The story of Jimmy Page's red Les Paul

Game Jimmy Page on guitar as part of Led Zeppelin made him famous. His catchy riffs and legendary guitar solos helped him ascend to the rank of Guitar God! He had quite a few cool models, but one of his most famous, the original red Les Paul with three pickups, has the most amazing story: Jimmy literally got another man to sell it to him!

In 1974. Michael Corby lived in London and collected The Babys - the group that brought the world's attention to to John Waite- when his paths accidentally crossed with Led Zeppelin. He had no idea that he would end up selling his favourite guitar to the biggest guitar genius of his era... But how did it happen?

A guitar that Page spent weeks on and put all his charisma to work on.

At the time, Michael was living in Battersea, South London, and trying to start his own rock 'n' roll band. Eventually he succeeded, and it would be born. The Babys - the team that launched the careers John Waite! But not about that yet. So: Michael knew some people in the music industry, who in turn knew .... Jimmy Page. Corby's word next:

"A co-worker of my manager, the late Adrian Millar, was friends with Raymond Thomas, Jimmy Page's guitar roadie. And one day we crossed paths. We were chatting and I told Raymond that I owned an original 1952 Les Paul with three pickups. When he found out, he told me to make sure I came to a Led Zeppelin rehearsal - they were rehearsing in a disused cinema in Fulham at the time..."

After Michael showed up at the designated address and met the Zeppelins in person, there was a waiting for him unexpected surprise:

"It just so happened that over the next fortnight we jammed while Jimmy tried to persuade me to sell him the guitar. We argued and debated the price for a long time, even though I hadn't originally planned to sell it at all! I never intended to do that!"

And yet Jimmy managed to get Michael. The last one continues:

"I still don't understand how it happened and how he managed to persuade me. It was hard for me to part with that guitar... But thanks to it I spent a few weeks in the Led Zeppelin society!"

And throughout those few weeks, the musicians not only jammed, but also argued. But Jimmy Page seemed to know how to find common ground with people... From Michael's recollections:

"After about ten days of engaging in endless arguments over the price of my favourite Les Paul and reaching a point where the matter was almost settled, I was more than surprised when Jimmy asked me if I would show him some of my sketches while we jammed with him. Jimmy took me to a small reception room where I dutifully showed him my sacred library of chord structures. It was in that moment and in private that I gained the most remarkable and unforgettable insight into his playing. What had taken me months to learn, he learnt in hours! My ego was hurt, but I expected nothing less. God knows I was still in shock that he even spoke to me, let alone played with me... This was a man whose life and style enriched my very being, what chance did I have of keeping my guitar?"

Corby's fate

О Michael Corbyalas, not much is known. Largely because he ended his musical career early. As mentioned above, he did start a band in the mid-70s. The Babys. In addition to John Waite, the band is also remembered by the public for the song "Isn't It Time" - with their most successful hit, reaching number 13 on the US Billboard. However, with this song the band started a series of tracks written by other people - The Babys were dissatisfied with their commercial situation, and therefore decided to move away from performing their own material.

As far as albums go, the most notable was the second one "Broken Heart" 1977. However, The Babys were particularly successful on tour, thanks to which each member of the band was able to prove themselves and demonstrate their talent to the full! But as it often happens - due to disputes and conflicts with the management, the history of the group came to an end.

Corby has left the line-up in 1978 and after that also decided to leave the music industry as a whole, deciding to focus on a measured and quiet life...