For all of you guitar fans who love history, here’s a look at Jimmy Page’s rhythm guitar parts from Led Zeppelin’s classic hit “Whole Lotta Love.” The song might’ve ripped off Willie Dixon, but it exposed millions of kids to maybe the world’s most basic blues riff. Here are some things to listen for:
1. The riff is doubled (1958 Les Paul Standard through a 100 watt Marshall Plexi) but it’s in mono. It’s also pretty loose, as you can hear either one or both parts misplayed at a number of places in the songs. Of course, that wouldn’t get by today, but did that ever bother any of us before?
2. The bridge begins at 1:24, but the guitar ad libs don’t begin until 1:50. At that point the amp noise increases, perhaps as a result from switching in the delay.
3. Something that you don’t hear too clearly in the final mix is the new guitar riff that begins at the outro at 4:40.
4. If you listen all the way to the end you’ll hear two endings. The first is rather tame, but listen a little more and you’ll hear a more wild ending from the previous take at 5:50.