Celebration Day…..As the influential guitar innovator James Patrick Page stepped onto the Cathedral-like stage at the Masonic Temple, there was an undeniable “presence” that filled the room. The small gathering of press and the few fortunate fans in attendance certainly felt a sense of being as the eminent rocker appeared. As the rightful curator of all things Led Zeppelin, Page’s unbridled enthusiasm was evident as he exclaimed, “This is about things all bright and beautiful.” Coming from a man of few words throughout his illustrious career, no truer words would be spoken that summer night in Toronto.
After a quick viewing of the film that was prepared to accompany the music, he stepped away and let the power and precision of the still mighty Led Zeppelin lull the Red Room into a trance for the next 45 minutes as we beheld a musical montage that very few would ever witness.
The day had begun with another massive gathering at the Indigo book store when hundreds rambled through the aisles just to get a glimpse of the elusive legend. Page’S entrance was nothing short of a royal reception as he was ushered through to the signing table. The store was electric with anticipation as fans who had been lining up since the night before, to secure one of only three hundred (300) wrist bands, would finally get to step up and shake the seminal hand of Jimmy Page.
It should be mentioned if you haven’t picked up a copy of JIMMY PAGE by Jimmy Page (Genesis Publications), this is a must. The mammoth photographic autobiography was arranged by Page himself with the same passion and ingenuity of any Led Zeppelin song.
Once the two hour book signing concluded, it was off to the legendary Masonic Temple, once known as the RockPile.
The host of the Warner Brothers Led Zeppelin Playback Presser Party was none other than legendary Canadian Radio Persona Jeff Woods who was selected by Page to share in this unprecedented Q & A session.
In his trademark tranquil Woods tone, he set the stage taking the few fortuitous listeners back through the history of the venue and reminded us that the mighty Led Zep once shook these very same walls a few floors below us back in February, 1969, opening the set with a thunderous rendition of “Train Kept a Rollin’”.
Once the presentation commenced, Woods tactfully navigated Page through the ten tracks that had just mesmerized the room as Page gave tasty tidbits of the stories behind their recording back in the day.
Page as expected, crafted this presentation in a way that only he could. Despite the mostly media driven frenzy of the surviving band members being at odds about a Led Zeppelin reunion, Page showed no favoritism or animosity as he featured the momentous contributions of Plant, Bonham and Jones with the never released selections.
The Late Great John “Bonzo” Bonham was symbolized by the indomitable instrumental “Bonzo’s Montreux,” John Paul Jones got his due with the keyboard heavy “Fool in the Rain,” while “The Voice” Robert Plant, forever the consummate frontman, was presented by PAGE showing his vocal versatility in rare rough cuts of “Two Ones Are Won” (the working title for Achilles Last Stand) and “If It Keeps on Raining” (the working title for When The Levee Breaks).
The heritage of the building was the perfect backdrop for PAGE to introduce the final installment of the deluxe editions and companion releases of the latter day Zeppelin catalog of “In through the Outdoor,” “Presence” and “Coda” coming to stores globally on July 31st. As the gate keeper of the Led Zeppelin Catalog, PAGE has reached the end of nearly a decade’s journey which began with the rehearsals for the O2 show back in 2006, to the edit and production of the “Celebration Day” DVD, to the remastered Deluxe Editions of the entire Led Zeppelin Catalog.
In one of his final questions, Jeff woods asked what’s next for Jimmy Page and to the delight of the few in attendance it seems it’s time for Page to move forward musically now that he has once again secured the musical legacy of Led Zeppelin by inviting us into the Led Zeppelin sanctum with these deluxe editions over the past year.
To listen to a compilation of the Jimmy Page interview with Jeff Woods from the studio, along with Warner Brothers Presser highlights, tune in this Sunday.
All photos at Indgo Books are by Gus Griesinger. All photos at the Masonic Temple are by BackstageAxxess Corespondent Barry Roden.
We would like to thank Elizabeth Freund from Beautiful Day Media for the book access at Indigo Books in Toronto and to Steve Waxman of Warner Music Canada for access to the special listening party at the Masonic Temple for the upcoming Led Zeppelin reissues of “Presence,” “In Through the Out Door” and Coda. For more information on either the box set or the book, please go to: Jimmy Page.
