Music How Jeff Beck contributed to ‘Stairway to Heaven’
While crafting ‘Stairway to Heaven’, Jimmy Page didn’t rely on just one guitar. He weaved together various instruments to compose his masterpiece. Beginning with a fragile acoustic melody, the Led Zeppelin classic encompasses segments played on a six-string acoustic, twelve-string, and six-string electric.
Released in 1971 as part of Led Zeppelin IV, ‘Stairway to Heaven’ wasn’t just a song; it was a musical expedition spanning over eight minutes of intricate melodies, poetic lyricism, and dynamic instrumental prowess. Composed by Page and Robert Plant, the song quickly became an anthem that resonated with generations.
At its core, the song became iconic for its tapestry of musical genres woven seamlessly together. Its structural evolution represents a distinct chapter as the instrumentation transitions from the acoustic realm to Page’s iconic electric guitar solos.
Despite its legacy, however, performing the song live posed a challenge for Page. Given the song’s intricate nature and diverse sections, Page faced the dilemma of how to reproduce it onstage. The solution materialised in the form of the double-neck Gibson EDS-1275, a custom-ordered guitar since the model had ceased production by 1971. This allowed Page to transition between passages during live performances seamlessly.
“The double neck was there as a necessity,” the musician told Telerama. “I thought the only way to replicate it properly, to do it any justice, was getting a guitar that will give you 12 strings on one neck, six strings on the other. So I got the double neck as a result of recording ‘Stairway to Heaven’.”
When recording the song, Page revisited an old companion: the Fender Telecaster, a gift from his former Yardbirds bandmate Jeff Beck. This Telecaster, adorned with a psychedelic design painted by Page, served as his primary guitar on the first Led Zeppelin album before the Gibson Les Paul assumed that position.
‘Stairway to Heaven’ marked the Telecaster’s last prominent feature in a Led Zeppelin song, as the guitar gradually fell into disrepair shortly thereafter. The result, Page said, was like nothing else. “There’s almost a hysterical trill at the end of the solo that leads into the finale,” he told The Guardian. “It’s like an orgasm at the end. It’s whatever you want it to be.”
