The Kennedy Center Honors aired on national television for the first time on December 26, 2012. The event was held at the Kennedy Center Opera House. During the event, Nancy Wilson, Ann Wilson and Jason Bonman performed a cover of the Led Zeppelin classic “Stairway To Heaven.” Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson sang as Jason Bonman played the drums.
The Kennedy Center Honors recognized people who had made contributions to American culture. Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Robert Plant, who are the surviving members of Led Zepellin, were honored at the event.
Other artists did covers of the song at the event. The Foo Fighters performed “Rock and Roll”, and Kid Rock performed “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You.” Lenny Kravitz performed “Whole Lotta Love.”
Jason Bonman is the son of John Bonman. John is a former Led Zeppelin member who died in 1980. The Joyce Garett Youth Choir also joined Jason, Nancy and Ann during the performance. They all wore bowler hats in honor of the deceased Led Zeppelin member.
The original members of Led Zeppelin were obviously moved by the performance. Robert Plant had tears in his eyes at the end of the performance. He called the performance “Incredible.”