Japan's 'Mr Jimmy' climbs stairway to perfection

Film highlights how a former kimono salesman takes copycat routines to new heights

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Akio Sakurai, aka Mr. Jimmy, unleashes his inner Jimmy Page during a performance. Sakurai has been reproducing the look and sound of his favorite artist for more than three decades. (Courtesy of Stefan Nilsson) 

PETER TASKER, Contributing writer

TOKYO -- I am sitting in the front row, almost close enough to touch Jimmy Page's sky-blue jacket. Page, leader of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, is in the midst of a lengthy number called "Dazed and Confused," which requires him to run a violin bow across the strings of his electric guitar, thereby producing a series of mournful and disturbing sounds.

At least, the figure on stage looks, sounds and moves like Jimmy Page, but of course Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980. The charismatic riff-meister is now 80 years old and living a quiet life in a haunted house in London with his girlfriend, a flame-haired 34-year-old poet.

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