Jimmy Page hasn’t been on a concert tour in more than a quarter-century, and the Led Zeppelin guitarist has no plans to change that. But while the prospect of returning to life on the road holds little appeal, he insists he hasn’t lost his desire to play.
Page, 82, last toured in 2000, when he joined forces with the Black Crowes for the Excess All Areas run. The collaboration brought together the legendary guitarist and the American rock band for a series of performances built around their shared love of blues and rock and roll. The tour was cut short after Page suffered a back injury, forcing the cancellation of its remaining dates.
Although he hasn’t embarked on another tour since, Page hasn’t entirely disappeared from the stage. His most high-profile appearance came in 2007, when he reunited with Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham for Led Zeppelin’s celebrated one-off concert at London’s O2 Arena. He also joined the Foo Fighters at Wembley Stadium that year, before performing alongside Leona Lewis at the 2008 Beijing Olympics closing ceremony.
In the years since, however, opportunities to see Page perform have become increasingly scarce. His most recent public appearance was at the 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where he paid tribute to Link Wray with a performance of “Rumble.”
Now, speaking to The Sun at the Music Industry Trust Awards in London, Page has explained why fans shouldn’t expect a return to touring. It’s the relentless travel and hotel-room routine that puts him off, rather than any waning enthusiasm for music.
“The whole sort of, ‘living out of a suitcase, bags go down at seven in the morning and then you leave for the plane at midday’, that doesn’t really appeal to me any more,” he says.
The guitarist is nevertheless keen to make one thing clear: he’s not finished playing.
“But the idea of playing does, and I am still playing – of course I am,” he adds.
That puts Page in contrast with his former Led Zeppelin bandmate Robert Plant, who continues to make touring a central part of his musical life. Plant recently announced a new series of U.K. and Ireland shows for summer 2027.
The five dates begin June 19 at Hampton Court Palace in London, with further performances at Lincoln Castle on June 24 and Scarborough Open Air Theatre on June 26. Plant will then play the Piece Hall in Halifax on June 27 before closing the run at Trinity College in Dublin on June 29.
