HEART - STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN in HD - The Kennedy Center Honors LED ZEPPELIN, 2012.

On Dec. 26 the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors was aired on national television for the first time on CBS. During the event, which took place at the Kennedy Center Opera House, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart performed Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" with Jason Bonham on drums.

The honor is given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture and in 2012 the surviving members of Led Zeppelin (John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant) were among those honored. During their segment, the Foo Fighters performed "Rock and Roll," Lenny Kravitz performed "Whole Lotta Love," and Kid Rock performed both "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" and "Ramble On".

The performance of "Stairway to Heaven" began with Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart performing the song with a backing band, which included Jason Bonham on drums. He is the son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, who passed away in 1980. As the song progressed, back-up singers, a string section, and the Joyce Garrett Youth Choir came on stage to help perform "Stairway to Heaven".

The choir members and Jason Bonham were wearing bowler hats, which was a tribute to the band's late drummer John Bonham. Throughout the performance lead vocalist Robert Plant was noticeably moved, and towards the end of the song he had tears in his eyes.

Jason Bonham loved the fact that Led Zeppelin didn't know he'd be drumming on Stairway To Heaven at their Kennedy Center tribute night, hosted by US President Barack Obama. Bonham performed with Heart and an all-star band -- and the first Plant, Page and Jones knew of it was when they saw him walk on stage.
He said: "It was so incredible to see their faces, sat there next to the president. The guys knew who was playing -- but they didn't know I would be on drums. Their faces lit up, and the smiles and tears... It was fantastic. What a way to close the show!"

[garyrobertson]

Can you imagine having created this in your youth, then sitting 50 years later to watch it recreated like this in honor of you?

[ThomasParrish]

The number of times i've watched this is unhealthy

[R.E._Peony]

I love how jimmy keeps looking over at Robert like “dude this is so awesome!” and Robert’s just sitting there trying not to cry.

[MooonChild]

If you were alive during Led Zeppelin’s era and this didn’t choke you up, you’re not human.

[ak]

Hello person scrolling through the comment section, you have a great taste in music!
Have a wonderful day!

[SLEEPTHIEFofficial]

I feel like Heart is generally underrated. Esp. Ann Wilson as a singer. I mean, she is one of THE BEST female singers ever.

[rafaelfernandes]

You know a cover of stairway to heaven is fucking awesome when it makes Robert Plant and Jimmy Paige cry!

[Oliver-zsod]

If you are a musician and Robert Plant is crying with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones jamming to your performance....yeah, you made it

[pcdude]

You know Anne Wilson nailed it when you see Robert Plant having a hard time hold back his tears and Jimmy Page wanting to go on stage and jam

[lbg]

When Robert Plant's boy died, John Bonham was to grieve with him. When John Bonham died, Robert Plant looked after Jason Bonham looked grieved with and looked after him all through his childhood and still does. Heart was a Led Zeppelin cover band playing at The Pipeline and the Aquarius in Seattle. Lots of history in this glorious performance.

[dawn]

That's like a religious experience. Beautiful. Made me cry.

[kennetholchefske]

What's funny is that Ann and Nancy will soon be sitting in those very same seats listening to their well deserved tribute.

[jestersfolly]

My favorite is 4:23 when all three surviving members react to the choir reveal. That hits me right in the feels all at once. They were already witnessing a great performance of their most famous song, and that is the icing on the cake! This entire performance is amazing. Those that give this a thumbs-down are dead inside (or trolls...same thing).

[Amberszone]

No Finer cover ever DONE! 💥 That woman is a POWERhouse!! If you don't get CHILLS as Ann climbs up the steps progressively with THIS song you don't get music!! Even Robert Plant said 'we're not worthy' Xxo

[artmoss]

Whoever arranged and rehearsed this needs to be commended. The coordination of choral, orchestral, and rock musicians was superb, and Ann Wilson's singing was a masterpiece of control, build, and intensity.

[leovangroll]

There is a story behind this. In the early 70's Led zeppelin were playing a concert in Vancouver. After the show they wanted to go to a local club. Their manager told them there was a local band that did an amazing cover of Stairway to Heaven & that they should check it out. They decided to go. The name of the local band was Heart.

[aperson]

No pressure really.  Playing that solo in front of Jimmy Page, Yo Yo Ma and the President of the United States.

[TrapMusicNow]

Heart was the perfect choice for this cover. Was in tears the entire show. Just wow!

[GTR]

The greatest female rock voice of all time was 62 when she sang this! As a youngster, Ann Wilson had a studder and turned to music as a coping mechanism and for fulfillment. We are all so lucky that god, or whatever higher power exists, blessed her with the studder.

[NikkiBLive]

You can see the memories behind the eyes of those men as they listen to THEIR song coming alive!