Jimmy Page given OBE for charity work
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 | 2:08 PM ET
CBC Arts
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, but not for his music.
The Queen bestowed the OBE on the 61-year-old rocker at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to recognize his work with poor children in Brazil.
British-born Page said he was overwhelmed to be given the accolade and recalled how he first became involved with Brazilian children in 1994, when he witnessed army tanks rolling into Rio de Janeiro's shantytowns. Fighting had broken out among street gangs and Page said he was shocked at the violence he could see from his hotel room. He was in Rio de Janeiro promoting an album.
Jimmy Page, holds his OBE after the presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Wednesday, Dec. 14. (AP Photo/Fiona Hanson)
Associated Press
"At that time in Rio the sun wasn't shining. The army was going into the favelas (shantytowns) and I heard about the plight of the street children," he told reporters.
Page joined forces with British charity Task Brasil to set up a safe house, called Casa Jimmy, which has supported more than 300 children. Task Brasil offers medical and psychological support, food, clothing and job training.
"I think when you're faced with a plight that's inescapable, and there's something you can do about it, you hope you can make a difference," Page said.
Page was a member of the '60s band The Yardbirds before helping found Led Zeppelin.
