Summary
Highlights
Jimmy Page, lead guitarist of Led Zeppelin, had a keen interest in magic and the occult, which influenced the band's imagery like their use of sigils. It's speculated that Page's foray into the occult led to a 'curse' that brought bad luck, accidents, sickness, and deaths to the band members and their close circle. This investigation will explore historical facts and fan speculations surrounding these events.
The concept of a faustian bargain, a pact with the devil for worldly goods in exchange for one's soul, is a recurring theme. The historical Johann Georg Faust, an alchemist, is said to have inspired this trope. Christian tradition views Satan as heaven's finest musician, creating an intrinsic link between faustian bargains and music. Giuseppe Tartini's 'Devil's Trill Sonata' and Robert Plant's 'Stairway to Heaven' are cited as examples of music inspired by such alleged demonic encounters or dreams.
Robert Johnson, a struggling blues musician from the Mississippi Delta and a significant influence on Led Zeppelin, is famously associated with selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads for unparalleled musical talent. The crossroads, a place of spiritual significance in both European and African folklore, is where Johnson allegedly transformed from an awful musician to a legend. Folklorists suggest Johnson may have been a practitioner of Voodoo, seeking guidance from Papa Legba, a trickster spirit of the crossroads, rather than making a conventional deal with the Christian devil. His mysterious death at 27 adds to the legend.
Rock and roll emerged from the blues, with bands like the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix drawing heavily from blues legends like Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. This blues tradition, steeped in supernatural references, influenced British musicians like Jimmy Page. The southern African American communities, where blues originated, maintained strong African roots and Voodoo practices, infusing their music with supernatural elements. This resonated with the countercultural youth of the 1960s, who, like Page, embraced the occult as a rejection of traditional Christianity.
Aleister Crowley, a controversial but influential magician, heavily inspired Jimmy Page. Crowley, a former member of the Golden Dawn society, founded his own secret society, Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), promoting a philosophy of 'do what thou wilt.' This credo, advocating self-gratification and pursuing desires, fueled the 60s counter-cultural revolution. Page became a devout follower, joining OTO and collecting Crowley's artifacts, even buying Crowley's former home, Boleskine House, on Loch Ness.
Boleskine House, Crowley's former residence purchased by Page, was the site of rituals meant to summon powerful spirits, which Crowley admitted got out of hand. The house gained a reputation for evil after tragic events during Crowley's tenure and continued to be plagued by misfortune, including suicides and fires, throughout its history. Locals claim the grounds are still walked by evil spirits, a testament to its dark past. Page eventually sold the house, citing 'bad vibes.'
Page's occult fascination extended to Led Zeppelin's album art and personal aesthetics. His 'dragon suit' was seen as a magical robe for on-stage rituals. Led Zeppelin III included the inscription 'do what thou wilt,' Crowley's core belief, and 'so mote it be,' a Masonic phrase which in Arabic can be interpreted as 'so death it be.' Led Zeppelin IV prominently displayed occult symbols, including the Hermit tarot card and personal sigils for each band member, many linked to ancient magical texts. Page's personal sigil 'ZoSo' is speculated to have connections to a grimoire detailing pacts with the devil.
Jimmy Page's refusal to reveal the meaning of the band's sigils, adhering to occult practices, is discussed. Sandy Denny, a frequent collaborator who also received a sigil, became an early victim of the alleged curse, suffering mental illness and dying after a fall. Page's relationship with underground filmmaker Kenneth Anger, who initially commissioned Page for the 'Lucifer Rising' soundtrack, deteriorated. Anger, infuriated by Page's drug use and incomplete work, publicly cursed Page and the band, marking a turning point for Led Zeppelin.
Following Kenneth Anger's curse, Led Zeppelin faced escalating tragedies. Robert Plant suffered a severe car accident, laryngitis, and the tragic death of his five-year-old son, Carrick. These events led to tour cancellations and riots. John Bonham's escalating alcoholism and volatile behavior culminated in his death from heavy drinking in 1980, leading to the band's immediate disbandment. Many believe these events were direct consequences of the curse. Despite surviving physically intact, Jimmy Page has struggled to achieve commercial success in subsequent decades, leading some to believe Anger's 'King Midas' curse, turning everything into gold but leaving him creatively stagnant, has held true.