The drummer's father WAS the drummer for Led Zeppelin

@laughingoutloud5742

3 ай бұрын

John fucking Bonham, one of the best drummers ever.

@EVERLYNFRIENDS

3 ай бұрын

​@@laughingoutloud5742the best

@lilcampingirl

3 ай бұрын

The drummer‘s father was well-known for the hat that he always wore, and the greatest honour was his son wearing his father’s hat, while playing the drums in this rendition, and then when the choir came out another amazing honour to a legend! I can’t wait to see you experience the original!! 🙏

@MsLivy919

3 ай бұрын

The hat was his signature ❤#FunFact

@faceplantor5647

3 ай бұрын

@@laughingoutloud5742Yep👊🏽⚡️

It took Ann and Nancy Wilson, Jason Bonham, several guitarists, a full orchestra and two choirs to do justice to four amazing musicians. Best Rock band ever!

@MySnottyattaC

3 ай бұрын

Ever ✌️💚

@myroselle6987

3 ай бұрын

And can we take a moment to notice the courage of Shane Fontayne playing that solo in front of guitar god Jimmy Page. Oh my goodness….

@StephenLedger

3 ай бұрын

LOL I prefer this version, the guitar solo is much cleaner, and Ann's vocals are unsurpassed.

@hackermusic3355

2 ай бұрын

@@StephenLedger If you think the guitar solo is much cleaner you have obviously not watched Jimmy Page live. Shane did great but he's not Jimmy Page.

Led Zeppelin stopped playing while still at the top- not because they broke up or lost popularity- but because they were too heartbroken to keep playing after their drummer, John Bonham, died tragically young (32). They eventually tried out a few drummers, but the magic of Led Zeppelin was that all four gents were in such sync when they played, they'd improv & jam for 30 minutes at a time without a single missed note. They knew each other's playing so intimately, the blend was instinctive, unplanned. They felt they'd never capture that again without John, & so never performed together again. The drummer in this performance is John's son Jason, wearing his Dad's hat & playing his Dad's drum kit; the exact drum kit used to record the original song. (John's iconic bowler hat is also worn by the full choir at the end.) Robert Plant (curly-haired lead singer) is Jason's godfather. The band basically became his uncles for life. When Jason got old enough, a skilled drummer just like his Dad, they reformed for a few one-off performances with Jason sitting in for his late Dad. He'd surprised the band by sitting in for this tribute, having told them he had a prior commitment when they'd originally asked him. You can see the tears in both Jason & Robert's eyes at the end. Love for the music, love for each other, & love for John.

@Sadlander2

3 ай бұрын

I was looking through the comments to see if someone had mentioned that Jason's presence was a surprise for the band before I'd post about it. The first time I watched it, when they announced who was behind the drums, the band seemed very surprised but I didn't think much of it but when I read about how it all happened, I watched it again and it made me smile when they pointed at him, like _"Oh, you liar! I thought you couldn't come!"_

Not sure if this was mentioned, but Ann Wilson was 62 years old at the time of this tribute, and she was fighting the flu. What a set of pipes!

@glenchapman3899

3 ай бұрын

Well she has always been the female version of Robert Plant. The rock chick I judge ALL other rock chicks against

@MikeInMD1961

3 ай бұрын

@@glenchapman3899 I've seen Heart in concert four times, beginning in the early 80's, and they have never disappointed.

The best description I heard in comments to other reactions was "This is rock legends performing for rock gods." Very appropos.

@laughingoutloud5742

3 ай бұрын

Ooh well said

Robert told Ann afterwards that this was his favorite cover. The drummer was Jason Bonham son of John Bonham

@Wiley_Coyote

3 ай бұрын

Covers of this song notoriously SUCK. Every dingbat in a music store, every weak cover band, every last one tries to learn it to show off. So the world is FLOODED with bad Stairway. The flood of bad covers has probably been painful for these guys over the years, even if they just accidentally hear them. So this being so good is a real antidote. Oddly enough, the SECOND BEST cover of it is.... Dolly Parton. She did it years before her Rock album, and so its VERY countrified. But good because her arrangement is different enough its not subject to the same comparisons as the normal covers.

The white/grey haired guy they keep going to is Jimmy Paige, the guitarist, the curly haired guys with his hand near his mouth at times is Robert Plant, the lead singer. The drummer in this performance is the son of the original drummer for LZ who passed. The bowler hat what the original drummers thing and in this performance an homage to John Bonhem

@AVFC_Faithful

3 ай бұрын

and to the left of Plant sits John Paul Jones the bassist

@ingobordewick6480

3 ай бұрын

Bonham

@purrfctwmn

3 ай бұрын

The hat Jason Bonham is wearing is one of his father’s. Also the drum kit is the same that was used recording the original song.

@jeffstorey9147

3 ай бұрын

This is the rightful top comment haha

Heart’s been huge since the MID-70’s, and Ann (the dark haired lead singer) hasn’t lost a beat in almost four decades. Her and her sister Nancy (the blonde guitarist) still sound every bit as good as they ever did. You should go down the Heart rabbit hole. Heart wasn’t some insignificant, flash in the pan group. They were HUGELY popular AND musically influential and every bit of their music still stands the test of time.👑👑=❤

@SilentBob731

3 ай бұрын

Ann Wilson is the greatest female rock vocalist of all-time, bar none.

@Mhantrax

3 ай бұрын

Man, I am totally flashing back to my massive crush on Nancy as a teen. Haha, hilarious. She was the wild one, the wild and crazy rock star. She was limber, free spirited and a wild stallion. Somehow I was 13 and totally recognized this was awesome.

@SilentBob731

3 ай бұрын

@@Mhantrax Stallions are male horses...just sayin'. 😉

@Mhantrax

3 ай бұрын

@@SilentBob731 LOL!!! Truth! 13 year old me still ignorant, I see. 😎

@SocratesCurse

3 ай бұрын

Nancy is still hot 😅

They took you to church with this cover. As great as Ann and Nancy are, this was a masterclass performance by all involved.

the drummer being Jon Bonham's son , Jason, (jon was the drummer for zep and passed away in 1980) was playing his dad's drum set to honor his dad.. and at the end when you made your comment about the drummer being affected, he was looking up to heaven to his dad.💔

@baskervillebee6097

3 ай бұрын

Jason is Robert Plant's godson. They were close all of his life. He told them that he couldn't attend because he had a prior commitment as a surprise.

Led Zeppelin included Robert Plant as vocalist, Jimmy Page guitarist, John Paul Jones, bassist, and the late John Bonham (Bonzo). They were very touched by Jason Bonham surprising them on drums. From what I’ve read, the band invited him to sit with them as their guest (as a stand in for his dad), but he told them he had a prior commitment because he knew he was going to be onstage. As a note, thank you for taking the time and making the effort to learn about the pioneers of Rock. It is lots of fun to watch a new generation be blown away by the same music that blew us away in our youth!

@laughingoutloud5742

3 ай бұрын

Agreed!

The gray haired gent is Jimmy Paige and is considered one of the best guitarist ever. When you watch the original, you’ll see how amazing he is. To play in front of him must have been so stressful, he did an amazing job. Robert Plant, the middle guy, is the lead singer of LZ and wrote the song. He was very emotional listening to his song preformed so well. Take care!

Ann Wilson has always had the most amazing voice and still does at the age of 70. She and her sister, Nancy have rocked the world for decades.

you kids watching this is so great....Heart and Led ZEP.....amazing

In terms of the people in the audience rocking out (besides the Obamas), they showed Yo-Yo Ma who’s one of the greatest cellists of all time, Audra McDonald (hands up in praise) who is a six-time Tony Award winner with an operatic voice, and Bonnie Raitt who is a legend in country music. That gives you a sense of the icons that both Led Zepplin and Heart are.

@MKins71

3 ай бұрын

That was not Audra McDonald. It was Debbie Allen.

Go down the Zeppelin rabbit hole! You will never be the same!!

Oh man I love this so much! Heart was my favorite band in high school. They were a force to be reckoned with. And it seemed that Led Zeppelin had a long time respect for the band by allowing them to cover Rock n Roll. Led Zeppelin was always very protective of their music. They hardly ever let any filmmakers use their music on a soundtrack and I think that they allowed a track to be included in the Cameron Crowe film School of Rock is not only because Cameron followed Zeppelin on tour as an underage journalist but also because he is married to guitarist Nancy Wilson of Heart. Seeing the band react to their own song like it was the first time hearing it will always be priceless.

Both Heart and LZ are definitely worth a deep dive.

Ann is still amazing. In 2022, she was featured on the song Don't Tell Me with Disturbed. 73 years old and still belts it out like we are in the 70s. As for this song, it has always been among my favorites since I heard it as a kid.

Totaly correct , that was the Led Zeppelin they where filming 😊

Listen to more Zeppelin AND more Heart! 🤟😎🤙

The drummer is the Son of Leds original drummer.

A+++++ for choosing the full version.

@sersastark

3 ай бұрын

Yes!!!

Ann Wilson unreal at 62 years singing this classic. I'm 65 this year and enjoyed the best decade of music EVER!! Love love seeing this tribute. ❤️👍😎

1. The drummer is the son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, whose death led to Zep’s disbandment. The surviving members had invited Jason to this show but he declined saying he had a gig that night, they had no idea this was the gig! That’s one reason Robert Plant was moved to tears. 2. Ann Wilson is 62 years old here singing like she’s 30 3. No matter how many times I see this, “to be a ROCK! And not to ROOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!” Never gets old

My favourite part is watching Yo-Yo Ma appreciating the music. It just shows true talent recognized each other. You should check out Heart too... they were amazing. Also, watching the drummer's son play in place of his father was a tear jerk.

Yes those three gentlemen are Led Zeppelin and are being honoured at the Kennedy Centre.

You need to see Zeppelin do this live from 1973 at Madison Square Garden. One of the best guitar solos you will ever see.

Loved seeing Heart. They have such a storied history . The two sisters voices are always in my head, along with Robert Plant & Jimmy Paige . Led Zepp was the summer of 1970 to me.

I always get goosebumps to this performance. The choir gets me right in the feels. ❤️🔥

I will never fault anyone trying to learn new music to them, and this is a fantastic way for you to discover Led Zepplin. Like someone else had said go down the rabbit hole of Heart and Led Zepplin, you will not be disappointed.

To do this song, that the original band hates when its covered, in front of said band, with the late drummers son playing on his fathers drum set, with the sitting president there.... No pressure.

@Wiley_Coyote

3 ай бұрын

They RIGHTFULLY hate covers of it... because every ape deludes themselves into thinking they're great at it, and they're not. So zillions of bad performances of it exist. A galaxy of suck is linked to this song, and people covering it. But this one certainly doesn't (suck, that is). It's someone with the right power, and tone, and emotional understanding of it, backed by amazing musicians (and a choir!). Believe it or not, Dolly Parton did one of the few great covers of this too. Mostly because she didn't copy. She totally rearranged it, and made it work for HER.

@glenchapman3899

3 ай бұрын

@@Wiley_Coyote I think why this works. The musicians believed deeply in what they were doing, and who they were doing it for. The sheer amount of energy coming from the stage was infectious.

Yes this would hit the drummer hard in that moment. His father was the original drummer😢passed away years ago. Jason did a phenomenal job. He grew up with these guys, so no one better to do this with Heart. Ann nailed this song. They all did.❤

@glenchapman3899

3 ай бұрын

Apparently they didn't know Jason was going to be doing this gig either.

Yes. The 3 men in the upper rows are the 3 living members of Led Zeppelin. This is the annual Kennedy Center honors which celebrates contributions in the Arts. The young man playing drums in the bowler hat is the son of LZ’s original drummer who wore bowlers. Heart loved LZ and this was a monster to perform, as this is arguably the most revered Rock song in history.

Chills is right! This is a great cover, and to perform in front of the original artists must be nerve wracking! Ann and Nancy did a great job, and the choir brought it home! Hope you like the original as much - such a classic!

The hat the drummer and large choir are wearing is the type of hat John Bonham wore. The drummer is the son of the G.O.A.T. drummer, John Bonham. I would recommend the studio version and the live at Madison Square Garden version by Led Zeppelin of this song. I may have heard it 100s of times but it still awakens something in my soul every time. Thank you for reacting to this. For many of us, this is a masterpiece.

The overwhelm of this production merely meets the overwhelm of this song's contribution to the advancement of music... at the period when music's contribution to humanity... was at its very apex. For someone like me who was coming of age in the early to mid 70's... I can attest that "Stairway To Heaven' was THE VERY PINNACLE of that era.

One of the best rock performances of all time 🌟🌟🌟

This is the best musical performance for the last 20 years. Number 1 !

Nothing can ever beat the original. But this is BY FAR the best cover I've ever heard of "Stairway to Heaven". I'm so glad you reacted to this. No matter how many times I hear it, I still get chills.

The silver haired fox is Jimmy Page founding member guitarist and producer of led zep - he wrote that beautiful piece of music. Robert Plant the singer was child hood friends with John Bonham the drummer and new his son from birth. He didn't know that Jason was doing that performance hence RP's reaction at the beginning and then the fighting back tears - he wrote the lyrics . the band broke up following the death of John B. the third and equally essential surviving member is John Paul Jones plays bass, organ and mandolin as necessary. its impossible to overstate how good and influential led zep were you need to dive into it. after stairway to heaven try since i been loving you live at Madison square garden 1973 . Regarding the bowler hat its worth knowing that it used to be the symbol and almost the uniform of conservative respctable British etsablishment figures so John Bonham wearing it was iconoclastic - an act of cheeky rebellion.

Ann is the only female voice that can sing this with the justice it deserves. Awesome voice! Loved watching Jimmy Page getting into and enjoying the performance

“Stairway To Heaven” is a song that many argue is the most epic song in the classic rock canon…

The drummer is the son of their late drummer. They had invited him to sit with them in honor of his father but he told them he had another "gig" to do that night! That's why they showed him so much love at the end!

The Kennedy Center Honors performances are always worth watching.

You got chills the second I got TEARS!! 😂🥰

You're doing great. The Kennedy Center Honors always pays tribute to superstars in the entertainment industry only if they are still alive and can be present. They also do not know who is going to be a part of the tribute. So their surprise and emotions are real.

I STILL remember being 6 years old and becoming aware of the song on the radio, late at night unable to sleep and sneaking to turn on my little clock radio because it helped me sleep, I remember thinking how pretty it was, it will most certainly be a classic piece my great grandchildren will be taught about long after I'm gone, like Vivaldi or Beethoven, there will always be a Stairway to Heaven

This is one of my favorite performances by heart. I highly recommend Prince at the rock and roll Hall of Fame doing my guitar gently weeps. He stole the show and proved why he was a guitar god

@Mhantrax

3 ай бұрын

I second this recommendation!

@laughingoutloud5742

3 ай бұрын

OMG yes! Good choice

@markadolph8715

3 ай бұрын

No doubt.

@Emilie-one

3 ай бұрын

I will third that!!! Talk about amazing performances!!

@tashimoto

3 ай бұрын

I'll 4th that! Best EVER!

the drummer is the son of the original drummer for Led zeppelin. so you can bet it's pretty emotional for him playing a song that his dad made famous.

Oh my heart its Heart. ❤

An amazing tribute and performance, and a standing ovation from Led Zeppelin.....

One of the greatest voices of all time singing one of the greatest songs of all time, with the son of the original drummer. I have heard this probably 20 times and I still get tears.

Heart. Magic man. One of the best songs ever made.

I saw Led Zeppelin perform April 8, 1970 in Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC. I was 17 and that was best concert to this day I ever saw. Watching this amazing video brings goosebumps to my body and tears to my eyes every time I watch it.

Maybe the best cover song ever!! The Wilson sisters were at the top of their game and Jason Bonham’s appearance is just both heart felt and powerful!!!

Definitely one of THE greatest covers! Heart is STILL FIRE!! 🥰🔥🎶

If you jump into classic rock (60/70’s) you will find an almost endless catalog of great music. You’ll have reaction videos for days.

We are just all giddy/happy watching because we know what's coming and we are happy for you in advance.

That makes me cry every time I watch this. The emotions that go through me.

I saw Heart in concert a few months after Kenned Center Honors. Ann did an acapella performance of the song "Alone". The power of Ann's voice was phenomenal.

Ann was 62 when she sang this. She is still amazing at 73.

The Kennedy Center tribute to Cher is mind blowing as well, and worth checking out. Adam Lambert's (Current lead singer with Queen) performance of her song Believe brought Cher to tears.

@valeriekhall

3 ай бұрын

I came here specifically to recommend that one! VOCALS!

Jason bonham is the drummer. His father was jon the legendary led zep drummer who passed away. Robert plant (curly haired guy who was the singer) is his godfather. Robert asked Jason to join them in honor of his father and sit with them. He declined saying he had previous obligations- only to surprise them by playing with heart. The derby hats are in honor of jon bonham who wore one. Ann and Nancy Wilson (heart) are legends themselves. Ann will always be the queen voice in rock since the 70s! Nancy on guitar is always amazing but she also has a great voice!

Nobody better than Nancy Wilson on acoustic guitar. Ann Wilson STRONG vocals. Toss in a full Choir and Orchestra, IMHO the best rendition.😁

I can’t imagine doin stairway in front of Zeppelin, these classy legends & all the rest made Robert Plant weepy! Kick ass performance!

And the drum set used was John Bonhams original set. Best tribute ever!

Great reaction Cliff, standing ovations all around.👏👏👏 The original has been one of my all-time favourite songs since I was a toddler, and Heart (unsurprisingly) knocked it out of the park.❤🤘

The original members of Led Zeppelin-(left-to-right) John Paul Jones (bass and keyboards), Robert Plant (lead vocal) and Jimmy Page (lead guitar)-were chosen for the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012. The KCH is an annual event honoring the cultural contributions of artists from across the spectrum of performing arts, and is considered the highest honor a performing artist can receive. It has always been attended by the President and First Lady (with the exception of the Trumps). The entire event is filmed and edited for later telecast, and is well worth viewing. The other artists paying tribute to Led Zeppelin included Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, and Kid Rock. (The other honorees in 2012 included blues master Buddy Guy, late night television host David Letterman, actor Dustin Hoffman, and prima ballerina and choreographer Natalia Mokarova. I highly recommend the segment honoring Buddy Guy.)

I saw Heart in concert. 🔥🔥🔥

@marissanorth85

3 ай бұрын

Me too!!

♥️Led Zeppelin ♥️ you must listen to all of there songs Robert plant has a voice that no man alive will ever compare ♥️

Oh man, I just loved your reaction. You MUST please check out the original, this arrangement is different but equally as beautiful.

The Kennedy Center Honors is typically attended by the President and First Lady. That is the surviving members of Led Zeplin who are being honored and the deceased member’s son is on stage playing drums for Ann and Nancy Wilson.

Led Zeppelin was the band of my generation and my favorite band. It's a rabbit hole you need to go down. This is absolutely the best cover of this ever. Please react to the original . If you ever get to see the Heart in concert you should. I got to see them twice. Go down the Heart rabbit hole too. They never disappoint. Great reaction as always ❤❤❤❤

Yes these gentlemen are Led Zeppelin and the drummer is John Bonham's son Pronounced Bon am!!

Heart, the Wilson sisters Ann and Nancy, are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some of their most famous songs are Magic Man, Barracuda, Alone, and Crazy on You. Nancy usually sings backing vocals but she’s the lead on These Dreams. I see someone mentioned that Ann was 62 and fighting a cold, Nancy was 58. Nancy was married to Cameron Crowe the movie producer and she wrote some of the music for the movie Almost Famous. This was very moving for Led Zeppelin and they didn’t know Jason, the son of their drummer was going to perform it was a surprise and Robert Plant LZ’s singer is his godfather.

You are going to love this, especially the bands reaction.

The woman with her hands up is Debbie Allen, a famous dancer and choreographer (she was in the movie/tv series Fame back in the day.) The red-headed woman rocking out was singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt, and you also got glimpses of famous cellist Yo Yo Ma and Stephen Colbert to boot. The Kennedy Honors tend to be a pretty star-packed evening.

You should definitely go down the Heart rabbit hole... I personally love 80's Heart ❤️ I just love Ann's voice and I get chills every time I hear it! Some of my favorites are Alone, Never, Stranded, Nothing at all, and These Dreams ❤

This was an awe inspiring version to an iconic rock song. Extra special that the drummer here is wearing what was his dad's won bowler hat. Jason Bohnam is the son of John Bonham, Led Zep's late drummer.

Story has it that Robert Plant asked Jason to perform at this event, contribute to his father, John Bonham. Jason said he had a prior engagement and wouldn’t be able to make it, but little did Led Zeppelin know that this was the prior engagement. You will see it the beginning of the video when he comes out Robert Plant stand up and point out. I’m in surprise, so that was a special moment

@sersastark

3 ай бұрын

That was confirmed by Ann and Nancy

Yeah, the drummer was thinking about his dad, who passed back in 81 and was the drummer for Led Zeppelin.

That chill response is a good thing. Does it to me every single time.

@Michelselle

3 ай бұрын

The drummer's dad was the original drummer for Led Zepplin, he is no longer with us.

I have watched this performance at least 30 times and I have yet to not get chills and misty eyed. I am not sure how I would have handled being there live - but I probably would have been crying uncontrollably.

Led Zeppelin is so 🔥 🔥 🔥 with so many bangers!

Led Zep is being honored at this event. You're right about them being in the peanut gallery... and they are loving Heart's performance of one of their greatest hits. The choir is amazing! The kid drumming for Heart is John Bonham's son. John Bonham was the drummer for Led Zep until his premature death, which ended the band. They just couldn't continue after losing "Bonzo". You do just fine baby! Thank you.

those guitars sound so beautiful

Ann's voice is what makes this amazing...she was 63 years old when she sang this. 7:47 is my favorite moment...

I have watched this so many times, absolutely love this version Heart did such an amazing job. Ann Wilson's voice is so amazing.

Fantastic reaction. Loved that you felt it simply from the beauty and power of the performance even without knowing the original. You are in tune with the spirit, my man! Cheers

There was a little story. The drummer of the Hart tribute was the son of the late John Bonham. They invited him to sit up with them, and he told them that he had a prior engagement and he’s so sorry that he wouldn’t be there. Needless to say, the prior engagement was the tribute.

It is well worth watching the entire tribute: Jack Black introduces it, other performers in addition to Heart were Foo Fighters, Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz.

@ingobordewick6480

3 ай бұрын

I love Jack Black's "Zepathon" speech. Awesome stuff!

Thank God someone got you the FULL version 😏

I so appreciate that you are learning about the amazing music that we have cherished for decades.... THE MIGHTY ZEP. there will never be another as great.

@makkimontoya7330

3 ай бұрын

100%😎🤘

I'm not seeing this in the comments. One thing to know is that the Kennedy Honors is a US Presidential award given for outstanding contributions to USA arts. That's why Obama is there in this video. It starts with the President giving the artists the award with the rainbow lanyard (which symbolizes 'a spectrum of many skills within the arts) and ends that evening with other performers playing a song or doing a routine (Billy Crystal was just given the award) in honor of them.

This version makes me tear up every time. Such a wonderful tribute. All the LZ performances were great that night, and especially this one, the show stopper that brought out the smiles! ❤ I had the privilege of seeing Robert Plant and Jimmy Page play with Jason Bonham on drums during the No Quarter tour. Definite bucket list moment. ❤

You’ve just witnessed the best cover of the most iconic song by the most iconic band in rock history. The drummer is Jason Bonham the son of John Bonham the drummer of LZ who has passed away. At the end of the song Jason looks to the heavens as a salute to his daddy.

The number 1 rock song of all time ….period. Please do the studio version to find out how great this production is.

THE BEST 'cover' version of all times! Plant was in tears - and understandably.

The Kennedy Center Honors are held every year and hosted by the President. Honors are conferred on great musicians, comedians, actors. The three men w/medals are Led Zeppelin ( and if you look past Jimmy Page you will see David Letterman, who also rec'd the award in this year.) The original LZ drummer was John Bonham who died some years ago, and we are watching his son Jason filling in brilliantly! Imagine being in the building...this is a religious experience.❤️