Robert Plant performed a rare rendition of the Led Zeppelin classic “Stairway To Heaven” at a charity event in Oxfordshire, England, on Saturday evening.
Andy Taylor from Duran Duran, who is battling stage four bowel cancer, organized the event. Proceeds went to the Cancer Awareness Trust.
Plant performed several Led Zeppelin songs. The highlight of his performance, however, was the unexpected cover of Stairway To Heaven. Supported by Taylor and many of the evening’s artists, Plant lent his vocals to the 1971 classic, much to the delight of the audience in attendance.
According to Setlist.fm, Plant last played Stairway To Heaven during Led Zeppelin’s (temporary) reformation in 2007.
You can watch Plant’s rendition of Stairway To Heaven below.
Stairway To Heaven was never one of Plant’s favorite tracks in Led Zeppelin’s repertoire. In fact, the singer has often expressed his displeasure with this song (or at least parts of it).
“Stairway To Heaven” is one of the most famous songs in rock history. It was composed by Jimmy Page and written by Robert Plant and appears on the 1971 album Led Zeppelin IV.
It appeared on numerous music charts and ranked number 31 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
Decades after its release, it was the most played song on American radio despite its 8-minute length. Because of its power and majesty, it is widely considered one of rock’s greatest anthems.