During a press conference promoting the documentary It Might Get Loud, legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and The White Stripes' Jack White had some harsh words for music-based video games.
It seems that the two famous guitarists, both starring in the documentary on the history of the electric guitar along with U2's The Edge, aren't too keen on people discovering new music through video games, which is sad, because that's almost exclusively how I discover new music these days. For Page, it seemed to be a question of oversimplifying an action that is better left to more skilled hands.
"You think of the drum part that John Bonham did on Led Zeppelin's first track on the first album, Good Times Bad Times," Page said. "How many drummers in the world can play that part, let alone on Christmas morning?"
Basically a variant of the old why not just play a real instrument argument. White, on the other hand, seems a bit put off that some feel that bands have to be in a game like Guitar Hero or Rock Band to find their audience.
White went on to say that "It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that [Guitar Hero] is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music." While he added that he doesn't try to limit "which format people should get their music in…if you have to be in a video game to get in front of them, that's a little sad."
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with The White Stripes, their song "Blue Orchid" will be included in Guitar Hero 5, shipping this fall.
Jimmy Page, Jack White slam Guitar Hero [MusicRadar.com]