"Stairway to Heaven" is one of Led Zeppelin's most iconic songs, and it's filled with interesting facts and trivia:
Epic Length: "Stairway to Heaven" is known for its epic length. The song clocks in at approximately 8 minutes and 2 seconds, making it one of the longest tracks ever to receive widespread radio play.
No Single Release: Surprisingly, Led Zeppelin never released "Stairway to Heaven" as a single. Despite this, it became one of the most requested and played songs on FM radio in the 1970s.
Album Placement: The song appears as the final track on Led Zeppelin's fourth studio album, commonly known as "Led Zeppelin IV." The album cover itself has no band name or song titles, which added to its mystique.
Written in a Remote Cottage: The song was written in 1970 while the band was staying at a remote cottage called Bron-Yr-Aur in Wales. The tranquility of the location is believed to have influenced the song's acoustic intro.
Evolving Live Performances: Led Zeppelin's live performances of "Stairway to Heaven" often featured extended improvisational sections, making each performance unique. Jimmy Page's legendary guitar solos during live renditions are particularly memorable.
Controversial Backmasking: The song was the subject of controversy when rumors spread that it contained hidden Satanic messages when played backward. This led to debates about backmasking in rock music.
Page and Plant's Reunion: One of the most significant live performances of "Stairway to Heaven" occurred in 2007 when Led Zeppelin reunited for a one-off performance at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert. This event featured original members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham (son of the late John Bonham) on drums.
Recorded in Multiple Studios: The song was recorded in multiple studios. The basic track was laid down at Island Records' Basing Street Studios in London, but additional parts were recorded at various locations, including Headley Grange and Olympic Studios.
Radio Ban in the UK: In the early 1970s, the BBC banned the song from its airwaves due to concerns over its "overt religious references." Despite this, it remained highly popular on commercial radio stations.
Guitar World's Greatest Guitar Solo: In a reader's poll conducted by Guitar World magazine, Jimmy Page's guitar solo in "Stairway to Heaven" was voted the greatest guitar solo of all time.
Inspiration from Folk Music: The song's acoustic intro was inspired by folk music, particularly the work of Bert Jansch, a Scottish folk musician. Page's fingerpicking style in the intro is reminiscent of Jansch's guitar playing.
Enduring Popularity: "Stairway to Heaven" continues to be a staple of classic rock radio and is often cited as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its musical and lyrical brilliance.
These facts shed light on the cultural and musical significance of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven," a song that has left an indelible mark on the history of rock music.