jimi vs. jimmy - hendrix or page?

Jimi wins cos he didn't have to defer to another vocalist to handle his message. Plus he was a black musician working in a "black" idiom of blues rock, whereas Jimmy, bless him, just didn't have that soulful edge with him at all moments. Additionally, I've never lost my shit and forgot where in the world I was listening to Zeppelin (save for one acid trip with "Hats off to roy harper" cranked on headphones) unlike Hendrix where I'm transported to that yawning cave of otherness rather frequently. Psych over metal 8 times outta 10.

jimi for off the cuff blues n' soul spontaneity, and screaming guitar...

so as a guitar player i'll go with jimi, and as a track maker i'll go with jimmy.....and the answer to the question?

probably jimmy is more triumphant, jimi more tragic

"Hendrix' take on the blues was far fresher and less overly/crippingly studied."

Maybe true (to a certain extent, anyway) with regard to Led Zeppelin's songs, but, I don't think it's true with regard to Page's leads.

a recurring theme in this post seems to be that hendrix was somewhat not quite 'real' rock compared to page and the rest. i wonder if the jimi vs. jimmy question was asked in 1973 or so, what sort of answers i would get (not sure why i would want to know that but n/m).

Have you never listened to "In the West" or any of JH's live output, of which there has been waaaaaay too much. Hendrix was as capable
with the endlessly masturbating heavy blues jam as anyone. In fact,
he's one of its fathers.

Sure they are. Lots of live albums from many artists were their defining records, often the one's which broke through to the public. Many were also only "live" in the sense that there is crowd noise on them.

This is not so with Hendrix but his record company, handlers, hagiographers and estate manipulators have socked a great deal into ensuring they trample his studio work. And, by and large, one you get past the first thrill of hearing one, they're not that great.

Examples?

Yeah, both Noel R. and Billy Cox (whom I've met a few times here in Nashville).

"In the West"

What about Beck vs Page?

His "clumsiness," I think, comes from playing at the limit of his chops. He pulls the stuff off, though. I really love his ferociousness.

Interestingly, it seems to me that both of them (esp Hendrix) have had greater influence on modern jazz/fusion than on contemporary pop/rock. Even Tool and System of a Down almost totally eschew any sort of soloing, improvising, or blues modes but you can hear their direct influence all over Fiuczynski, Ulmer, Frisell, Abbasi, probably Scofield, . . . I dunno, maybe this is obvious to some people.

OTM about hendrix's rhythm guitar strengths, i think this is where page suffers on LZ's records. or maybe its just a different type of rhythm guitar.

Production: Page, for reasons already stated. Led Zeppelin weren't the greatest band in the world: They just made the greatest ALBUMS in the world, and Jimmy Page's mic-placement wizardry was a big reason why. And of course his "sidemen" were no slouches! By the way, I don't agree that John Paul Jones as a bassist was inferior to Billy Cox or Noel Redding - many of whose bass lines were actually played by Hendrix. Nothing against Cox or Redding (or Hendrix), but Jones was a lot more free-ranging & imaginative. Or maybe Jimi just kept his bassists on a shorter leash.

Hair: Peter Frampton!

Now I have to consider it I think I love them both about the same.

Hendrix was a shaman.

Outrider v Axis Bold as Love.

I would say yes Outrider is a good underated album-but not even a close second to Axis.

OK it is fine to say you like Page better or whoever because it is your PERSONAL TASTE, but don't form an argument based on total ignorance.

Most of the great guitarist now all say Hendrix was streaks ahead of everyone and no-one has ever really matched him.

now to the point, i think jimi hendrix is a better player but page had better songs, as said before by others.

i use hendrix as my emotional inspiration and page as my composing inspiration as both are very important aspects to me as far as guitar playing goes. if i wanted to get good at jamming, i'd pick hendrix, because page seemed to repeat himself live on improv parts. as far as making a song altogether, i'd definitely pick page.

If you think SRV has matched Hendrix in virtuosity-it just shows that you know J.S about Hendrix.

It doesnt matter page didnt write all the songs... it wasnt bonzo, jpj, or plant that playes the guitar for him! And page was anything but repetitive live, he never played a version of a song twice, he constantly added riffs and most likely imprivised his amazing solos like all the greats did (i am so jelous)... and just to let you know... thats why angus young is not rated as high as most ppl think he should because despite his top notch showmanship ( and spaz guitar playing on the floor) he played ac/dc songs the exact same over and over almost to the exact note in the solos.

"It doesn't matter Page didn't write all the songs" hmm ok but ppl are crediting him with this. What is characteristic about Zep more than any other band- is that the four of them were integral to the sound. Why do you think they never carried on with another drummer after John Bonham died? Because it just wouldnt have been Led Zeppelin anymore. Why do you think Page is so desperate to work with Plant, JPJ again? And why they don't want to do. It's so rare for musicians to find the chemistry and compatability. Yet they wouldn't be Zep and everyone expects them to be Zep. So the argument rages on.

If you think of Achilles Last Stand-probably Page's best guitar work-what makes it sound so spine chilling apart from Page is particularly-Bonhams powerhouse drumming behind him. So to really judge just the guitar playing you got look at some of the solo work.

And if you think the abum with Coverdale is rubbish-then think again. Page's guitar work is back to what is was like at his peak on that album.

However if you think Hendrix albums shiver in comparison to Led Zeppelin albums-I can't believe you could have possibly listen to Electric Ladyland all the way through and think that. That was a landmark album. I well recommend it and the Band of Gypsys live album which has superb guitar playing on it-where he stood rooted to the spot for most of it. And as I said b4 Hendrix wrote and produced and arranged most of his work. There were ppl that backed him and played sessions but Hendrix was definatly the major creative force. I wouldn't say that of Page with Led Zeppelin not to diminish his talents.

I really would hasten to judge Hendrix if you've not really listen to him- if all you've seen is Hendrix doing Wild Thing on MTV-and Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock.

Strange that Roland Kirk, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Santana, Steve Vai, Joe Satrini, Eric Clapton, Brian Jones, Pete Townsend amongst many others thought Hendrix was streaks ahead of so many guitarists. Strange that when Hendrix came to london he played to clubs full of wall to wall muscians who I am sure went just to watch him eat his guitar and set it on fire.. I suppose they couldn't get into see Page at the time who was obviously blowing them away.. Steve Vai is famously quoted as saying that the guitar playing at the Band of Gypsy Filmore east concert is the best that has ever exsisted. Guess these muscians need to clean out their ears then like me huh?

As you can tell by my handle, I'm a Jimmy Page fan. Does that make me biased? Sure! Isn't everyone? That's the purpose of this poll/thread.

So rather than just throw my two-cents into the ring and post my take on this topic, I felt I should "qualify" and "quantify" my answer. Am I just some dude with an opinion? Yes. But at least I feel mine has some weight behind it. Take it as you will. That's the beauty of this message board.

I've been playing guitar now for over 30 years. Simple pickin'-n-grinnin' stuff to droning, boring rhythm and up to lead guitar. Listened and played most of all music genres (Rap and Hip-hop are a joke so lets not even go there). Electric, acoustic, mando, banjo, steel, slide, and even a sitar. Now that's a tough instrument to play! Ouch!

So to settle as to who's better? Hendrix or Page? Well, each had their strenghts. You knew I was going to say that, right? Well of course they did! EVERY guitar player has their strengths and weaknesses. Hendrix had both as did Page.

So let's break it down a bit. Starting with Hendrix...

Jimi was cool. Beyond cool. Soul oozed out of this guy in his playing and music. Jimi was a "first". Short-lived, but a first. Music fans of that era were looking for something with more feeling or meat to it if you will. Seriously, "I wanna Hold Your Hand" was a little too bubble-gumish after the second or third time you heard it, right? So along comes Jimi. He saw his moment, took a chance, and scored BIG! Blew everybody away! Great sound. Great style. Great technique. Great improvization. Could he sing? Same say "yes". I say he "spoke" his music. He didn't sing it, per se. Jimi expressed himself in his music so his voice didn't really matter. His music was deep and at times a little erie. He'd bring you down and blow you up, all at the same time. A mind-blowing experience. Experienced? I think Jimi knew it and tried to get music lovers to understand him and his message.

So Jimi is great. No doubt. But only to an extent or limit. His legacy will live on forever. His music range or style was limited. He knew it, his fans knew it, and it scared the hell out of him! So much so that he didn't know where to go or how to evolve. He'd pretty much done what he could in the short time he was alive. See, with music, it has to grow. It can't remain stagnant. It can become memorable, but it can't become stagnant. Jimi was becoming this whether he or his fans will admit it.

I'm not going to rate Jimi Hendrix on a scale of 1-10 as its not fair. Is he a top-10? Sure. #1? No. Here's why Page is better and should be #1.

Page knew his limits. Page knew his music. Page knew the production-side of music. I use the analogy of "Would you rather listen to someone whistle or an orchestra?", meaning...the whole production?

Page had his faults. He couldn't sing. Stumbled on some of his licks. At times an awkward playing style. Page could have come on to the scene with LZ and said "let's blow them away with my guitar" but why? There's much more to music than just a six-string. Page sought-out a singer and a band. He knew he wasn't a one-man show like Hendrix. What for? Music is much more than wah's and teeth yanking on strings. Show makes dough and fills the coffers...but real music fills the heart, and that my friend, will never empty.

Page played in multiple tunings. Played various stringed instruments. Experimented with sound, soul, blues, and timings. His clumsiness led to his greatness. Page inspired more guitarist due to his recordings than Hendrix ever will.

Page's playing was like a carival of rides. Some happy. Some sad. Some suductive. Some melodic. All of them memorable and inspiring.

So to wrap this up, to say Page is better than Hendrix is well, my opinion. I know what "moves me". Hendrix impresses me and captures my attention, but its limited. Page will take you to a gallery of sound, heights, beginnings, and endings that you'll never forget.

Jimmy Page gets my vote.

haha - I didn't know there were people who still actually said things like this.

But, if forced to take a stand and defend it, I go with Jimi, becuase he never had to face the ignominy of trying a comeback with Paul Rodgers at the helm.

Surprise, not everyone sees things the same.

PS, No guitarist would be anywhere without Link Wray. You baby boomers may not even know him, but i suggest looking into him.

who is this mysterious Bink Wray you refer to...?

First of all, Hendrix and Page were both sloppy players at times. There have been many players since with better technique. I don't say this to diminish either of them, but it's true.

Secondly, they were both innovative and influential, but Hendrix is the clear winner in this category. It's hard to imagine a good argument for Page's superiority.

Hendrix wins.