I’m not going to dwell too much on this journal today. It’s a holiday. New Years Day 2025. Last night was uneventful. I watched a documentary about a Japanese bloke who is obsessed with Jimmy Page. He has been performing as Page in various groups for decades now. At one point Jimmy Page himself came to Japan to promote a Led Zep album and saw “Mr Jimmy” as he is known, playing in a club. Page was knocked out by the whole spectacle of course, because Mr Jimmy is extremely OCD about his craft to the point of arguing with his seamstress about the minutia of what color thread was used in a particular decorative patch on one of the many Page outfits that he has had recreated down to the last detail.
Mr Jimmy eventually wound up playing Page in a Jason Bonham (son of Zep drummer John) Led Zeppelin tribute tour that went around the world a few years ago. Needless to say it was the pinnacle of his career so far. It’s a great documentary and follows Jimmy all the way through his experiences with a US cover band called Led Zepagain. The detail obsessive Jimmy almost sends the band members crazy as he tries to get them into the zeitgeist of particular Led Zeppelin performances that have been historically documented. These cats just want to play the hits, but Mr Jimmy wants to recreate every note, stage movement and pause from a 1973 concert that took place somewhere 40 years ago.
Mr Jimmy – every detail has to be exactly correct or I will kill you.
After that I started watching a doco about Elton John. Elton frankly, looks like death warmed up these days, and it’s easy to understand why he doesn’t want to tour any more. His voice sounds like it isn’t up to it now, and for a singer, that’s not good. Unless he decides to do a Franki Valli and mime his own vocals, he’s done with the live stuff. I can’t see Elton doing that. I think he’s got more respect for the audience.
Finally, I watched the CNN New Year’s Eve count down with the two quares and they were quite jolly and dare I say “gay” as they ushered in 2025. Anderson Cooper looked like he was very, very drunk, and they were entertaining and quite funny at times. It was raining last night which put a dampener on the proceedings here. Not many fireworks at all. I was pleased by this. As July 4 approaches they start setting them off two weeks early.
Happy New Year!
From Mr Jimmy’s Youtube channel. He talks about the time Jimmy Page came to see his show in Japan.