Robert had asked Jason to attend the ceremony with the three band members, to represent his dad. Jason told him he couldn't and Robert had been quite hurt. He had no idea that the reason Jason couldn't accompany him was because he was playing with Heart. That's why Robert was so delighted to see him when he came on stage, and why Jason was gesturing love to him at the end.
For a cover of Zepplin, Heart is one of the few that can nail it, has the pedigree to do it too, and in this one, they absolutely nailed it, Anne Wilson has the voice to do it, Nancy has the guitar skills, and adding the choir, made it.
Ann and Nancy grew up, like many of us, enthralled by Led Zeppelin. The opportunity for them to play an iconic song to the remaining members of Led Zeppelin must have been exceptionally emotional for them. It would have been impossible for them to not give an impassioned performance.
Do you know Nancy's phone number? I've been wanting to marry her since the early 1970s, but first Roger Fisher got in the way, then the drummer, then that movie-maker Cameron Crowe, but... isn't she single nowadays? (So... do you have her number, or not ;)
@@splitimage137. That's hysterical, well done. I think every guy in the 70s wanted to marry Nancy. Oddly enough, I don't think there is that much difference in Ann Wilson and Robert Plant's ages, @473mec.
Heart always do a few Zeppelin covers in their live shows. They don't always do Stairway but they do it often. Over the years they might have done Stairway live more than Zeppelin did.
This wasn’t Great Covers it was Greatest Cover ❤❤Heart nailed it in the greatest way ever and the Zeppelin band members shown this in an abundance of love and appreciation.. ❤❤
When Heart was starting out, working in crummy little dives for essentially nothing worthwhile, they built their following by covering Led Zeppelin like this. One of the best performances of anything, ever. But that's how a great band shows their love of another great band's music. ♥
I've heard a few bands try to cover this song and it's never right. This is absolute gold and Ann Wilson's voice is the best female voice in rock. Nancy has always been underrated as a seriously great guitarist and is also a great vocalist. Makes me tear up every time, especially when you see Robert plant fighting back the tears. ✌❤🇬🇧 How nerve racking it must have been to do this in front of zeppelin.
Imagine writing a song because you like jamming to it and the way it makes you feel. Not knowing that it's a timeless masterpiece and that 100's of millions of people from all around the world will cherish for years to come - then have an iconic band cover the song in a grand gesture just to honor your talent decades later!
Ann has perfect pitch so she's really able to capture the essence of the song, probably better than any other artist. Best cover I've ever seen. A masterpiece... Even the great classical musician Yo-Yo Ma was getting into the music.
Ann Wilson (the singer) and Nancy (guitarist) are consumate interpreters of Zeppelin's ouvre. They've delivered mint renditions of The Battle of Evermore, Black Dog and Kashmir, to name but three. Outside of Zeppelin themselves, it's where you'd go.
I saw heart at Tangerine bowl for the 78 dog and butterfly tour. I remember being blown away as they closed up an amazing show with a Led Zeppelin song/cover! These ladies were badasses!!❤🎉❤🎉😂
Amy, I'm was surprised that you didn't comment on the rapt attention (shown twice) of Yo Yo Ma in the audience. I think he was caught up in and appreciated what you beautifully described as a "classical" performance.
Legendary.. Robert has always said he was sick of Stairway, but also that watching that performance was like seeing the song in a new light and was very moved by it.
I can't adequately explain what this performance means to those of us of a certain age who grew up with Zeppelin and later Heart. Stairway was a massive moment, not just a song. No performers other than two of the biggest Zeppelin fans ever, Ann and Nancy, could have done justice to that song by presenting it the way they did in that setting. And no one on the planet other than Ann could have delivered a vocal that evoked the feeling of the original and all the memories associated with it not just for us as fans, but for Messrs. Page, Plant and Jones as well.
So... the thing that makes this song famous... Well it's more than one thing. But THE thing is the constant increase in tempo. It literally never slows down until the final moments. Only speeds up. It's done masterfully.
8:21: I watched a Rick Beato vid the other day where he took an isolated John Bonham track, analized how far off the beat he was playing, and quantized it so that the notes fell right on the beat. Took all the life and human feel out of it. 10:35: They're INSANELY heavy. That's why almost no one uses them anymore. 22:10: I'd agree that Plant's voice is definitive, but it does need to be born in mind that Ann Wilson is performing the song for the band that inspired her. There's a lot of emotion that comes out of just that. 38:50: You must know the story of when a 90-something Aaron Copeland was taken to see a performance of "Appalachian Spring". Asked how he like it, Copeland, evidently suffering from dementia said, "It was lovely. Who wrote it?" I'm glad Page and Plant got to hear it while they were still young enough to appreciate it.
You know, I’ve been a fan of both bands since I was a child in the 70s. My mother and older brother played a lot of Heart and their contemporaries and at 16 my girlfriend got me to realize how many Zeppelin songs I knew and I became obsessed. This cover is truly great with the guys watching while being honored and Jason on drums and I get the historical significance of this performance. I have to say, however, that there is a better Led Zeppelin cover performed live by Ann and Nancy. In my opinion, of course. Their cover of “The Battle of Evermore” from the “Alive in Seattle” set with Ann singing the lead parts while playing acoustic guitar and Nancy singing harmony and the secondary verses while playing the mandolin is one of the best covers I have ever heard. Of any kind. It reaffirms Ann’s legendary status amongst rock singers and demonstrates Nancy’s incredible skills as a singer and player, as well. It’s not as commonly known that Nancy can go toe to with her sister vocally and I’ve been talking about this in every Heart reaction comment section I find. Especially, for singing instructor’s channels. If you don’t know the original song it’s worth listening to first, for sure, but Ann and Nancy bring it to another level.
The celtic or traditional British Isles sound you hear has been identified (tentatively) by some as sounding a lot like O'Carolan's Dream. I have to agree. Some years ago, I listened to a wonderful YT video of a gentleman playing OCarolan's Dream on a baroque lute and I can clearly hear the opening of Stairway to Heaven.
Heart is definitely one of the bands I hope you will find time to revisit. They have reinvented themselves in many styles through the years and Ann Wilson has always had one of the most impressive and moving voices in rock.
Hi Amy, I'm always amazed at how good you are at listening to music with your head and heart, but sometimes with rock music you have to listen with your guts, and let everything else flow.
The audience never drowned out Led Zeppelin in the same way as Beatles and Taylor Swift audiences. Had a lot to do with the maturity of the audience, which was not almost entirely young girls caught up in mass hysteria. Swift recently toured toured Australia and the impression left from TV was the average age of the audience was somewhere south of 16 and mainly female. When I saw Zeppelin in Australia in 1972 the average age was probably 21 and gender balanced. Audience footage from 1973 Madison Square Garden concert could have been the same audience. Huge applause welcomed the opening notes of Stairway to Heaven, then people listened until the end. The band played acoustic songs without the audience intruding unless prompted to clap or sing along by Plant. Led Zeppelin was not unique in this regard. Other bands of the era that had a mostly young adult, marijuana-smoking audience could expect the same respect for their music.
Basically, you're saying the Kennedy Center didn't turn into a mosh pit. Though that would be a hell of a thing to see, Colbert getting passed overhead, Michelle Obama doing a crowd dive, Letterman crashing the stage. But yes, probably best it didn't happen during Stairway.
When you have a chance could you please react to and analyze the last song off the same album, When The Levee Breaks? It is also a cover of a 1929 blues song by Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie about a flood that devastated parts of the rural South. It was rarely played live by Led Zeppelin because of the way they recorded it. Thanks!
In an interview Nancy said they only did one rehearsal. Of course all the musicians onstage being musicians, they were already very familiar with this song.
You are absolutely correct in wanting to hear the original studio recordings before watching any live videos, and you gave a perfect explanation for your reasons why. Too many reactors listen to voices in the comment sections of their respective channels and watch the live versions first, sometimes never even listening to the original versions of the songs. It's sad, and you verbalized perfectly why you choose not to do it that way. This was a highly edited version of the Heart performance. There is an unedited version on UA-cam as well. It's a bit longer, but it accurately shows in real time the reactions of Led Zeppelin to the song as it is being played, and that was the version I seen live on TV when it was broadcast 12 years ago. If you get a chance, at some point, you may want to watch that one. It's a bit better. Peace
A side note about some of the notables in the audience. The first shot is of legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock (whose supremely talented hand I had the honor of shaking many years ago after attending a concert of his), with comedian and late night host Stephen Colbert right behind him. In other shots you can see the just as legendary classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, along with others like noted choreographer and actress Debbie Allen doing the hand pushing-praying thing. And that's late night great David Letterman sitting next to Jimmy Page, also being honored that night. Of course the Wilson sisters are pretty damn awesome themselves, their biggest musical idols early on being the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, and having fronted one of the greatest American rock bands ever, Heart. You'd do well to react to some of their songs, especially Magic Man, Crazy on You and Dreamboat Annie. Finally, speaking of famous covers, it's too soon for it yet but eventually you'll react to the Beatles' song While My Guitar Gently Weeps, from their White Album. After you do, I highly suggest that you follow it up with a reaction to a cover of it by an all-star impromptu band with perhaps the most famous cover solo by the late great Prince (some of whose music you'd also do well to react to).
Heart has done many LZ covers. I have seen them 6 times and they covered a different LZ song each time. LZ had a huge influence on them like they did about every band in the 70's. And the pressure on Shane Fontayne had to be enormous. To play the solo with Paige sitting in the audience is huge.
Even after reading a lot of articles and interviews about this performance I still haven't found anything on who put this together. Someone is responsible for arranging not only the musicians and singers but also the music score itself. I'd love to know also how much they rehearsed before Ann and Nancy were able to get there for the one or two times they rehearsed with them. Regardless, the whole thing was brilliant.
This may have a already been said, but the hat Jason Bonham and the choir were wearing was something John Bonham was famous for wearing. Pretty cool salute.
If you don't usually watch the Kennedy Centers Honors I highly recommend watching them all! They often include classical musicians, opera singers, actors, directors, etc
You're right, at that point Robert Plant was already cynical and disillusioned with the lyrics of this song. He rarely sings It nowadays, he says publicly that the lyrics are very abstract and he can't identify with it, or even understand the meaning.
Robert indeed became cynical with the song, but I don't believe he'd reached that point yet here at MSG since he introduced it as "a song of hope", which is how he often introduced it. Plus, he clearly smiles at Jimmy/Jonesy a couple of times so he appears to be comfortable.
This one clearly falls within the Great Covers label. Both performances are fantastic. On Zeppelin: I'm really glad you got to see the live Madison Square Garden performance. Plant really does have an iconic rock star stage persona and presentation. I do wish you would have commented more on Jimmy Page's iconic guitar parts and solo, now that you have more experience with guitar commentary, and since it has some of the best known guitar riffs in rock. Particularly from the studio version, while this live has more improvisation while still being very recognizable (which is great). Interesting comments on comparing the studio to live, and how it affects the interpretation. There are several other great performances from this concert. On Heart: Really glad you enjoyed this performance so much, particularly when the choir with the bowler hats was revealed (a tribute to Jason Bonham). Interesting observation on it being a mix of Celtic, with American blues and gospel influences. It really is a great arrangement. Keep in mind Robert Plant isn't the only composer, he composed the lyrics, Jimmy Page composed the music. As you noted, a very significant piece in rock history, and great that the original living members got to see this tribute. Great reaction overall. Glad you got to see both performances.
Hey Lee, have you EVER seen Amy so EXCITED by a performance? I can't think of one. I just left her a message saying that now, because of Amy, I love this song even more than I did back in the early 1970s. (You too?) Now... Amy just has to do MAGIC MAN and CRAZY ON YOU. In fact, I wonder if Amy will ever do a WHOLE ALBUM REVIEW? If so, DREAMBOAT ANNIE would be a great start. (Even their more odd songs, like SOUL OF THE SEA are quite entertaining!)
@@splitimage137. Yeah Split, I remind Amy & Vlad fairly regularly that they still haven't done any of Hearts more popular songs yet. So I don't think Amy had as good a context on how great Heart is yet, without first hearing some of their big 70s hits, such as the ones you mentioned, along with "Barracuda". I reminded them again in the premiere chat today. Not sure on doing and entire album, but I would love a Special Weekend devoted to their more popular songs.
No one (reactors)talks about how Mozart or Bach would have felt listening to how far their music has come and how music has nranched out and evolved and other imaginative ways that only and artist/musician could express , thanks Amy for all you do your super cool!
It's (arguably, of course) - the greatest rock song of all time - and this was an original and brilliant alternative take on it - I'm not surprised Robert was emotional and Jimmy was delighted. For boomers & gen X - this was our Beethoven's 9th - a towering work by an incredible group of musicians.
The way you explain how you hear the music makes me some how hear it more in depth. Music I already enjoy listening to makes me appreciate and enjoy listening to it even more....
This song was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page (music), and singer Robert Plant (lyrics). We must not forget that this live Stairway from Zeppelin was from 1973 at Madison Square Garden, and the audience was also seated down and very quieted when the band was performing, during all the concert. It was like this in the seventies. But, I agree, today's audience are stand up and noisy through almost all the show.
I was watching a music reactor watching Pink Floyd doing Comfortably Numb live. At one point he stopped the video and talked about how great the performance was and the song and whatever else he said. But then he said how the band must feel really sad and down because nobody was standing up and dancing around and making noise. It was explained to the reactor that Pink Floyd wasn't a dance till you drop and make noise type of band. Especially on Comfortably Numb. It's kind of like going to church. That comment was highly uprated.
I imagine the sarcasm you hear in the led zeppelin live version could have to do with that tour being that long and tiring, this song must have been a staple and they felt like oh we are playing THAT song again... Always excelent and passionate and goats like they are but it could get like that i think
Thank you for reacting to both the live original version and the cover. An amazing cover and performance on a few levels. As you point out, it's a very hopeful and celebratory version. Heart achieves greatness with this; they took one of the most iconic and legendary Rock songs, tweaked it with strings, brass and a Gospel choir and not only paid homage but made it their own. I can only imagine the intense pressure they were under to just get it right but they hit it out of the park. Great covers can change not only the genre of the song but the point of view as well and make an equally strong statement, lifting both the original and the cover as well.
Led Zeppelin improvised a *lot* in their live performances, routinely extending some songs by a factor of 2, 3, 4 or even 5 times the length of the studio track, and never performing the song the same way twice. They had incredible chemistry and on-stage non-verbal communication to pull that off.
Stairway to Heaven is beloved by many, but the members of Led Zeppelin, themselves, frankly acknowledge they got *really tired* of playing it. So, their weariness with the song probably came out in the live version you heard -- they were just *done* with it, by then. By contrast, Ann and Nancy Wilson -- along with the rest of Heart -- actually toured with Led Zepplin several times, back in the 1970s, and the members of the two bands got along with one another famously. That's one reason the Kennedy Center asked Ann (the singer) and Nancy (guitar and backup vocals) to play the final number of the evening's tribute -- to honor old friends and colleagues, from the days when they were all young. Ann and Nancy (rightfully) considered it a great honor, wanted to do right by Jones, Plant and Page, and so they took it seriously. Astonishingly, Ann had caught a bad cold by the time the show started, but she powered through it and delivered *that* performance. The respect for the song and for Jones, Page and Plant shone through, and I think you could hear it.
Heart never toured with Zeppelin or even shared the stage with them. Ann first met Robert Plant in 1982 when he came to see Heart play when they were in the UK.
I'm stopping halfway through to just say what a well-articulated commentary on studio vs. live performances, and I'm so happy to hear it and completely agree. My take is that some music *has* to be heard through the live performance, and it's undeniable that being able to see musicians perform in their heyday is magical. But some music *has* to be heard in the studio version too, at least at first. The musicians conceived the music in a certain way, and sonically designed it to be that way; the sound design is as much a part of the song as the chords and lyrics..And as pointed out, being able to sit back in the dark and let the music take you where it will without influence is a sublime experience.
I can't claim to be an expert, but I remember Plant saying he doesn't like the song and can no longer relate to it and it's lyrics. I'm not sure it's because Page wrote the song or the subject matter of the song is a woman who values money and possessions over every thing else. "she's buying her way into heaven..." It also could be the song has become so big and highly regarded as the best rock song ever, I can see after 50 years he might want to be able to move on from something from your youth and not sing it anymore. You're right the arranger, the Wilson sisters, the other performers did a fantastic job translating a cynical song to one of joy and reverence that suited the occasion. It's done so well if you didn't hear the original you might mistake this version for it because if feels so right.
This was a great and touching performance indeed! Yet... being a rock fan for ages, I still think that this level of majestic "perfection" is not the true heart of rock music -although this would be true for classical music or opera. Rock is truer to it's core nature away from black tie events, formalities, state functionaries, away from massive choirs and orchestras. I believe it lives free when it's more down to earth, more streetwise if you will, more wounded, vulnerable. More instinctive, less "rehearsed" (even when it is meticulously rehearsed). More of a kid dancing in a street than a ballet. Rock should have cracks, even in its most polished forms.
As far as rock bands, like Led Zeppelin, are concerned, they never play a song live the same way twice. Perhaps, unlike an orchestra performing a classical piece, many of the old rock acts used to improvise a bit during their live performances. A live performance was a way for them to “stretch out” a bit, kind of like jazz musicians. Also, songs are sometimes played faster live just because of the extra boost of adrenaline the band gets performing in front of an energetic rock audience.
There are two different videos of the performance. This is the CBS version edited to fit into the time slot and there’s a full version that includes all there verses and more reactions from Led Zeppelin and audience members. The people who joined Ann and Nancy at the end also performed Led Zeppelin songs, the Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, and Jack Black who was the host of that segment.
To most people in the world, the original by Led Zeppelin is the quintessential version. Which is the best version of them all. Even Heart says so. Heart is a great band, but they are also often known as a Zeppelin cover band 😊
But the original is not a version. It is the original. So Heart is the best version for many people. Maybe It is because I am not native. But in my language do have that semantic difference.
Renewing my compliments for your analyses, I would like to underline that generally musical groups with only one guitarist always see the addition of a rhythm guitar during live concerts. This is not the case for LZ, where Jimmy Page plays rhythm and lead guitar.
Sorry if this was mentioned before but the drummer is Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin's drummer John Bonham. Led Zeppelin disbanded after his death. Robert Plant and John Bonham were really close friends. There is a special connection between Robert Plant and Jason Bonham.
As you stated at the beginning, they had been on a long tour and were more than likely tired of performing the same songs over and over again, hardly knowing what city they were in. The cynicism you seem to hear in the LZ performance may have been more a reflection of their exhaustion from the tour than the song itself.
Out of all your brilliant videos, Amy, I think this is a top 10. Thank you! For everyone, just an interesting tidbit. I found this video shortly after the show happened. Over the next maybe 3-4 years, I would go back and watch it. I would one time see it had 30 million, 80 million upvotes. Then, the video would get taken down. Then someone else would post and once again, it would rise to 10s of millions of upvotes. Over and over. I don't see a link to the one that Amy watched, but I see one out there with 144 million views. This is how popular it is that if they hadn't kept taking it down originally, it would probably be at least 300 million.
I’ve always loved this because it shows and illustrates the beauty and transcendental possibilities of the sexes, races, cultures, religions and politics. Music can bring everyone together for something absolutely amazing such as this.
Reverence is the right word...not just for the song but for Led Zeppelin themselves...to MANY people LZ is the absolute GOATs of rock music...Heart cut their teeth on Led Zeppelin, best LZ cover band PERIOD...Robert Plant said in an interview he "doesn't like seeing other people do LZs music..."they usually f it up" he said.....Heart doesn't
I do not exactly knuw what to think. These musical gifts are one place and time, we accept and love them though i am much more in tine with older realities...the music that i admire is from the 60s go the 90s...as in the 1460s to the 1940s, those indescribable moments of Saint-Saans, Vivaldi, Handel, all the way to Ralph Vaughan Williams. Its the place that i inhabit after tons of rock some fifty years ago in my youth.
Robert Plant's curls look even more splendid when prismed :) And when I think of the money I spent on perms to get that look when I was young. Just to add: Jimmy Paige's mother once said he'd play a washing machine if it had strings.
Your comments about Plant singing Stairway with a note a sarcasm surprised me. In 1973 Stairway was their masterpiece to that point and I'd always felt it was performed with sincerity and reverence. Robert Plant took music seriously. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the blues and music was (and is) a true passion for him. Later on, once he had decided that his lyrics did not meet the standard set by Page's composition, he may have sung his lyrics ironically. At this point I think he still appreciated his own work. Thank you for giving an unexpected take on this performance.
You mentioned that Led Zeppelin’s live version was almost a cover in and of it’s self. I think music is an emotional expression, so live is always different than studio recordings. With that said more so with rock since like jazz it is a free form musical style. Led Zeppelin influenced Ann and Nancy Wilson so much. I think it was very appropriate for a tribute performance. If you would; please consider The Jeff Healey Band’s cover of Roadhouse blues. The Jeff Healey band plays with so much energy and emotion they deserve recognition.
When asked in an interview Paige said he hated playing this after having to perform it at every concert since the record was released. Not surprising then that they became cynical. What I dislike about classical concerts is being afraid to cough and how uncomfortable the seeds become. Only at Astor piazzolla covers have I felt free to shout BRAVO!
The Heart version is special and well done. Mostly because the surviving members are in attendance. But nothing can come anywhere close to Zeppelin's performance with the raw energy, musicianship, and massive stage charisma those men had. They blow Queen out of the water and leave them biting the dust.
You were talking about the noisiness of crowds at rock shows. It really depends on the and and the venue. If you were to check out a Pink Floyd concert video you would see the crowd actually listening and engrossed in the actual music, especially in the Pulse series of concerts and David Gilmour's later concerts.
As great as their cover of Stairway to Heaven is, Heart's cover of Led Zepplin's Battle of Evermore is even better. The vocals and harmonies are out of this world.
I think the Heart cover is the greatest live performance of this song, including Zep themselves. I say this because Zep had only 3 musicians on stage + Robert's vocals. The do a incredible job, but the Heart version actually has the number of musicians needed to do justice to such an epic song (and production).
Robert had asked Jason to attend the ceremony with the three band members, to represent his dad. Jason told him he couldn't and Robert had been quite hurt. He had no idea that the reason Jason couldn't accompany him was because he was playing with Heart. That's why Robert was so delighted to see him when he came on stage, and why Jason was gesturing love to him at the end.
Also the Bowler /Derby hats gave Robert the final reason to tear up. It was John Bonham's signature look. Robert & John were very good friends.
And Jason looking heavenward in honour of his dad at the end as she sings, "... and she's buying a stairway to heaven".
Thanks,I wondered why Plant jumped up!🏴
And, Jason is Robert's godson.
Aaahhhh......that is ✌️😎 cool 2 know! Thx 4 that piece of R-n-R trivia~🌌
Legends honoring legends in a room full of legends.
Nailed it
Thats legend
For a cover of Zepplin, Heart is one of the few that can nail it, has the pedigree to do it too, and in this one, they absolutely nailed it, Anne Wilson has the voice to do it, Nancy has the guitar skills, and adding the choir, made it.
Ann and Nancy grew up, like many of us, enthralled by Led Zeppelin. The opportunity for them to play an iconic song to the remaining members of Led Zeppelin must have been exceptionally emotional for them. It would have been impossible for them to not give an impassioned performance.
Do you know Nancy's phone number? I've been wanting to marry her since the early 1970s, but first Roger Fisher got in the way, then the drummer, then that movie-maker Cameron Crowe, but... isn't she single nowadays? (So... do you have her number, or not ;)
@@splitimage137. That's hysterical, well done. I think every guy in the 70s wanted to marry Nancy. Oddly enough, I don't think there is that much difference in Ann Wilson and Robert Plant's ages, @473mec.
@splitimage137.
I feel your pain.🥲 but Nancy has been married to music executive Geoff Bywater since 2012.
@@pokerface8242 I see no reason to continue living then... goodbye cruel world... goodbye
Heart always do a few Zeppelin covers in their live shows. They don't always do Stairway but they do it often. Over the years they might have done Stairway live more than Zeppelin did.
This wasn’t Great Covers it was Greatest Cover ❤❤Heart nailed it in the greatest way ever and the Zeppelin band members shown this in an abundance of love and appreciation.. ❤❤
Amen ✌🏼🌷
When Heart was starting out, working in crummy little dives for essentially nothing worthwhile, they built their following by covering Led Zeppelin like this. One of the best performances of anything, ever. But that's how a great band shows their love of another great band's music. ♥
I've heard a few bands try to cover this song and it's never right.
This is absolute gold and Ann Wilson's voice is the best female voice in rock.
Nancy has always been underrated as a seriously great guitarist and is also a great vocalist.
Makes me tear up every time, especially when you see Robert plant fighting back the tears.
✌❤🇬🇧
How nerve racking it must have been to do this in front of zeppelin.
Imagine writing a song because you like jamming to it and the way it makes you feel. Not knowing that it's a timeless masterpiece and that 100's of millions of people from all around the world will cherish for years to come - then have an iconic band cover the song in a grand gesture just to honor your talent decades later!
Ann has perfect pitch so she's really able to capture the essence of the song, probably better than any other artist. Best cover I've ever seen. A masterpiece... Even the great classical musician Yo-Yo Ma was getting into the music.
If anyone could match Robert covering Stairway to Heaven, it would be Ann Wilson. She was born to do this.
I loved seeing the reaction of the Led Zeppelin band members when they heard this cover
Ann Wilson (the singer) and Nancy (guitarist) are consumate interpreters of Zeppelin's ouvre. They've delivered mint renditions of The Battle of Evermore, Black Dog and Kashmir, to name but three. Outside of Zeppelin themselves, it's where you'd go.
And Nancy could play Yes' THE CLAP while still in college. Jeez, I wish I could have married her!
I saw Heart in 1978 on the tour for Dog & Butterfly. They encore'd with 'Rock and Roll.'
I saw heart at Tangerine bowl for the 78 dog and butterfly tour. I remember being blown away as they closed up an amazing show with a Led Zeppelin song/cover! These ladies were badasses!!❤🎉❤🎉😂
Amy, I'm was surprised that you didn't comment on the rapt attention (shown twice) of Yo Yo Ma in the audience. I think he was caught up in and appreciated what you beautifully described as a "classical" performance.
I, too, was expecting Amy to recognize Yo Yo Ma in the audience. Maybe she did but didn't wish to comment on it?
Me too
There are songs you shouldn't even try to cover....this is one of them. But Heart pulled it off, they NAILED it!!!
Ann is the greatest female rock voice ever. Without her, it would not be a legendary performance.
That's a stretch.
There's alot of female rock voices!
When Jimmy Page nods his head like that you know you're on the right track. Shout out to whoever put this on the plate.
I loved seeing Jimmy Page giddy with joy, and of course Robert Plant trying to hold back the tears. This is a legendary performance.
Legendary.. Robert has always said he was sick of Stairway, but also that watching that performance was like seeing the song in a new light and was very moved by it.
I keep saying to my computer screen "just wait". It's brilliant & just keeps getting better & better & better. Ann's voice is incredible.
I can't adequately explain what this performance means to those of us of a certain age who grew up with Zeppelin and later Heart. Stairway was a massive moment, not just a song. No performers other than two of the biggest Zeppelin fans ever, Ann and Nancy, could have done justice to that song by presenting it the way they did in that setting. And no one on the planet other than Ann could have delivered a vocal that evoked the feeling of the original and all the memories associated with it not just for us as fans, but for Messrs. Page, Plant and Jones as well.
I enjoy this cover as much as the Led Zeppelin version. That is saying a lot.
So... the thing that makes this song famous... Well it's more than one thing. But THE thing is the constant increase in tempo. It literally never slows down until the final moments. Only speeds up. It's done masterfully.
8:21: I watched a Rick Beato vid the other day where he took an isolated John Bonham track, analized how far off the beat he was playing, and quantized it so that the notes fell right on the beat. Took all the life and human feel out of it.
10:35: They're INSANELY heavy. That's why almost no one uses them anymore.
22:10: I'd agree that Plant's voice is definitive, but it does need to be born in mind that Ann Wilson is performing the song for the band that inspired her. There's a lot of emotion that comes out of just that.
38:50: You must know the story of when a 90-something Aaron Copeland was taken to see a performance of "Appalachian Spring". Asked how he like it, Copeland, evidently suffering from dementia said, "It was lovely. Who wrote it?" I'm glad Page and Plant got to hear it while they were still young enough to appreciate it.
The thought and care you take in your analysis and preparation of your reviews is impressive, and appreciated.
Your assessment of Led Zeppelin's cynicism is accurate. Maybe that's the hubris of youth :-) And Heart's 'reverent' homage is also accurate.
I don’t know how you do it but your analysis catapults are own listening to a whole new level. 🎵❤️👏
You know, I’ve been a fan of both bands since I was a child in the 70s. My mother and older brother played a lot of Heart and their contemporaries and at 16 my girlfriend got me to realize how many Zeppelin songs I knew and I became obsessed. This cover is truly great with the guys watching while being honored and Jason on drums and I get the historical significance of this performance. I have to say, however, that there is a better Led Zeppelin cover performed live by Ann and Nancy. In my opinion, of course. Their cover of “The Battle of Evermore” from the “Alive in Seattle” set with Ann singing the lead parts while playing acoustic guitar and Nancy singing harmony and the secondary verses while playing the mandolin is one of the best covers I have ever heard. Of any kind. It reaffirms Ann’s legendary status amongst rock singers and demonstrates Nancy’s incredible skills as a singer and player, as well. It’s not as commonly known that Nancy can go toe to with her sister vocally and I’ve been talking about this in every Heart reaction comment section I find. Especially, for singing instructor’s channels. If you don’t know the original song it’s worth listening to first, for sure, but Ann and Nancy bring it to another level.
The celtic or traditional British Isles sound you hear has been identified (tentatively) by some as sounding a lot like O'Carolan's Dream. I have to agree. Some years ago, I listened to a wonderful YT video of a gentleman playing OCarolan's Dream on a baroque lute and I can clearly hear the opening of Stairway to Heaven.
Heart is definitely one of the bands I hope you will find time to revisit. They have reinvented themselves in many styles through the years and Ann Wilson has always had one of the most impressive and moving voices in rock.
Hi Amy, I'm always amazed at how good you are at listening to music with your head and heart, but sometimes with rock music you have to listen with your guts, and let everything else flow.
And... this is why I consider Zep as the greatest band in history... even a cover of theirs is one of the best songs you'll ever hear.
Did you notice Yo-Yo Ma jamming to the tune?
The audience never drowned out Led Zeppelin in the same way as Beatles and Taylor Swift audiences. Had a lot to do with the maturity of the audience, which was not almost entirely young girls caught up in mass hysteria. Swift recently toured toured Australia and the impression left from TV was the average age of the audience was somewhere south of 16 and mainly female. When I saw Zeppelin in Australia in 1972 the average age was probably 21 and gender balanced. Audience footage from 1973 Madison Square Garden concert could have been the same audience. Huge applause welcomed the opening notes of Stairway to Heaven, then people listened until the end. The band played acoustic songs without the audience intruding unless prompted to clap or sing along by Plant. Led Zeppelin was not unique in this regard. Other bands of the era that had a mostly young adult, marijuana-smoking audience could expect the same respect for their music.
Seeing how this song makes Amy happy makes me so happy !
I'm sure that, like every time I watch this video, I won't be able to hold back some tears.
Basically, you're saying the Kennedy Center didn't turn into a mosh pit. Though that would be a hell of a thing to see, Colbert getting passed overhead, Michelle Obama doing a crowd dive, Letterman crashing the stage. But yes, probably best it didn't happen during Stairway.
When you have a chance could you please react to and analyze the last song off the same album, When The Levee Breaks? It is also a cover of a 1929 blues song by Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie about a flood that devastated parts of the rural South. It was rarely played live by Led Zeppelin because of the way they recorded it. Thanks!
I've been requesting WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS to Vlad and Amy for about a year now... Will she do it? She better!!!
@@splitimage137. I hope so. The song is a force of nature. Maybe we could inundate her with requests…🙏
The opening notes of this particular performance are enough to get my tears flowing. This is an extraordinary performance.
It's not an extraordinary performance.....
.....it's an extraordinary SONG....!
@@andymccabe6712 It's both.
In an interview Nancy said they only did one rehearsal. Of course all the musicians onstage being musicians, they were already very familiar with this song.
Very excited about this one. I have watched this performance more times than I can count, and it blows me away every time.
You are absolutely correct in wanting to hear the original studio recordings before watching any live videos, and you gave a perfect explanation for your reasons why. Too many reactors listen to voices in the comment sections of their respective channels and watch the live versions first, sometimes never even listening to the original versions of the songs. It's sad, and you verbalized perfectly why you choose not to do it that way. This was a highly edited version of the Heart performance. There is an unedited version on UA-cam as well. It's a bit longer, but it accurately shows in real time the reactions of Led Zeppelin to the song as it is being played, and that was the version I seen live on TV when it was broadcast 12 years ago. If you get a chance, at some point, you may want to watch that one. It's a bit better.
Peace
I believe Amy just said this is part of the Western canon! 😊
A side note about some of the notables in the audience. The first shot is of legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock (whose supremely talented hand I had the honor of shaking many years ago after attending a concert of his), with comedian and late night host Stephen Colbert right behind him. In other shots you can see the just as legendary classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, along with others like noted choreographer and actress Debbie Allen doing the hand pushing-praying thing. And that's late night great David Letterman sitting next to Jimmy Page, also being honored that night.
Of course the Wilson sisters are pretty damn awesome themselves, their biggest musical idols early on being the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, and having fronted one of the greatest American rock bands ever, Heart. You'd do well to react to some of their songs, especially Magic Man, Crazy on You and Dreamboat Annie.
Finally, speaking of famous covers, it's too soon for it yet but eventually you'll react to the Beatles' song While My Guitar Gently Weeps, from their White Album. After you do, I highly suggest that you follow it up with a reaction to a cover of it by an all-star impromptu band with perhaps the most famous cover solo by the late great Prince (some of whose music you'd also do well to react to).
Heart has done many LZ covers. I have seen them 6 times and they covered a different LZ song each time. LZ had a huge influence on them like they did about every band in the 70's. And the pressure on Shane Fontayne had to be enormous. To play the solo with Paige sitting in the audience is huge.
One of my favorite moments of this is seeing Yo Yo Ma in the audience!!!
Even after reading a lot of articles and interviews about this performance I still haven't found anything on who put this together. Someone is responsible for arranging not only the musicians and singers but also the music score itself. I'd love to know also how much they rehearsed before Ann and Nancy were able to get there for the one or two times they rehearsed with them. Regardless, the whole thing was brilliant.
This may have a already been said, but the hat Jason Bonham and the choir were wearing was something John Bonham was famous for wearing. Pretty cool salute.
If you don't usually watch the Kennedy Centers Honors I highly recommend watching them all! They often include classical musicians, opera singers, actors, directors, etc
Buddy Guy was sitting right there with them. He also got honored that night as well.
Thank you so much Amy 🌷 Yes you hit the nail on the head as always …… This is a work of art 🤗
The perfect cover
And the best live performance of stairway by Zeppelin
You're right, at that point Robert Plant was already cynical and disillusioned with the lyrics of this song. He rarely sings It nowadays, he says publicly that the lyrics are very abstract and he can't identify with it, or even understand the meaning.
Robert indeed became cynical with the song, but I don't believe he'd reached that point yet here at MSG since he introduced it as "a song of hope", which is how he often introduced it. Plus, he clearly smiles at Jimmy/Jonesy a couple of times so he appears to be comfortable.
This one clearly falls within the Great Covers label. Both performances are fantastic.
On Zeppelin: I'm really glad you got to see the live Madison Square Garden performance. Plant really does have an iconic rock star stage persona and presentation. I do wish you would have commented more on Jimmy Page's iconic guitar parts and solo, now that you have more experience with guitar commentary, and since it has some of the best known guitar riffs in rock. Particularly from the studio version, while this live has more improvisation while still being very recognizable (which is great). Interesting comments on comparing the studio to live, and how it affects the interpretation. There are several other great performances from this concert.
On Heart: Really glad you enjoyed this performance so much, particularly when the choir with the bowler hats was revealed (a tribute to Jason Bonham). Interesting observation on it being a mix of Celtic, with American blues and gospel influences. It really is a great arrangement. Keep in mind Robert Plant isn't the only composer, he composed the lyrics, Jimmy Page composed the music. As you noted, a very significant piece in rock history, and great that the original living members got to see this tribute. Great reaction overall. Glad you got to see both performances.
Hey Lee, have you EVER seen Amy so EXCITED by a performance? I can't think of one. I just left her a message saying that now, because of Amy, I love this song even more than I did back in the early 1970s. (You too?) Now... Amy just has to do MAGIC MAN and CRAZY ON YOU. In fact, I wonder if Amy will ever do a WHOLE ALBUM REVIEW? If so, DREAMBOAT ANNIE would be a great start. (Even their more odd songs, like SOUL OF THE SEA are quite entertaining!)
@@splitimage137. Yeah Split, I remind Amy & Vlad fairly regularly that they still haven't done any of Hearts more popular songs yet. So I don't think Amy had as good a context on how great Heart is yet, without first hearing some of their big 70s hits, such as the ones you mentioned, along with "Barracuda". I reminded them again in the premiere chat today. Not sure on doing and entire album, but I would love a Special Weekend devoted to their more popular songs.
No one (reactors)talks about how Mozart or Bach would have felt listening to how far their music has come and how music has nranched out and evolved and other imaginative ways that only and artist/musician could express , thanks Amy for all you do your super cool!
It's (arguably, of course) - the greatest rock song of all time - and this was an original and brilliant alternative take on it - I'm not surprised Robert was emotional and Jimmy was delighted. For boomers & gen X - this was our Beethoven's 9th - a towering work by an incredible group of musicians.
Love watching your reaction. Watching it take you to a joyful moment. The excitement is infectious
The way you explain how you hear the music makes me some how hear it more in depth. Music I already enjoy listening to makes me appreciate and enjoy listening to it even more....
This song was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page (music), and singer Robert Plant (lyrics). We must not forget that this live Stairway from Zeppelin was from 1973 at Madison Square Garden, and the audience was also seated down and very quieted when the band was performing, during all the concert. It was like this in the seventies. But, I agree, today's audience are stand up and noisy through almost all the show.
I was watching a music reactor watching Pink Floyd doing Comfortably Numb live. At one point he stopped the video and talked about how great the performance was and the song and whatever else he said.
But then he said how the band must feel really sad and down because nobody was standing up and dancing around and making noise.
It was explained to the reactor that Pink Floyd wasn't a dance till you drop and make noise type of band. Especially on Comfortably Numb. It's kind of like going to church.
That comment was highly uprated.
@@nellgwenn Yep, that's right.
I imagine the sarcasm you hear in the led zeppelin live version could have to do with that tour being that long and tiring, this song must have been a staple and they felt like oh we are playing THAT song again... Always excelent and passionate and goats like they are but it could get like that i think
The greatest band ever being covered by a legendary band. Such beauty
Thank you for reacting to both the live original version and the cover. An amazing cover and performance on a few levels. As you point out, it's a very hopeful and celebratory version. Heart achieves greatness with this; they took one of the most iconic and legendary Rock songs, tweaked it with strings, brass and a Gospel choir and not only paid homage but made it their own. I can only imagine the intense pressure they were under to just get it right but they hit it out of the park. Great covers can change not only the genre of the song but the point of view as well and make an equally strong statement, lifting both the original and the cover as well.
Led Zeppelin improvised a *lot* in their live performances, routinely extending some songs by a factor of 2, 3, 4 or even 5 times the length of the studio track, and never performing the song the same way twice. They had incredible chemistry and on-stage non-verbal communication to pull that off.
Stairway to Heaven is beloved by many, but the members of Led Zeppelin, themselves, frankly acknowledge they got *really tired* of playing it.
So, their weariness with the song probably came out in the live version you heard -- they were just *done* with it, by then.
By contrast, Ann and Nancy Wilson -- along with the rest of Heart -- actually toured with Led Zepplin several times, back in the 1970s, and the members of the two bands got along with one another famously.
That's one reason the Kennedy Center asked Ann (the singer) and Nancy (guitar and backup vocals) to play the final number of the evening's tribute -- to honor old friends and colleagues, from the days when they were all young.
Ann and Nancy (rightfully) considered it a great honor, wanted to do right by Jones, Plant and Page, and so they took it seriously.
Astonishingly, Ann had caught a bad cold by the time the show started, but she powered through it and delivered *that* performance.
The respect for the song and for Jones, Page and Plant shone through, and I think you could hear it.
Heart never toured with Zeppelin or even shared the stage with them. Ann first met Robert Plant in 1982 when he came to see Heart play when they were in the UK.
I'm stopping halfway through to just say what a well-articulated commentary on studio vs. live performances, and I'm so happy to hear it and completely agree.
My take is that some music *has* to be heard through the live performance, and it's undeniable that being able to see musicians perform in their heyday is magical. But some music *has* to be heard in the studio version too, at least at first. The musicians conceived the music in a certain way, and sonically designed it to be that way; the sound design is as much a part of the song as the chords and lyrics..And as pointed out, being able to sit back in the dark and let the music take you where it will without influence is a sublime experience.
I can't claim to be an expert, but I remember Plant saying he doesn't like the song and can no longer relate to it and it's lyrics. I'm not sure it's because Page wrote the song or the subject matter of the song is a woman who values money and possessions over every thing else. "she's buying her way into heaven..." It also could be the song has become so big and highly regarded as the best rock song ever, I can see after 50 years he might want to be able to move on from something from your youth and not sing it anymore.
You're right the arranger, the Wilson sisters, the other performers did a fantastic job translating a cynical song to one of joy and reverence that suited the occasion. It's done so well if you didn't hear the original you might mistake this version for it because if feels so right.
This was a great and touching performance indeed!
Yet... being a rock fan for ages, I still think that this level of majestic "perfection" is not the true heart of rock music -although this would be true for classical music or opera. Rock is truer to it's core nature away from black tie events, formalities, state functionaries, away from massive choirs and orchestras. I believe it lives free when it's more down to earth, more streetwise if you will, more wounded, vulnerable. More instinctive, less "rehearsed" (even when it is meticulously rehearsed). More of a kid dancing in a street than a ballet. Rock should have cracks, even in its most polished forms.
As far as rock bands, like Led Zeppelin, are concerned, they never play a song live the same way twice. Perhaps, unlike an orchestra performing a classical piece, many of the old rock acts used to improvise a bit during their live performances. A live performance was a way for them to “stretch out” a bit, kind of like jazz musicians. Also, songs are sometimes played faster live just because of the extra boost of adrenaline the band gets performing in front of an energetic rock audience.
There are two different videos of the performance. This is the CBS version edited to fit into the time slot and there’s a full version that includes all there verses and more reactions from Led Zeppelin and audience members. The people who joined Ann and Nancy at the end also performed Led Zeppelin songs, the Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, and Jack Black who was the host of that segment.
Absolutely one of the best live performances on youtube.
That was wonderful.
Your channel is my new happy place. Thank you so much for your work! Greetings from Argentina!
To most people in the world, the original by Led Zeppelin is the quintessential version. Which is the best version of them all. Even Heart says so. Heart is a great band, but they are also often known as a Zeppelin cover band 😊
But the original is not a version. It is the original. So Heart is the best version for many people. Maybe It is because I am not native. But in my language do have that semantic difference.
@@mara_jade021 Ok whatever ..
@@josephmanzuni8593 I mean the original is always the original. It set that appart from versions. But yeah Led is Led.
Glad you liked it!!
Renewing my compliments for your analyses, I would like to underline that generally musical groups with only one guitarist always see the addition of a rhythm guitar during live concerts. This is not the case for LZ, where Jimmy Page plays rhythm and lead guitar.
Sorry if this was mentioned before but the drummer is Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin's drummer John Bonham. Led Zeppelin disbanded after his death. Robert Plant and John Bonham were really close friends. There is a special connection between Robert Plant and Jason Bonham.
As you stated at the beginning, they had been on a long tour and were more than likely tired of performing the same songs over and over again, hardly knowing what city they were in. The cynicism you seem to hear in the LZ performance may have been more a reflection of their exhaustion from the tour than the song itself.
Lady Wilson has a wonderful voice
Great !!! Fantàstic !!!
Waiting to enjoy it again. But sharing it with you will be a guarantee of joy.🎉❤
Great reaction! I loved the details you picked up on in the music and the video. And "buoyant" and "celebratory"? Great adjectives! Right on the mark!
This was a very insightful reaction/response to this performance.
Out of all your brilliant videos, Amy, I think this is a top 10. Thank you! For everyone, just an interesting tidbit. I found this video shortly after the show happened. Over the next maybe 3-4 years, I would go back and watch it. I would one time see it had 30 million, 80 million upvotes. Then, the video would get taken down. Then someone else would post and once again, it would rise to 10s of millions of upvotes. Over and over. I don't see a link to the one that Amy watched, but I see one out there with 144 million views. This is how popular it is that if they hadn't kept taking it down originally, it would probably be at least 300 million.
I’ve always loved this because it shows and illustrates the beauty and transcendental possibilities of the sexes, races, cultures, religions and politics. Music can bring everyone together for something absolutely amazing such as this.
You've got to check out Frank Zappa's cover where his horn section does the end guitar solo instead. Incredible!
OMG, Yes please !! arf !
Reverence is the right word...not just for the song but for Led Zeppelin themselves...to MANY people LZ is the absolute GOATs of rock music...Heart cut their teeth on Led Zeppelin, best LZ cover band PERIOD...Robert Plant said in an interview he "doesn't like seeing other people do LZs music..."they usually f it up" he said.....Heart doesn't
I do not exactly knuw what to think. These musical gifts are one place and time, we accept and love them though i am much more in tine with older realities...the music that i admire is from the 60s go the 90s...as in the 1460s to the 1940s, those indescribable moments of Saint-Saans, Vivaldi, Handel, all the way to Ralph Vaughan Williams. Its the place that i inhabit after tons of rock some fifty years ago in my youth.
Robert Plant's curls look even more splendid when prismed :) And when I think of the money I spent on perms to get that look when I was young. Just to add: Jimmy Paige's mother once said he'd play a washing machine if it had strings.
Your comments about Plant singing Stairway with a note a sarcasm surprised me. In 1973 Stairway was their masterpiece to that point and I'd always felt it was performed with sincerity and reverence. Robert Plant took music seriously. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the blues and music was (and is) a true passion for him. Later on, once he had decided that his lyrics did not meet the standard set by Page's composition, he may have sung his lyrics ironically. At this point I think he still appreciated his own work. Thank you for giving an unexpected take on this performance.
Agree. I don’t see or feel any sarcasm in Plant’s delivery in ‘73.
You mentioned that Led Zeppelin’s live version was almost a cover in and of it’s self. I think music is an emotional expression, so live is always different than studio recordings. With that said more so with rock since like jazz it is a free form musical style. Led Zeppelin influenced Ann and Nancy Wilson so much. I think it was very appropriate for a tribute performance. If you would; please consider The Jeff Healey Band’s cover of Roadhouse blues. The Jeff Healey band plays with so much energy and emotion they deserve recognition.
You look so joyful reviewing this Look liked you were about to jump out of my tablet . haha
This was very joyful to experience. Thanks Amy!
When you watch lots of video of Zeppelin, you can see they played different everytime. They played spontenous, especially Jimmy Page.
It is the best video on UA-cam. Period.
..... don't be so ridiculous....30 MILLION plus uploads a day ....!!!
When asked in an interview Paige said he hated playing this after having to perform it at every concert since the record was released. Not surprising then that they became cynical.
What I dislike about classical concerts is being afraid to cough and how uncomfortable the seeds become. Only at Astor piazzolla covers have I felt free to shout BRAVO!
Ahhh this is the version out there where the “bustle in your hedgerow” is edited out 😭
The Heart version is special and well done. Mostly because the surviving members are in attendance. But nothing can come anywhere close to Zeppelin's performance with the raw energy, musicianship, and massive stage charisma those men had. They blow Queen out of the water and leave them biting the dust.
Every time I watch that Heart video I'm moved to tears :')
Always listen to the studio first. 🤘😁
You were talking about the noisiness of crowds at rock shows. It really depends on the and and the venue. If you were to check out a Pink Floyd concert video you would see the crowd actually listening and engrossed in the actual music, especially in the Pulse series of concerts and David Gilmour's later concerts.
As great as their cover of Stairway to Heaven is, Heart's cover of Led Zepplin's Battle of Evermore is even better. The vocals and harmonies are out of this world.
I am a little Luddite-ish. I don't have the telegram app, and I have a little app-phobia. I avoid new apps as much as possible. Sorry!
I think the Heart cover is the greatest live performance of this song, including Zep themselves. I say this because Zep had only 3 musicians on stage + Robert's vocals. The do a incredible job, but the Heart version actually has the number of musicians needed to do justice to such an epic song (and production).