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Jimmy Page Rejects Memoir in Favour of Visual Documentary

Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images

Fans desperately waiting to read Jimmy Page's official take on the Led Zeppelin story shouldn't hold their breath, but for now, anyone with a spare £445 lying around get their hands on the next best thing. As previously reported by Spinner, 'Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page,' a glossy 500-page photographic retrospective of the legendary guitarist's musical life is out soon. But that is "probably as good as it's going to get" for the foreseeable future, according to Page.

"This visual documentary, and then possibly, if I ever get around to it, doing a book that comes out posthumously," he tells the New York Times of his publishing plans. "I thought [a traditional memoir] was the least attractive way of doing a book [whereas] it would be quite interesting to do a photographic autobiography."

The resulting tome, available from Sept. 27 in a limited edition of 2,500, features images selected by Page, primarily capturing him on stage but also in candid moments snapped on tour. The opening photo of the collection even sees the future Yardbirds and Led Zep axemaster as a 12-year-old choirboy. Not that Page has spent his whole life preparing for the eventual release of a "photographic autobiography".

"I didn't really come from a generation where photographs were taken all the time," he explains. "It was quite a ritual to have photographs taken, even family ones. I guess that sort of stuck with me. I've never been the one jumping in front of the camera. Of course, for musicians today, that's one of most important aspects of how you're projecting yourself. Your playing might be good, but you have to look damn good as well, to follow it up. I never really bothered."

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Jen Andalou

Jimmy Page is clearly out of touch with his fan base. I’d have to say probably 98% of the people who have steadfastly followed, supported, cheered on Jimmy Page couldn’t afford such a book. Jimmy hasn’t released anything new since 1998 and is in danger of becoming dust. Yes, he regurgitated some tracks in 2000 with the Black Crowes, and recorded a track with Jerry Lee Lewis in 2006; but that is it. If the book included some actual music, I might consider finding a way to get it. Maybe is time would have been better spent relearning how to play guitar. If he truly loved music, wouldn’t we hear something from him by now?

September 14 2010 at 11:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ian Martin

I purchased 2 copies today, great investment in my opinion.

September 10 2010 at 7:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kelly

Seriously? Quit your whining. This is not just a "book" it is a finely crafted piece of art. You could expect to pay that much for any art piece. I think the man has earned the right to publish his biography any way he chooses. Did you really expect that to come in the form of a paperback? Not his style.

September 10 2010 at 2:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Samm

Thanks a lot for pricing your picture book out of the hands of 98% of your fans, Jimmy. We appreciate your thoughtfulness.

September 08 2010 at 1:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply