Led Zeppelin Kennedy Center Honors: Band Moved to Tears by Heart's 'Stairway'

The prestigious 35th-annual Kennedy Center Honors aired Dec. 26 on national television, highlighting the awesomeness of rock gods Led Zeppelin. The program, which was taped Dec. 2, also honored bluesman Buddy Guy and featured performances from Lenny Kravitz and Heart.

"These guys redefined the rock-and-roll lifestyle," President Obama told the crowd of celebrities and diplomats. "We do not have video of this, but there was some hotel rooms trashed and mayhem all around. So it's fitting that we're doing this in a room with windows that are 3 inches thick -- and Secret Service all around. So, guys, just settle down."

Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page held court in the audience together, tearing up at one point when Nancy and Ann Wilson of Heart performed "Stairway to Heaven."

"The jams of Led Zeppelin are second to none," presenter/actor Jack Black told the audience. "Just ask anyone, from Oliver Stone to Paul Ryan and everyone in between! They sang songs about love, about Vikings, about Vikings making love. You know, they say Led Zeppelin sold their souls to Satan. Come on, guys, you know you did. There's no other way to explain your ungodly talents!"

Check out some video highlights of the show below.