Robert Plant’s first performance of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway To Heaven’ in 16 years was prompted by a fan’s “six-figure” charity donation, according to new reports.
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The performance of the iconic 1971 track – from the band’s ‘Led Zeppelin IV’ album – took place during a charity concert last Saturday night (October 21).
Organised by former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor, the show was held at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire and raised funds for The Cancer Platform. It also saw the legendary rock frontman perform Led Zeppelin’s ‘Thank You’ and ‘Black Dog’.
Now, according to a new interview with former Reef and current Goldray guitarist Kenwyn House – who played alongside Plant at the gig – the performance of ‘Stairway To Heaven’ was prompted by a six-figure charity donation.
“Someone bid a huge amount of money for him to sing this song,” he told Led Zeppelin News. “There is a good circle of karma around it. That raised a six-figure sum for the charity, that one song.”
Recalling how he was surprised to see the song in the setlist, he added: “It was a combination between über excitement and terrifying… I literally only had four days to learn everything.”
“When Robert Plant walked into the room and I had to play ‘Stairway To Heaven’ with him for the first time in a small enclosed environment, that was probably the most pressured professional situation I have ever, ever come across,” House continued. “I’m in a small room with my hero playing the most famous of his songs.”
The alleged donation has not yet been confirmed by Taylor or any of the other organisers at the event. Similarly, the specific amount and person responsible remain unknown. However, footage of the performance quickly spread online. Check it out above.
The last time Plant sang the world-famous song in public was back in 2007 at London’s O2 Arena, later released as the Celebration Day concert film. More recently, however, he explained that he has since distanced himself from the song as he can no longer “relate to it” (via Blabbermouth).
Elsewhere at the charity gig on Saturday –dubbed An Evening With Andy Taylor And Special Guests – other performers included Ella Henderson, Andrew Ridgeley of Wham!, former Pink Floyd bassist Guy Pratt, comedian Katherine Ryan and renowned drummer David Palmer.
Robert Plant performs live in 2023. CREDIT: Jeremy Chan Photography/Getty Images
It wasn’t the first charity concert to be held in support of Cancer Awareness Trust this year. Back in August, Duran Duran also held a one-off show at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, California to raise funds for the organisation.
Held in honour of the guitarist – who left the band in 2006 and revealed his own diagnosis of prostate cancer last year – the gig raised money to fight against cancer and help develop special treatments that allow patients like Taylor to extend their lives.
In other Robert Plant news, earlier this year the singer declared that it was Phil Collins’ “positive energy” that acted as a “driving force” to get his solo career off the ground.
“After John [Bonham, Led Zeppelin drummer] passed away and there was no Led Zeppelin, there had to be a way to go. I floundered around a lot because until I was 32,” he explained.
“Phil Collins especially was a driving force and had positive energy with the first record… Then he came on tour with me and basically said, ‘Robert, the guy that sat behind you for all those years was my hero… Anything I can do to help you to get back into fighting shape again, I’m here.’”
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