Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist and songwriter of Led Zeppelin, has long been associated with an occult fascination. This fascination is not limited to the mysticism and symbolism that permeate the band's music and album artwork, but also extends to Page's personal interests and practices. One of the most well-known examples of Page's occult interest is his ownership of Crowleyana, a collection of books, manuscripts, and memorabilia related to the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley. Page's obsession with Crowley began in the 1970s and continues to this day, with him describing the figure as a "genius" and a "key figure in the history of occultism." This dedication is evident in the fact that Page reportedly kept a Crowley tarot card in his guitar case and had the words of Crowley's maxim, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law," inscribed on the Led Zeppelin album "Led Zeppelin III." Page's fascination with the occult is not limited to Crowley.
Bowie was done with Page, down with Crowley and done with the dark arts. He later had his home exorcised for fear of whatever bad juju Page had left behind. From that point on, Bowie avoided Page wherever possible.
Thelema would gift the writer with the title of the wickedest man alive but, despite this moniker, there was something about him that allured The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie to him, following his death in 1947 when he became immortalised in culture. This statement doesn t see Page flat-out deny that he believes in Crowley s work and leaves the door wide open on the validity of the claims that have been an albatross around his neck for almost the entirety of his career.
" Page's fascination with the occult is not limited to Crowley. He has also expressed an interest in witchcraft, collecting artifacts related to witch trials and even claiming to have owned Aleister Crowley's former home, Boleskine House. In an interview, Page spoke about his belief in the power of the occult, stating, "There's absolutely no doubt about the occult.
That Time Jimmy Page Tried To Communicate Telepathically With David Bowie
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page's fascination with the occult during his band's height only added to Zeppelin's enduring mystique among fans and contemporaries.
Page was famously fascinated with the writings of Aleister Crowley — he once lived in Crowley's old house — and often practiced dark magick "rituals" (mostly on groupies) in the 1970s.
While we may never know for sure if Page really believes in magick or if his enthusiasm for the occult was merely a byproduct of a bottomless supply of cocaine, but fellow rock icon David Bowie did believe, at least for a time. and he did not like the darkness Page showed him.
One a recent episode of Jake Brennan's Disgraceland, Brennan describes a 1974 encounter in New York between Page and Bowie (as reported by a Page confidant) in which the guitarist tried to communicate telepathically with Bowie.
Page was relating to Bowie a terrifying paranormal encounter he'd had one night at Crowley's mansion. Bowie urged Page to tell him more and more. As the two swept up lines of cocaine, Bowie prodded more deeply about what Page knew of the occult. Each time he did, however, Page would strangely clam up and start blankly. It got awkward, but Bowie tried his best to be polite.
As Bowie came up from doing another line, he noticed the suddenly silent Page was smirking.
Bowie was quickly overwhelmed by an uneasy feeling. He thought he saw the lights in the apartment flicker. Page was still smiling and eerily staring through him. Major Tom was getting freaked out.
"I'd like you do leave," Bowie said at last.
Rather than acknowledge the request, Page pointed over Bowie's shoulder at an open window.
"Why don't you leave through the window?" Bowie replied, angrily.
After several more excruciating moments, the guitarist relented, leaving without another word.
Bowie was done with Page, down with Crowley and done with the dark arts. He later had his home exorcised for fear of whatever bad juju Page had left behind. From that point on, Bowie avoided Page wherever possible.
Listen to the full episode of Disgraceland on the iHeartRadio app here or in the audio player above.
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One a recent episode of Jake Brennan's Disgraceland, Brennan describes a 1974 encounter in New York between Page and Bowie (as reported by a Page confidant) in which the guitarist tried to communicate telepathically with Bowie.
I mean, I've had so much proof of the existence of this other energy." However, it is important to note that Page's interest in the occult should not overshadow his contributions to music. Led Zeppelin's music is a testament to their collective talent and innovative approach, and Page's guitar playing is revered by fans and musicians alike. The occult fascination should be seen as just one aspect of his persona, rather than defining his entire identity. In conclusion, Jimmy Page's occult fascination has been a subject of much intrigue and speculation throughout his career. His dedication to the works of Aleister Crowley and his interest in witchcraft have added an enigmatic layer to his public image. However, it is important to remember that this fascination does not diminish the artistic contributions and musical prowess of the legendary guitarist..
Reviews for "The Occult Symbolism in Led Zeppelin's Music and Jimmy Page's Life"
1) Emma - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Occult Fascination of Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin". I expected it to provide an in-depth exploration of Jimmy Page's interest in the occult and how it influenced his music, but instead, it felt like a superficial and sensationalized take on the subject. The book relied heavily on rumors and speculation, rather than providing substantial evidence or interviews with reliable sources. Overall, it left me feeling unsatisfied and wanting more.
2) Mark - 1 star - I found "The Occult Fascination of Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin" to be a complete waste of time. The book was poorly written and lacked any kind of coherent structure. It seemed to jump from one random topic to another without providing any substantial insight into Jimmy Page's occult interests. Furthermore, the author seemed more interested in creating controversy and feeding into the mystique of Led Zeppelin than actually providing factual information. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is genuinely interested in understanding the occult influence on Page's music.
3) Sarah - 2 stars - As an avid fan of Led Zeppelin, I was excited to read "The Occult Fascination of Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin". However, I was left disappointed and underwhelmed. The book seemed to be more focused on the author's personal opinions and biases rather than objectively exploring the subject matter. It felt like a missed opportunity to delve into the intriguing relationship between music and the occult. Overall, I felt that the book lacked substance and failed to provide any meaningful insights into Page's fascination with the occult.
4) Michael - 3 stars - While I didn't hate "The Occult Fascination of Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin", I also didn't find it particularly engaging or enlightening. The book touched on some interesting aspects of Page's interest in the occult, but it lacked depth and failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The writing style was also quite dry and didn't engage me as a reader. It may be worth a read for die-hard Led Zeppelin fans, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive exploration of the subject.