Ann wears that big coat to cover the GIANT brass balls it takes to sing the most recognizable song in rock history in front of the world, AND the guys who wrote it. And brings Robert Plant to tears.
She wore a big coat to hide her fatness. She has been fat for 40 years till recently. When I saw them in concert she used to wear a mumu. Check out the videos in the 80's they would cover up her face and squish it.
If you're paying tribute to a band as big as Led Zeppelin with a song as big as Stairway to Heaven, you can't just simply play it. The addition of the orchestra and the choir did it justice. I still get chills no matter how many times I watch this.
The orchestration of the performance, including the choir, is what makes this the groundbreaking performance it is - simply breathtaking, and historic - all brought together by Ann's singular rendition of the lyrics. Just amazing!!!
Understand Dolly Parton wants to record this with the Led. I hope they refuse. I give props to Dolly and she’s an accomplished woman. But she does not have the pipes needed for this songs interpretation.
Colton W saw Heart in October of 1976 when I was at Ohio State. Front row seats only $9, and they were incredible. Ann Wilson is in my top 5 all time singers. The other for 4 me are Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Amy Lee, Taylor Dayne. Tons of great singers around today as well
Agreed. Typically the female voice is irritating for me to listen to. But her voice is amazing. This video makes me cry every time just watching the reactions of the gods of rock.
I just can not imagine being in the choir for this: “hey so you’re going to be singing Stairway to Heaven at the Kennedy Center with Ann Wilson, in front of the original members of Led Zeppelin and the President of the United States.....no pressure though.”
Let's not forget the pep talk for the guitarist. Okay, so you're about to play the most recognized guitar solo in the world in front of the arguably greatest Guitar God ever....but don't be nervous.
The sound engineer should've won an Emmy, a lifetime achievement award and a Nobel Peace prize for featuring every single element of sound without compromising a thing. Ann's voice, the band, BOTH choirs, the horns and strings. Someone buy this engineer a steak!
"Stairway To Heaven" was my High School graduation song. It still gives me goosebumps. AND, I think Ann & Nancy Wilson's rendition is even better than Led Zepplin's original.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; when you watch this, and you see the looks on the members of Led Zeppelin’s faces, the pure emotion, you’re seeing them finally hear and feel what we’ve all been hearing and feeling every time we’ve listened to Stairway since 1971.
Indeed. The first time I saw this .....I knew Ann & Nancy would have this DOWN PAT. My worry was the lead guitarist, that man had to had to be nervous , because you know as well as I that Jimmy Page was listening INTENTLY to his solo all the while counting each and every note. So yea.......NO PRESSURE!
Most definitely phenomenal... Loved seeing Robert & Jimmy's reactions.. Anne has the ultimate powerful voice,she's still can rock it along with Nancy!!
The single best rendition of this song. The fact they brought Robert Plant to tears says it all. This is a performance for the ages. HEART: massively underrated and not enough appreciation is shown to them. Today's musical acts can't hold a candle to them. So glad I grew up in an era where music was real and NOT premanufactured.
Plant was crying due to the fact that Jason was on drums. Jason's appearance was kept a secret. Robert was the one that went to Bonzo's wife and son Jason to tell them of his death, so Robert has a very emotional connection to Jason. Also that drum kit that Jason is playing on his one of his late father's drum kits.
For a ridiculous rendition check out DAAS Barry crocker. In late 80's Andrew Denton had a show Money or the Gun where every closing act had to play this song. Very alternative (for the time) Aussie thing to do.
It brought me to ,given the 50 years that have passed! But imagine playing the lead guitar infront of Jimmy Page,the rock GOD who wrote and first performed the song in the first place!
I noticed him wearing the hat, but did you also see all the male singers in the choir? Looked like they had the same one! Not sure it was a coincidence!
@@almabrooks5177 Not a coincidence. A bowler hat was kind of a signature piece of their late drummer, John Bonham's attire. And everyone was basically giving an extra little tribute to him.
Robert Plant said once, that the reason he was nearly crying was, seeing Jason on the drums reminded him so much at his dad, that he had to hold back the tears, thinking of John.
Relatively few Zep fans know that Bonzo and Robert were friends long before they joined The New Yardbirds, and they were closer to each other than Jimmy or John Paul. Bonzo's passing in 1980 was a huge blow to Robert especially after the even greater loss of Robert's son Karac in 1977.
@@patrickprice3666 Bonzo and Robert were true friends because they were friends as teenagers that that wasn't the case with Jimmy or John Paul. Plus I believe that Bonzo as a father to his own son could relate to Robert's loss in a way that the others couldn't.
@@DDEENYJimmy page and John Paul Jones didn't go to the funeral of Robert Plants 5 year old son. The reason one of them gave was that they were on holiday.
Robert Plant was crying because seeing Jason Bonham playing in his father's hat brought back memories, oh his life long friend John that he misses all the time, that's why the band broke up because they couldn't go on without him, and they did not know that Jason was going to be there that night it was a secret.
yes it was a surreal i had remembered the hat from some video shot of them back in the day and once i seen it . and if im mistaken they did a big charity event where Jason sat in his fathers spot i believe he wore the hat for that but cant remember for sure . and the girls from heart done an amazing job but im a bit biased having had a crush on Nancy since the 70's
I was fortunate to hear Heart perform this song in Phoenix about 5 years ago in a rainstorm,they were with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and it was awesome!
🥲 2 legendary sisters... pay tribute to a legendary band....by performing a legendary song....with the SON of legendary bands drummer PLAYING DRUMS! This is EPIC!! (I'm sure you know by now -John Bonham's signature was a bolo hat..RIP🙏)
In '79... I went to a BBQ with my girlfriend that lived next to Ann Wilson... right on Lake Washington. Was invited to play around a campfire... and sat next to Ann. "Can you play guitar ? " Ann said. "I have since I was six." She said, "You know Motown ?" I sat next to her and said, "I was a little kid with a guitar ! Yes I know !" That was such great fun. And her voice... good God... it moved my hair.
I was thinking the EXACT same thing. I'm happy for him that he nailed it. And Ann is one of the best ever, but there had to be some nerves there on her part, too, with Robert Plant looking on!
For those who don’t know him, the Asian guy they go to in the crowd during the solo is Yo Yo Ma. Put it this way, Jimmy would dream of playing the guitar as well as Yo Yo Ma plays the cello. So cool seeing him rock out.
@@prism8289 but it’s not about that guy. He never made a song quite as iconic as jimmy and led did. So keep that opinion to yourself, your guy will have to sit back and wait his turn. 💣
That is Led Zeppelin Drummer John Bonhams' son, Jason on the Drums....He and the choir are wearing bowler hats as a tribute,.. because the deceased Drummer often wore a Bowler hat.
Thanks man. I heard that but I forgot about it, and I never actually saw this performance. Pretty awesome. I think the band was genuinely touched by the tribute. And I felt the drummer had the right vibe, so when you said he was the son, yeah, it clicked. Databyter
The hat is a tribute to the drummer who is no longer with them. He wore the pig pie hat, and so it was a touching tribute to the missing band member. This is the reason for Robert Plants tears I got to see Jason, his son, in concert last year. Such an honor.
The Bowler hat and white outfit were John Bonham's tribute to Stanley Kubrick's droogs from the ultra-violent A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, a bizarre, bleak, hilarious, futuristic cinematic masterpiece.
Folks, that wasn't just ANY bowlers hat Jason Bonham was wearing. It was his Dad's. That look up to the heavens he gave at the end there always brings me to tears.
@@ingridstrickland8768 THAT'S who that was. I though the one lady was Debbie Allen (not sure). I did see Stephen Colbert and his wife and Billy Connolly. I forgot who else.
This is a god-tier performance. This is a testament to The sound of music we can make when people of different ethnicities work together. I know this was originally Led Zeppelin, but this is the best it is ever sounded to me. Ultra fucking fantastic.
When I saw this tribute, all I could think was LOOK AT HOW MANY voices it took to bring that feeling that one skinny blonde english guy brought all those years ago... so powerful. Love this rendition, powerful.
Robert's tears are both beautiful and sad, while the smiles on the faces of JPJ and especially Jimmy are joyous. Incredible performance of this iconic masterpiece by Heart. The choir and Jason Bonham on drums made possible what seemed impossible.
Ha. How true. The amount of swagger and "I got this" attitude showing on her face in this performance, what arguably should have been the toughest performance of her life, tells the whole story.
@@Wiley_Coyote - you stole my line. My last name is Wiley. I always said I wanted to marry the actor, Peter Coyote, then my name could be Terri Wiley-Coyote.
this is literally the only non sad thing (other than onions and pain) that ever has done that for me.. no movie or song ever did that, but i shed a single tear for this
Ann Wilson has an incredible range. She's probably the only woman who could pull this off. Not only can she nail all the high stuff, but few women can reach down to sing all the low notes, as well. This is the same key Led Zeppelin did it in.
saflynn14 : No. Get it right. “Heart is Led Zeppelin with tits” is what was said in the 1970’s by numbskulls.. Wow. That’s your comment to this, huh? Sad.
The hat is called a bowler hat, and the drummer wore bowler hats, he was the drummer of the band Led Zeppelin, and when he died, they had stopped playing together as Led Zeppelin, his son is the one who was playing the drums a tribute to Led Zeppelin His name is Jason but the bowler hat is English very English anyways, thank you for this tribute. I was blessed to see them in Oakland before the drummer died so this was awesome. Thank you for sharing and take care be safe ❤️🫶🏻🤠
This is the greatest tribute to Led Zeppelin ever. The love, honor, and respect could not possibly be any greater. They are up there looking like some very proud Papa's.......as they should be.
Best ever and they did another song by them which slips the tip of my tongue at the moment. And yes they are especially Jimmy. Thank you Anne and Nancy.
Beautiful reaction. In a VH1 interview with Ann Wilson, Ann said at the after party, Robert Plant walked up to her and said, "I've never liked when people covered Stairway. Tonight... I liked it." She said that brought her near to tears.
The look on Stephen Colbert's face: "Ah, so this is why I had my entire career. So I could be invited to watch Heart perform Stairway to Heaven live. SO WORTH IT!"
As someone put it - you're watching rock legends, performing in front of rock Gods, doing those Gods' most iconic song, and blowing it out of the park! Best cover of all time. Period.
When I look at Robert Plant near the end of the video, he is trying so hard to hold that emotion back... they nailed it and he loved it. Upmost respect!
When you can make John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, and Jimmy Page get emotional from hearing their own song played back at them, you *know* you've nailed it.
Ariel Richmond I was on the verge of tears pretty early in the performance. When the camera panned to Robert Plant fighting back tears, game over. Full on water faucets coming from my eyes. I’ve probably seen it a hundred times and STILL cry!
Today's acts couldn't hold a candle nor be in the same hall as the bands of the late 60's 70's and early 80's , no autotune, no computer gimmicks, just pure artistic abilities
@Peter Cunha Manowar is one example against. But part of the reason why that statement is the music industry intentionally murdered metal in America and we are just recovering now. But the Scandinavian countries are going through a golden age of metal. The other problem is it is harder to find good metal bands because of the hacks reporting on metal. A good source to find great bands is Razorfist. He is a bit of a music snob but he knows his shit.
we are the blessed generation my friend. I was 16 in 1970. Imagine the gigs and sheer amount of music i saw/heard. NOTHING will come anywhere near that golden age,for ANY genre.
If I were a musician, I wouldn't have the balls to even attempt a cover of this song. Ann and Nancy not only have the balls, but they grab you by yours and force you into another world. A truly outstanding performance and fitting tribute to the great LZ.
The sister's grew up doing zepplin songs and know them well and like zepplin are all time greats in their own right, then throw in jason bohtom foremost expert in drumming zepplin songs and what a core, just need a great guitar player ok got that what are we missing how bout throw in an orchestra and a choir. They were amazing the whole entire assembly.
When Jason Bonham looks up at the end and does a little private salute to his dad and the band sends down a ‘bro thump’ to him....feels right there! 🥺😢😭✊🏼
Jason Bonham is playing his dad's drum set and wearing his dad's hat, as is the entire choir. Thats a tribute to the world's best rock drummer.John Bonham famously wore that funky old hat all thru Zeppelin's career.
I watched this live...I wept like a baby. Not only am I a homegirl stan for my ladies of the PNW, Heart...this live cover literally ranks right up there with the all time greats. This will always get the waterworks going. That choir...oh my Lordt. No words...just pure emotion and everlasting tribute to Long John Bonham.
The bowler hat was because Bonham was a fan of the film A Clockwork Orange. The gang in the movie wore these hats along with white boiler suits and big black boots. Bonzo played tribute & wore the same on tour.
I actually thought it was 2016, but yes, they should have been inducted a long time ago...They were in the same inductees class with Cheap Trick and Joan Jett...I saw these 3 touring together a few years back..
I remember watching American Idol and Carrie Underwood did Alone by Heart--I was shocked how much I loved it. Jackson said, "it's a rare voice that can take on Ann Wilson's."
Robert Plant teared up because he had just told Jimmy Page that they should have invited John Bonham's son, Jason, to be there that night since his father was equally responsible and deserving of the honor. He told him he felt bad for not thinking to include him. And then when Heart started playing he saw it was Jason on the drum kit. He was surprised and emotionally overwhelmed to the point of tears. And the hat is an homage to John Bonham, and has become a trademark of Jason.
I have probably listened to the original Stairway To Heaven at least 1000 times over my lifetime and loved it but I never had the hair stand up on the back of my neck or get a lump in my throat as I do every time I hear Heart's version during the Kennedy Center Honors. I have no words to describe how great this version, is.
@Lycan No, they did it because it was an arrangement. It worked with the orchestra. If you think Ann Wilson can't keep up with Plant, you clearly have been living under a rock. They do Led Zeppelin covers all the time and she nails it.
My eyes water every time I watch this performance, that choir and symphony just add an awesome new element to the song, probably one of the most amazing live performance covers ever.
I can't believe tonight is the 1st I've ever seen this. I've watched it like 5 times tonight and I just picked up where the line is "the piper's calling you to join him" she sings "Your son is calling you to join him " looks at Jason 😭😭😭❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Led Zepplin essentially ended the day their drummer, John Bonham died on September 25, 1980. The remaining band members knew that each member was critical and without John, there was no band. The bowler hat was John's.He wore it often. The man behind the drum kit wearing that same hat is, Jason Bonham, John's son. Made me cry. He was 14 when his dad died. The rest the band kept up with him after. He has sat in with his dads old mates on occasion. Grabed me by the feels.
![OMG.. | Heart - Stairway to Heaven (Live at Kennedy Center Honors) [FULL VERSION] REACTION](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JDIaixpi8Ww/mqdefault.jpg)
Not sure if you were aware but the drummer here is the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham.
Thank You🙏🏾
The movie rockstar, also has him in it.
And let's not forget the hat(~_^)
@@wheresatari6242 Oh that hat!🥰
@@jamelakajamal the hat was John Bonham's signature headwear. The Bolo hat.
Ann wears that big coat to cover the GIANT brass balls it takes to sing the most recognizable song in rock history in front of the world, AND the guys who wrote it. And brings Robert Plant to tears.
Thanks, I thought I was the only one to catch that, bringing him to tears.
She wore a big coat to hide her fatness. She has been fat for 40 years till recently. When I saw them in concert she used to wear a mumu. Check out the videos in the 80's they would cover up her face and squish it.
Anthony V why so mean? She still rocks the universe fat or not. Her enormous talent not dependent upon your definition of beauty.
@@zzyyxxo Thank you💕.
So intelligent...He doesn't even realize what a douche he is!
@@anthonyv1719 most irrelevant and useless comment in the history of the internet. Sorry bro you fail big time
If you're paying tribute to a band as big as Led Zeppelin with a song as big as Stairway to Heaven, you can't just simply play it. The addition of the orchestra and the choir did it justice. I still get chills no matter how many times I watch this.
The orchestration of the performance, including the choir, is what makes this the groundbreaking performance it is - simply breathtaking, and historic - all brought together by Ann's singular rendition of the lyrics. Just amazing!!!
Oh hell, I cry every time I view it and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
Understand Dolly Parton wants to record this with the Led. I hope they refuse. I give props to Dolly and she’s an accomplished woman. But she does not have the pipes needed for this songs interpretation.
It was simply amazing and what the most amazing band of all time, deserves
Whoever arranged this version deserves a Grammy and a Fat Ass Raise
Ann Wilson is the best female Rock voice Ever. Goddess of Rock.
Amen ❤
Yes indeed!
Grace Slick, Janis Joplin. That's just my quick response. I'm sure there are more.
agreed
Yes she is
This woman was in her 60s doing this shit. Best female rock singer ever.
Colton W saw Heart in October of 1976 when I was at Ohio State. Front row seats only $9, and they were incredible. Ann Wilson is in my top 5 all time singers. The other for 4 me are Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Amy Lee, Taylor Dayne. Tons of great singers around today as well
Agreed. Typically the female voice is irritating for me to listen to. But her voice is amazing. This video makes me cry every time just watching the reactions of the gods of rock.
Heart ROCKS ! We need a reaction of them doing Crazy on You ! Nancy is one of THE BEST female guitarists out there. Ann kills on vocals.
Yep!
Damn Straight!! Ann Wilson is the Aretha Franklin of Rock!!!!!!!
Robert Plant said it was the only time he's ever enjoyed hearing someone play Stairway to Heaven.
Yep. He doesn't care for the song.
I just can not imagine being in the choir for this: “hey so you’re going to be singing Stairway to Heaven at the Kennedy Center with Ann Wilson, in front of the original members of Led Zeppelin and the President of the United States.....no pressure though.”
Let's not forget the pep talk for the guitarist. Okay, so you're about to play the most recognized guitar solo in the world in front of the arguably greatest Guitar God ever....but don't be nervous.
Hahaha I was thinking the same!
@@chachaj914 Give it up for Shane Fontayne.
🤣😂glad it wasn't me!
LOLOL
There aren’t too many vocalists who could cut through all of this an maintain their essence…Ann Wilson is undoubtedly one of them. She’s phenomenal.
The sound engineer should've won an Emmy, a lifetime achievement award and a Nobel Peace prize for featuring every single element of sound without compromising a thing. Ann's voice, the band, BOTH choirs, the horns and strings. Someone buy this engineer a steak!
Nooooo SHIT!! Magnificent!!! 💗💗💗💗💗💗
Amy Lynn You’re absolutely Correct! I never thought about it like that!
absolutely!! I often think. what if the legendary bands from back in the day had the technology and the sound equipment of today to play live?
As good of a live mix as I have ever heard!! That takes amazing skill!
Yeah, but he didn't build that!
If you're over 50 years old, you don't have the words to describe how you feel when you hear this song.
"Stairway To Heaven" was my High School graduation song. It still gives me goosebumps. AND, I think Ann & Nancy Wilson's rendition is even better than Led Zepplin's original.
I feel you! This is so perfect!
Yessss.. I'm 60 and worked in a record store vinyl.. when it was vinyl and 8 tracks.. then cassettes... Tons o f t-shirts as well.
48 and tear up every time.
I'm 61 so yes I know amazing
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; when you watch this, and you see the looks on the members of Led Zeppelin’s faces, the pure emotion, you’re seeing them finally hear and feel what we’ve all been hearing and feeling every time we’ve listened to Stairway since 1971.
Indeed. The first time I saw this .....I knew Ann & Nancy would have this DOWN PAT. My worry was the lead guitarist, that man had to had to be nervous , because you know as well as I that Jimmy Page was listening INTENTLY to his solo all the while counting each and every note. So yea.......NO PRESSURE!
Since their early days, Heart has covered Led Zepplin songs. Heart was the perfect choice for this tribute.
Anne told Nancy just before they hit the stage, "we're like astronauts strapped in for takeoff, got no choice now". They killed it!
Well, they damn well ignited that place and took off :D
Where did you hear that?
@@rockit3422 Read itin an interview with Nancy. Rolling Stone maybe. Don't remember exactly.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you bring the house down.
Most definitely phenomenal... Loved seeing Robert & Jimmy's reactions.. Anne has the ultimate powerful voice,she's still can rock it along with Nancy!!
@@jcbulldog533 Don't forget John Paul Jones there too.
@@themisterchristie Yes,Most definitely
I know you got that right sister!!!!
They ACED that song WOW
The single best rendition of this song. The fact they brought Robert Plant to tears says it all. This is a performance for the ages. HEART: massively underrated and not enough appreciation is shown to them. Today's musical acts can't hold a candle to them. So glad I grew up in an era where music was real and NOT premanufactured.
Plant was crying due to the fact that Jason was on drums. Jason's appearance was kept a secret. Robert was the one that went to Bonzo's wife and son Jason to tell them of his death, so Robert has a very emotional connection to Jason. Also that drum kit that Jason is playing on his one of his late father's drum kits.
For a ridiculous rendition check out DAAS Barry crocker. In late 80's Andrew Denton had a show Money or the Gun where every closing act had to play this song. Very alternative (for the time) Aussie thing to do.
the natural ability and the use of such talent; SHINE IN THIS MOMENT; AGREE!
It brought me to ,given the 50 years that have passed! But imagine playing the lead guitar infront of Jimmy Page,the rock GOD who wrote and first performed the song in the first place!
Not underated when you bring the best their is to tears with their own song. That's fucking Bad Ass
The drummer at the end was looking up - to his Dad! The hat was his Dad’s original drummer of the band.
John had to be so proud wherever he is.
I noticed him wearing the hat, but did you also see all the male singers in the choir? Looked like they had the same one! Not sure it was a coincidence!
@@almabrooks5177 Not a coincidence. A bowler hat was kind of a signature piece of their late drummer, John Bonham's attire. And everyone was basically giving an extra little tribute to him.
The drum kit also was his dad's.
Robert Plant said once, that the reason he was nearly crying was, seeing Jason on the drums reminded him so much at his dad, that he had to hold back the tears, thinking of John.
Relatively few Zep fans know that Bonzo and Robert were friends long before they joined The New Yardbirds, and they were closer to each other than Jimmy or John Paul. Bonzo's passing in 1980 was a huge blow to Robert especially after the even greater loss of Robert's son Karac in 1977.
@@DDEENY especially as Bonzo was the one that helped Robert through the death of his son.
@@patrickprice3666 Bonzo and Robert were true friends because they were friends as teenagers that that wasn't the case with Jimmy or John Paul. Plus I believe that Bonzo as a father to his own son could relate to Robert's loss in a way that the others couldn't.
@@DDEENY 😪💗
@@DDEENYJimmy page and John Paul Jones didn't go to the funeral of Robert Plants 5 year old son. The reason one of them gave was that they were on holiday.
Robert Plant was crying because seeing Jason Bonham playing in his father's hat brought back memories, oh his life long friend John that he misses all the time, that's why the band broke up because they couldn't go on without him, and they did not know that Jason was going to be there that night it was a secret.
Wow. Just wow. Thanks for sharing. I didn't know that.
Yes, thanks! I knew that was Jason but I never knew about the hat.
I'm surprised Robert Plant held it together as well as he did. I was crying like a baby.
Is this true? 😢
I knew it was too intense when Robert just stared, like when you tell yourself “keep it together, don’t cry”
yes it was a surreal i had remembered the hat from some video shot of them back in the day and once i seen it . and if im mistaken they did a big charity event where Jason sat in his fathers spot i believe he wore the hat for that but cant remember for sure . and the girls from heart done an amazing job but im a bit biased having had a crush on Nancy since the 70's
You could go a lifetime and never hear a live performance THAT GOOD.
I was fortunate to hear Heart perform this song in Phoenix about 5 years ago in a rainstorm,they were with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and it was awesome!
🥲 2 legendary sisters... pay tribute to a legendary band....by performing a legendary song....with the SON of legendary bands drummer PLAYING DRUMS! This is EPIC!! (I'm sure you know by now -John Bonham's signature was a bolo hat..RIP🙏)
If Robert Plant tearing up doesn’t get you nothing will.
I cry every bloody time hear this!
Me too. Im crying now. Love this.
Exactly, because he's not usually the warm and fuzzy type...that was that special indeed
Robert Plant tearing up, and Jason Bonham looking up to Heaven gets me every time.
Only Ann Wilson can sing Robert Plant vocals! I still can’t watch this without tearing up! Absolute perfection!
I can't either. "sniff". So wonderful!
Here here!
Dolly Parton did it justice too. Different, but amazing.
X2
Their original drummer was John Bonhom. He always wore that hat. The drummer on stage us John's son
The balls this took to take on and the use of the strings and choir easily makes this one othe greatest live performances of all time.
In '79... I went to a BBQ with my girlfriend that lived next to Ann Wilson... right on Lake Washington.
Was invited to play around a campfire... and sat next to Ann. "Can you play guitar ? " Ann said.
"I have since I was six." She said, "You know Motown ?" I sat next to her and said, "I was a little kid with a guitar ! Yes I know !" That was such great fun. And her voice... good God... it moved my hair.
Imagine the pressure on that guitarist to do that in front of Jimmy Page...
Well, if that is the one sister's husband and bandmate, he is a great guitarist.
@@michaelconnor1542 still a LOT of pressure. I mean, that was Jimmy Page lookin down on him.
Yea, really. I was thinking that. It's F-ing Jimmy Page!!!...you are playing his song!!!
I was thinking the EXACT same thing. I'm happy for him that he nailed it. And Ann is one of the best ever, but there had to be some nerves there on her part, too, with Robert Plant looking on!
Ann was nervous backstage. She gave an interview on it!
If this performance doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you're dead inside.
I'll admit it....
Thank God, i am still alive 👍🏻
Amen to that!
Chokes me up every time!!!!
Every freakin time....
As much as I love this version I love Jimmy's reaction to it even more.
Jimmy approved :)
For those who don’t know him, the Asian guy they go to in the crowd during the solo is Yo Yo Ma. Put it this way, Jimmy would dream of playing the guitar as well as Yo Yo Ma plays the cello. So cool seeing him rock out.
@@prism8289 but it’s not about that guy. He never made a song quite as iconic as jimmy and led did. So keep that opinion to yourself, your guy will have to sit back and wait his turn. 💣
@@webechubbin don't worry. They'll still be playing his music 100 years from now. Led, not so much.
Jimmy is like the professor, so proud of his students on graduation day. I love how he's pretty much mouthing each chord. Beautiful.
"they brought that choir out there"
He doesn't even know yet...
I kept saying the same thing, like, just you wait man!
That is Led Zeppelin Drummer John Bonhams' son, Jason on the Drums....He and the choir are wearing bowler hats as a tribute,.. because the deceased Drummer often wore a Bowler hat.
Every time I see Jason play his dads songs I get a chill. It’s just amazing how he channels John so good.
Thanks man. I heard that but I forgot about it, and I never actually saw this performance. Pretty awesome. I think the band was genuinely touched by the tribute. And I felt the drummer had the right vibe, so when you said he was the son, yeah, it clicked. Databyter
The hat is a tribute to the drummer who is no longer with them. He wore the pig pie hat, and so it was a touching tribute to the missing band member. This is the reason for Robert Plants tears
I got to see Jason, his son, in concert last year. Such an honor.
The Bowler hat and white outfit were John Bonham's tribute to Stanley Kubrick's droogs from the ultra-violent A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, a bizarre, bleak, hilarious, futuristic cinematic masterpiece.
Wonderful tribute from Heart and company. the entire band and yes that choir.. omg that choir.. they all nailed it!
I cry every time I see this. She sang the F*** out of that song.
Must have been a moment for her. Heart were inspired by Zeppelin since the very beginning.
Her voice is everything.
This is Ann Wilson we're talking about. She sings the fuck out of everything.
Shirlee Hicks I concur. I’ve loved them since the 80s.
godivadark i always feel like its a transcending moment for the soul every time i listen to it
Ann and Nancy, to me, are two of the greatest talents in rock. And you can see why.
Takes an orchestra, and choir to get close to what four geniuses were able to do. But they knocked this one out of the park.
There is literally no other vocalist on the planet that could have pulled that off.
Robert Plant had a fair crack at it
@@MrBodies07 Hah! Funny. To be honest, though... I've never been a fan of his.
The dude from Greta Van fleet comes close
John Terpack - Fact
Indeed!
Folks, that wasn't just ANY bowlers hat Jason Bonham was wearing. It was his Dad's. That look up to the heavens he gave at the end there always brings me to tears.
YoYo Ma classical cellist, Bonnie Raitt, lots of heavyhitters in the audience
I’m just crying. This whole thing, all of it was just so emotional.
you got that right!
@@ingridstrickland8768 THAT'S who that was. I though the one lady was Debbie Allen (not sure). I did see Stephen Colbert and his wife and Billy Connolly. I forgot who else.
@@lisakaz35 - I'm almost certain it was Debbie Allen. She was in attendance that night.
This is a god-tier performance. This is a testament to The sound of music we can make when people of different ethnicities work together.
I know this was originally Led Zeppelin, but this is the best it is ever sounded to me. Ultra fucking fantastic.
Transcendental experience! Hands down. Full stop! Nobody covers Led Zeppelin like the ladies of Heart do!
This is ONE Of the BEST COVERS I have ever heard . EVER!
No....it IS the best cover...ever.
It is the best cover I have ever heard.
Agreed
Agreed 👍
It's better than the original IMO because of the orchestra and choir!
Legend has it the audience is STILL standing.
I would be.
😄😄
Exceptional. Still gives me goosebumps.
Apparently HEART. Didn't read the sign... bahahaha
This has got to be the best cover done of Stairway EVER.
Yep awesome , also try far corporation ,German band
Best cover of any song ever
No argument here. Ann Wilson is definitely on the Mount Rushmore of female rock singers. No contest.
Damn!!! I rather listen to Ann sign this awesome song!
Brought our boys to tears.....mission accomplished !!!
Anybody tear up when she hit that note at the end. I started shivering...
... That's the most intense beauty I've ever heard.
Rooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooll.
When I saw this tribute, all I could think was LOOK AT HOW MANY voices it took to bring that feeling that one skinny blonde english guy brought all those years ago... so powerful. Love this rendition, powerful.
No one should ever cover Robert Plant vocals.. except Ann Wilson. Legend in her own right! 🎶
So when it comes time to honor Heart like this, who covers the cover masters?
@@JaronActual sounds crazy but bare with me. Gretchen Wilson does an outstanding cover of barracuda. Sounds almost like Ann. Its amazing
@@anthonyhatfield3185 Yes, I've seen that one, too.
Your right Robert Plant has some incredible pipes, Ann is right there with him!!! I couldn’t think of another person pulling off Plants vocals.
And Josh Kiszka, check out HIGHWAY TUNE.
Quite possibly the greatest cover of any song ever. Phenomenal performance.
agreed, gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. And I have watched it dozens of times
Dukes I would absolutely agree with you.
Dukes truth
Chris Cornell in Argentina...Whole Lotta Love is right there too
I have watched this at least a dozen times and I still get goosebumps, every time.
I love watching Bonnie Raitt in the audience. I mean, wtf, people. Dayum
Robert's tears are both beautiful and sad, while the smiles on the faces of JPJ and especially Jimmy are joyous. Incredible performance of this iconic masterpiece by Heart. The choir and Jason Bonham on drums made possible what seemed impossible.
When the universe needs confidence, it borrows from Ann Wilson.
Ha. How true. The amount of swagger and "I got this" attitude showing on her face in this performance, what arguably should have been the toughest performance of her life, tells the whole story.
She brings it....
❤️
@@Wiley_Coyote - you stole my line. My last name is Wiley. I always said I wanted to marry the actor, Peter Coyote, then my name could be Terri Wiley-Coyote.
imagine being the guy who is playing the solo and having Jimmy Freakin Page watching, judging your take on his solo. I'd be a damn nervous wreck
I was thinking the exact same thing!
@Nature and Physics true but its Nancy. That girl has decades of experience on her side
no pressure there, right?
You can see Jimmy moving his lips and mouth to the notes as he was playing. You bet your sweat bippy he was listening. Very closely.
and he was a PRO....gave it all he had.
I've seen this performance several times and it still brings tears to my eyes. Hats of to Ann and Nancy, Jason, ant the entire orchestra and chorus.
Me too. EVERY TIME I watch this, I tear up when the choir comes in.
this is literally the only non sad thing (other than onions and pain) that ever has done that for me.. no movie or song ever did that, but i shed a single tear for this
Bowler hats off to everybody!
I thought, I was the only one who cried
Same and I've watched it at least a dozen times. But I also liked Lenny Kravitz tribute
This song is one of the most beautiful song. They do not make music this great anymore.
Sadly your not wrong.
@@otwer22 Adele is epic as well
Ann Wilson has an incredible range. She's probably the only woman who could pull this off. Not only can she nail all the high stuff, but few women can reach down to sing all the low notes, as well. This is the same key Led Zeppelin did it in.
I was SO surprised at how well that these girls did!!!!!!!!!!! Heart!!!! They do it justice!!! AND the choir!!!! CHORUS, I meant
A critic once said that Ann Wilson is Robert Plant with tits...lol
saflynn14 : No. Get it right. “Heart is Led Zeppelin with tits” is what was said in the 1970’s by numbskulls.. Wow. That’s your comment to this, huh? Sad.
John Savage This should be Grammy eligible. Every time I hear this I, too, cry. Magic pure delicious rock magic.
You are correct, very well stated!
Shout out to Shane Fontayne on guitar.
Robert Plant with tears in his eyes says everything...
The hat is called a bowler hat, and the drummer wore bowler hats, he was the drummer of the band Led Zeppelin, and when he died, they had stopped playing together as Led Zeppelin, his son is the one who was playing the drums a tribute to Led Zeppelin His name is Jason but the bowler hat is English very English anyways, thank you for this tribute. I was blessed to see them in Oakland before the drummer died so this was awesome. Thank you for sharing and take care be safe ❤️🫶🏻🤠
This is the greatest tribute to Led Zeppelin ever. The love, honor, and respect could not possibly be any greater.
They are up there looking like some very proud Papa's.......as they should be.
I agree, this gets me every time I hear it.
Best ever and they did another song by them which slips the tip of my tongue at the moment. And yes they are especially Jimmy. Thank you Anne and Nancy.
Ballsiest performance ever by Heart, with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones in the balcony. They killed it.
Absolutely.
We witnessed a true masterpiece.
That time when Led Zeppelin gives YOU a standing ovation...
No pressure lol
His hat, his late father occasionally wore when he drummed for Led Zeppelin.
💟 *************THIS PERFORMANCE LITERALLY MAKES MY HEART FEEL THINGS I CAN'T EXPLAIN*************** 💟
Boundless Joy?
@@leftcoaster67 YES 😊
When you get a "standing O" from Led Zepplin for that song, you can die happy.
And go to Heaven, or the toolshed if you prefer..
Beautiful reaction. In a VH1 interview with Ann Wilson, Ann said at the after party, Robert Plant walked up to her and said, "I've never liked when people covered Stairway. Tonight... I liked it." She said that brought her near to tears.
The look on Stephen Colbert's face: "Ah, so this is why I had my entire career. So I could be invited to watch Heart perform Stairway to Heaven live. SO WORTH IT!"
I can't imagine another band but Heart doing this song justice.
Their arrangement was smart, with the choir. 😃
This is possibly the best cover in history the Wilson sisters are awesome.
Agreed!
Agree
They do quite a few Zeppelin covers on tour.
Their cover of "Battle Of Evermore" is VERY GOOD also...!
As someone put it - you're watching rock legends, performing in front of rock Gods, doing those Gods' most iconic song, and blowing it out of the park! Best cover of all time. Period.
Richard Barber Without a doubt! I can’t get enough of this tribute...best EVER!
Absolutely. Without question.
Talent. Ann's voice soaring over all the other voices. Btw, she was sixty two!!
This version kicks my ass every single time, emotional ... absolutely emotional !!!
When I look at Robert Plant near the end of the video, he is trying so hard to hold that emotion back... they nailed it and he loved it. Upmost respect!
Ariel Richmond yes! Hole heartedly agree!
He has a tear in his eye. By far the best honor for them that night.
When you can make John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, and Jimmy Page get emotional from hearing their own song played back at them, you *know* you've nailed it.
He looked like he had seen a ghost.
Ariel Richmond I was on the verge of tears pretty early in the performance. When the camera panned to Robert Plant fighting back tears, game over. Full on water faucets coming from my eyes. I’ve probably seen it a hundred times and STILL cry!
Today's acts couldn't hold a candle nor be in the same hall as the bands of the late 60's 70's and early 80's , no autotune, no computer gimmicks, just pure artistic abilities
No doubt...
your statement, not the group..lol
@Peter Cunha Manowar is one example against. But part of the reason why that statement is the music industry intentionally murdered metal in America and we are just recovering now. But the Scandinavian countries are going through a golden age of metal.
The other problem is it is harder to find good metal bands because of the hacks reporting on metal. A good source to find great bands is Razorfist. He is a bit of a music snob but he knows his shit.
we are the blessed generation my friend.
I was 16 in 1970.
Imagine the gigs and sheer amount of music i saw/heard.
NOTHING will come anywhere near that golden age,for ANY genre.
What bugs me is, anybody can be a musician these days.It doesn't take a Great amount of talent.Just a big social media presence
The best cover ever of the best rock song ever!!
Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are loving this performance from the great Heart. Ann and Nancy Wilson.
If I were a musician, I wouldn't have the balls to even attempt a cover of this song. Ann and Nancy not only have the balls, but they grab you by yours and force you into another world. A truly outstanding performance and fitting tribute to the great LZ.
The sister's grew up doing zepplin songs and know them well and like zepplin are all time greats in their own right, then throw in jason bohtom foremost expert in drumming zepplin songs and what a core, just need a great guitar player ok got that what are we missing how bout throw in an orchestra and a choir. They were amazing the whole entire assembly.
When Jason Bonham looks up at the end and does a little private salute to his dad and the band sends down a ‘bro thump’ to him....feels right there! 🥺😢😭✊🏼
I felt it too😊👍
So moving.
Jason Bonham is playing his dad's drum set and wearing his dad's hat, as is the entire choir. Thats a tribute to the world's best rock drummer.John Bonham famously wore that funky old hat all thru Zeppelin's career.
I watched this live...I wept like a baby. Not only am I a homegirl stan for my ladies of the PNW, Heart...this live cover literally ranks right up there with the all time greats. This will always get the waterworks going. That choir...oh my Lordt. No words...just pure emotion and everlasting tribute to Long John Bonham.
Jamel, that was Queens singing to Kings. Pure royalty at that moment
This is so beautifully true.
I like another analogy I heard : Legends playing for Gods😎
Amelia, that is so beautifully said! And so very true!
Best comment ever!
saw them at Blossom Music Center in Cleveland in 2019. Voice STILL has lost very little
Led Zep's drummer, John Bonham wore a bowler hat. He has left us and his son, Jason played the kit.
Well said, I can't add anything, nicely done.
I watch this over and over again… I grew up on Led Zeppelin and there’s nothing like Hearts tribute PHENOMENAL
Isn’t that incredible?! It’s my all time favorite live performances. Makes me tear up every time.
The Asian guy that they show in the audience with the glasses is Yo-Yo Ma world famous cellist
At 7:42 one the world's greatest cellists rocking to the guitar solo. Priceless!
I thought his name was Yo Ma Ma??
James Burr There’s a scene where Bonnie Raitt was fanning out too.☺️
shreddder999 too funny!!!
@@shreddder999 I see what you did there...
The Drummer here is John Bonham's son, Jason.
He was also using his dads old kit.
The bowler hat was because Bonham was a fan of the film A Clockwork Orange. The gang in the movie wore these hats along with white boiler suits and big black boots. Bonzo played tribute & wore the same on tour.
If you ever get the chance to see him play, get those tickets ASAP! That kid, is AMAZING!!! Daddy taught him well! This kid can jam xo
No one else could rock this song like Hart. Boy did she belt this out ❤❤❤
Ann and Nancy Wilson were the only ones who had the understanding of this song to perform it. Ann- vocals, enough said.
Fifty years of hits, still touring, FINALLY, Heart was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame 2019.
I actually thought it was 2016, but yes, they should have been inducted a long time ago...They were in the same inductees class with Cheap Trick and Joan Jett...I saw these 3 touring together a few years back..
They took to long... like 20 years late...
About time. Love them.
Actually they were inducted in 2013 (with Rush).
The best female voice in Rock IMHO. You know she's good when she makes the original singer Robert Plant tear up.
I remember watching American Idol and Carrie Underwood did Alone by Heart--I was shocked how much I loved it. Jackson said, "it's a rare voice that can take on Ann Wilson's."
Listen to Nightwish and Floor Jansen Ghost Love Score Live at Wacken Then you will Know and be taken
Robert Plant teared up because he had just told Jimmy Page that they should have invited John Bonham's son, Jason, to be there that night since his father was equally responsible and deserving of the honor. He told him he felt bad for not thinking to include him. And then when Heart started playing he saw it was Jason on the drum kit. He was surprised and emotionally overwhelmed to the point of tears.
And the hat is an homage to John Bonham, and has become a trademark of Jason.
I knew it long before this happened, but yes...holy hell, what a number to wrap it up.
👉Shele YOU are Beyond Beautiful👈
This cover was a masterpiece, Ann signing, Nancy playing the guitar, the musicians & the choir; this was brillant
Having Jason do his dads part was MASSIVE! one of my favorite covers of any song ever. Heart did it so much justice.
Hat is tribute to John. His signature look was that hat.
That drummer is Jason Bonham, John's son and Robert Plant's best friend.
Yes, Robert seeing his old bandmate honored, by the entire choir wearing bowler hats, choked him up.
Let's all give credit to Nancy Wilson for her guitar playing in this video. Heart did a fanstastic job on this cover,
Probably the most epic tribute of all time. Robert Plant's reaction moved me to tears myself.
Seeing Jimmy Plant smiling from ear to ear and jamming to the music was equally as moving.
I have probably listened to the original Stairway To Heaven at least 1000 times over my lifetime and loved it but I never had the hair stand up on the back of my neck or get a lump in my throat as I do every time I hear Heart's version during the Kennedy Center Honors. I have no words to describe how great this version, is.
The lead guitar is Shane Fontayne....could you imagine playing Stairway right in front of Jimmy Page.
He did well.
All this time I thought it was Sheldon Cooper.
@@goodfellajolly1334 Was he in his spot?
Shayne Fontayne has always been great. I saw him a couple times with Springsteen in the early 90s.
I'd be shitting my pants!
THE single, greatest LIVE rendition of this song - BAR NONE
I'm sure some people will be upset at me for saying this, but Ann sings Led Zeppelin songs better than Led Zeppelin. She.Is.Amazing!
Kudos to the Wilson sisters...
Seth Baruti for you and others maybe, remember that people have their own preferences. Robert Plant anytime for me
To each their own. I always thought Plant had a bit of a whiny sounding voice.
@Lycan No, they did it because it was an arrangement. It worked with the orchestra. If you think Ann Wilson can't keep up with Plant, you clearly have been living under a rock. They do Led Zeppelin covers all the time and she nails it.
My eyes water every time I watch this performance, that choir and symphony just add an awesome new element to the song, probably one of the most amazing live performance covers ever.
My eyes were watering before Ann stated singing lol every darn time 😊
Me too I believe my tears is for Jason playing his dad's spot and when he looks up at the end
I can't believe tonight is the 1st I've ever seen this. I've watched it like 5 times tonight and I just picked up where the line is "the piper's calling you to join him" she sings "Your son is calling you to join him " looks at Jason 😭😭😭❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Well darn now I have to go back and watch it again lol
I was wondering what she said. CVHILLS. My favorite Cover of any song EVER. UNREAL.
Led Zepplin essentially ended the day their drummer, John Bonham died on September 25, 1980. The remaining band members knew that each member was critical and without John, there was no band.
The bowler hat was John's.He wore it often. The man behind the drum kit wearing that same hat is, Jason Bonham, John's son.
Made me cry. He was 14 when his dad died. The rest the band kept up with him after. He has sat in with his dads old mates on occasion. Grabed me by the feels.
The janitor at the Kennedy Center said you could still hear clapping in that room for 2 months afterwards. I heard that on CNN!
lol so true
👉CNN is Fake News!!!👈
So. Cali. Fox is fake news too lol
Finally, someone has done this reaction!
Ann and Nancy Wilson = the most badass women in music in my opinion.
To see Jason Bonham wearing a bowler hat like his dad is touching. And then to see the choir at the end all wearing bowler hats is emotional.
Ann Wilson, imo, is the best female rock voice ever.
Jasper n her sister is top 5 guitarist of all time.
Best female voice ever. Period.
I totally agree!!!
Janis??
Amen
The bond between the 2 groups in rarely found. Robert has always loved hearing Ann sing his songs.
At the final line when Jason Bonham looks up like he's looking up at his dad ❤