#Robert Plant Stairway to Heaven | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

paginate54 · 7 months

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Dave Lewis, LZ chronicler, on Robert's performance of Stairway. From Led Zeppelin Celebration Days FB page:

Some personal thoughts on this performance of Stairway To Heaven...

There was something profoundly moving watching the YouTube footage of Robert Plant performing Stairway To Heaven at the Andy Taylor concert.

This was the first live public airing of the song since the Led Zeppelin 02 Reunion on December 10 2007.

Before I delve in to this subject, Robert’s entire appearance was captivating. Thank you delivered with much emotion, Black Dog hammed up brilliantly and the version of Season of the Witch segueing into a reprise of Black Dog lyrics and Buffalo Springfield’s For What it’s Worth – as in the LA Forum 1970 Blueberry Hill bootleg.

Incidentally, bassist on the night Guy Pratt noted that he has now performed Black Dog with both Robert and Jimmy Page – he was part of the touring band on the Coverdale Page Japan visit in late 1993. The band line up on the night consisted of the aforementioned Guy, former Reef guitarist Kenwyn House (wearing a dragon patterned shirt shades of Jimmy perhaps), Rod Stewart’s drummer David Palmer, Andy Taylor plus Andy Taylor’s son Andy J Taylor on guitar, singer Anne Rani and musician Dino Jelusick on keyboard and backing vocals.

So back to Stairway To Heaven...

We have all had a journey with this song over the years. Mine commenced on April 4 1971 when I heard it on my radio listening to Led Zeppelin’s BBC In Concert performance on Radio One’s John Peel show. I’d heard Jimmy in an interview describing how it had come together in various sections building to a climax. Sure enough this tentative version did just that.

I first saw it performed live on Sunday November 21 1971 at the Empire Pool Wembley – an extraordinary night. It was of course one of the stand out tracks on their just released fourth album.

It went to attain legendary status – the most played record on American radio and from 1975 the rightful finale to every Led Zeppelin live performance.

Like many of their songs the arrangement was often toyed with, not least by the singer who over time added many an ad - lib to the lyrics. As it was performed on every Led Zep show, this enabled the song to retain a freshness.

The first ad-lib I recall was when he inserted the line ''you are the children of the sun'' during the version to be heard on the classic bootleg Going To California from their performance in Berkeley on September 14 1971. From 1973 onwards 'Does anybody remember laughter?‘’ was an expected insert after the line ‘’and the forest will echo with laughter.’’

By 1975, Robert had changed the line ‘’your stairway’’ to ‘’our stairway’’ adding the line ‘’that’s all we got.’’ As I witnessed in awe from the side of the stage during their 1980 Over Europe performances , Robert added ‘’I keep chopin’ and changin'’’ as they led into the climax.

Post Zep, Robert has sang Stairway To Heaven’’ it a mere four times – at Live Aid in 1985, the Atlantic 40th anniversary show in 1988, a sweet truncated version with Jimmy Page in a TV studio in Japan in 1994 and at the Led Zeppelin O2 tribute concert for Ahmet Ertegun where he proclaimed after the song ‘’Ahmet we did it!’’

Well now he has done it again….

The obvious question is why now and why on this occasion?

There’s no doubt it was a special occasion being a concert staged by the ex - Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor. Andy has had serious cancer health issues and staged this concert in aid of Cancer Awareness Trust.

As well as performing on the night, Robert donated his personal gold disc of Led Zeppelin IV for the auction –as he put it ''our not so difficult fourth album.'' A part of this was featured on the video stream and it had clocked an initial £50,000 bid.“I love this music and I still love it now very much although I get a bit coy and shy when I have to go near it because it was such a long time ago,” he said.

In an interview with Led Zep News guitarist Kenwyn House revealed that Robert Plant chose to perform Stairway To Heaven after a wealthy donor agreed to donate a six-figure sum to charity if he did so.

So, a special occasion deems a special song for a very worthy cause.

It says everything for Robert’s ease with the Zep legacy, that he could perform this once millstone around his neck with such dignity.

As we know Stairway To Heaven became much maligned and a victim of much parody – and let’s not mention that farcical version by a disgraced not so all round entertainer.

Although he was quick to decry it in the immediate post Zep years, I happen to think Robert is rightly proud of the song, as he is the whole Zep legacy.

Who can forget his tearful reaction to the Wilson sisters and Jason’s performance at the Kennedy Honours in 2012?

So, with none of the pressure of performing it on a big stage and at a pressurised Zep related occasion, he was able to slot it in at this charity event with little fuss.

It worked majestically….

With an ad- hoc line up with few rehearsals, the arrangement was always going to be more loose than tight. That mattered little, as his vocal phrasing was absolutely spot on and what a joy it was to hear him sing this song with a calm control. Some subtle backing vocals aided the tranquil mood.

Here’s the thing – Robert Plant sang it as though he really meant it – confident in his skin at revisiting a major part of his past. Looking good with the mic off held in that familiar pose we know so well.

I wonder what was going through his mind? I know for me it prompted so many precious memories.

There were no ad-libs this time in what was out a fairly straight rendering – the guitar solo was neat and compact and they were back in for the grand finale. Here, Robert slowed things down and the key with it avoiding any strained vocals and he even sang the last section ‘’To be a rock and not to roll’’ for a second time – making it a unique arrangement. He did retain the ''our Stairway'' sentiment.

It was also unique for being the only time he has performed Stairway To Heaven without Jimmy Page...

The final ‘’and she’s buying’’ line was delivered with a delicate finesse – watching it prompted some instant flashbacks.

Momentarily I was back at Earls Court as the mirrorballs spun above them, back in that field just outside Stevenage when they came back to reclaim their crown (''so many people who've helped us over the years - no more people more important than yourselves who who came here on a blind date -this is for you all of yer'') and at home in 1985 watching the TV as the camera panned out to 90,00 watching them re group in Philadelphia for Live Aid.

I also thought about all the much missed friends and Zep comrades who are no longer around to enjoy this special moment...

All that was enough to prompt a huge lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.

Then Robert really sealed it.

Firstly he dedicated the performance to Andy:

“I know that in this contemporary age of digital stuff there’s every likelihood that other people will see that,” he said, facing Taylor. “So if they do, I offer it up to you and your success and to the whole deal that has happened here today and the future of it all.

And also so it’s not just that, I offer it up to Led Zeppelin, wherever they are”

Andy Taylor replied ‘’God bless ‘em there’s a lot of drummers in the sky we love.’’

Let's ponder on that statement...

''I offer this up to Led Zeppelin wherever they are''

It felt like he was giving the song back to his former bandmates and back to his audience – To the privileged few who were lucky enough to witness this special occasion and beyond that to countless fans like me and you.

Deep in the heart of the Cotswold's on an October Saturday evening Robert reclaimed a major part of his history and ours.

It’s likely he may never ever sing Stairway To Heaven this song again and if he doesn’t, it’s had a suitably poignant send off.

There was none of the pressure of the previous post Led Zep performances. It happened for a great cause and for a great fellow Midlands based musician.

I am aiming to be up in the Midlands in a few days’ time for the Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian gig at the Birmingham Symphony Hall.

I am eagerly looking forward to it, not least after witnessing the YouTube video of this Andy Taylor tribute. For at 75 he is singing so brilliantly and his enjoyment as to where he is at in these advancing years is both inspiring and infectious.

Knowing that Robert Plant is at one with Led Zeppelin’s most famous song makes it all just a little bit more comforting.

As the song states ‘’If you listen very hard the tune will come to you at last’’

I’m still listening to Robert Plant intensely – as are countless others…

Dave Lewis - October 27 2023

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#Stairway to Heaven 2023 #Robert Plant Stairway to Heaven #Led Zeppelin #I've changed my opinion a bit but still seems some personal connection may have ended #Youtube

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grapesnolives · 2 months

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Oops, he did it again.

The post on that part in TSRTS when Jonesy appears to say "Oops" reminded me of one of my fav JPJ moments. He was 99.9% perfect....except for this time in STH live where they did that dramatic Complete Stop...but poor Jonesy accidentally nudges his piano in the UTTER silence...and is greeted with a massive tactless ROAR from Bonzo to highlight his faux pas.

#Bonus pic of Robert from same year cos he wasn't in the vid and don't like to leave anyone out

#led zeppelin #john bonham #john paul jones #jimmy page #robert plant #stairway to heaven #70s rock #a teeny tiny gaffe #bonzo #jonesy #percy #pagey

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oceanofhades · 1 year

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Robert Plant and Jimmy Page taking pictures with their Nikon F cameras in Hiroshima, Japan. September 26th, 1971 🇯🇵

#robert plant #jimmy page #led zeppelin #good times bad times #whole lotta love #immigrant song #stairway to heaven #when the levee breaks #kashmir #nikon camera #hiroshima #japan #70s rock #70s music #70s #rock and roll #rock #rock music #rock band

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christinwashere · 1 year

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Robert Plant<333

#robert plant #led zeppelin #70s #rock #stairway to heaven #groupies #groupie

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alinaastarr · 9 months

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#60s #70s #music #nostalgia #vintage #led zeppelin #robert plant #jimmy page #classic rock #rock and roll #stairway to heaven

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another-little-hippie · 11 months

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i love this photo. robert is literally SITTING on jonesy’s face… and he’s like, gently holding it!???

#70s #classic rock #jimmy page #led zeppelin #robert plant #john paul jones #60s #jonesy #bonzo #john bonham #bassist #rock and roll #heavy rock #stairway to heaven #rock band #jpj

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bijouxcarys · 5 months

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People, this was difficult, but I finally managed it.

One of my autistic traits is making lists of random stuff, particularly music-related, and my recent venture was ranking my top 30 Led Zeppelin songs.

If you want to try and do this yourself, feel free to reblog with yourrrsss 🖤

My Top 30 Led Zeppelin Songs:

Bring it on Home

Dazed and Confused

Ramble On

D’yer Mak’er

Whole Lotta Love

Immigrant Song

Black Dog

Since I’ve Been Loving You

Heartbreaker

You Shook Me

Stairway to Heaven

Hot Dog

Tangerine

Good Times, Bad Times

Rock and Roll

Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

All My Love

Communication Breakdown

When the Levee Breaks

The Rover

Kashmir

The Lemon Song

Misty Mountain Hop

Black Country Woman

Over the Hills and Far Away

I’m Gonna Crawl

Moby Dick

Fool in the Rain

No Quarter

Sick Again

Honourable mentions: Royal Orleans, The Rain Song, Trampled Under Foot, Going to California.

#70s #classic rock #led zeppelin #robert plant #Jimmy page #john paul jones #john bonham #led zeppelin songs #songs #ranking #list #top 30 #led zeppelin lyrics #music #rock music #60s #stairway to heaven

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djgvr69a · 7 months

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Andy Taylor & Robert Plant - Stairway to Heaven (October 2023)

This was just posted a day ago, and is apparently from a benefit for Andy Taylor of Duran Duran fame, who is battling cancer.

This was recorded October 21st 2023 at the Soho Farm House with the great Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, Andy Taylor of Duran Duran, Andrew James Taylor, David Palmer, Dino Jelusick, Guy Pratt (who has played with Pink Floyd in later years) Goldray and Anne Rani

This needs many more views.

Enjoy!

#youtube #rock #music #guitar #classic #Stairway To Heaven #Robert Plant #Led Zeppelin #Andy Taylor #Duran Duran #Benefit #October 21st 2023 #Andrew James Taylor #David Palmer #Dino Jelusick #Guy Pratt #Goldray #Anne Rani #Barbarella Pictures

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yamanouchi77 · 2 years

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Jimmy Page and Robert Plant performing a rare version of 'Stairway to Heaven' in Japan, '94.

#jimmy page #robert plant #led zeppelin #john paul jones #john bonham #70's rock #jimbert #90's tour #stairway to heaven #classic rock

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k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9 · 1 year

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#led zeppelin #stairway to heaven #the song remains the same #classic #video #original motion picture soundtrack #swan song #atlantic records #robert plant #my gif #gif #gifs #70's hard rock #70s hard rock #plant #led zeppelin weekend #Mtv's LED ZEPPELIN Weekend

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turnupthevolumebelgium · 7 months

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ROBERT PLANT

LED ZEPPELIN

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

23 October 2023

#turn up the volume blog #robert plant #led zeppelin #stairway to heaven

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starrie-amethyst · 2 months

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*mood*

#led zeppelin #john paul jones #robert plant #john bonham #jimmy page #stairway to heaven #Spotify

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chromations · 3 months

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Anyone else feel some profound sadness when listening to the 2007 and 2023 performances of stairway to heaven?

#led zeppelin #robert plant #stairway to heaven #its something about knowing those are the last performances by zeppelin/robert #and the guitar in 2007. the sound of it. the tone of the whole song actually #augh

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bijouxcarys · 5 months

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These are the songs that won the polls! Now it’s time to vote for your ultimate favourite out of these 9!

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another-little-hippie · 11 months

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so i am absolutely, positively OBSESSED with led zeppelin. consequently, i know a lot about them, including some questionable, even rancid facts, stories and rumors… however, i will be continuing to pretend that those ‘things’ never happened and everything i romantize and fictionalize about them is indeed the truth. if you choose to try and get in the way of that, i will be terribly disappointed in you and then gently send you on your merry way as i don’t need that kind of negativity in my life thank you very much!

#70s #classic rock #jimmy page #led zeppelin #robert plant #60s #john paul jones #rock and roll #bonzo #jimbert #zeppelin #john bonham #jpj #rock music #stairway to heaven #romantize your life #mental health awareness #thank you very much #i am perfectly normal

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kirkysixx · 1 year

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He’s so bbygirl

#aesthetic #70s rock #70s #robert plant #led zeppelin #stairway to heaven

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