Jimmy Page and Jack White slam Guitar Hero

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and The White Stripes' frotnman Jack White slammed the Guitar hero video game franchise at a press conference in Los Angeles last Friday (June 19).

The pair were gathered to speak about their new documentary, It Might Get Loud, when White branded music making video games "a little sad."

"It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that Guitar Hero is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music," said White.

While Page added that using instrument shaped controllers won't teach people how to play the instruments themselves.

"You think of the drum part that John Bonahm did on Led Zeppelin's first track on the first album, Good Times Bad Times. How many drummers in the world can play that part, let alone on Christmas morning?"

Tags: Led Zeppelin

Posted by Dan at 12:24PM | June 23, 2009

You play Grand Theft Auto because you can't really go around killing people all day.

You play Fifa because you don't always have 21 mates up for a game of football, and the weather usually doesn't permit it.

You play Halo because, as much as it hurts to admit it, you can't go to another planet and shoot monsters or whatever the fuck's going on in that game.

You play guitar hero because you can't exactly sit in your house with a piece of equipment, practice it and learn to play real songs... ummm... oh fuck.

If you're going to sit by yourself in a room, twiddling at a toy guitar in time to music, why not learn to play the fucking thing for real, then be able to play music when you aren't hooked up to a TV and an Xbox!?

Pathetic game for braindead, brainwashed, social retards. Couldn't agree more with Jack and Jimmy.

Posted by Dr. Hero van Wildebeest | June 23, 2009 1:24 PM | Reply to this

Agreed, poor game

I hate hearing all this "I can play Through the Fire & The Flames on expert!"
OMG I dont give a crap!
Play it on a real guitar, then i'll be impressed

Posted by Paul | June 23, 2009 2:40 PM | Reply to this

Agreed, poor game

I hate hearing all this "I can play Through the Fire & The Flames on expert!"
OMG I dont give a crap!
Play it on a real guitar, then i'll be impressed

Posted by Paul | June 23, 2009 2:43 PM | Reply to this

well said.
couldn't agree more.

Posted by SpaceMan | June 24, 2009 4:07 PM | Reply to this

WHAT?

what if youcant afford a real guitar?

what if you dont have the time?

i like music because i appreciate the intracasy of it

i have likes music 10 times more since i started playing these games, and although it doesnt help play a real guitar, that isnt the point!

its inspired lots of people i know to get real instraments

"It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that Guitar Hero is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music," said White. "

who cares how they find it?

Posted by chris | June 23, 2009 1:38 PM | Reply to this

WHAT?

If you can afford an Xbox, TV and Guitar Hero with controller, then you can afford a guitar. 1-0

If you don't have time to play the guitar then you don't have time to play Guitar Hero. 2-0

You can't even begin to possibly undestand the "intricacy" of music by tapping a plastic guitar in time to it. 3-0

If you "have likes music 10 times more since i started playing these games" then you are an idiot. Not only can you barely string together a coherent sentence, you think that watching a little animated character bopping along on the screen in time to you twiddling a fake musical instrument makes music more enjoyable. Not going to live shows, not meeting new people, not finding new, local or unusual bands - no, tapping a plastic toy in time to Metallica.

Musicians and fans of real music care. That's who. People who understand and appreciate the art of playing instruments and making music for themselves.

Posted by Guitar Hero van Wildebeest | June 23, 2009 2:00 PM | Reply to this

WHAT?

well excuse my spelling, i had a short lunch break and had to fix my car. i typed in a rush

and i have answers to you, but i refuse to 'debate' with someone who likes to make a scoreboard to when he thinks he's 'winning'

come back when you grow up

Posted by chris | June 23, 2009 5:32 PM | Reply to this

wait a minute !

I play guitar and guitar hero occasionally. People have forgot that it's meant for fun. You could say stop playing call of duty you could be playing guitar instead !it's the same principle. People can do what they like and what they choose to do with their spare time. Who gives a shit? xo

Posted by Drew | June 23, 2009 2:20 PM | Reply to this

wait a minute !

If you want to run about shooting people, then you SHOULD play Call of Duty. If you want to play guitar, then you SHOULDN'T play Guitar Hero - you should play the guitar!

Posted by Dr Hero van Wildebeest | June 23, 2009 2:30 PM | Reply to this

wait a minute !

nah - if you want to run around shooting people, dont play video games - join the fuckin Army! :)

Posted by mark | June 23, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply to this

wait a minute !

Nah nah pal, Call of Duty is too much fun

Posted by MikeyDuth | June 24, 2009 1:18 PM | Reply to this

wait a minute !

Yeah I agree with this, its just a bit of fun, a laugh with mates. I have mates who are into bashment and dance and stuff who love guitar hero. Plus its good exposure for smaller bands

Posted by Mark | June 25, 2009 10:52 AM | Reply to this

I don't agree with them that kids replace learning a real instrument with Rock band or Guitar Hero. My little brother is really into those games, but he also learned how to play real drums by himself and now he started his own band with his friends (who also play real instruments and love guitar hero).

Posted by The Music Elitist | June 23, 2009 2:32 PM | Reply to this

idiots

Games are for fun you bunch of dicks. I play real guitar, not excellent but well enough to be in a pretty decent band, and I still play guitar hero and love it.

At the end of the day it's an effing game jack white and jimmy page (as great as they both are) are just old moaners that don't get it and are just lookin' for reasons to moan about how the youth of today are not as great as when they were growing up and they got into music the "real" way.

Who cares how young kids get into music? As long as they get into it one way or another what the hell does it matter?

Dicks

Posted by Mark | June 23, 2009 3:06 PM | Reply to this

idiots

here here... well said mate! :)

Posted by Marky | June 23, 2009 4:07 PM | Reply to this

sereiously stop slating these games!
I dont care what people say, these games involve people in music and make them want to play real instruments. There are only a very sad minority who seriously consider being good at these games important.
I love rock band and it got me into drumming. Now i play the reaal drums and am really really enjoying it.

These games have introduced me and my friends into lots of different music we would have never heard overwise and im about to join a real band influenced by these games.
so stop moaning theres noffing wrong with them.
im 15 btw not some kid whos opinion dont matter

Posted by andy F | June 23, 2009 4:27 PM | Reply to this

retards.

I am a really good drummer and i'm not that bad at guitar and i personally love these games. Its a great way for people to get into music and bands they don't know and would never normally listen to, yeah you can say that about other things like, listen to a radio station you don't normally hear, but this way they get to "play along" and have fun at the same time. You could also say things about every other type of game around, like,"don't play rock band when you can practice guitar or bass or drums", "don't play fifa when you can practice football outside", "don't play call of duty when you can join the army and shoot real people", "don't play lost when you can be stranded on your own island", "dont play gran turismo when you can take your car down to a track day and race it" "don't play resident evil, when you can dig up graves and shoot corpses while your friends move them to make them seem alive". etc etc
Bottom line is, its meant to be fun, dumbass.
Furthermore, Jack White, is being slightly hypocritical as his songs "Blue Orchid" and another song by his other band The Raconteurs are also in the upcoming title Guitar Hero 5.

Posted by alex | June 23, 2009 4:38 PM | Reply to this

furthermore

By the way Kerrang, you spelt Bonham and frontman wrong. Also i can play "Good Times, Bad Times" on drums i think you'll find, Mr Page, christmas morning or easter elevenses.

Posted by alex | June 23, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply to this

furthermore

By the way Kerrang, you spelt Bonham and frontman wrong. Also i can play "Good Times, Bad Times" on drums i think you'll find, Mr Page, christmas morning or easter elevenses, or any other day for that matter.

Posted by alex | June 23, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply to this

furthermore

Posted by alex | June 23, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply to this

furthermore

Posted by alex | June 23, 2009 4:43 PM | Reply to this

furthermore

Posted by alex | June 23, 2009 4:43 PM | Reply to this

oops

ah crap, sorry bout that. laptop was being gay.

Posted by alex | June 23, 2009 4:43 PM | Reply to this

wow

people need to chill out, nothing wrong with a few mates, a crate and late night drunken guitar hero and lips on the 360, i may be sad to Page and White but at least im younger then page and still have an excited life of gaming to look forward to and at least i didn't create the worst James Bond theme ever!! made with

Posted by CJ | June 23, 2009 6:04 PM | Reply to this

FUN

"You play Grand Theft Auto because you can't really go around killing people all day.

You play Fifa because you don't always have 21 mates up for a game of football, and the weather usually doesn't permit it."

You play Guitar Hero because perhaps you can't always get up on a real fucking stage and pretend to be an uber cool mix of Slash, Dimebag and Kirk Hammett!

Also, while you can sit in your room and practice guitar all day (just look at Dragonforce) you don't have a full band behind you and it takes a larger amount of effort to play the songs. I play real guitar AND the games, and GH is just a FUN and EASY alternative. And yes, I have got into a couple of bands through the games, it should really be taken less seriously by all the haters.

Oh yeah, and did you see that up there? FUN.

Posted by Ben992 | June 23, 2009 7:23 PM | Reply to this

Anyone ready for some fun?

I suck Dick for Money. www.myspace.com/elbagmyspacey

Posted by Elliott | June 23, 2009 7:38 PM | Reply to this

Anyone ready for some fun?

Here's my phone number babes...
07530585888

Posted by Elliott | June 23, 2009 7:58 PM | Reply to this

Im a stinking whore

Would you like any anal sex? im your young virgin boy
http://www.myspace.com/loooopyman

or my mobile number for phone sex
07912255415

;)

Posted by Geroge Billingham | June 23, 2009 7:43 PM | Reply to this

um its only a fuckin game get over urselves!

Posted by sharne | June 23, 2009 9:00 PM | Reply to this

Jeez, I play the game because it's a laugh with mates. It's not the way I learn about music - I listen to actual music for that. Lighten up every-one, people are taking this too seriously.

Posted by Kiwi | June 23, 2009 9:36 PM | Reply to this

Guitar Hero/Rock Star etc are games that are so bad, they make Altered Beast look good.

Anyone for Golden Axe? :D

Posted by Gorgar | June 23, 2009 11:27 PM | Reply to this

sad idiots

I think the problem is guitar hero and rock band is only any good for those people with friends.

At the end of the day you arent going to buy lots of real instruments fro those drunken evenings after the pub closes.

Guitar hero is harmless fun. Jeez like me having a moan at racing games! Dont play racing games go out and buy a fast car and invest in a advanced driving course lol.

Get over it children

Posted by Mart | June 24, 2009 11:03 AM | Reply to this

Guitar Zero

Hmm, this is one of those comments you can agree and disagree on. Being 17, I have to admit, Guiter Hero is what really got me into rock music in the first place and actually got me to start opening up to these new artists and their style of music. It also got me playing guitar, which I now do far more regularly than play Guitar Hero (which I feel has lost it's touch from the original games).

However, Page and White are also right in some respects. I have seen the game having opposite effects on my friends, with some simply wanting to hear the guitar hero songs but not opening up to any of the artists other songs. And with my other friend, the game inspired him to play guitar, but he got a really nice guitar and amp but STILL he plays guitar hero more. It is a shame when video games overtake what should be a real musical interests, like Page and White are on about.

However, I am glad that it has got a lot of kids off factory manufactured RnB and Rap rubbish =)

Posted by JoNnY | June 24, 2009 1:43 PM | Reply to this

guitar hero = win

wtf i hate all these people whining about guitar hero .. ure so sad to get angry about a GAME .. yes i am good at guitar hero ( guitar and drums) .. but why not play it .. it takes a lot of time to learn how to play most of those songs in real life .. asnd tbh theres not alot of point .. unless ure really good .. i mean how many people who can play guitar are actualy gunna be in a popular band .. not many .. so enjoy the game ..

Posted by lolz | June 24, 2009 3:00 PM | Reply to this

guitar hero = win

Posted by lolz | June 24, 2009 3:00 PM | Reply to this

guitar hero = win

Posted by lolz | June 24, 2009 3:01 PM | Reply to this

Fuck off Jack and Jimmy.

The game is about having a laugh. I play it with my mates with a few drinks. I play guitar hero/Rock Band for a laugh as I don't want to play an instrument. Its a waste of time.

Posted by Tom | June 24, 2009 6:17 PM | Reply to this

Yes, playing Guitar Hero/Rock Band may not be exactly like the real thing, but it is challenging, and influences people to play actual instruments. And it introduces good music to a new generation of fans. Maybe if Jack White and Jimmy Page spent more time having fun and less time being boring bastards, they'd be able to understand the fun of getting wasted and having a laugh with your friends on a game. Get your heads out of your respective arses and take Guitar Hero for what it is; a game, designed to be fun, introducing music to fans who otherwise may fall into the black pit of drum and bass and ghetto shit that is plaguing this country today. Rant over, fuck you Jack White and Jimmy Page.

Posted by Frazz | June 25, 2009 2:25 PM | Reply to this

what the fuck! shut the fuck up you haters! its just a game, okay??! jesus! why the hell do people like "Dr Hero" feel the need to be so rightious and put all the fans of guitar hero down!? okay, so, its not real guitar. WHO GIVES A FUCK! its just as much fun! speaking from personal experience, my musical horizons are so much broader due to this revolutionary gaming masterpeice! so sit down, shut up, and take a little time to realise that not everyone is like you and wants to learn to play a real guitar. ITS A FUN GAME.

Posted by Lex | June 26, 2009 4:22 PM | Reply to this

i wud like 2 point out that half the population that reads this magazine will hav in sum way been influenced by guitar hero

Posted by seb | June 26, 2009 5:53 PM | Reply to this

btw dr hero
GET FUCKED U DICKHEAD

Posted by john | June 26, 2009 5:58 PM | Reply to this

Stupid!

At the end of the day Guitar Hero is just fun! And thats the aim of it! I play Real guitar, and bass and i still play Guitar Hero!

Posted by Jake | June 26, 2009 9:05 PM | Reply to this

retards

Guitar Hero is just a game! I play guitar! I have played for 16 years! I can play any Zeppelin song or Metallica song recorded! And, can back that up! I enjoy playing Guitar Hero for what it is....a game!!! Entertainment! I have time for both....and money for both!!! I know music from other sources other than Guitar Hero, but still enjoy the music more from the game!

Posted by Mike | July 7, 2009 4:21 PM | Reply to this

Finally, legends speak out against this teeniebopping phenomenon. My roommate loves the franchise; he spent days standing in front of his xbox reaching expert level on Number of the Beast. I spent hours comparatively in the next room learning how to play it on my Gibson. Then I tried to play it on the game, and there is absolutely no correlation between the rhythm of playing for real. I'm trying to blast out the solo and I've only got a choice of 5 buttons and a clicker in place of 6 strings. I've had more fun playing air guitar. Truth.

Thanks to Jimmy and Jack. Real guitar heroes.
(oh yeah, the game's stolen that term and turned it into a cliche now..)

Posted by Sienna | September 23, 2009 12:54 PM | Reply to this