In fascinating new documentary Mr Jimmy, the intricate and obsessive performances of Akio Sakurai showcase an unusual and ultimately moving talent
A Japanese salesman becomes obsessed with memorizing and recreating every flared trouser and fast-fingered movement of virtuoso Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Eventually he reaches his fifties and leaves behind his job, country, and family in order to pursue his passion in Los Angeles, where his beloved icon played a few unforgettable nights in the late 60s.
One could be forgiven for assuming that a documentary about Akio Sakurai would be a portrait of rock and roll cosplay at its most campy and madcap. Instead, Peter Michael Dowd’s film is a moving tribute to the purity and meticulousness of its subject’s quixotic quest.
A Japanese salesman becomes obsessed with memorizing and recreating every flared trouser and fast-fingered movement of virtuoso Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Eventually he reaches his fifties and leaves behind his job, country, and family in order to pursue his passion in Los Angeles, where his beloved icon played a few unforgettable nights in the late 60s.
One could be forgiven for assuming that a documentary about Akio Sakurai would be a portrait of rock and roll cosplay at its most campy and madcap. Instead, Peter Michael Dowd’s film is a moving tribute to the purity and meticulousness of its subject’s quixotic quest.
- 9/14/2023
- by Lauren Mechling
- The Guardian - Film News
The new documentary Mr. Jimmy tells the story of a Japanese kimono salesman named Akio Sakurai, who worships Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. For three decades, Sakurai has adopted the persona of “Mr. Jimmy,” playing guitar like Page and attempting note-for-note recreations of Led Zeppelin concerts in Tokyo clubs. After Page encouraged him, he moved to Los Angeles and joined a tribute act, Led Zepagain, to continue his idol worship. The picture, distributed worldwide by Abramorama, is in theaters now.
Filmmaker Peter Michael Dowd tells Rolling Stone he made the...
Filmmaker Peter Michael Dowd tells Rolling Stone he made the...
- 9/13/2023
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Everyone knows the definition of a tribute band. But is there a difference between that and a “revival” band? Whatever one chooses to call it, when is such a project a money-making exercise in nostalgia — and when is it a sincere, concerted (pun intended) effort to recreate and sustain a genre of music that suddenly feels on life support? And exactly how short were those sleeves on Jimmy Page’s open-chested jacket from 1973?
These and other questions are addressed and grappled with in Mr. Jimmy, Peter Michael Dowd’s weirdly...
These and other questions are addressed and grappled with in Mr. Jimmy, Peter Michael Dowd’s weirdly...
- 8/30/2023
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Akio Sakurai grew up idolizing Led Zeppelin in his small hometown in Japan and would eventually move to Tokyo and become “Mr. Jimmy,” adopting the guitar chops and persona of guitar virtuoso Jimmy Page. For the better part of three decades, he recreated vintage Zeppelin concerts note-for-note in small Tokyo clubs, until the “real” Jimmy Page stopped by one night, and Akio’s life changed forever. That story is the subject of a new documentary called “Mr. Jimmy,” which debuted at SXSW this week. Variety caught up with the Tokyoite who offered his top 5 favorite Zeppelin songs.
“Stairway to Heaven”
(BBC Sessions Live Version)
April 1, 1971, Paris Theatre, London
This early version moves me deeply. Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin capture the spiritual atmosphere of the studio version live on stage. It’s remarkably faithful to the brilliant recorded version (still not released at this point), at the same time it...
“Stairway to Heaven”
(BBC Sessions Live Version)
April 1, 1971, Paris Theatre, London
This early version moves me deeply. Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin capture the spiritual atmosphere of the studio version live on stage. It’s remarkably faithful to the brilliant recorded version (still not released at this point), at the same time it...
- 3/12/2019
- by Charlie Amter
- Variety Film + TV
It's not quite right to call Akio Sakurai an impersonator. "Inhabiter" is more apt. And as shown in Peter Michael Dowd's documentary Mr. Jimmy, which takes its title from Sakurai's onstage moniker, he's certainly worked hard to get to that point. Since the age of 19, Sakurai has been obsessed with Led Zeppelin, particularly the rock group's virtuoso guitarist, Jimmy Page. His passion is all-consuming, to a point that would shame, and perhaps alarm, even the most self-styled fanboy.
Think there's only one way to play "Stairway to Heaven"? Think ...
Think there's only one way to play "Stairway to Heaven"? Think ...
It's not quite right to call Akio Sakurai an impersonator. "Inhabiter" is more apt. And as shown in Peter Michael Dowd's documentary Mr. Jimmy, which takes its title from Sakurai's onstage moniker, he's certainly worked hard to get to that point. Since the age of 19, Sakurai has been obsessed with Led Zeppelin, particularly the rock group's virtuoso guitarist, Jimmy Page. His passion is all-consuming, to a point that would shame, and perhaps alarm, even the most self-styled fanboy.
Think there's only one way to play "Stairway to Heaven"? Think ...
Think there's only one way to play "Stairway to Heaven"? Think ...
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