Overview
Akio Sakurai has dedicated his life to honoring Jimmy Page. For 30 years he recreated vintage Zeppelin concerts note-for-note in small Tokyo clubs. Moving to L.A. to pursue his tribute dream, cultures clash and Akio’s idyllic vision meets reality.
When Peter Michael Dowd, a fan of Led Zeppelin, heard about a Japanese guitarist that not only paid tribute to Jimmy Page with his live shows, but adopted an attention to detail that makes him the most dedicated Page cover artist of all time, he knew he had to find this guy and share his story with the world. This is that story.
Starting with some background to Akio Sakurai, who dedicated his passion to learning not only the iconic tracks that Led Zeppelin brought to the world, but every variation of performance from every live show over the years of the band, whilst still working a typical salaryman day-job, we discover how Mr Jimmy started making a name for himself in the Tokyo nightlife. His note for note accuracy in recreating the vintage Zeppelin experience had gathered some following, and gains Mr Jimmy some recognition with fans around the world. Equipment is sourced to be as authentic as possible – a somewhat costly endeavor due to the availability of parts for older equipment – and Akio has a friend who helps craft his wardrobe, scouring any images of the great Page himself to obtain the finest of details in crafting replicas. But, wanting to grow the Mr Jimmy act, Akio takes the step to the west, and heads to LA to seek fame and (hopefully) fortune.
This is the point at which Peter came in, and in this documentary that explores the culture divide within fandoms worldwide, and the struggles Mr Jimmy has in finding people with a similar mindset in the US, to share his passion for recreating whole concerts in intricate detail. Most tribute acts, and indeed fans of acts, in the west just want a set-list of greatest hits covers, without any flourishes. What Mr Jimmy delivers is the full experience to take you back in time to the particular concert being presented, including extended solos and experimentation, as well as variations on riffs that evolved over the years.
This is a fascinating, and marvelously shot, and deeply intimate exploration of obsession, fandom, and ambition, and Akio himself is extremely likable as a person, even in his most obsessive moments, making his journey one that you feel a curious connection with, and root for him to find a place where others feel as he does. Of course, having a love for the music of Zeppelin also helps in the enjoyment of this film, and the film is packed with recognisable riffs and beats. But it isn’t essential to be a fan, as this is one of those documentaries that starts following someone just at the right moment to capture drama and passion in a fascinating journey.
By the end of the film, I felt a connection with Akio, wanting to support him and see him continue in his passion for the music, and indeed the artist, he loves. There’s a wonderful moment in the film when Page himself attends one of Mr Jimmy’s gigs, and you can see the absolute joy in his face when his hero shows appreciation for his work. In that same way, should I ever get chance to see Mr Jimmy live, I will demonstrate that same joy.