The late 1960s were a monumental time for music, bringing the very essence of pure rock and roll into the limelight.
That decade was the same that brought us Led Zeppelin, a rock band from London consisting of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jon Bonham. Together, the band’s guitar-driven sound was a tour-de-force, blowing open the minds and hearts of many people.
During their career, Led Zeppelin gave us “Stairway to Heaven,” one of the most popular and influential songs in the history of rock music.
Released in 1971, “Stairway to Heaven” was instantly a huge hit.
The highly-esteemed eight-minute ballad enjoyed much success and even full-length radio play when it was released. There’s no denying the story of the song, drawn out by a slow and steady build into an unforgettable electric crescendo.
As many pivotal songs are born, Plant spontaneously improvised the lyrics while listening to Page strum the chords. He shared:
“My hand was writing out the words, ‘There’s a lady is sure, all that glitters is gold, and she’s buying a stairway to heaven.’ I just sat there and looked at them and almost leapt out of my seat.'”
What followed made rock and roll history!
Going on to explain the basis of the classic lyrics, Plant revealed that the song “was some cynical aside about a woman getting everything she wanted all the time without giving back any thought or consideration. The first line begins with that cynical sweep of the hand . . . and it softened up after that.”
Undoubtedly, “Stairway to Heaven” legacy lives on to this day, and its influence has reached fans and musicians far and wide.
In 2012, the rock band Heart performed a chilling rendition of the song for CBS’s Kennedy Center Honors.
The annual honor program awards people in the performing arts for their efforts and contributions to American culture.
Popular rock sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson took their place on stage, joined by Jon Bonham’s son on the drums, Jason Bonham.
As Nancy initiates the performance with the song’s opening riff, the room around them falls silent from a deep round of applause. No sooner does Ann take her cue, softly gripping the microphone, singing out the lyrics softly and sweet.
The camera takes turns panning around the auditorium, effortlessly showing the bliss in the audiences faces.
Among those faces? The Foo Fighters, Jack Black, Lenny Kravitz, The Obamas and Led Zeppelin themselves!
As Heart continues their passionate rendition, a chorus of women lift up Ann Wilson’s voice and the tears welling up in Robert Plant’s eyes become overwhelmingly evident. An emotional moment indeed.
As the song progresses, so does the energy of the concert.
The drums enter on cue with a solid beat, and an orchestra of wind and brass accompany the epic rock ballad.
A monstrous guitar solo, note for note, invites a light show.
And the entire performance is complemented by a giant chorus, revealed unto the audience.
The performance draws to the most moving of endings, and the entire audience stands to applause Led Zeppelin.
The video concludes as they are acknowledged without hesitation for their indisputable contribution to the world of the music.
Check out this ultra-rocking mega-touching performance for yourself in the video below!
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