cheechako
Well-Known Member
Stairway to Heaven. It is a classic. There is no doubt in my mind. It has also been covered quite a bit by some incredible names and talents. I recently posted a playlist of 26 lesser known artists (but not amateurs) covering Stairway to Heaven. Some of these are comedic. Some of these are campy. Some of these are pitiful.
Well, one member sent me a PM. They said that it was almost blasphemous.
I disagree. I'm not a big fan of Weird Al, but he made a career of parodies. These covers were more true to the original lyrics at least. Stairway to Heaven even achieve a sign in the Wayne's World movie. When done with the right intent, all of this is a tribute and not a dis. Now, not everyone pulls it off and some covers are not worth a second listen.
These 26 covers come from an Australian TV show from 1989 and 1990 The Money or the Gun. It was a comedy and talk show. I never watched it I'm not from Australia. It was created and hosted by Andrew Denton. I just discovered this recently. Each show, they would have a musical guest that would cover Stairway to Heaven no interview with the guest or anything.
The Rolf Harris version supposedly made it to the top 10 in the UK. I don't know I'm not from there either. That's the first one in the playlist (over in the Covers Only thread) or here. That is also the one that generated the PM.
Well, again, I think it is a tribute. It might not be the best of tributes, but I do not see it as a dis to the song or the Led Zeppelin. But who cares what I think?
In 1994, Andrew had another show simply called Denton. Here is an interview between Andrew and the two men who rank among his favorite musicians in the world. Around 7:40, they talk about the tribute versions from The Money or the Gun.
[video=youtube;6yau8YTuS0o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yau8YTuS0o[/video]
Well, one member sent me a PM. They said that it was almost blasphemous.
I disagree. I'm not a big fan of Weird Al, but he made a career of parodies. These covers were more true to the original lyrics at least. Stairway to Heaven even achieve a sign in the Wayne's World movie. When done with the right intent, all of this is a tribute and not a dis. Now, not everyone pulls it off and some covers are not worth a second listen.
These 26 covers come from an Australian TV show from 1989 and 1990 The Money or the Gun. It was a comedy and talk show. I never watched it I'm not from Australia. It was created and hosted by Andrew Denton. I just discovered this recently. Each show, they would have a musical guest that would cover Stairway to Heaven no interview with the guest or anything.
The Rolf Harris version supposedly made it to the top 10 in the UK. I don't know I'm not from there either. That's the first one in the playlist (over in the Covers Only thread) or here. That is also the one that generated the PM.
Well, again, I think it is a tribute. It might not be the best of tributes, but I do not see it as a dis to the song or the Led Zeppelin. But who cares what I think?
In 1994, Andrew had another show simply called Denton. Here is an interview between Andrew and the two men who rank among his favorite musicians in the world. Around 7:40, they talk about the tribute versions from The Money or the Gun.
[video=youtube;6yau8YTuS0o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yau8YTuS0o[/video]
