Donovan's surprise guest for complete performance of "Sunshine Superman" album in London: Jimmy Page

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Jimmy Page Stuns Crowd With Surprise Appearance at Donovan Show
The pair performed Donovan's classic 1965 album 'Sunshine Superman' in London

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jimmy-page-rocks-surprise-appearance-at-donovan-show-20110604

By Ravi Somaiya
June 4, 2011 10:30 AM ET



Backstage at London’s Royal Albert Hall last night, as the psychedelic folk-rock legend Donovan prepared to go on stage, a woman wheeled a harp hurriedly through a corridor, a Buddhist monk in flowing robes pressed fake pearls into the hands of passing strangers and a security radio crackled to life. “When Jimmy goes on,” said a concerned-sounding male voice to nobody in particular, “it’s going to be very, very loud, okay?”

At that moment Jimmy Page – in a black short-sleeved shirt and black jeans, his shoulder-length gray hair tied in a very small ponytail – sauntered past, head down. Page, and his black Gibson Les Paul Custom, had been called into service to help Donovan, his arranger John Cameron and the London Contemporary Orchestra recreate his classic 1965 album Sunshine Superman virtually note-for-note for the thousands who had crammed into the venue.

“In 1965, Jimmy had just left the Yardbirds and hadn’t started on Zeppelin yet," said Donovan, who resembled a particularly spry woodland faun in a flowery shirt and waistcoat. "So we hired him to do a session at Abbey Road.” The price, for three hours on the album’s title track, was 13 pounds.

Before Page appeared on stage to reprise his work, ominous spotlights hit the Royal Albert Hall’s ceiling and the orchestra played a portentous low note. Though Page’s cameo was supposed to be a surprise, word had spread and fans were already on their feet. “Hurry up!” yelled one, moments before Page arrived. With legs spread wide, left foot tapping and his head bopping, Page joined the band in a wailing rendition of "Sunshine Superman," arching his back as he pushed down on his guitar’s gold Bigsby vibrato arm. It was, as predicted, loud.

[PassingFair]

1. Awwwwww! I love Donovan.

Here is my favorite Donovan song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzIsHs2nLBM

He's one of my favorite live performers.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. I saw him as the opening act for Yes on their "Going For The One" tour...

...I remember thinking "I hope he plays 'Cosmic Wheels'..."

He played "Cosmic Wheels."

:toast:

[pacalo]

4. I love all his work, but "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" is my favorite.

It was used in a commercial in the '60's for either cosmetics or a fragrance.

[GCP]

3. I envy the people of Britain

They get these excellent concerts all the time.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

5. Yep, like Ronnie Wood walking onstage at a Rod Stewart Royal Albert Hall show...

...to play on "Maggie May" and "Gasoline Alley." I would have loved to have been in the audience for that one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn5j0mbhrhc



:toast:

[GCP]

6. And Dave Gilmour joining Roger Waters

At O2 for 'Comfortably Numb' recently.