1976: Jimmy Page Shares His View About The Beatles

In a 1976 interview, Led Zeppelin’s legendary guitarist, Jimmy Page, shared his thoughts on The Beatles, offering an interesting mix of criticism and admiration. Page, who helped shape the sound of hard rock in the 1970s with Led Zeppelin, commented on the social and musical impact The Beatles had during their time, while also expressing his preference for their later work.

The Beatles’ Social Influence

When asked about The Beatles’ influence on rock music, Page didn’t hold back. He acknowledged their role in breaking social and class barriers, saying, “Certainly at the time, you know, the social question poised by The Beatles, you know, long hair and certainly as it was, it was cool… A lot of change went down, a lot of social barriers, we broke down class barriers.” He also mentioned that even though some of this progress was later resented, The Beatles were still instrumental in pushing those boundaries. Their impact went beyond the music they created, the Fab Four helped shape cultural norms during a time of rapid change.

Page’s Critique of Early Beatles Records

While Page recognized The Beatles’ social influence, he wasn’t as impressed with their early music. “The early records, they’re nothing to really write home about,” he admitted. For Page, the band’s earlier material didn’t stand out musically. However, he praised their later albums, particularly Magical Mystery Tour, noting how the band had evolved creatively. “By the time they’re at Magical Mystery Tour, it was really going somewhere,” Page said, acknowledging the maturity and growth in their music as time went on.

Page’s honest view highlighted how even the biggest rock legends have their own personal preferences. It also added an interesting layer to the ongoing conversation about The Beatles’ legacy in rock history.

Listen to the interview below: