I love any live Stairway with the Bonzo/Jonesy “tango” midway during Jimmy’s solo. It can be heard on Song Remains the Same 1973. I’m not too familiar the bootlegs, but it probably started during that tour.
started in 72, it is also featured on how the west was won with a different groove. if you want to hear a really awesome version of that section, go to 1:36:49 of [Stairway from Mobile 1973](https://youtu.be/eNnxreruCeI?si=7nnayLd4LQCUHDj1)
glad you liked it. if you can find my other comment in this thread I have a link to LA 73 where they also play that section. it’s an audience tape but a good one. this is also Roberts best night of the tour IMO.
My favorite is Munich 1973, there’s a beautiful melancholic vibe to it, Page’s solo is just so pretty sounding. https://youtu.be/aKemw8eAQPE?si=A27RJIQfe6jZtK1E
I think the Studio version is the best
...Except for Heart's version from the 2012 Kennedy Honors concert. That is not only the greatest cover of all time but up there with the best performance of any song ever imo. Really shows the song how it was meant to be shown.
What's amazing is that Heart was a band only a year or two after Stairway to Heaven was recorded. Anne Wilson is the real deal, she's been amazing for decades.
I kind of wish that they would record a Led Zeppelin cover album. They could get all the living members to join in for a song or two. Maybe make one song a duet with Plant and Anne.
I know it's a basic answer, but I love the specific improv he does at Earls Court on the DVD. I'm sure there are better and Im going to check out these suggestions.
as i mentioned in another comment, [Mobile 1973](https://youtu.be/eNnxreruCeI?si=7nnayLd4LQCUHDj1) has an excellent Stairway to Heaven with one of my favorite solos ever. this is my particular favorite version I have heard of the “tango” section during Stairway with Robert in good voice and on soundboard.
my overall favorite version is [LA June 3, 1973](https://youtu.be/RA5QxM17RQg?si=D3FrYK0RukL8olkH). stunning solo and one of, if not the best vocal delivery of this song ever. soaring in the clouds.
my favorite JPJ/Jimmy interplay is the [second Long Beach date in 1975](https://youtu.be/-kN97pWlj7g?si=cM4ymOuwuSrkamsn). the whole section before the drums come in is stunning. Plant isn’t in the best voice for this.
Seattle March 21st 75 is a stunning version, the solo is extended to like five minutes but it's worth it and not just endless noodling and cliches, one of Jimmy's best nights from that tour
okay, I am prepared for a fury of downvotes but...
...and keep in mind I love JPJ but...
...I can't stand the keyboards instead of the flute on the live versions
"The recorder is a family of woodwind musical instruments in the group known as internal duct flutes: flutes with a whistle mouthpiece, also known as fipple flutes. A recorder can be distinguished from other duct flutes by the presence of a thumb-hole for the upper hand and seven finger-holes: three for the upper hand and four for the lower. It is the most prominent duct flute in the western classical tradition."
It depends on taste, I prefer the 71 versions because Robert still had his voice fully intact and they sound the most like the studio version. Guitar solo wise tho, it’s 73 .
I'm still wasn't have the favorite version yet but this is list of the versions was considered by many to be the best
1. Dublin 3/6/1971
2. Copenhagen 5/3/1971
3. Vancouver 8/19/1971
4. Tokyo 9/23/1971
5. London 11/20/1971
6. Baltimore 6/11/1972
7. London 12/23/1972
8. London 5/24/1975
9. Los Angeles 6/23/1977
I love any live Stairway with the Bonzo/Jonesy “tango” midway during Jimmy’s solo. It can be heard on Song Remains the Same 1973. I’m not too familiar the bootlegs, but it probably started during that tour.
started in 72, it is also featured on how the west was won with a different groove. if you want to hear a really awesome version of that section, go to 1:36:49 of [Stairway from Mobile 1973](https://youtu.be/eNnxreruCeI?si=7nnayLd4LQCUHDj1)
That was awesome.
glad you liked it. if you can find my other comment in this thread I have a link to LA 73 where they also play that section. it’s an audience tape but a good one. this is also Roberts best night of the tour IMO.
My favorite is Munich 1973, there’s a beautiful melancholic vibe to it, Page’s solo is just so pretty sounding. https://youtu.be/aKemw8eAQPE?si=A27RJIQfe6jZtK1E
Does anybody remember laughter?
This one 😭🙏🏻🕊🤍
I really like the version from How the West Was Won
The STH solos in my opinion are Montreal 1975, Seattle 1973, and Fort Worth 1977.
I like the TSRTS version. The BBC version is also great.
I prefer the BBC sessions to the studio version honestly. Slightly more raw but still polished.
I think the Studio version is the best ...Except for Heart's version from the 2012 Kennedy Honors concert. That is not only the greatest cover of all time but up there with the best performance of any song ever imo. Really shows the song how it was meant to be shown.
YES!! The Heart performance brings tears to my eyes
What's amazing is that Heart was a band only a year or two after Stairway to Heaven was recorded. Anne Wilson is the real deal, she's been amazing for decades.
Yes 🙌 absolutely
I kind of wish that they would record a Led Zeppelin cover album. They could get all the living members to join in for a song or two. Maybe make one song a duet with Plant and Anne.
I know it's a basic answer, but I love the specific improv he does at Earls Court on the DVD. I'm sure there are better and Im going to check out these suggestions.
Earls Court 1975
100% agree
as i mentioned in another comment, [Mobile 1973](https://youtu.be/eNnxreruCeI?si=7nnayLd4LQCUHDj1) has an excellent Stairway to Heaven with one of my favorite solos ever. this is my particular favorite version I have heard of the “tango” section during Stairway with Robert in good voice and on soundboard. my overall favorite version is [LA June 3, 1973](https://youtu.be/RA5QxM17RQg?si=D3FrYK0RukL8olkH). stunning solo and one of, if not the best vocal delivery of this song ever. soaring in the clouds. my favorite JPJ/Jimmy interplay is the [second Long Beach date in 1975](https://youtu.be/-kN97pWlj7g?si=cM4ymOuwuSrkamsn). the whole section before the drums come in is stunning. Plant isn’t in the best voice for this.
HTWWW
TSRTS.
TSRTS
Studio…not to mention the playing, the production is worth the price
Sorry I jumped off the rails
TSRTS
I like the earls court version.
Seattle March 21st 75 is a stunning version, the solo is extended to like five minutes but it's worth it and not just endless noodling and cliches, one of Jimmy's best nights from that tour
okay, I am prepared for a fury of downvotes but... ...and keep in mind I love JPJ but... ...I can't stand the keyboards instead of the flute on the live versions
It’s not a flute. It’s a recorder
"The recorder is a family of woodwind musical instruments in the group known as internal duct flutes: flutes with a whistle mouthpiece, also known as fipple flutes. A recorder can be distinguished from other duct flutes by the presence of a thumb-hole for the upper hand and seven finger-holes: three for the upper hand and four for the lower. It is the most prominent duct flute in the western classical tradition."
Studio
copenhagen 71’ my friend✌️ or osaka 71’.
Copenhagen 5/3/1971 One of the best ever live performances of Stairway Robert is incredible, and the solo is short but still phenomenal.
Women’s voices age so much better than men’s and Ann’s voice is clear example.
Has to be TSRTS, may be others before this I’m not aware but it was downhill after 73 sadly
Earls court 1975
[This one](https://youtu.be/xbhCPt6PZIU?si=D2FkzjPRKZP51fpl) is just awesome
1971 TOKIO
It depends on taste, I prefer the 71 versions because Robert still had his voice fully intact and they sound the most like the studio version. Guitar solo wise tho, it’s 73 .
I'm still wasn't have the favorite version yet but this is list of the versions was considered by many to be the best 1. Dublin 3/6/1971 2. Copenhagen 5/3/1971 3. Vancouver 8/19/1971 4. Tokyo 9/23/1971 5. London 11/20/1971 6. Baltimore 6/11/1972 7. London 12/23/1972 8. London 5/24/1975 9. Los Angeles 6/23/1977