On Dec. 26 the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors was aired on national television for the first time on CBS. During the event, which took place at the Kennedy Center Opera House, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart performed Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” with Jason Bonham on drums.
The honor is given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture and in 2012 the surviving members of Led Zeppelin (John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant) were among those honored. During their segment, the Foo Fighters performed “Rock and Roll,” Lenny Kravitz performed “Whole Lotta Love,” and Kid Rock performed both “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” and “Ramble On”.
The performance of “Stairway to Heaven” began with Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart performing the song with a backing band, which included Jason Bonham on drums. He is the son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, who passed away in 1980. As the song progressed, back-up singers, a string section, and the Joyce Garrett Youth Choir came on stage to help perform “Stairway to Heaven”.
The choir members and Jason Bonham were wearing bowler hats, which was a tribute to the band’s late drummer John Bonham. Throughout the performance lead vocalist Robert Plant was noticeably moved, and towards the end of the song he had tears in his eyes.
Jason Bonham loved the fact that Led Zeppelin didn’t know he’d be drumming on Stairway To Heaven at their Kennedy Center tribute night, hosted by US President Barack Obama. Bonham performed with Heart and an all-star band — and the first Plant, Page and Jones knew of it was when they saw him walk on stage.
He said: “It was so incredible to see their faces, sat there next to the president. The guys knew who was playing — but they didn’t know I would be on drums. Their faces lit up, and the smiles and tears… It was fantastic. What a way to close the show!”
HEART – STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN in HD – The Kennedy Center Honors LED ZEPPELIN,
2012.
Robert is crying omg lel
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They must have worked VERY HARD rehearsing for this song. Hat’s off to Ann
and Nancy, the band, orchestra and the choir! Mostly thanks to Led Zepp
for the creation of this awesome and fearless music! This is one of my
favorite videos on Youtube no doubt!
This is the best rendition I have ever heard. Wonderful job, Nancy, – you
nailed it. Who else could do it but you? I was as misty-eyed as Robert
was and this is the most I have ever seen Jimmy smile. They are all very
distinguished men.
Wow, powerful. Starts out quiet and meek, but you know that since Nancy
Wilson is on stage, the vocals are going to soar. She’s still probably the
most powerful female voice in rock. The whole arrangement is tremendous.
They stole all their ideas from Spinal Tap
Way to butcher the most famous guitar solo ever in front of Jimmy fucking
Page.. but then again I’d probably be nervous as shit if I was playing in
front of Jimmy as well
I thoroughly enjoyed this video/tribute until they showed the shamer in
chief and moochele at 3:43. Beautiful rendition.
What’s the purpose of the rainbow sashes?
wtf is barack obama doing here?? go home. you have like a ton of shit to do
Jor Jor 1986,
So was Jimmy Page but I can only wonder the memory of John Bonhan and the
time that has passed. Robert was best friends with Bonzo.
One of the best cover for the song. Super awesome.
The chorus group brought a new dimension to this awesome song w/
goose bumps from 4:24
Brings tears to my eyes as well and I don’t know why…
The Best Live Performance I Have Ever Heard.
…and I watch it again and again ROCK GODS….makes me tingle
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…..
Heart “Stairway To Heaven” – Tribute to Led Zeppelin
I shed a tear every time I watch this…..truly amazing. This is the best
cover of any rock anthem that I have ever seen.
I don’t know how many times I’ve watched and listened to this video… and
each time I get enthralled to a new height. Well done everyone!
Some say music may someday save the World. I believe it has already many
times!
-Mark N. Davis
Best version ever
An eternal foot print in the history of music
Band 10/10
Vocal 3/10
Barry Soetoro rocking out.
Meilenstein der Musikgeschichte!! Nicht mehr zu toppen, außer natürlich
durch LZ
5:22 Shes THERE!
(so nice to finally see someone actually giving a big fuck about keeping a
“strict & posh” facade, and just totally release themselves from their
surroundings and letting the soul totally loose and let it fly free and
just melt and blend in together with the music as one big energy-releaser!
Talk about getting “green” batteries..OMG! She really has understood it!
Lucky her.) ;-)
Goosebumps.
WOW ! I seen Zeppelin live in Louisville, Ky. in 1977, and I always said it
was the greatest concert I’d ever been too, and I’ve see some great one’s,
including Pink Floyd, but this performance of Stairway to Heaven by Heart
and Jason Bonham and the back up group was unbelievable, amazing, the
greatest I’ve ever seen it. And, to see it done for Led Zeppelin members
was one of rocks greatest moments. No wonder Plant and Page were tearing
up, to see their all time great song done live in front of the world, the
President and first lady, just amazing. Jason Bonham made his Dad proud
with his performance. Unbelievable. One of rocks greatest videos.
better than the real thing best cover ive heard in a long time
I can’t stop watching this. Perfection.
Que hermoso! Feel’s good!!!
What would we do without our wonderful music……beautiful
Just love this. Epic!
This is…..epic !
3:33 notice how robert plant tells page, “yup..its bad”..
considering the legend that no one can cover the song 100%…awesome!! haha
HEART – STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN in HD – The Kennedy Ce…:
http://youtu.be/8e2fJfiddx4
No Grammy for this cover.
This was awesome, no doubt, and I am glad Ann Wilson stuck with the routine
when singing lead. What amazes me is LZ could generate the same emotion,
if not more, with only 4 members and one lead.
5:10 When all your life’s work and passionate performance comes back to
you, and it hits you all at once.
Cosa commentare….. gli occhi di Jimmy, Robert e John Paul dicono più di
ogni superflua parola.
That’s Shane Fontayne on lead guitar…..he is a monster guitar player
currently touring with Graham Nash.
When it’s this good, it doesn’t matter that you are at a big deal with the
biggest people and you should be on your best behaviour…when it’s THIS
good…you close your eyes, put your hands in the air and LOSE IT!
The look on Robert, Jimmy, and John’s faces are just priceless.. To be
alive when and to of known how much of an impact you’ve made on the history
of music has to be the most humbling experience imaginable.
A tune one can never get tired of..
#ledzeppelin
#stairwaytoheaven
#obamaspeechless
#heart
destroyed the solo
What an amazing job Heart did on this song. I listen to it at least once a
day, awesome,
awesome job Heart!!!!
197 thumbs down? You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Be kind.