Watch the Jaw-Dropping Moment Jack White Teaches “Seven Nation Army” to None Other Than Jimmy Page…

In the 2008 documentary *It Might Get Loud*, three generations of guitar royalty—Jack White, The Edge, and Jimmy Page—gather for a meeting of minds that transcends eras and genres. What unfolds is more than just a jam session; it’s a revealing, intimate glimpse into the soul of rock ‘n’ roll. And at the center of this electrifying summit is a moment that still has fans and musicians alike doing double takes: Jack White teaching Jimmy Page how to play “Seven Nation Army.”

 

It’s the kind of surreal scene that could only exist in the world of music documentaries. Jack White, the then-frontman of The White Stripes and champion of garage rock revivalism, casually breaks down the unmistakable riff from his 2003 hit while sitting just feet away from one of his greatest influences. Page, the mastermind behind Led Zeppelin’s epic guitar landscapes, watches attentively, clearly intrigued by White’s stripped-down, fuzzy blues sensibilities.

 

“There’s a kind of primitive power in it,” White says in the film, referring to the riff that became one of the most recognizable in 21st-century rock. He recalls writing it spontaneously while on tour, adding with a grin, “I thought it sounded like something that could be used in a James Bond movie.” He wasn’t far off—more than a decade later, “Seven Nation Army” was reimagined for the *Spectre* trailer, echoing White’s early instincts.

 

Then comes the real magic. White picks up his guitar and slowly plays the riff, explaining how he kept the structure minimal to amplify its punch. “It’s all about space,” he says. As he plays, the camera pans to Jimmy Page, who leans in slightly, eyes fixed on White’s fingers, absorbing every note like a student learning from a new-age master.

 

It’s a moment of humility, mutual respect, and sheer musical synergy. Page—who famously penned riffs like “Whole Lotta Love” and “Kashmir”—isn’t too proud to admire a modern classic. In fact, he seems delighted, tapping his foot and smiling as the groove settles in. Soon, The Edge joins in with his signature textured guitar style, and the three begin to jam. It’s raw. It’s unrehearsed. It’s brilliant.

 

The film doesn’t just showcase three guitarists playing together—it highlights the deep lineage of rock music. Each artist brings something different to the table: Page’s blues-soaked riffing and improvisational prowess, The Edge’s ambient delay-driven atmospherics, and White’s gritty minimalism. Yet in this moment, they blend seamlessly, creating a kind of sonic conversation across decades.

 

What makes the “Seven Nation Army” moment so compelling isn’t just the unexpected role reversal—Jack White instructing Jimmy Page—but the visible admiration all three musicians have for each other. There are no egos in the room, just mutual reverence for the guitar and its power to communicate emotion without words.

 

Since *It Might Get Loud* debuted, this scene has been shared endlessly across social media, racking up millions of views and inspiring a new generation of guitarists. For many fans, it crystallizes what makes rock music so enduring: the riff, the feel, the camaraderie. “It’s one of those riffs that will outlive us all,” one YouTube commenter wrote. “And watching Page learn it from White just proves how timeless it really is.”

 

Fifteen years on, the moment still resonates. It reminds us that no matter how iconic you become, there’s always something new to learn—and someone new to learn from. For a few minutes on screen, three rock legends let their guards down and simply *play*. And in doing so, they give us one of the most unforgettable scenes in rock documentary history.