Stairway to Heaven

"Stairway to Heaven" is a famous and influential song by the British rock group Led Zeppelin.

Cover versions

Although the song is a popular set choice for cover bands throughout the world, the iconic status and unique structure of the song have precluded the recording of many cover versions by established artists. A few attempts at a straightforward cover have been made over the years, notably by hair metal band Great White. German producer Frank Farian formed the "supergroup" Far Corporation which was the first act to chart with a single release of the song, barely making the charts in the US, while becoming a top-10 hit in the UK, reaching number 8 in October 1985. Singer Dolly Parton recorded a country-bluegrass version on her 2002 album Halos & Horns. Many other covers tend to be ironic or humorous in intent, notably Dread Zeppelin's reggae/Elvis-inspired version and Pat Boone's lounge take, and Rolf Harris who reached number 7 on the UK charts in 1993.

Related Topics:
Cover band - Cover version - Hair metal - Great White - Frank Farian - Supergroup - Far Corporation - UK - October - 1985 - Dolly Parton - Country - Bluegrass - Dread Zeppelin - Reggae - Elvis - Pat Boone - Rolf Harris

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Frank Zappa covered the song during his 1988 world tour and appeared on the 1991 live album The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life.

Related Topics:
Frank Zappa - 1988 - 1991 - Album - The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life

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Fake versions

One version of the song circulating on the Internet is a supposed "reggae remix" by Jimi Hendrix. In fact, Hendrix died a year before the song was released. Even if he were alive, it is unlikely that he would have made such a track. The actual song that is generally circulated around is a cover of "Stairway to Heaven" by Frank Zappa at one of his last live shows. This track is also sometimes attributed to Sublime.

Related Topics:
Reggae - Jimi Hendrix - Sublime

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Another widely circulated cover version is credited to Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. This is definitely the version on the BBC Sessions album Zeppelin released in 1997.

Related Topics:
Led Zeppelin - Pink Floyd - 1997

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