In a recent interview with Sonic Perspectives, Steve Stevens delved into his career and how his music style developed over time. While discussing his journey, the legendary guitarist credited Jimmy Page, the iconic guitarist of Led Zeppelin, as his inspiration and idol by explaining his profound impact on beginner musicians.
Led Zeppelin has had an unparalleled influence on rock music and musicians with their revolutionary style, with Jimmy Page’s contributions being particularly significant. His playing technique and soulful songs helped the band become a prototype for future generations of rock music, inspiring countless artists along the way. Among these artists was Steve Stevens, who had the band as one of his early inspirations.
As Stevens revealed, Page’s guitar tunes were a beacon of hope for new musicians as they were designed to be played on both acoustic and electric guitars. This meant that they could play Led Zeppelin songs with an electric guitar on an acoustic and still get the melody right, making them popular among young artists. This is why Stevens turned to the band and Page’s music in addition to flamenco style.
The guitarist explained his beginner experience and Page’s impact as follows:
“It’s kind of rudimentary as a kid starting. If you got your first guitar back then – it’s very different now, but if you got your first guitar back then, d*mn well [you] couldn’t play ‘Purple Haze’ on acoustic guitar. You know, it wasn’t just going to happen. That’s why so many of us from my generation love Zeppelin. Because Page was always – every record had a bunch of acoustic things on it, and even when he played electric, you could play them on acoustic.
You can play ‘Whole Lotta Love’ on an acoustic guitar; it’s still going to sound like ‘Whole Lotta Love.’ That mixture of folk, and then I stumbled upon a flamenco guitar teacher, and I fell in love with flamenco music.”
For Stevens, what set Jimmy Page apart was not only his talent but also his unique style and unforgettable songs that resonated with beginners and experts alike. He helped countless guitarists hone their craft, inspiring them to reach new heights of musical excellence.
