“Incredible Music”: Band That Defines Rock ‘n’ Roll for Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist of Led Zeppelin, has long been recognized as one of rock’s most influential figures. From shaping the sound of hard rock with Zeppelin to producing some of the most iconic guitar riffs in history, Page’s taste in music carries serious weight. When asked about the band that, in his mind, truly defines rock ‘n’ roll, Page didn’t hesitate—he named Elvis Presley’s original band, particularly highlighting Scotty Moore, Elvis’s pioneering guitarist.

For Jimmy Page, the birth of rock ‘n’ roll can be traced to the raw energy and innovative sound crafted by Elvis and his early collaborators in the 1950s. “That’s where it all started,” Page has said in interviews. He praised the way those early recordings blended blues, country, and rhythm and blues into something entirely new—and dangerously electric. What struck Page was not just the voice of Elvis, but the instrumentation, especially Moore’s guitar work, which pushed boundaries and inspired countless musicians.

Scotty Moore’s sharp, echoing guitar licks on songs like “That’s All Right” and “Mystery Train” left a lasting impression on a young Page, who once described hearing Elvis for the first time as “life-changing.” For Page, this wasn’t just music—it was a seismic shift. The freedom, attitude, and rebellious spirit of those early rock ‘n’ roll records laid the foundation for what bands like Led Zeppelin would later build upon.

Page has often emphasized that while many rock bands brought their own flavors to the genre, Elvis’s original band created something truly elemental. The simplicity, the spontaneity, and the sheer electricity of their sound made them, in his words, “the blueprint for what rock ‘n’ roll was supposed to be.” For a guitarist who would go on to revolutionize rock himself, it’s telling that Page still points to that early sound as the gold standard.

In honoring Elvis and his band, Jimmy Page reminds the world that before stadium tours, concept albums, and elaborate guitar solos, rock ‘n’ roll was born in a small studio in Memphis—with just a few musicians, a microphone, and a spark of magic.