Take a poll among your friends of the world’s greatest rock songs, and we’re willing to bet Stairway to Heaven comes up more than once.
But this classic Led Zeppelin hit stirred up plenty of controversy over the years. Even its creators have mixed feelings about it. So what gives?
Today, we’re digging up the dirt on this iconic song to answer all your burning questions.
Let’s fly!
Who Originally Wrote Stairway to Heaven?
When it comes to influential rock bands, Led Zeppelin just might be the reigning champion. They pioneered a new landscape of sonic experimentation. In fact, their exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame states they were to the 70s as The Beatles were to the 60s.
The group formed in London in 1968. Jimmy Page and Chris Dreja of the Yardbirds began assembling a new lineup to replace the dismantled band. They recruited Robert Plant for lead vocals and John Bonham on drums. When Dreja left to pursue other passions, John Paul Jones stepped in on bass and keyboard.
For a brief time, the four performed as the New Yardbirds. But they played their first gig as Led Zeppelin at the University of Surrey on October 25, 1968.
Their manager, Richard Cole, set them off on their first North American tour before they’d even released a debut album. A whirlwind 12-year run would follow.
Their bluesy, psychedelic sound was a worldwide phenomenon throughout the 70s. And their hit song, Stairway to Heaven, was a big part of their success.
What Was Led Zeppelin’s Creative Process for Stairway to Heaven?
Stairway to Heaven wasn’t one of those songs written overnight in a wild stroke of genius. Instead, it took shape over time.
It all started in a small cottage in the Welsh countryside called Bron-Yr-Aur. Page and Plant were unwinding there after their fifth US tour when the introductory notes came to Page. That night, he developed the first of the tune’s three distinct parts.
At the same time, Plant penned the first draft of lyrics.
Meandering and abstract, Stairway to Heaven tells the story of a woman who prizes fortune above all else and ultimately learns that wealth can’t get her into heaven. Interestingly, Robert Plant once said of the tune, “Depending on what day it is, I still interpret the song a different way – and I wrote the lyrics.”
It opens with a quiet, almost folksy introduction with an acoustic guitar and a quartet of recorders. Then, you hear Plant’s raspy voice sing, “There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold. And she’s buying a stairway to Heaven.”
The tempo picks up, and an electric guitar carries the melody. The final section caps off the tune with a classic, hard rock finale.
Did Led Zeppelin make our list? 5 Albums That Prove You Love Great Music.
Why Was Led Zeppelin Sued Over the Tune?
Despite Jimmy Page’s insistence that he wrote the song’s opening stanza at Bron-Yr-Aur, members of a rival band accused them of plagiarism.
Randy Wolfe was the lead singer of Spirit, a group formed around the same time as Led Zeppelin. He claimed that Led Zeppelin stole the opening guitar riff of Stairway to Heaven from Spirit’s song, Taurus.
We have to admit the notes are pretty similar, and both tunes feature a melodic, mystical sound. There’s also proof that the two groups performed at the same venue several times in the years before the release of Stairway to Heaven.
Unfortunately, the night Wolfe believes Led Zeppelin members heard Spirit perform, Robert Plant was in a severe car accident that affected his memory.
Following a six-day trial, the judge in the 2016 lawsuit ruled that Wolfe’s case didn’t hold water. However, the ruling was overturned two years later because the jury couldn’t hear the two songs in their original forms. Because the copyright for Taurus only included sheet music, they heard instrumental versions of both tunes on a guitar and a piano.
After all this back and forth, the US Supreme Court refused to hear the case. And with that, the matter was over.
How Does Robert Plant Feel About Stairway to Heaven?
Although many consider Stairway to Heaven the pinnacle of rock and roll, the man behind the microphone felt differently. In fact, Robert Plant claimed to hate the tune that brought them such renowned fame, referring to it at one point as “that bloody wedding song.”
He once paid a radio fundraiser $1,000 when they said they’d stop playing the hit if they met their goal.
However, it was one of Jimmy Page’s favorite pieces. He felt it summed up the band’s essence and how beautifully they worked as a homogeneous unit. Each of Led Zeppelin’s four members got a chance to shine.
Although Plant renounced Stairway to Heaven and chose not to play it for decades, his perspective changed when he saw Heart perform a cover of the song.
Dive Deeper: Who Was the Yardbirds’ Original Lead Singer?
When Did Heart Play Stairway to Heaven for Led Zeppelin?
In 2012, Heart played Stairway to Heaven at the Kennedy Center Honors, a celebration of artists who’ve made a difference in America’s cultural landscape.
Perhaps it was Ann Wilson’s soulful voice or the choir singers backing her up. Maybe the accompanying full orchestra added greater depth to the song’s crescendos. Or it could be that the artist could finally appreciate the work from an outsider’s perspective.
Whatever the reason, Robert Plant sat in the audience alongside his living bandmates with tears in his eyes and finally saw the piece in a new light.
He later said in an interview, “It was a spectacular performance. I’m now a voyeur. I’m not responsible for it anymore…I love the song.”
What is Robert Plant Doing Now?
In a shocking turn of events, Robert Plant took the stage at a 2023 benefit for the Cancer Awareness Trust and sang Led Zeppelin’s iconic hit song. For the first time in 16 years, he played Stairway to Heaven. The last occurrence was at the band’s 2007 reunion show.
While we won’t hold our breath for a repeat performance, the star hasn’t stopped. Plant recently completed the North American Raise the Roof tour with Alison Krauss and then returned to the UK to continue putting on live shows.
He’ll be hitting spots throughout England for the rest of 2023, along with Suzi Dian and Saving Grace. Be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming tour dates. We hear you can score last-minute tickets for rock-bottom prices! It could be your chance to see one of the biggest stars on stage for a mere $25.
Read Robert Plant’s Biography: Robert Plant – A Life.
A Great Legendary Tune
Although Robert Plant has mixed feelings about Stairway to Heaven, most fans agree it’s one of the greatest rock and roll songs ever. Its initial introduction made waves and changed the genre’s trajectory. And the tune withstands the test of time to remain a favorite for many of us music geeks.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this classic hit in the comments!