The rock icon also performed Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” and “Thank You”
Last night Oxfordshire, England, Robert Plant played Led Zeppelin’s signature song, “Stairway to Heaven,” for the first time in nearly two decades. The performance was part of Plant’s slot at a charity show for The Cancer Platform. He was accompanied by none other than founding Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor, who leads the charitable initiative, and accomplished bassist Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Gary Moore, Whitesnake). Plant’s set also included two more Zeppelin classics – “Thank You” and “Black Dog.” Stream the full performance of “Stairway to Heaven” below.
“Well that was fun, “Platt said on his official Instagram. “So good to be reunited with my old rhythm partner David Palmer and play with Andy Taylor for the first time in 25 years…AND ROBERT PLANT! Who was just amazing and such a lovely chap. I’ve now played ‘Black Dog’ with Page and Plant. Box tick! And for an amazing cause. The incredible Sir Chris Evans who’s cancer breakthroughs are saving untold lives, Andy’s included. Shout out to Ella Henderson too who was great.”
The Cancer Platform is a newly launched program by The Cancer Trust, which is spearheaded by Andy Taylor. The event An Evening with Andy Taylor and Special Guests was put on by The Cancer Platform at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, England on Saturday, October 21. In addition to Plant and Pratt, other featured guests included renowned session and touring drummer David Palmer (Rod Stewart, Sting, Pet Shop Boys, Bryan Adams) was also on the bill, in addition to several others.
Andy Taylor, who stepped away from Duran Duran in 2006, revealed last year that he has prostate cancer. Last August, Duran Duran played a special one-off show at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, California to raise funds for The Cancer Platform.
Robert Plant last performed “Stairway to Heaven” with Led Zeppelin on December 10, 2007. The performance at the O2 Arena in London was part of the tribute concert to the late Ahmet Ertegun. Erteghun was the founder of Atlantic Records, Zeppelin’s longtime label. The band’s set was eventually released on the live DVD, Celebration Day.
Originally releases in 1971, “Stairway to Heaven” appeared on Led Zeppelin’s watershed untitled fourth album, commonly referred to as Led Zeppelin IV, or Zoso. The sweeping 8-minute epic is widely regarded as one of the greatest songs ever written. The album, which is arguably Zeppelin’s best album, the double-diamond certified Zoso is undoubtedly one of the greatest rock records of all-time.
Watch Plant play the Zeppelin hits “Stairway to Heaven,” “Thank You,” and Black Dog” during his full set HERE.