Jimmy Page reportedly recognised the exceptional talent of guitarist Eric Clapton before the wider public did, describing him as “easily the best” player he had heard. The account highlights the mutual respect among leading British guitarists during the 1960s, before Page became globally known through Led Zeppelin.

Page encountered Clapton while both were active on London’s blues scene, where Clapton was developing his reputation with The Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Page later said Clapton’s command of the instrument stood apart from that of his contemporaries, despite Page himself being an accomplished session musician and later a prominent rock guitarist.