Joe Walsh Reveals the Iconic Guitar Transaction That Helped Shape Led Zeppelin’s Sound
July 9, 2025 — Music News Desk
In a revelation that adds yet another legendary layer to rock and roll history, Joe Walsh has recounted the story of how he played a key role in shaping the sound of Led Zeppelin by providing Jimmy Page with the guitar that would become his most iconic instrument — the famed Gibson Les Paul Standard, later dubbed “Number One.”
During a recent interview, Walsh, best known as a guitarist for the Eagles and for his solo work, detailed the now-famous transaction that occurred in the late 1960s. At the time, Jimmy Page was transitioning from his Yardbirds era into the early days of Led Zeppelin, and was in search of a new guitar that could deliver the powerful tone he envisioned for his next musical chapter.
“Jimmy was still playing the Telecasters that he played in the Yardbirds,” Walsh recalled. “He was looking for a Les Paul and asked if I knew of any, ’cause he couldn’t find one that he liked. And I had two.”
Walsh explained that he kept the Les Paul he personally preferred and decided to offer the other one to Page. But this wasn’t just a simple mail-order deal. In a gesture of camaraderie and rock solidarity, Walsh went above and beyond to ensure Page got the guitar in pristine condition.
“I flew with the other one. I laid it on him and said, ‘Try this out.’ He really liked it,” Walsh said. “So I gave him a really good deal. I had to hand-carry it; I flew there and everything. So whatever my expenses were, that’s what I charged him. But again, I just thought he should have a Les Paul, for godsakes!”
That very guitar — a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard — would go on to become Jimmy Page’s signature instrument. It played a pivotal role in defining Led Zeppelin’s hard-hitting, blues-infused sound, beginning with their second album, Led Zeppelin II, released in October 1969.
Recorded in May of that year, Led Zeppelin II captured the explosive energy of the band, with tracks like “Whole Lotta Love,” “Heartbreaker,” and “Ramble On” showcasing the power of Page’s new Les Paul. Its thick, warm tone and sustain helped solidify the band’s sound and influence countless guitarists for generations to come.
As Page’s career with Zeppelin soared, the guitar became more than just an instrument — it became part of his identity. Even as he added more guitars to his collection over the years, the Les Paul gifted by Walsh remained his favorite. Page eventually began referring to it simply as “Number One.”
The story of the Walsh-Page guitar handoff is more than just rock trivia — it’s a reminder of the mutual respect and shared passion that defined a golden era of music. In helping Page find his perfect guitar, Joe Walsh unknowingly contributed to a seismic shift in rock history — one chord at a time.
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