Iconic shot of Jimmy Page on stage with his Gibson EDS-1275 double-neck guitar, dressed in his “Dragon” suit during one of Led Zeppelin’s five nights at Earls Court, London, in May 1975……
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ELECTRIC MAGIC: Jimmy Page’s Iconic Double-Neck Performance at Earls Court 1975 Still Stuns Decades Later
London, May 1975 — The stage at Earls Court Arena glowed under soft amber lights. The air shimmered with anticipation. Then, out of the mist and sound, he emerged — Jimmy Page, draped in his now-legendary “Dragon” suit, cradling a Gibson EDS-1275 double-neck guitar like a sorcerer wielding a wand. What followed was more than a concert — it was rock alchemy, immortalized forever in one of the most iconic images in Led Zeppelin’s history.
It was one of five sold-out nights at Earls Court, part of a series of performances that have gone down in history as some of the most beloved in Led Zeppelin’s storied career. These shows, held on May 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 in 1975, weren’t just concerts — they were epic showcases of power, pageantry, and raw musical brilliance.
At the heart of it all stood Jimmy Page — the band’s lead guitarist, co-founder, and sonic visionary — whose onstage presence reached new, almost mythical heights during these performances.
The Double-Neck Revelation
Of all the unforgettable moments from the Earls Court concerts, none is more seared into rock history than the sight of Page wielding the Gibson EDS-1275, the double-neck guitar he used primarily during performances of “Stairway to Heaven.”
The guitar, a custom-made beast with 6- and 12-string necks, allowed Page to move seamlessly between the song’s haunting acoustic intro and its thunderous electric climax — all without switching instruments. It became a symbol not just of his technical wizardry, but of the ambition and scale that defined Led Zeppelin.
When Jimmy Page took center stage during “Stairway,” backlit in deep purple haze, fans witnessed something more than music — they saw magic being made in real-time.
The Dragon Suit: A Rock Fashion Statement
Page’s “Dragon” suit, hand-designed with vibrant Eastern-inspired embroidery, became equally iconic. The black satin outfit was adorned with an elaborate red and green dragon winding down the leg and chest — a fitting look for a man often described as a rock mystic and guitar sorcerer.
Beyond its bold aesthetics, the suit symbolized the band’s embrace of theatricality without sacrificing authenticity. It wasn’t a costume — it was armor. And on those Earls Court nights, Page wore it like a knight stepping into battle.
A Setlist for the Ages
The Earls Court shows weren’t just visually spectacular — they were musically transcendent. The band, having just released Physical Graffiti in February 1975, was at the peak of its creative powers.
The setlist was a sprawling journey through Zeppelin’s catalog, featuring blistering renditions of “Kashmir,” “No Quarter,” “Trampled Under Foot,” and a deeply emotive “Ten Years Gone.” The band also performed acoustic sets with “Going to California” and “That’s the Way,” giving the audience a rare glimpse of their softer, introspective side.
But “Stairway to Heaven,” introduced every night with Page’s double-neck glinting under the lights, was the undisputed highlight. As Plant’s vocals soared and Bonham’s drums built to a crescendo, Page’s solo — long, fluid, and full of soul — brought the entire arena to its feet. For many in attendance, it was the moment they’d never forget.
Behind the Scenes: A Production Masterpiece
What also set the Earls Court concerts apart was their state-of-the-art production. The band brought in their own sound system and lighting rigs — a rarity at the time — and the visuals were tightly choreographed to enhance the atmosphere without overshadowing the music.
Page, known for his meticulous attention to detail, was deeply involved in the technical aspects of the shows. The result was a flawless synergy of sound, light, and presence — a multi-sensory feast that pushed the boundaries of what a rock concert could be.
A Legacy Etched in Rock History
Though more than four decades have passed, those five nights at Earls Court remain a high-water mark in live rock performance. Fans still circulate bootlegs, photographs, and remastered videos from the shows, marveling at the intensity and musicianship on display.
The image of Page in his Dragon suit, lost in the swirl of a “Stairway to Heaven” solo, has become one of rock’s most iconic visuals — printed on posters, t-shirts, and album art across the world. It represents not just a band at its peak, but an era when rock music reached for the cosmos and got there.
Final Chords
Jimmy Page once said, “The music had to speak for itself.” And at Earls Court in 1975, it spoke louder than ever. Each note, each gesture, each chord from that double-neck guitar added to the mythology of Led Zeppelin — a band that didn’t just play music but rewrote the rules.
In a career full of epic moments, this stands among the most unforgettable: a guitar legend, dressed like a warrior of sound, channeling the heavens with every riff. It was not just a performance. It was history being written — one string, one solo, one song at a time.