Jimmy Page And Jack White Criticize Guitar Hero
By Jeffrey Hyatt
Music videogame Guitar Hero might have lost just a touch of its mojo now that Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and The White Stripes’ Jack White have said they don’t feel video games are the best way to expose people to music, or to teach them to play instruments.
Page and White made their comments about the popularity of the rhythm action genre last week at a press conference in L.A. to promote the upcoming documentary It Might Get Loud.
“It’s depressing to have a label come and tell you that ['Guitar Hero'] is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music,” White said. He added that although he doesn’t try to dictate “which format people should get their music in…if you have to be in a video game to get in front of them, that’s a little sad.”
Page simply believes the investment of practice time in a video game like Guitar Hero, or Rock Band, I’d imagine as well, is otherwise pointless, and that learning anything of real musical significance is unattainable. The guitarist figures aspiring musicians would be better served practicing on real instruments.
“You think of the drum part that John Bonham did on Led Zeppelin’s first track on the first album, ‘Good Times Bad Times’,” Page said. “How many drummers in the world can play that part, let alone on Christmas morning?”
Cannot argue with that logic. Although I don’t think most people start playing the games thinking they are going to be the second coming of Bonham.
I’m curious to see how gamers will react to the comments. It is Jimmy Page (!), and Jack White has cemented himself into the rock hierarchy pretty well, so they are entitled to their opinions. It might be forgotten in about twenty minutes, all that’s left behind is some nice pub for the documentary. Still, it never helps if a few of the big names in music are not exactly on board with the concept.
Now, the marketing team at Activision certainly cannot be happy. Guitar Hero 5, due in September, features The White Stripes alongside artists like Kings of Leon, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Santana. So we’ll see how that works out.
It Might Get Loud, a documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three rock legends: The Edge, Jimmy Page, Jack White, opens august 14 in LA and NY.
Do you play Guitar Hero or Rock Band? If so, what are your thoughts about Jimmy Page and Jack White’s comments?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:30PM
I doubt many players are disillusioned into thinking playing the game will help them become musicians. Most, if not all players who didn't already play an instrument never had any intention to take up music or join a band in the first place. Guitar Hero isn't taking away practice time that would otherwise be used to practice an instrument. If anything, it causes more people to become musicians. Why is being inspired by playing a video game any worse than being inspired by the radio while driving a car? Both Page and White come across as ignorant and self-righteous here.
Friday, January 29, 2010 3:40AM
Now I know why Zeppelin doesn't want any of their songs in Rock Band or Guitar Hero. I like both series cuz they're easy to and play and fun. I play guitar and still practice and play alot but if these games are how people are exposed to music,that doesn't matter. As long as they dont think they're seriously good on guitar if they've never played before. Beatles Rock Band had me hear alot more beatles songs that I already knew and now I respect them even more
Sunday, December 25, 2011 5:07PM
To be a good musician you need a good foundation. If someone is good at playing a video game then that person has a good foundation to play a video game. Can you imagine Jimmy Page practicing with a video game.?