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Mary J. Blige Covers 'Stairway to Heaven' With All-Star Group

Mary J. BligeR&B queen Mary J. Blige is making new friends inside Studio A at Hollywood's iconic Capitol Records building. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker is hitting the drums, Michael Jackson's former touring guitarist Orianthi and legendary rocker Steve Vai, who Blige calls "my friend with all the hair," are shredding their guitars and her old pal, 'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson, is playing bass. To bring all the motley music genres in the room full circle, Blige is belting out the lyrics to Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven.'

"I think this song is not hard at all because it's based on pure emotion," Blige tell Spinner after a couple of takes. "You gotta get lost in the rock 'n' roll moment of it all, and once you get lost in the rock 'n' roll moment of it all you can do is scream to the top of your lungs or go as low as you need to go. It's not a head thing -- it's a spirit thing."

"In a room full of people, we were all asked what we thought the song was about and no one knew," Barker admits of one of the world's most renowned rock songs. "How Mary interprets the song -- she feels a stairway to heaven is how women might buy a bunch of things to make them feel like they are in heaven or in peace with all these materialistic things -- and then going back and looking at the words, I think she nailed it."

Blige is no stranger to "nailing" a classic rock cover song. Days earlier she appeared onstage at the 52 Annual Grammy Awards with maestro Andrea Bocelli on a duet of Simon and Garfunkel's mellower 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' and her acclaimed 2005 comeback album 'The Breakthrough' boasted a cover of 'One.' "It really made people want me to do more of it," she says of her mash-up with Bono and co. "I think it's something special." Blige's makeover of 'Stairway to Heaven' will appear as one of the bonus tracks on the overseas release of her latest album, 'Stronger With Each Tear.'

As for a duet with Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, whose recent Grammy-winning project 'Raising Sand' with bluegrass chanteuse Alison Krauss proves he has a talent for collaborating with female vocalists, Blige says, "I wouldn't mind, if he doesn't mind." Blige then adds, "Whole Lotta Love' is crazy! Whoo!'

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DanS

"Mary interprets the song -- she feels a stairway to heaven is how women might buy a bunch of things to make them feel like they are in heaven or in peace with all these materialistic things -- and then going back and looking at the words, I think she nailed it."

and there you have it.
Robert, Jimmy & JP only have themselves to blame.

February 09 2010 at 6:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
L ST.J

It's definitely not a head thing,cause someone wasn't thinking! It's a money thing! Paul McCartney had his music bought by Michael Jackson.(sure he got it back) But shows you what greed does! No respect!Course Mary will make money!just because people are loyal 2 the song!Quit making money off of other people success,get your own music!

February 08 2010 at 3:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to L ST.J's comment
Skyler

I totally agree. I heard a take of this song on tv and she butchered it. She added all of that RnB vocalism in it which just pisses me off more. That has no place being in one of the most legendary songs of all time. The only reason I might give it a chance is because of Travis barker and steve vai. Other than that I'll be cringing when she adds in the stereotypical RnB "woahohahoahah" trills that will most likely kill this song.

February 18 2010 at 11:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gavsmom1999

I heard about this.I just hope people give it a chance and truly listen, because I think with the line up they have it will be amazing. Zeppelin will always be Zeppelin, so I see it more as paying homage to a fantastic work of art instead of a cover. If anyone can pull off the vocals it is Mary, Orianthi is an INCREDIBLE guitarist and Travis is ALWAYS on point.I am excited to hear it, just may make history ;)

February 04 2010 at 12:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ciyanna01

i love you mary you are my idea

February 03 2010 at 5:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply