Stairway to Heaven is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in 1971. The music was composed by the band’s guitarist Jimmy Page and the lyrics by vocalist Robert Plant.
The song is often regarded as one of the most iconic rock songs of all time.
Led Zeppelin was formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham.
Led Zeppelin have been credited as significantly impacting the nature of the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock (AOR) and stadium rock. Michael Eavis decided to host the first Glastonbury festival, then called Pilton Festival, after seeing an open-air concert headlined by Led Zeppelin at the 1970 Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music at the nearby Bath and West Showground
Page wrote most of Led Zeppelin’s music, particularly early in their career, while Plant wrote most of the lyrics. Jones’s keyboard-based compositions later became central to their music, which featured increasing experimentation.
In 25 September 1980, at only 32 years old, drummer John Bonham died. He had choked on his own vomit from drinking 40 shots of vodka.
On December 2, 2012, Led Zeppelin received the Kennedy Center Honors from President Barack Obama.
It’s an award bestowed upon those considered to have contributed greatly to American culture. In a world where awards are handed out like lollipops, The Kennedy Center Honors are a big deal.
Every December, the awards climax with a gala event at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., and in 2012 the show included an emotional performance of Stairway To Heaven by Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson, with John Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums.
Did I say emotional? It’s almost startlingly so. It’s the looks the surviving members of Led Zeppelin give each other during the performance. It’s Robert Plant’s eyes watering as he watches Ann Wilson singing his song. It’s Jason Bonham lifting his eyes towards the heavens as the song climaxes. It’s extraordinary.
“When I saw Heart perform Stairway To Heaven, I just couldn’t believe that song had anything to do with this 64-year old man,” said Jimmy Page. ” I thought to myself, ‘This is me… How did this happen?'”
Robert weeps, while Jimmy and John Paul fluctuate between pride and introspection
I’m particularly fond of Page mouthing fuck! when the second choir reveals itself. And the tears in Robert’s eyes, the smiles and body rocking of John Paul and Jimmy…wonderful!
When you check out their reactions while the song is being performed, you can see how different they are. Jimmy is smiley and twinkly. Robert is emotional. John Paul is both. I think Robert looked down and saw Jason, who was just a child when Led Zeppelin was together … he was probably running around during their band rehearsals as a little tyke. For Robert to look down and see him on drums at the Kennedy Center, this big production of their most beautiful song, must have been very emotional. It probably brought back a lot of wonderful memories.
Please watch with the same enjoyment that Led Zeppelin had …
Here is Jimmy Page explaining how ‘Stairway To Heaven’ came to be …
