Joe Walsh’s Legendary Guitar Gift: The Story Behind Jimmy Page’s “Number One” Les Paul
In the world of rock and roll, iconic instruments often come with equally legendary stories. One such tale involves two of rock’s most revered guitarists—Joe Walsh of the Eagles and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin—and the electric guitar that would go on to define an era. It’s a story of timing, generosity, and a touch of fate.
In the late 1960s, as Led Zeppelin was beginning to take over the world, Jimmy Page was still playing the Fender Telecaster he had used during his Yardbirds days. Though it had served him well—especially on Zeppelin’s first album—Page was yearning for a guitar that had more heft, tone, and sustain. In short, he was looking for a Gibson Les Paul.
But finding the right Les Paul was proving elusive.
That’s where Joe Walsh entered the picture.
“Jimmy was still playing the Telecasters that he played in the Yardbirds,” Walsh once recalled. “He was looking for a Les Paul and asked if I knew of any, ’cause he couldn’t find one that he liked.”
At the time, Walsh was already a respected guitarist in his own right, known for his work with the James Gang. Like many guitarists of the day, he had a few prized instruments in his collection—and in this case, he had two Les Paul Standards. One of them would soon change the course of rock history.
“I had two. So I kept the one I liked the most and I flew with the other one,” Walsh said. “I laid it on him and said, ‘Try this out.’ He really liked it.”
The moment Page wrapped his hands around the 1959 Gibson Les Paul, he knew it was different. The tone was rich and meaty. It had warmth, depth, and presence—qualities that would soon become the backbone of Led Zeppelin’s signature sound.
Rather than treating it as a high-value transaction, Walsh kept the spirit of camaraderie alive.
“I gave him a really good deal,” he said. “I had to hand-carry it; I flew there and everything. So whatever my expenses were, that’s what I charged him. But again, I just thought he should have a Les Paul, for godsakes!”
It wasn’t just a guitar—it was a moment of generosity that helped shape the sound of one of the most influential bands in history.
By May 1969, Jimmy Page was wielding that very Les Paul as Led Zeppelin entered the studio to record Led Zeppelin II. It was on that album that the guitar made its official debut, roaring through tracks like “Whole Lotta Love,” “Heartbreaker,” and “What Is and What Should Never Be.” The sound was heavier, fuller, and unmistakably powerful. The Les Paul and the Marshall amp became Page’s sonic trademark.
As the years passed, that guitar would become known as “Number One”—the instrument Page reached for most often. Though he added other guitars to his arsenal, none held quite the same magic.
“It became and remained his favorite guitar throughout his years with Zeppelin,” Walsh said. “As he acquired others, he started referring to it as his number one.”
“Number One” wasn’t just a guitar—it was the instrument that helped carve out a new chapter in rock music. Its sound rang out across the band’s most legendary recordings and tours, becoming an integral part of Page’s legacy and Zeppelin’s mythos.
In interviews, Page has often spoken about the Les Paul’s playability and tone with reverence. With its worn finish, replaced tuners, and subtle modifications, it’s not just a museum piece—it’s a battle-scarred veteran that played a vital role in shaping songs that continue to influence generations of musicians.
And to think—it all started with a friendly favor from Joe Walsh.
Decades later, that act of generosity still resonates. Walsh didn’t just give a friend a guitar—he gave rock music a weapon of mass creation.
“He needed it,” Walsh said with a smile. “And I knew what he was about to do with it.”
He couldn’t have been more right.