Heart Reveal How Their Famous "Stairway to Heaven" Performance Happened

The Howard Stern Show

10 Apr 202403:36

Summary

TLDRThe transcript describes a memorable performance at the Kennedy Center Honors where the band played 'Stairway to Heaven' as a tribute to Led Zeppelin. The emotional moment is highlighted by Robert Plant's tears, possibly due to the presence of Jason Bonham, who grew up around the band. The performers' dedication to honoring their heroes is evident in their decision to participate despite the challenges. Their performance was well-received, especially by Jimmy Page who complimented their authenticity and guitar work, making the experience incredibly rewarding for the band.

Takeaways

🎶 The script describes a memorable performance of 'Stairway to Heaven' at the Kennedy Center Honors.
😭 Robert Plant, the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, was visibly emotional during the performance.
👀 Robert Plant's emotional response may have been influenced by seeing Jason Bonham, who he likely saw as a child, playing drums.
🎩 The mention of the signature bowler hat brought back nostalgic memories for the band members.
👥 The performers felt a strong emotional connection to Led Zeppelin, which motivated their decision to honor them.
❄️ The rehearsals took place in cold, snowy weather in Washington D.C., adding to the challenge of the performance.
🤝 The performers were offered to be shadowed during the rehearsal but insisted on doing it live to maintain authenticity.
🎵 The arrangement of 'Stairway to Heaven' performed was unique and had not been heard before.
🚫 The band had minimal rehearsals, which added pressure to deliver a perfect performance.
🌟 After the performance, members of Led Zeppelin expressed their appreciation, with Jimmy Page complimenting the guitar work.
🍽️ A dinner followed the performance where the band members had the opportunity to interact with Led Zeppelin and other notable guests.

Q & A

What event is being discussed in the transcript where Robert Plant was seen getting emotional?
-The event being discussed is the Kennedy Center Honors, where Robert Plant was moved by a performance of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven".
Who was playing drums during the performance that possibly contributed to Robert Plant's emotional reaction?
-Jason Bonham was playing drums during the performance, and he might have reminded Robert Plant of the band's past, contributing to his emotional state.
What does the speaker suggest as a possible reason for Robert Plant's emotional reaction?
-The speaker suggests that seeing Jason Bonham playing drums, who was likely a child during the creation of "Stairway to Heaven," and the memories associated with the song and band, could be reasons for Robert Plant's emotional reaction.
How did the performers prepare for the "Stairway to Heaven" performance at the Kennedy Center Honors?
-The performers prepared by doing the arrangement in a cold, almost naked moment, and they had only one or two rehearsals before the performance.
What was the unique aspect of the "Stairway to Heaven" performance by the speakers?
-The unique aspect was the different arrangement of the chorus, which the speakers had not heard before and was performed live without any prepared tapes or backing tracks.
How did the performers handle the pressure of performing in front of the original band members and other notable guests?
-They focused on being present in the moment, centering and focusing their thoughts, to ensure they delivered an authentic and heartfelt performance.
What was the reaction of Led Zeppelin members after the Kennedy Center Honors performance?
-Robert Plant expressed that he usually dislikes covers of "Stairway to Heaven" but appreciated this performance, and Jimmy Page complimented the guitar work.
Did the performers have any interaction with Led Zeppelin members during the Kennedy Center Honors dinner?
-Yes, they were seated at the same table with some members of Led Zeppelin and other cool people like Kid Rock during the dinner following the performance.
What was the significance of the timing and location of the performance for the performers?
-The performance took place during Christmas time in Washington D.C., adding to the emotional and festive atmosphere of the event.
How did the cold weather conditions affect the performers before the rehearsal?
-The cold weather caused the performers' hands to freeze, and they were rushed into the rehearsal room, adding to the challenge of preparing for the performance.
What was the overall atmosphere and feeling of the Kennedy Center Honors event according to the speakers?
-The event was described as a star-studded celebration with an emotional connection, especially for those who were honoring their heroes and performing in front of the original band members.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Kennedy Center Honors Tribute to Led Zeppelin

The paragraph describes a memorable moment at the Kennedy Center Honors where the band performed 'Stairway to Heaven' as a tribute to Led Zeppelin. It captures the emotional response of Robert Plant, a member of Led Zeppelin, who was visibly moved by the performance. The band's history with Led Zeppelin is highlighted, including their past as a cover band and the personal connection they felt during the tribute. The challenges and preparations for the performance are also discussed, including the cold weather and limited rehearsal time. The paragraph concludes with the band receiving praise from Led Zeppelin members after the performance, validating their efforts and talent.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Kennedy Center Honors

The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual event in the United States that recognizes and celebrates the lifetime achievements of prominent figures in the performing arts. In the video, the artists are playing 'Stairway to Heaven' at this prestigious event, highlighting the significance of their musical tribute and the honor of performing at such a renowned ceremony.

💡Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven is a classic rock song by the English band Led Zeppelin, often regarded as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. In the context of the video, the artists are performing this iconic song as a tribute to Led Zeppelin, showcasing their musical prowess and the deep influence the band has had on their own music.

💡Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin is an English rock band formed in 1968 that is considered one of the most influential and successful groups in the history of rock music. In the video, the artists express their admiration and inspiration from Led Zeppelin, and they even had a cover band as a homage to this legendary group.

💡Emotional Connection

An emotional connection refers to the feelings of affinity, empathy, or shared experiences that bind individuals together. In the video, the artists describe their deep emotional response to performing 'Stairway to Heaven,' especially in the presence of Led Zeppelin members, which underscores the personal significance of the tribute.

💡Jason Bonham

Jason Bonham is an English musician and the son of the famous Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham. In the video, Jason Bonham's presence playing drums is particularly poignant, as he would have been a child during the creation of 'Stairway to Heaven,' adding a layer of historical and familial significance to the performance.

💡Bowler Hat

A bowler hat is a type of hat with a rounded crown and a flat, stiff brim, historically worn as part of formal attire. In the context of the video, the bowler hat is associated with Led Zeppelin's iconic image and is mentioned as a symbol of nostalgia and connection to the band's legacy.

💡Heroes

In the context of the video, 'heroes' refers to the influential figures or groups that have had a significant impact on the artists' musical journey and style. The artists view Led Zeppelin as their heroes, and the performance is a way to honor and pay tribute to their musical inspirations.

💡Volunteer

A volunteer is someone who offers their time, effort, or skills without payment, often to support a cause or event. In the video, the mention of volunteers indicates that the Kennedy Center Honors is a community-driven event where people contribute their time and resources to make the event successful.

💡Rehearsal

A rehearsal is the practice or preparation of a performance before the actual event. In the video, the artists discuss their limited rehearsal time and the pressure of performing 'Stairway to Heaven' accurately, emphasizing the importance of preparation and the commitment to delivering a high-quality performance.

💡Arrangement

In music, an arrangement refers to the adaptation or reconfiguration of a composition for different instruments or voices. The artists discuss the unique arrangement of 'Stairway to Heaven' they performed, which differs from the original, showcasing their creativity and the challenge of reinterpreting a classic song.

💡Zen Gathering

A Zen gathering typically refers to a moment of deep reflection, meditation, or focus, often used to describe a state of heightened awareness or concentration. In the video, the artists describe a 'Zen gathering of yourself' before the performance, emphasizing the mental preparation and calmness needed to execute a complex and emotional tribute.

💡Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page is an English musician, songwriter, and producer, best known as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin. In the video, Jimmy Page's presence and his reaction to the artists' performance are significant, as his approval validates the artists' efforts and their rendition of 'Stairway to Heaven.'

Highlights

Performance of Stairway to Heaven at the Kennedy Center Honors

Mini movie showcasing the band's inspiration from Led Zeppelin

Robert Plant's emotional reaction during the performance

Jason Bonham's presence, connecting past and present

The band's decision to honor their heroes despite potential pressure

Volunteer-based event during Christmas time in DC

Challenge of performing a classic song with no preparation

Offer to shadow the performer to ensure authenticity

The band's commitment to performing live without any tapes

Unique arrangement of the chorus in their performance

Limited rehearsals before the performance

Pre-performance rituals for focus and presence

Interaction with Led Zeppelin members after the performance

Plant's usual dislike for covers, but approval of this one

Jimmy Page's compliment on the guitar part

The impact of receiving的认可 from musical heroes