Considered one of rock’s greatest guitarists, James Patrick Page (1944-) was born on this day in Heston, England. He learned to play the guitar after hearing an Elvis Presley song, and something in him ignited.

Page was self-taught, and became a prolific, in-demand studio musician before joining the Yardbirds in 1966. Two years later, he formed Led Zeppelin with Robert Plant, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones. Their 1969 debut album blew the world away.

For Page, the guitar was never just an instrument. Playing was a way of thinking.

“My vocation is more in composition really than anything else,” he once said. “Building up harmonies using the guitar, orchestrating the guitar like an army, a guitar army.”

The talented Page helped write the book on heavy metal, crafting riffs and solos, alive and electric. He co-wrote the songs and produced the albums, shaping Led Zeppelin’s unique, passionate sound.

“The beauty of the band,” Page said, “was you never knew what was going to come out next.”

After Led Zeppelin’s breakup in late 1980, Page continued to explore new musical paths, recording with other artists and projects including the Firm, David Coverdale, renewed collaborations with Robert Plant, and later work with The Black Crowes. He remained devoted to the creative process, serving the spark that fires a song.

The influential musician once observed, “Trying to do good work and improve upon what you’ve done, it still is a race against time.”

Jimmy Page’s guitar became architecture: rhythm, harmony, atmosphere, propulsion, mystery. Each chord, each riff, shows how music can open space for wonder.