David Gilmour and Jimmy Page Tribute, Pt 1 of 3

David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) have achieved equal status in rock's upper echelon. Both men are unrivaled legends, but to compare the two is like comparing apples and oranges. This video is NOT A COMPARISON BUT A TRIBUTE to the most amazing, innovative, versatile, brilliantly talented guitarists in the world.

Jimmy's hardcore, kick-ass, frenetic edge rocks you to the core. David's mellower, beautiful, ethereal, haunting style drags your soul along every note he bends. JP brings out your wild child; David makes it behave ... they contradict each other like night and day, black and white. Also, the disparity in their stage personas is such a stark contrast. Watching JP is dizzying ... like a telethon for hyperactive children, while David invariably remains in the same spot.

On that note ... it's difficult to imagine Gilmour driving a motorcycle through an Arizona restaurant in the early 1970s, scaring patrons half to death. After all, this is David -- not exactly the kind of behavior one would expect from the stoic one (gotta watch out for those quiet types). Jimmy, on the other hand ... well, no one has ever accused him of being a choirboy, so not much would surprise most ;o)

Aside from their astronomical talent, there aren't many parallels to be drawn between David and JP because they are so vastly different. They are at opposite ends of the spectrum; however, listening to these guys in alternating succession creates a roller coaster ride of harmoniously chaotic mood swings ;o)

It's often asked if David and JP have ever appeared on the same stage; if they have ever jammed together. Both are friends with Roy Harper and have collaborated and/or contributed on Roy's albums, so it's entirely possible that they have also played together outside a studio setting at some point in the last 40+ years, but nobody seems to know for sure -- unable to track down an event at which this occurred.

On "Whatever happened to Jugula", a 1985 album by Roy Harper and Jimmy Page, David wrote the music for the 3rd track, titled "Hope" (on which Roy's then 16 y/o son Nick plays lead guitar; not David, as widely believed). According to one Pink Floyd fan site, it is rumored that a jam session took place between David and JP during the recording of this album.

Beyond fan buzz and chatter about a leaked recording, no substantiating proof has surfaced and circulated. David and JP are THE guitar titans! To witness them jamming together on the same stage would be a mind-numbing phenomenon, but until something does come about, file this one under "URBAN LEGEND" in a folder marked "WISHFUL THINKING".

November 2003: David was awarded CBE for his contributions to music; November 2009: David was awarded an honorary doctorate by Anglia Ruskin University ... also for his for contributions to music.

June 2008: JP was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Surrey his for contributions to music; December 2005: JP was awarded OBE for charity work with impoverished children of Brazil, and was also made an honorary citizen of Rio De Janeiro.

Tracks featured are as follows:

01 - David: Ibiza Bar, 1969 More Soundtrack
02 - Jimmy: Achilles Last Stand, 1976 Presence
03 - David: A Pillow of Winds, 1971 Meddle
04 - Jimmy: Bron-Yr-Aur, 1975 Physical Graffiti
05 - David: More Blues, 1969 More Soundtrack
06 - Jimmy: Prison Blues, 1988 Outrider
07 - David: Wot's ... Uh, the Deal, 1972 Obscured by Clouds
08 - Jimmy: Over the Hills and Far Away, 1973 Houses of the Holy
09 - David: The Blue, 2006 On an Island
10 - Jimmy: Hummingbird, 1988 Outrider