Classics in Thailand: “Stairway to heaven” by Led Zeppelin

Uniondale, NY / USA – February 13, 1975: Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of legendary rock band Led Zeppelin perform at Nassau Coliseum on their 1975 North American tour (Bruce Alan Bennett / Shutterstock.com)

Thailand's nightlife is rich with bands playing live music. Most musicians, both Thai and Filipino, play the popular English-language hits, often from the 60s, 70s and 80s and sometimes supplemented with Thai hits. In the series of classics in Thailand, today we focus on “Stairway to heaven” by Led Zeppelin, which you regularly hear in Thai nightlife. Sometimes with a strange pronunciation, a Thai band in Hua Hin consistently sang “Starway to heaven”…

Earlier we wrote about the song 'Zombie' by The Cranberrys, an eternal hit in Thailand and about the classic 'Hotel California' of the Eagles,'Take Me Home Country Roads', “Wind of Change","Have You Ever Seen The Rain" and "Sultans of swing".

Led Zeppelin are a former English rock band formed in 1968 by guitarist Jimmy Page, after being the sole member of the Yardbirds. Besides Page, Led Zeppelin consisted of Robert Plant (vocals), John Paul Jones (bass and keys) and John Bonham (drums). One of Led Zeppelin's most famous songs is Stairway to Heaven, an LP track that was never released as a single. The group also became known for improvisations during performances: different versions, so that the songs they performed there were not identical to how they were released on record, which contributed to the popularity of legal white live albums.

Led Zeppelin was one of the most popular and influential rock bands of the XNUMXs, spawning countless hits and classics, including “Stairway to Heaven,” “Whole Lotta Love,” “Black Dog” and “Kashmir.” The band made music that contained many styles, from hard rock and blues to folk and psychedelic rock. They were known for their exciting live performances, which were often out of control and unpredictable. Led Zeppelin were also one of the first rock bands to upend the traditional roles of singer and guitarist, with Plant as one of the most iconic singers in rock history and Page as one of the most celebrated guitarists ever.

Led Zeppelin released eight studio albums between 1968 and 1980, all of which were highly successful. The band was also active in the film industry and released the documentary “The Song Remains the Same” in 1976. Led Zeppelin split up in 1980 after the death of drummer Bonham. Although the band has not played together since, their music continues to be a significant influence on later rock bands and they are regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time.

“Stairway to Heaven”

“Stairway to Heaven” was written by band members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. It is one of the band's best known and most successful songs and is often regarded as a rock music classic. The song was first released on the album “Led Zeppelin IV” in 1971. It begins as a quiet, acoustic song with a signature guitar riff from Page, but slowly builds to an epic, bombastic finale with electric guitars, drums and vocals from plants. The song lasts over eight minutes and is one of the longest hits in rock history.

The lyrics of the song are about a journey to heaven, with references to mythological figures and nature. Some interpret the text as a metaphor for seeking spiritual fulfillment or climbing the social ladder. The song is also known for the vagueness of its lyrics, which has led to numerous interpretations and speculations about its meaning.

“Stairway to Heaven” is one of the most played songs on radio stations and is often used in movies and TV shows. It is also one of the most covered songs in rock history and has won numerous awards and accolades. It remains one of Led Zeppelin's most popular and influential songs and is one of the most iconic songs in rock music.

Heart – Stairway to Heaven – Kennedy Center Honors (video)

In 2012, Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Kennedy Center Honors, an annual American awards show that honors artists in various categories for their contributions to American culture. During the ceremony, the song “Stairway to Heaven” was performed by the rock band Heart, featuring singer Ann Wilson and guitarist Nancy Wilson. Heart was a major influence on Led Zeppelin and had previously covered the song on their album "Dreamboat Annie Live."

Also special is that during the Heart version of the song “Stairway to Heaven”, Jason Bonham, the son of the deceased Led Zeppelin's drummer John Bonham, plays the drums. Bonham junior is also a drummer and had participated in a number of Led Zeppelin reunions in the years since his father's death. the bowler hats that become are also a tribute to drummer John Bonham. Bonham died at the age of 32 from pulmonary edema resulting from inhalation of vomit following excessive alcohol consumption. On September 25, 1980, he was found dead at Jimmy Page's home by tour manager Benji LeFevren. In the 24 hours prior to his death, he had drunk more than a liter of vodka.

Heart and Jason Bonham's version at the Kennedy Center Honors was an emotional and powerful interpretation of the song. The performance was well received by the crowd and was a fitting tribute to Led Zeppelin and their classic song “Stairway to Heaven.” The performance has since become one of the most watched and shared moments of the Kennedy Center Honors and contributed to the enduring popularity of the song and the band.