When Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page rocked the Beijing Olympics in 2008

1 August 2024, 14:23

When one Olympic Games ends, the eyes of the world switch to the next host nation immediately.

In 2008, China pulled out all the stops for the Olympic Games held in Beijing that year, so had to fittingly cap off what was a spectacular competition.

Film-maker Zhang Yimou orchestrated a beautifully moving ceremony at both end of the games that year, putting the pressure on for London to go one further four years later.

Of course, under the stewardship and vision of director Danny Boyle, the London Olympic Opening Ceremony was also an acclaimed spectacle, brimming with the best of British history, culture, humour, and heart.

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But the tone was set in Beijing, with an unlikely mix of British musical talent that nodded to our cultural legacy and penchant for naff-ness.

In what was a quite gobsmacking combination of British music from past and then-present, Led Zeppelin's legendary guitarist Jimmy Page appeared on stage alongside soulful pop princess Leona Lewis.

'From London With a Whole Lotta Love' the handover section was dubbed, paving the way for Page to rock the Beijing National Stadium with a triumphant version of 'Whole Lotta Love'.

Whilst Boris Johnson looked typically bewildered, David Beckham booted some footballs, various London landmarks were nodded at like the London Eye and Tower Bridge.

But then Page appeared on a double-decker bus (which transformed into a hedge?) alongside Leona Lewis, cramming in some more iconic imagery from the Olympic Games next host.

In fairness, Lewis was a force of nature, belting out Robert Plant's provocative lyrics - like "gonna give you every inch of my love" and "I wanna be your backdoor man" - with power and precision, the former Zep frontman would likely admire himself.

There were rumours flying around that Plant would join Page once again for the occasion, until the former poured cold water on the prospect.

Page himself was encouraged to decline the invitation due to China's dodgy human rights record and the government's treatment of Tibet and their people, but took the chance regardless.

It was strange enough that China would welcome Jimmy Page to perform, given his reputation for rock 'n' roll excess and even dabbling in black magic.

Leona Lewis Whole Lotta Love Aug 24 2008

"That really was a highlight," Page reflected in an interview with Classic Rock. "It was like passing on a relay baton to the next people hosting the Olympics, which was London."

"People were saying: 'Oh, you shouldn’t do that.' And I thought: 'Oh, yes I should.'"

"Those athletes work so hard on getting to the Olympics, focus all their efforts on giving their prime performance on that one day, and I can relate to that," added Page.

"So to be able to do that for the London Olympics would be really great. When they said they wanted the whole full-length version of Whole Lotta Love, I said: 'Really? No edits?' 'No, really, the full version.'"

"So I said: 'Now you’re talking.' Then when they said Leona Lewis would be singing, I thought: 'This is gonna be really interesting.'"

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The opportunity for Page to perform one of his most recognised riffs to a crowd of millions watching at home was too irresistible.

Whilst the combination of Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis raised a few eyebrows - especially amongst Led Zeppelin die-hards - Page was effusive in his praise for Lewis.

"Boy oh boy, she was really phenomenal," he said. "Her vocal was great. I had a great time, and it had the largest audience of anything I’ve ever done."

However cringeworthy the pairing might have seemed, it was true that Lewis' powerhouse vocal on the 1969 rock classic - with arguably one of rock music's most recognisable riffs - was the star of the show.