Led Zeppelin founder and guitarist Jimmy Page was recently celebrated by the British Embassy at an exclusive event in Washington, D.C. for his music and “life of philanthropy.”
The event, hosted by British Ambassador Karen Pierce and the UK Treasury’s Permanent Secretary, Charles Roxburgh, was an exclusive gathering featuring a distinguished guest list. Notable attendees included U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Chief Justice John Roberts, and Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
During the event, Page was honoured for “his and the band’s more than five decades making brilliant British music – and his life of philanthropy.” American singer-songwriter Grace Potter also performed a version of the band’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’, per Led Zeppelin News.
After the event, Potter reflected on the experience in a social media post, writing: “Every once in a while, you get invited into a world unlike any you have ever known.” She continued, “In this case, it was an invite to a certain British Ambassador’s residence to play for/ honour, the lifetime achievement of a certain rockstar (named Jimmy Page). Endless thanks to Catherine and Wayne. Your purpose generosity and fortitude is unwavering and awe-inspiring.”
The event was organised by married philanthropists Catherine and Wayne Reynolds, who also run the Academy of Achievement nonprofit organisation. Page’s celebration follows a series of similar connections with philanthropists over the years, likely due to his familiarity with the Kennedy Center, which previously honoured Led Zeppelin in 2012.
While the music world has been dominated with news of the Oasis reunion in recent weeks, but a potential Led Zeppelin re-emergence is unlikely to happen. Notably, the band last reunited in 2007 for a special show at London’s O2 Arena, which they regard as their swan song.
At the time, John Paul Jones said it felt “pretty damn good” to be playing with Page after so many years. “We put a lot of work into it – I had done quite a lot of playing with him, obviously, in the months preceding up to it – and it was really, really enjoyable,” he said. “It was good fun revisiting the numbers and just playing with a really good player again.”
Despite disappointment regarding their decision to remain apart, however, it’s clear that their legacy will continue to be upheld for many years to come, with such honours as Page’s recent one in Washington a testament to their enduring impact beyond just the confines of the music world.
Additionally, there is a Led Zeppelin documentary in the works. Earlier this year, Being Led Zeppelin, was acquired by Sony Classics Pictures ahead of a forthcoming cinematic release which is still yet to be announced. The film combines live footage of the band from 1969 with interviews and charts of how four boys from the Midlands took over the world.
Jimmy Page’s Journey
Page’s speech at the event was filmed by political journalist Steve Clemons and posted on networking site LinkedIn, during which he shared a poignant story about how he first discovered the guitar. In the video, he recounts how his family was moving houses and, in the new home, he found a guitar that seemed to have been left behind by the previous homeowners.
“It was a Spanish guitar, but actually, it was more of a campfire guitar because it had steel strings on it as opposed to nylon strings. So there it was and it made an intervention into my life. Nobody in my family played guitar. My parents didn't throw it out. They left it,” he said.
He continued, “There it stayed for about five years before the musical scene changed to the point where those guitars were being played. And fortunately, there was a movement in England called Skiffle, and there was Lonnie Donegan who was playing versions of traditional songs and he was on the TV on a Saturday night.”
Page continued, “Two weeks after that, I went to school and there was a boy who was playing some Lonnie Donegan songs on acoustic guitar on the school field. I went up to him and said, ‘Look, I already got one of those at home.’ He said, ‘If you bring it to school, I'll show you how to tune it and I'll show you some chords.’”
The Lasting Impact of Led Zeppelin
Page’s honouring by the British Embassy is a testament to Led Zeppelin’s lasting impact on music and its ability to transcend generations. Their music continues to inspire, and their legacy is a constant reminder of the power of rock and roll.
It’s clear that their music will continue to be enjoyed for many years to come, and that their influence will continue to be felt in the music world.
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Led Zeppelin, though it is clear that their music and legacy will continue to endure. For anyone who loves music, this is a reminder that the greatest music can transcend time, and its power will never fade.
