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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Most definitely phenomenal... Loved seeing Robert & Jimmy's reactions.. Anne has the ultimate powerful voice,she's still can rock it along with Nancy!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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!
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.
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’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!
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!
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!
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.
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. 💣
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.
@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.
@@antoniocarlin5026 have never heard of them. Will have to check them out. I mostly was meaning they picked the perfect people to honor the band members with this song. Jason playing drums for this had to be very emotional for him. Just the occasion and people make this a historical performance.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
What doesn't that performance have? In the crowd you have Yo Yo Ma headbanging, Bonnie Raitt fist pumping... but when Annie sings that last "Heaven" and Jason looks up at his dad? I am not crying. Nope. My eyes are watery from allergies.
I have had this saved to my favorites for years, watch it several times a year, and, tonight, once again, my eyes are leaking... Jamel's reaction tipped the scale.
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.
🥲 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🙏)
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! 🥺😢😭✊🏼
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.
@@doom0788 Haha, my dad uses the word "pucker," as in, your asshole puckering up. There's even a "pucker factor." Playing "Stairway To Heaven" in front of Led Zeppelin and the president of the United States would be "pucker factor 10." There's also "couldn't have got a straight pin up my ass with a jackhammer." LOL
Yeah, that made me smile, too... Mr. Ma was enjoying!... Just goes to show; there are only 2 kinds of songs: good ones & bad ones - genre doesn’t mean a thing. I love Mr. Ma’s album of classical music: Bach’s cello suite. Excellent musicians recognize good music irrelevant of genre.
Have two of Yo-Yo Ma's albums. Love his music and I hardly ever meet anyone that has heard of him, probably because most people don't listen to classical music. Great musician!
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..
Didn't know. Thank you gentlemen. btw.. I had the honor of a 30 second elevator ride with Mr Page two years ago. I was floored how gracious, humble and genuine he was. This was a fabulous performance yet Jimmy almost stole the show.. ha
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.
when Ann & Nancy were asked to do this show, they thought "great", but they were expecting to be given Led Zeps RocknRoll song, or another. they were in SHOCK that THEY, especially being women, were asked to do the BIG ONE!! & isn't it just AMAZING!!!!! Divine Intervention in that very moment. John Bonham would've been right there with his son (on drums)
Totally, and thanks to Ann and Nancy, we were blessed with one of the most transcendent pieces of musical art in history. The fact that John's son was there playing as well just adds to the layers of emotional weight.
Heart would always do a Zep cover in pretty much every show, I have seen them 6 times during the 70's and they did a Zep cover in each show, even Stairway, so they know that song and never had an issue with playing it here.
Thanks to mirrorimageworld, for explaining how this miracle was pulled off...at least one aspect. Truly a miraculous performance. Also thanks to Liana's insight.
You don't go to amateurs, or even "regular" professionals to cover "Stairway to Heaven" in front of Obama, the World, and Led Zeppelin themselves. They've heard it badly mangled by every Tom, Dick, Harry and Sally trying to show off. You go to Heart.
THIS! The song is "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and it has one of Prince's all time best guitar solos! Here's a link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6SFNW5F8K9Y.html
msandts I knew Prince was a very talented guy but his genre of music was never mine so he really was never on my radar but after seeing that performance, he woke me up to the depths of his talent. Especially as a guitar player.
First of all LED ZEPPELIN people. We’re talking about the greatest Rock Group OF ALL TIME !! And then Heart!! The greatest female Rock Group of ALL TIME. This cover was insane!! Annie’s voice is still insane!! Yo-Yo Ma, world famous cellist who really only does classical music, and Debbie Allen, world famous dance choreographer, amongst all other famous people there were ROCKING OUT. I particularly loved seeing Yo-Yo Ma Rock out since his roots are in classical music. But even he and everyone else that was there, as well as the people watching it at home on the television realize the GREATNESS that is Zeppelin. Listening to this rendition is like having a religious experience, especially with that epic choir. I’ve heard this rendition for years now, and the hair on my arms still stands up on end. Epic performance for an epic Rock band!!
Yeah, but Ramble on is what clicked for me. “Golem at the evil wall crept up and slip away with her”. That was my “Oh Shit’’ moment that made it all clearer
He looks like Sheldon from big bang theory but then I looked him up and he's much older but doesn't look like him. I know it's been 12 years but still... he and Rob Mathes and Kenny on drums are so amazing. Rob is so talented doing the composing arranging conducting and playing every instrument.
When Heart was a young cover band playing in clubs and such, they did Zepplin. They are no strangers to the music. These ladies are rockers through and through.
As a musician, I can't imagine anything more unnerving as playing the signature song of one of the greatest rock bands of all times... WHILE THEY'RE WATCHING!!! The smile on their faces and the tears in their eyes say it all!
Rik. This was a great video in spite of the Obamas being there. 🤢 I’m sure this may have been one of the songs Barry used to listen to while smoking pot and snorting blow.
Can you even *IMAGINE* performing this song live in front of the original artists, not to mention the President and First Lady? Nope, no pressure at all...LOL!!!
The president and first lady don't matter here, it's all about Led Zepplin. Besides, Michelle doesn't like anything not performed by black people. You can see it in her face.
@@9983sp Of course this is all about Zeppelin, we know that. But to say the president and first lady "don't matter" is silly. Anyone would be nervous to perform in from of them, just as they would be to perform in from of the band. Even Paul McCartney himself said he felt butterflies when he played in front of Obama several years back. But judging from the end of your comment, it's clear why you said what you did in the first place.
@@9983sp with great power comes great responsibility. Do you often see things like this in faces or is this just a superpower you have that works when it wants to? I wish I could read faces and be able to determine what kind of music people like.
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.
I was so happy to see that they kept is as close to the original as possible. Over the decades, I have never missed a Heart concert, and they always honored Led Zep every time. Next to this song "Rock N' Roll" is amazing to see live. Ann pulls out all the stops on that one!
I know,I get that same goose bumpy feeling.. Gotta Love Heart for accepting this challenge with all those peers out in the audience. They mastered this very memorable performance!!! Loved it
Those of us that know this performance smile when you say "is that a choir?" wow... we are thinking nah those just a few backup singers the choir coming later buahahaha!!
My Dad came home to me watching a Heart concert on TV, & said, "a girl band- ugh". I responded, "yeah, sit down, listen & watch". A week later the concert was rebroadcasted & when I came home, my Dad was planted in front of the TV watching them. This time he said, "whoa, these girls are great, true musicians".
