‘Going to California’ paid tribute to Joni Mitchell
In the Zep biography Hammer of the Gods, Stephen Davis called it “an explicit tribute and homage to Joni Mitchell.” And other works on Zep’s gorgeous acoustic track back up Davis’s assertion.
Moreover, did Led Zeppelin like Joni Mitchell?
So the band’s admiration for Mitchell remained largely long distance. They spoke of her admiringly in the press, while creating a moment of touching pastoral beauty on Led Zeppelin IV in Mitchell’s honor. “That’s the music that I play at home all the time – Joni Mitchell,” Page told Rolling Stone in 1975.
Also to know is, did Robert Plant ever meet Joni Mitchell? At one point in the mid-’70s, Robert Plant had the chance to meet Joni Mitchell, an idol of his. But Plant was reportedly too shy to introduce himself. For his part, Page did meet Mitchell around the same time, and he was ecstatic about the encounter.
Also question is, how did Jimmy Page go to California?
Jimmy Page played two different guitars on the track – a 12-string and a 6-string – and John Paul Jones played mandolin. Jones was the bass player in Led Zeppelin but could play a variety of instruments, expanding the band’s musical range.
What guitar did Jimmy Page play on going to California?
9. Going to California (Led Zeppelin IV, 1971) Recorded using Page’s Harmony Sovereign in open G, the overall sound is a blend of Page’s fingerpicking and John Paul Jones’ mandolin. The second guitar enters at the same time as Plant’s vocal.
What guitar was used for going to California?
The track opens with Jimmy Page’s acoustic guitar. He is playing (fingerpicking) his Harmony Sovereign H1260 in open-G tuning (D G D G B D). Before long, John Paul Jones joins him on his C. F. Martin A-style mandolin (stereo left).
What key is going to California?
Going to California is written in the key of D.
Who originally sang going to California?
| “Going to California” | |
|---|---|
| Song by Led Zeppelin | |
| Label | Atlantic |
| Songwriter(s) | Jimmy Page, Robert Plant |
| Producer(s) | Jimmy Page |
Who plays mandolin Led Zeppelin?
| John Paul Jones | |
|---|---|
| Birth | Januar 3 1946; Sidcup, Kent, England |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, electric organ, electric piano, harp, clavinet, double bass, mellotron, keyboards, mandolin, guitar, recorder, koto, lap steel guitar, continuum, autoharp, ukulele, sitar, keytar, banjo, cello, violin, Warr Guitar |
| Years Active | 1960 – present |