WE ALL HAVE our own favorite guitar hero — that player who first inspired us to pick up a guitar and whose style informed our individual approach to playing. But the sensational tale of Akio Sakurai — a Japanese guitarist who dedicated three decades to quite literally become his hero, Jimmy Page — takes this phenomenon to the extreme.
Sakurai’s story is the subject of a new documentary,, which charts his journey from aspiring guitar player all the way to adopting the persona of the film’s title character — and beyond. But Sakurai’s desire to become Page extends far beyond the fretboard; Sakurai adopted the chops, persona and style of Page in an unrivaled display of passion and devotion to his idol. As per the film’s description, Sakurai (a kimono salesman by day) dedicated his life to honoring Page’s playing, and to do so suitably assumed the role of Mr. Jimmy — his nightly rockstar alter
