Jimmy Page Reflects on Joe Walsh: “He Insisted I Buy That Les Paul”

In a rare new interview, Led Zeppelin’s legendary guitarist Jimmy Page opened up about his longtime friendship with Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, hailed not just as camaraderie among rock titans but as a turning point in Page’s musical trajectory. The moment in question? Walsh persuading Page to acquire a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard—the guitar that would carve the thunderous sound of Zeppelin’s most iconic records.

A Telecaster’s Limits: The Search for Power

Page first made his name playing a Fender Telecaster in The Yardbirds and on Led Zeppelin I. Coming off his Yardbirds-era gear, he later experimented with his Les Paul Custom—but found their tones still fell short for the sonic direction Zeppelin wanted to pursue. In a 2020 interview, Page explained:

“This Telecaster ain’t cutting it for Led Zeppelin… Les Pauls virtually didn’t exist in England at the time… Joe insisted I buy this guitar. You’ve got to have it!” (reverb.com)

The Gift That Shaped a Legend

Walsh, who had befriended Page during The James Gang’s run opening for Zeppelin in 1969, offered the game-changing Les Paul. In Walsh’s recollection:

“I had two… one I really liked and one I was saving for a rainy day, so I gave Jimmy that one.” (faroutmagazine.co.uk, faroutmagazine.co.uk)

Page later recounted:

“He bloody insisted… and I kicked off the second album with it. No guarantee I would have come up with the riff for ‘Whole Lotta Love’ on the Telecaster.” (reverb.com)

Number 1: The Guitar That Wrote Zeppelin II

The moment Page plugged in the 1959 sunburst Les Paul became legendary. From the thunderous opening riff of “Whole Lotta Love” to the bluesy leads of “The Lemon Song,” the guitar was central to Led Zeppelin II, shaping the band’s evolving heavy sound. According to Page:

“I built the second album around the sonic texture of the Les Paul Standard… Neither Joe nor I realised at the time what an important thing he had done.” (faroutmagazine.co.uk)

Page’s Revered Reflection: “He Was Right”

What does Page think today of that pivotal moment? Emotion and admiration clearly remain.

In an article titled “Joe Walsh insisted that I buy it, and he was right,” Page acknowledges Walsh’s foresight—and the lasting consequence of that “intervention.” (guitarplayer.com)

The Les Paul wasn’t just a tool—it was a muse. Page credits it for inspiring riffs and tones that defined Zeppelin’s golden era.

Walsh, Page, and Mutual Respect

Although Page praises Walsh’s generosity, he doesn’t shy from acknowledging Joe’s exceptional talent:

In a 2020 interview, Joe Walsh said of Page: “Hendrix and Jimmy Page are amazing,” but, on Jeff Beck, mused, “he’s taken the guitar to another galaxy.” (rockcelebrities.net)

Page, for his part, has praised Walsh’s slide‐guitar work and songwriting in other settings—remarking that his friend “flies under the radar when compared to guitar gods,” yet remains a strong force behind rock’s memorable phrasing. (cheatsheet.com)

Reddit Echoes the Bond

Social media fans appreciate the depth of their musical link. On r/LesPaul, a user noted:

“Jimmy Page’s ‘Number One’ 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard… purchased this instrument in 1969 from Joe Walsh. When Page received it… it has been Page’s main guitar throughout his career.” (reddit.com, reddit.com)

Another added:

“It’s the intervention… of the guitar. Joe Walsh insisted… There’s no guarantee… I may not have come up with the riff of ‘Whole Lotta Love’.” (reddit.com)

More than a Transaction: A Lifelong Connection

Their story is more than a guitar sale—it’s a shared artistic legacy. Page’s career trajectory shifted dramatically thanks to Walsh’s insight. Led Zeppelin’s sound morphed from proto‑hard rock to mythic rock anthems.

Walsh, reflecting on that moment, said he “sold it for a pro‑rata price,” not wanting it enough to hold on to, but understanding how significant it could be in Page’s hands. (reverb.com)

Why It Matters, Half a Century Later

More than 50 years later, Page’s reflections bring to light how collective generosity shaped rock history. The Les Paul may be singular, yet its story highlights how acts of friendship rewrite destiny.

In today’s interview, Page marvels at how a simple suggestion—“just try it”—altered his gear, his music, and life. That “Number One” Les Paul has since inspired countless guitarists, and has even been displayed at the Met Museum.

Final Reflections: The Gift of Insight

Jimmy Page’s view of Joe Walsh is clear: a friend, a guide, and an unsung hero of rock lore. Their handshake across that instrument sealed the future of Zeppelin’s sound and rock’s mythology. The Les Paul may rest in Page’s hands, but the story belongs to both men—a tale of trust, talent, and visionary generosity.

Page sums it up: “He was right.” With that small phrase, Page acknowledges not just the guitar, but the man behind it—and the enduring power of musical friendship