. They read like book reports,this book is no different. I never thought Jimmy Page could be so boring.

[Chris Rea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of a fine career. But the subject's voice was noticeably missing.

[Tifinie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was very good. it tells a story of the life of led zeppelin best gutiar player jimmy page. this tells about his childhood in music into the yardbrids then into led zeppelin.

[Bert Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is easily one of the best-written rock biographies anywhere, even if you're an admirer, and not a devoted fan. It is being clear-eyed and analytical about the artist and his group, and not at all beyond turning out a critical assessment of the admired musician who's its subject.
The discussion about the musician, more so than about Jimmy Page the person, is detailed, probing and well-informed--in fact, musicologically it often ranges well beyond me, what with spelling out special tunings of his guitar, niceties about Page's sound-board wizardry as a producer, the array of amps and legendary guitars used onstage, etc. And it's well-written to boot! Can't complain...
Once George Case has done the above, traversing the career chronologically, he suddenly has a full section where he compares Page to his contemporaries and peers (Jeff Beck, Clapton, Hendrix, etc.), as well as to his progeny (guitarists for Grand Funk, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Rush, Van Halen, Guns 'n Roses, etc).
I found his analyses and observations, and these guitarists' own cited views, illuminating. They even helped nail down just why I admired and tapped to this music, and still do, yet never quite came to love it. In Clapton's words, very often it was "...unnecessarily loud ...a lot of it was just too much. They overemphasized whatever point they were making" (p. 87)
I'm no Clapton worshipper--well, not beyond his and Duane's 'Layla & Other Love Songs' double album--but to me that pretty much nails it.
Apparently Page was often annoyed to hear Led Zeppelin compared to and lumped in with Grand Funk, Black Sabbath and the heavy metal crew. But heavy metal was generally earnest, not known for humour, dark and unsubtle, and sometimes prone to malevolence. And Zep often were, indeed, loud and hard. Apart from the tenor of the music, their roadies' decreed that there'd be "No backstage passes without head" for girls wanting to welcome their idols. In addition, their manager and crew earned a reputation for occasional send-you-to-the-hospital violence. All of this certainly placed them in the malevolent sector of rock, and of music.
Yet, when I hear the music, especially their early songs, it is hard to dispute that it was outstanding, and after reading this book you may invest in a better collection of it.
A rewarding read, then, even if you're not a devoted fan.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough recounting of an enigmatic rock legend. Taken from something around 300 different sources, it covers all bases from 1944 to publication in 2007. Being a long-time fan and guitar player, I enjoyed the read. Being also an audio engineer, there was enough technical trickery to keep me turning the pages for more. Job well done.

[Kevin Ignacio]

In the book, ive read that jimmy page used to bring in his guitar to school every day and get it taken away by teacher and returned at the end of the day! haha! he ultimately joind the crusaders afetr secondary school, he toured and finaly got a taste of being a rock and roll musician. but then he got realy sick during the tour and had to drop out. He put his musical dreams on hold to center his attention towards being a painter. But he kept playing and got the amazing privelige of playing with Jeff beck and Eric Clapton. One day he was spotted by one of the Sillouette bend members and he asked Page to record some songs with him and his band.At first he started as a back up incase one of the other bandmembers were unable to preform [drugs, im guessing:]. So thats how far ive gotten in my book.

[Rob Branigin · Rating 2 out of 5]

only read the first third of this - the pre-zeppelin sessions/yardbirds era. nothing here i hadn't read about 100 times already, sort of the cliff's notes version of all page-related mojo articles from the past 15 years. not bad, i guess, but if you're looking for new (or even DETAILED) information on page's pre-yardbirds exploits, look elsewhere.

[Lance Cotton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok. I was surprised at how many details everyone involved has forgot. I think the author realized this and to make his book bigger he tried to squeeze three times the adjectives in that he should have.....ridiculously wordy at times.

Jimmy Page sure can play.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rock and roll idol... but the book falls flat. Nothing in this book is overly profound. I was hoping for more insight into the man himself, but was treated to mainly rehashed stories from other sources.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious whether he was really as bad Richard Cole claims and the answer as presented here is yeah, he probably did engage in pretty awful behavior.

The Crowley and Luciferian-ish stuff didn't bother me too much but the seeming ephebophilia was unpleasant to read about.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, but Stephen Davis' Hammer of the Gods: the Led Zeppelin Saga is much better reading, even for this Jimmy Page fan.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just picked this up at the library. I love this stuff. So far, so good.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

if only i could play guitar like this satanic ex-junkie. not a fan of unauthorized biographies though.

[Randy Patterson]

The book was a decent read. It would have been far better had the author actually been able to interview Page. That said, it was still very informative.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book so far. I just started it, but so far it has been really detailed and interesting! I can't wait to read about Jimmy's days in the Zep.

[Cynthia Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked most of the book. The author did great research. It just got a bit boring at times. I also think it could have been cut down at the end which seemed to drag a bit.