Major music stars all have songs that put them on the map. Artists like Eminem still make money with their hits, Some artists, like Dolly Parton, elevate songs from others. Even Billy Joel has timeless songs keep him relevant with fans of all age. These are the songs that made them, and they continue to resonate with music fans.
Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest bands of all time, and “Stairway to Heaven” is arguably their greatest achievement. That said, Robert Plant, the group’s singer, is reluctant to play the song live. It’s disappointing for fans, but he has his reasons.
Let’s learn about the song, and why Robert Plant shies away from performing it.
Stairway To Heaven Is One Of The Most Iconic Songs Of All Time
“Stairway to Heaven,” a timeless masterpiece by the British rock band Led Zeppelin, stands as one of the most iconic and enduring songs in the history of music. Since its release in 1971, this epic rock ballad has captured the hearts of millions and earned its place in the pantheon of rock ‘n’ roll classics.
Upon its release, “Stairway to Heaven” received widespread critical acclaim and quickly ascended to the top of the music charts. Despite never being released as a single, the song became a rock radio staple and is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded.
Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” has received numerous accolades over the years. It has been included in countless “best songs of all time” lists, earning its place in the Grammy Hall of Fame. The song’s enduring popularity is evident in its millions of copies sold worldwide and its lasting presence in popular culture.
Over the years, “Stairway to Heaven” has not been without its controversies. The song’s introduction riff, played by Jimmy Page, led to a legal dispute when it was alleged to have been lifted from the song “Taurus” by the band Spirit. However, Led Zeppelin ultimately prevailed in a high-profile copyright lawsuit.
Now, Robert Plan, Zeppelin’s singer, has embarked on countless solo tours, as he is quite a prolific solo artist. Despite this, and despite the song’s place in history, Plant won’t always play it live.
Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant Won’t Play It Live, And Listening To It Makes Him Feel “Overwhelmed”
Said Plant of the song, “I’d break out in hives if I had to sing that song in every show.”
This is a bold statement, as the singer clearly has issues with the song itself. Shocking, right? After all, as we mentioned already, it’s one of the greatest songs ever panned, and fans would pay good money to hear Plant have a solo take on it.
Plant might not like playing it live, but in 2022, he did talk about the way the song makes him feel “overwhelmed.”
“When I hear it in isolation, I feel overwhelmed for every single reason you could imagine,” the singer said.
He then added more information about the time the song was released, “There was a mood and an air of trying to make it through. The world is a different place. Everybody was reeling from Vietnam and the usual extra helping of corruption with politics. There were people who were really eloquent who brought it home far less pictorially and did a much better job of reaching that point. But I am what I am, and as my grandfather said, ‘I can’t be more ‘am’-erer,’” he added.
Finally, Plant talked about the song being one of hope
“I used to say it in Zeppelin, ‘This is a song of hope.’ And it’s crazy, really, because it was gargantuan at the time. The musical construction was, at its time, something very special, and I know that Jimmy and the guys were really, really proud of it, and they gave it to me and said, ‘What are you going to do about this?’”
While Plant might not love the song, other members from the band feel differently.
Guitarist Jimmy Page, Meanwhile, Loves The Song
His Led Zeppelin running mate, Jimmy Page, feels differently about the tune, according to FarOut Magazine.
“To me, I thought ‘Stairway’ crystallised the essence of the band. It had everything there and showed the band at its best… as a band, as a unit. Not talking about solos or anything, it had everything there. We were careful never to release it as a single.
It was a milestone for us. Every musician wants to do something of lasting quality, something which will hold up for a long time, and I guess we did it with ‘Stairway,’” Page once said about the song.
We will never hear Plant play “Stairway” live, but clips will live on YouTube forever.
Source: NewsFinale
