A member of the British parliament has put Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page's name forward for that most honored of things British - a knighthood. Louise Mensch, who's the Conservative MP for Corby in Northamptonshire, tweeted on Nov. 17 that she's put the name of the 67-year-old rock legends name forward on the Honours List.
"I've proposed Jimmy Page. Waiting to see if that finds favour with Honours Directorate. I hope so," Mensch tweeted. "Clearly there is nobody more worthy of a knighthood and I am glad to say I have gathered support from every major record label in the U.K."
Jimmy Page: Could Join Elton John, Mick Jagger
Mensch, who is married to Peter Mensch, who once managed Page and who managed bands such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica, added that nominating Page was not simply because of her connection to him. She's but 40 so was too young to be a fan of Led Zep back in the day but to Mensch there is no non-knighted player more deserving of a knighthood than Page.
The parliamentarian may be right, too, given Page is an undisputed champion of rock guitar and one of the world's most influential rock musicians. Bono, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Cliff Richards, Anthony Hopkins and Derek Jacobi are other U.K. performers who have been knighted. There does not appear to be anything all those musicians and actors have achieved that Jimmy Page has not and it's arguable knighting Page is long overdue.
Jimmy Page: Led Zeppelin Reunions, Book
Page continues to play and has gotten back with his old mates from Led Zeppelin for specialty gigs, and gigged solo and with others such as Leona Lewis. Led Zeppelin split in 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham. In reunion gigs Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones have used John Bonham's son, Jason, as their drummer.
Page released a book of photos in 2010, over 700, most playing with Led Zeppelin. Published by Genesis Books, it's a pricey, well-bound, limited edition that cost 450 pounds, or $700 American. In August of 2011 he put up a website, www.jimmypage.com.
There is no date on when Mensch, and the rest of us, might find out whether Page will get the honor. Page was awarded an O.B.E. - Order of the British Empire - in 2005 for the charity work he's done.
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