As Led Zeppelin gear up for the June 2 (June 3 in North America) release of expanded reissues of their first three albums, guitarist/producer Jimmy Page is sharing his thoughts on the project in a new interview with Rolling Stone.
“I left no stone unturned,” explains Page. “I can’t have anyone else do it because I want it done properly. I dread to think how it could have been thrown together if I wasn’t around.”
Deluxe editions of "Led Zeppelin", "Led Zeppelin II" and "Led Zeppelin III" are the first releases announced as part of an extensive program that will see all nine of the band’s studio albums reissued in chronological order, each with a bonus disc of previously unreleased material.
The guitarist spent two-and-a-half years combing through the vaults, listening to hundreds of quarter-inch tapes before choosing the best material for the series.
"I see them as companion discs," says Page. "They comprise work done around the exact time of each album. They are fascinating to hear and they hold up alongside the original albums."
Page was careful to not unearth too many takes that have surfaced on bootlegs. "I was pretty diligent with my detection work," he says. "I didn't want to put together a compilation where ninety percent of it had been bootlegged. I asked a guy that runs one of the fanzines if he's heard any of this material before. He told me he hadn't. That was a really good feeling."
This Saturday, Page will deliver this year's commencement speech at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he will receive an honorary Doctor Of Music degree from the prestigious music institution.
See also:
Jimmy Page to deliver commencement speech at Berklee College Of Music
Led Zeppelin bassist to join Seasick Steve at Bonnaroo
Led Zeppelin stream unreleased version of Whole Lotta Love
Led Zeppelin: Enter sweepstakes to join Jimmy Page in Paris
Search Led Zeppelin at hennemusic
