Ann Wilson celebrates her birthday today (June 19.) Whether she’s fronting Heart or solo, she has remained one of the most powerful vocalists in rock for decades.
If anyone questioned that notion (and shame on you if you did), you were put in your place on December 2, 2012 when Ann and Nancy Wilson took the stage at the 35th Kennedy Center Honors and paid tribute to Led Zeppelin by performing “Stairway to Heaven.”
Zeppelin was part of a stellar KCH class that included Buddy Guy, Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman and Natalia Makarova. However, Zeppelin was clearly the unofficial “headliner” of this class, and the Wilson sisters’ performance of “Stairway” was clearly the highlight of the evening.
Joined by Jason Bonham on drums and later the Joyce Garrett Youth Choir, it was a stunning, chill-inducing tribute that Ann Wilson masterfully executed as evident from the reaction of Robert Plant, who was clearly very moved.
If you’re in the mood to be similarly moved, just watch the video below.