Even the gods have gods they look up to

Many months ago we posted a high-level Netflix Alert for “It Might Get Loud”. Well, last night I finally got to see it… and now I want to quit my job and rock out. Well, midlife crisis and wishful thinking aside, this is a must-see DVD. And, you don’t have to be a fan of music to appreciate the inherent message.

The film is a documentary of sorts that pits three generations of guitar rockers together (Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White) to discuss their passion for shredding. Among other things, they each discuss how they got into it, why they do it, how they do what they do. A large chunk of the film goes into brief bios of each rocker while the rest simply films what happens when these three dudes get together for the first time to talk. Think Larry King turned up to 11, no moderator.

At first glance the gathering may seem odd. No three people could be more far apart. Page is the elder statesman, the man who spearheaded a musical revolution whose effects are being felt to this very day. Every musician alive today cites him as both an inspiration and influence. The Edge is the pop king, a tech wizard heavily reliant on special effects and cool gadgets. And contrary to his last name, Jack White is the blackest of the three, a wild child with an encyclopedic knowledge of music and a passion for all things old school – cheap guitars (some even improvised), vinyl, reel-to-reel recorders, blues, gospel, folk, punk, and plain old loud stuff. It’s ironic that White, the youngest of the group, is the one most seeded in tradition.

However, as the film progresses, you start to see several common denominators (mathematically impossible, I know) that unite them.

Firstly, these guys were destined to rock. There is no way that they could’ve done anything else. For them, it was shred or die.

Secondly, their respect for music is cult-like. They let the music dictate the terms of their relationship. Neither of them set out to create a new sound – the music “spoke” to them and they each have to wrestle it to get it out. Jack White even goes so far as to say that to play guitar, “there has to be a struggle” between musician and instrument.

And finally, they don’t see themselves as gods. In fact, they are each in awe of other musicians. You’d expect massive egos – especially from Jack White – but it’s humbling to see these “untouchables” bow down to the music of other artists, usually unseen musicians who never got the chance to shine in a commercial world. I mean, who would expect The Edge, who’s played before millions of people in countless sold out stadiums all over the world, say that he’s not as good as so-and-so?

In the end they jam together and show a great amount pf respect for each other – nothing too heavy, but delicious all the same. These guys would never do a super group thing (though Jack White already has THREE bands) because they’re above all that. But they do show us that passion for what you do could lead to great things, regardless of the frustration or pain.

If the producers of this film are reading this (yeah, right!) may I suggest for “It Might Get Loud 2” a meeting between Slash, Mick Mars and Prince?