20 October 2026

"Stairway to Heaven" - Heart at the Kennedy Center (2012)


Just realized that I've never previously blogged this absolutely classic performance.  As one commenter said "Imagine playing Led Zeppelin FOR Led Zeppelin, and getting a standing ovation from Led Zeppelin."

BTW, this is what the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was created for.  And this is an example of why the fullscreen icon exists on videos.  Also sound up to eleven...

Related:  There was a seven-minute extended tribute to Led Zeppelin that preceded the finale embedded at the top.

Addendum:  Most listeners don't know (or don't care about) the lyrics, but I'll leave them as a reminder that one phrase is "And as we wind on down the road" -  NOT "And there's a wino on the road."

12 comments:

  1. I have LONG loved this performance!!! She sang her heart out, and RP had to wipe his tears away ~ STELLAR!!! TfS ~
    bobbie

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  2. A terrific reminder of when the Kennedy Center stood for human excellence.

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  3. PS ~ I later saw an interview w/ Heart, and they were SO nervous to do this!
    bobbie

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  4. That was fabulous Thanks for sharing

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  5. I remember to rewatch that every couple of months. The back-up chorus put it over the top.

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  6. When they reveal the choir backing for that last verse, that’s when I lose it. Outstanding.

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  7. Listen closely to how Ann Wilson pronounces "buying" at the end of the song.

    The drummer is Jason Bonham, son of John Bonham. John was the drummer for LZ until he passed in 1980. Jason has played with LZ several times, starting in 1988.

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    1. Yes. And major props to the director who assembled the musicians for this performance, the lighting director, and the video editor who switched between 6-8 camera views flawlessly.

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  8. Pity. They ha to eave out two of the mid verses due to time constraints, but you harly miss them its so well done

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    1. A clever comment, in which you omit three (or maybe 6 with "...dle") letters, and it's so well done that the sentence is still understandable.

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    2. Not that clever. Some days I am all thumbs. The "mid" was intentional. I was in a hurry and count keystrokes. You know, time constraints.

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    3. I left out the :-) in my last comment. BTW, I like your blog.

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