statement from Gene simmon as he led Zeppelin to jeff beck: talks on album as evidence

 

The Yardbirds are often hailed as one of the most influential bands in the history of rock music, particularly when it comes to elevating the role of the guitarist as a central figure in the genre.

With legendary guitarists like Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page in their ranks before they moved on to greater fame, the Yardbirds helped shape the sound and persona of rock guitar that would inspire generations to come.

Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, now regarded as godfathers of the electric guitar, brought a new level of excitement and melodic sophistication to rock music. Their

ability to blend sweet, intricate melodies with electrifying energy on stage set a precedent that many rock guitarists would follow. Without their pioneering work, the image of the “rock guitar god” might not exist in the way we know it today. Even icons like Gene Simmons of KISS acknowledge their influence.

“Before Led Zeppelin, there was a band called the Jeff Beck Group, and then Jimmy Page heard what Jeff was doing and said, ‘I got to put a band together,’ and he formed Led Zeppelin,” Simmons said. “For me, if I had my druthers, playing the first two Led Zeppelin records or the first two Jeff Beck Group records, it’s the Jeff Beck Group, hands down.”

Simmons’ admiration for both Beck and Page is evident, and it’s clear that their work significantly shaped his own career. Yet, it might come as a surprise that Simmons holds another musician in equally high regard—country singer Patsy Cline. His appreciation for Cline, however, isn’t based on guitar prowess but on songwriting mastery.

Simmons first became captivated by Cline’s work when he heard her classic track “Crazy.” The song’s emotional depth and lyrical boldness left a lasting impression on him. “Her music hit me like a truck running you over,” Simmons recalled. “She had a song called ‘Crazy’, and in country and western culture, you couldn’t say the word crazy. It was supposed to be vulgar…”

Simmons went on to explain that great songwriting often starts with the song’s title, citing examples like The Beatles’ “Yesterday” and Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile.” For Simmons, “Crazy” exemplified this timeless quality. “When I first heard the words in ‘Crazy’ and the fact that it came out of country and western blew me away. And then I heard all her other tracks.”

In a surprising comparison, Simmons argued that Cline’s influence on music is as significant as that of Beck and Page on the guitar. “You can’t appreciate music without really appreciating music,” he said. “Yes, Jeff Beck’s riffs and guitar playing, the bombast of Led Zeppelin, but you can’t leave Patsy Cline over on the side.”

In essence, Simmons underscores the idea that true appreciation of music goes beyond genre. While Beck and Page revolutionized the guitar, Cline’s songwriting left an indelible mark on the craft of music itself. Both contributions are integral to the rich tapestry of rock and roll and beyond.