In December 2012, Led Zeppelin had an unforgettable night at the Kennedy Center Honors. The legendary band was recognized for their immense influence on American culture, receiving the Kennedy Center Honor, a prestigious award from President Barack Obama.
The night was even more special when the remaining members—Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones—were moved by a powerful rendition of their iconic 1971 song, “Stairway to Heaven.” Performed by Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, the tribute was accompanied by a choir, an orchestra, and Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer, John Bonham, on drums.
The Wilson sisters were joined by the talented guitarist Shane Fontayne, whose impressive resume includes playing alongside icons like Graham Nash, Mick Ronson, John Waite, and Joe Cocker, as well as a tour with Bruce Springsteen in the ’90s.
Fontayne took on the tough role of performing the legendary guitar solo while the original guitarist looked on. Meanwhile, Nancy opened the show by flawlessly playing the track’s unforgettable riff.
The performance on stage was absolutely electrifying. Wilson’s gentle solo opening set the tone, followed by Fontayne’s impressive solo that added depth, and the goosebump-worthy finale that even got an audible “Wow” from Page watching nearby.
The performance was so moving, it even brought Robert Plant to tears. Though the performance looked flawless, the pressure was undeniable.
Noticeably, in an April 2024 interview with Howard Stern, the Wilson sisters revealed they had only managed to squeeze in one rehearsal and a quick soundcheck before stepping into the spotlight.
Nancy once told Classic Rock, “Before we went out there, I had to get my fingers really warmed up. It was winter, and it was cold and drafty backstage. You can’t play Stairway to Heaven with cold fingers in front of Jimmy Page!”
“It was really well put together. If anybody deserved a tribute like that, it’s Led Zeppelin.”