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The best classic rock artists worked with other bands to make magic on vinyl. For example, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page worked on one of The Who’s early songs. Page revealed what it was like to be in the same room with Pete Townshend while he was doing incredible work.

Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin played on 1 of The Who’s cutting edge songs

Everyone starts somewhere. Before Page became a rock god in his own right, he was a session musician. He played on numerous 1960s hits in numerous genres. Rolling Stone reports of the tunes he brought to life included Petula Clark’s “Downtown,” Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman,” and Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger.” He also worked with The Who’s “I Can’t Explain.”

If you listen to “I Can’t Explain,” don’t expect the heavy guitars of a Led Zeppelin song. Instead, the tune’s sound is more characteristic of upbeat power pop that was cutting-edge stuff in the 1960s. The fact that Page worked on so many musically diverse track speaks to the breadth of his talent.

During a 2012 interview with Rolling Stone, Page discussed his work on “I Can’t Explain.” “I don’t know, really, why I was brought in,” he said. “I’m playing the riff in the background — behind Pete Townshend. I didn’t need to be there. You can barely hear me. But it was magical to be in the control room, listening back. You can’t be more privileged than that.”

Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page can’t remember all the sessions he did for other stars

Page was asked if he could remember all of the songs by other artists that he played on. “No,” he said. “When it was a novelty, I’d pick up the singles. I’ve got copies of the very early stuff I did. But after a while, it wasn’t cost-effective. I’d be pulled in to play with bands or other session musicians who were trying to re-create what was on the charts, especially when people started doing Chess-R&B-style records. I’d been playing and living that.”

While Page had an important role in the careers of others, he was more concerned with his individuality. “I hope I can still do Jimmy Page better than anybody else,” he explained. “That’s the most important thing, isn’t it? As long as I can still be the best Jimmy Page there is, that’s all right.”

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“I Can’t Explain” was The Who’s first charting single in the United States. It reached No. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100, lasting on the chart for two weeks in total. While that wasn’t a massive debut, it was the start of a very successful overseas career for the band. “I Can’t Explain” appeared on the album Greatest Hits. That record reached No. 56 on the Billboard 200 and lasted on the Billboard 200 for 14 weeks.

The Official Charts Company reports “I Can’t Explain” was a much bigger hit in the United Kingdom. There, it reached No. 8 and charted for 13 weeks. Meanwhile, Greatest Hits peaked at No. 20 and charted for five weeks.

“I Can’t Explain” started The Who on the path to rock ‘n’ roll greatness and it wouldn’t be the same without Page’s genius.

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