Jimmy Page Was Disappointed Performing With Dave Grohl
via Academy of Achievement / YouTube
In the vibrant world of rock music, collaborations often bring forth unforgettable moments. One such instance occurred in 2008 when the Foo Fighters took the stage at Wembley Stadium, joined by none other than two iconic members of Led Zeppelin – John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page. The night was a dream come true for Foo Fighters’ frontman Dave Grohl, who had always harbored the desire to perform with the legendary Led Zeppelin.
The collaboration at Wembley was electric, leaving a lasting impact on both the performers and the audience. Grohl, exhilarated by the experience, found himself propelled into further collaboration possibilities with Jones and Page. The result was the birth of the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures in 2009, featuring Grohl, Jones, and Josh Homme. However, as we delve into the narrative, it becomes apparent that not all members of Led Zeppelin were equally involved in this subsequent musical venture.
Jimmy Page’s Perspective on Them Crooked Vultures
In June 2020, Jimmy Page shared a poignant recollection of the 2008 performance at Wembley on his Instagram. He reminisced about the show, where Grohl expressed an invitation for Page and Jones to join Foo Fighters in the United States for recording. Page, optimistic about the proposition, revealed that communication gradually faded after this exchange. Page expressed his surprise upon learning about the formation of Them Crooked Vultures, indicating that he expected an offer from Grohl considering their earlier discussions.
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Page’s Instagram caption sheds light on his perspective:
“…I was asked to play with the Foo Fighters at Wembley. Dave Grohl said: ‘You guys should come to the States and record with us.’ I didn’t hear anything more from Grohl, and John Paul Jones. Communications seemed to dim. The next I heard, they were promoting their new group.”
Despite the perceived lack of follow-up, Page conveyed this revelation without harboring any apparent resentment.
Dave Grohl’s Side of the Story
Dave Grohl, on the other hand, paints a different picture of the events leading up to and following the Wembley performance. Foo Fighters’ first appearance at Wembley in 2007 left an indelible mark, and Grohl playfully promised the enthusiastic crowd they would return the following year. True to his word, the band did return, bringing along the iconic members of Led Zeppelin.
In Grohl’s recollection of the show, he expressed immense excitement and nervousness. His admiration for Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones was evident as he described the surreal experience of sharing the stage with them:
“Just being eight feet away from Jimmy Page as he played this classic song and shredded these classic leads is just so hard to explain. It’s almost as if I had fallen into a Led Zeppelin movie or something; it didn’t even feel real.”
Contrary to Page’s perception, Grohl’s comments suggest genuine awe and appreciation for the opportunity.
In the end, while the perspectives of Jimmy Page and Dave Grohl differ, the Wembley Stadium performance remains etched in the annals of rock history as a momentous collaboration that brought together two generations of musical brilliance.
