Greg Shenkman Rules The Roost

A friend of mine recently told me about ‘It Might Get Loud’, a film documentary with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, Jack White of the White Stripes, and The Edge of U2. He knows that I, Greg Shenkman, am a big fan of electric guitarists and that is what this film is about. One of the comments that Jimmy Page makes is about how Jack White is a “hero” to guitarists both young and old alike. For me this is a must see, a film of such great talent. I’m going to the video store to get it on blu-ray.

The inside story of Led Zeppelin’s BBC sessions told exclusively by Jimmy Page. Jimmy Page joins Shaun Keaveny for a unique celebration of the thrilling early recordings . The BBC sessions capture the audacity and raw energy of Led Zeppelin’s first live shows. Now Jimmy Page chooses his personal highlights from the music and shares his memories of an extraordinary time in Led Zeppelin’s history.

Documents from the BBC’s written archive unearthed by BBC 6 Music show that producers invited the group to appear on a trial basis only, giving their performance a cautious welcome.

A 1969 Audition Panel of BBC producers reviewed them, with future broadcasts depending on their verdicts. One wrote: “English blues group longing to sound like Muddy Waters, but failing necessarily through being derivative…for me it’s unconvincing and I’d rather hear the genuine article.”

The programme, Jimmy Page and the BBC Sessions , will be broadcast in two parts on Christmas Day (25 December).

You can hear Part 1, Led Zeppelin in 1969, on BBC Radio 6 Music between 1200-1300 GMT, with Part 2, Led Zeppelin in 1971, on-air between 21:00-22:00.

The show features a section of the famous Whole Lotta Love medley, that wasn’t included on the commercial release in 1997, although after hearing it again at 6 Music, Jimmy seemed to remember why. I, Greg Shenkman suggest you tune in and listen to a piece of Led Zeppelin history on Christmas Day.

As you know, I’m a huge fan of the band Led Zeppelin and all of its members. When I heard of that young guy Adam Lambert, I listened to a few of the songs he had done on American Idol because some of my co-workers said he reminded them of a cross between Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury from Queen. I like what he had done with the song Mad World and Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire, it was different. I am however perplexed by his performance at last nights AMA Awards. He was extremely “showy” and his vocals were not on key as he been in the past. Apparently, 1500 or so viewers called to complain to ABC for his racy performance. To read more of what I did, go to http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626936/20091123/lambert_adam_american_idol_.jhtml.

One of my favorite guitarist of all time is Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. Of course I do love the band as whole too. In 2003, Jimmy Page ranked #9 out of top 100 Greatest Guitar players in Rolling Stone Magazine. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame twice, once as a member of the Yard Birds and, once as a member of Led Zeppelin. Jimmy Page is actually the one that recruited Robert Plant and helped get Led Zeppelin started. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Page on Wikipedia to read to read a summarized bio of Page, or http://www.jimmypage.co.uk/biography.htm to his UK biography page. He is definitely worth reading about.

The Guitar: First released in 1955 , the Gibson Les Paul Special is an awesome instrument although it is not my favorite guitar.
The feel is nice, thought the maple wood makes it a bit heavy. The sound is great when used with the right amps.  You may say, “Greg Shenkman what is the right amp?” I agree, taste is often times subjective, so, the right amp is the one that sounds best to you. It also depends on the tone you are going for.

The Amp: Personally, I like the Gibson GA40RVT guitar combo amplifier. The 1×12 Inch, 30 Watts
 sound box is   great for at home and studio for practice and recording. It also carries its own on small stages with live performances.

This is Greg Shenkman and my trip to Idaho didn’t pan out, as the guitar was not in as good of shape as was claimed, but I did buy myself a new guitar. I found an old 1959 Sunburst Les Paul that had been reconditioned and looks amazing. It is similar to the guitar owned by the Rolling Stones great, Keith Richards. I’m definitely no Keith Richards, but I can appreciate a gem like the one I found. It will be a great accent to my study where I have display my love for all things music. A guy in LA told me I got a great deal and should hold onto this piece for a long time.

Now this is going to be a blast (gulp) I am off to Idaho with absolutely nothing to do but a 10 minute meeting with a guy that states he has a gibson 3 series less paul to sell me. I am doubtful but it is one of those things that you need to make sure is not true or I would be wondering the rest of my life about it!

Greg Shenkman

Greg Shenkman’s guitar