As a new era unfolded in London’s music scene, excitement electrified every club across the city. Legends mingled in cabs, indulging in drinks and smoke while witnessing both established icons and rising stars illuminate the stages. In a time characterized by close encounters and unending collaboration, success seemed almost a certainty for musicians gracing London’s hottest stages — just ask Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.
Clapton, who honed his craft in The Yardbirds, left the group in 1965 to join John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. He co-founded the psychedelic power trio Cream in 1966, quickly cementing his status as a six-string virtuoso. While Clapton’s legacy has faced challenges over the years, few guitarists could rival his presence during the 1960s.
Jimmy Page began his career as a sought-after session guitarist in London. He joined The Yardbirds in 1966, before forming The New Yardbirds—later known as Led Zeppelin—just two years later. Page quickly rose to the status of a beloved icon.
Despite common perceptions of guitarists as egomaniacs, Clapton and Page maintained a genuine friendship, shaped by their shared history. Ironically, when Clapton left The Yardbirds, he recommended Page to take his place, but Page chose to stick with his lucrative session career and suggested Jeff Beck instead.
During this time, Clapton often stayed at Page’s home, and they frequently jammed together. Page later described his bond with Clapton as “arch-buddies,” noting that “everybody respects” Clapton. However, tensions arose when Clapton’s recordings with The Bluesbreakers led to a contractual issue involving Andrew Loog Oldham, manager of The Rolling Stones.
Oldham pressured Page to relinquish recordings from Clapton’s sessions, which caused a rift between the two guitarists. Clapton’s trust in Page was shattered, and while they have appeared together at various concerts, it remains uncertain whether they ever reconciled. This unresolved chapter leaves a bittersweet note in the legacies of two of rock’s greatest icons.
