For Women’s History Month, I’m selecting some of my favorite songs from some of the most talented and influential women in music. From frontwomen to singer-songwriters to iconic performers, I’m picking one song a day on Mental Jukebox until the end of March.
How can you possibly live up to the incredibly overwhelming expectations of covering this monumental classic? On Dec 2, 2012, Heart did it. When Led Zeppelin was honored at the Kennedy Center, Heart gave a powerful, unbelievable, crushing rendition of “Stairway to Heaven”. It was one of rock & roll’s greatest bands paying homage to arguably the greatest one of all.
I have to fight back the tears every time I see this performance, because something transcendent happened beyond the music that night. Even a classic like “Stairway” can be reborn, as we saw in Ann Wilson’s mindblowing performance and the 50-member choir that crushed the bridge. Even a classic like “Stairway” can cross multiple generations, as we saw Bonzo’s son Jason Bonham laying down thunderous beats reminiscent of his late father’s drum style. When the camera turned to the remaining members of Zeppelin, you could see that music history was happening once again. Jimmy Page and Jonesy were in awe. Robert Plant was in tears. What we saw that on the night of Dec 2, 2012 is that true greatness goes far beyond the music. True greatness inspires us to find our own great moments.
“And as we wind on down the road, our shadows taller than our soul.”