Led Zep respond to “Kennedy Stairway”

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Led Zep at KCH

The following Nancy quotes have appeared in interviews these past days:

Saratogian.com: Nancy: “We just went up there and took the deepest of breaths. Ann and I had to kind of look at each other, and we put our skull rings together like we do as a power moment.” The three living members of Led Zeppelin looked on. Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant would later tell Nancy, “I was just waiting for it to really go wrong. Everyone gets it wrong. I’ve learned how to almost hate that song because people just murder it, but you nailed it.”

Telegram.com: A few hours earlier the sisters had been in what Nancy Wilson described as “a very heavy room.” Besides the surviving original Led Zeppelin band members, there were there were the other Kennedy Center honorees that night (Buddy Guy, Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman and Natalia Makarova), along with President and Michelle Obama. In preparation, there had been “not a very good rehearsal,” Wilson said. Then the sisters had dashed off to an engagement in Florida, returning to Washington, D.C., in time for a final dress rehearsal. Soon it was time to take the stairway to the stage. “It was a wing and a prayer, but when it came down to the moment, me and Ann looked at each other.” They knew they had something — once again. “It just turned out real well,” Wilson said. Afterward, all three Zeppelins sought the sisters out. Page said, “ ‘You can really play,’ ” Wilson recalled. “We didn’t blow it, somehow.”

Updated January 26th 2013: Nancy Wilson in The Trentonian: “Unbelievable! We had a show in Florida the day before, so we flew into Washington as soon as the show was done. We had a chaotic rehearsal that honestly, it didn’t go that well (laughs), it was like watching a car wreck. We were nervous because we knew we only had this one shot at it and rehearsal was less than great. After this rehearsal we were invited over to meet the Obamas at the White House. We met the President and his family during the day and we were going to perform for him and Led Zeppelin that night; no pressure there huh? (laughs) When we arrived at the Kennedy Center we had another brief rehearsal and this one went a bit better, come show time we were shaking in our boots, I mean it’s the President and Led Zeppelin. We somehow pulled it off flaw free, it went so well, we were extremely happy, to see the emotional reaction from the members of Zeppelin, to see Robert’s (Plant) emotional reaction, when we watched it on youtube was just amazing.” […]  “We have worked with Jonsey (bassist John Paul Jones) before and we had met Plant on several occasions, only Page briefly. This time Robert and Jonesy were very complimentary towards us, Jimmy Page in his quiet way let us know that he approved. Actually, he told me that he thought my guitar playing “was good.” I’ll take it, when Jimmy Page says your guitar playing is “good” you go with it! (laughing) They were very nice and appreciative of our interpretation of their music.” […] “There will be summer touring, we haven’t named the tour yet but we’ve got some pretty cool ideas that we’re throwing around. We will continually rock though that’s for sure.”

Added May 6th 2016, Nancy Wilson:
Did the Zeppelin guys say anything to you about the performance?
They did. There was a dinner afterwards and each one of them came over to the table individually. First it was Jimmy, and he said, “Wow, you really played that so great!” Then Robert came over and he said, “Do you know how much I hate that song?” And I was like, “What?” And he said, “Because nobody ever does it any justice. But you guys did. Way to go!” And then Jonesy came over and gave us big hugs. So all the guys were really sweet and appreciative.

Added January 5th 2023: Contactmusic: Robert no longer feels “responsible” for the song but found it particularly emotional when Heart‘s Ann and Nancy Wilson, joined by late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham’s son Jason, performed it at the Kennedy Center Honours in 2012 because of the memories it brought back. He said: “I knew it was coming — the Kennedy Center told us to expect something — but I didn’t know how it was going to be. It was a spectacular performance.

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4 thoughts on “Led Zep respond to “Kennedy Stairway”

  1. Thanx for putting those together! Isn’t it the truth? I, too, wasn’t sure which parts Nancy played, when I was raised on vinyl records, never having seen a live performance of Heart. That came later, and is still coming as some live performances recorded by fans appear on Youtube. Thank you, Youtube, Gusterous, and SeattleBoy!

    http://youtu.be/spYuw7y55_A

    http://youtu.be/ObntBBeWoX0

  2. Nancy and Ann WOW !!! You ladies and the band, along with Jason Bonham absolutely flat nailed Stairway to Heaven! And, I don’t know the lead guitarist name, but dang he could jam.I seen Zeppelin perform live in Louisville, Ky. In 1977 and I still remenber them playing stairway to Heaven, and as much as I have loved their performance, it has always been my top ranked and most loved live show, but Heart’s rendition of Stairway to Heaven will never be equalled, and will be the best version of an all time classic ever! Thank you so much for such an awesome performance, it still gives me cold chills, or brings me to tears, or both. Thank you, John

  3. It’s mind blowing how living legends(Heart) are able to pay tribute to another living legend(Led Zeppelin). And of course they would’ve pulled it off. Nancy and Ann are such a power duo! It’s a no-fail, no-brainer decision from the Kennedy Honors organizers. I still watch this performance every now and then and I still am in awe every time.

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