Ann Wilson tears up the stage with a fiery take on “Rock and Roll,” proving she doesn’t cover classics—she lives them

Ann Wilson has long held a throne in the rock and roll kingdom, and few moments showcase her reign better than when she taps into the mighty catalog of Led Zeppelin. Known for her thunderous vocals and unshakable stage presence, Ann doesn’t just sing Zeppelin—she lives and breathes it. Her connection with the band’s legacy runs deep, dating back to her earliest days with Heart, when she and her sister Nancy carved their path alongside the titans of the genre.

In fact, Heart’s journey through rock history has often run parallel to Zeppelin’s mythic trajectory. From the very start, Heart’s live shows have been peppered with nods to Zeppelin’s towering influence, and Ann never shied away from tackling the most sacred parts of their songbook. She didn’t just choose the easy tracks—she went straight for the soul of Zeppelin, taking on “Rock and Roll” and “Stairway to Heaven” with an intensity few would dare.

One of the most unforgettable milestones came in 2012 at the Kennedy Center Honors. There, Ann stood before a black-tie crowd and performed “Stairway to Heaven” with such power and reverence that Robert Plant, seated among the honorees, was visibly moved to tears. It wasn’t just a tribute; it was a moment of cosmic recognition—an artist honoring another, with both fully aware of the weight and love behind the gesture.

But Ann’s history with Zeppelin didn’t begin there. Way back in 1982, Heart brought “Rock and Roll” to life during the Concert for the Americas, proving that the Wilson sisters were not only influenced by Zeppelin, they were worthy inheritors of their sonic mantle. Ann’s delivery wasn’t imitation—it was interpretation, infused with her own style and grit, pushing the music into new, thrilling territory.

Fast forward to more recent years, and Ann has only deepened her connection to these legendary tracks. One such performance of “Rock and Roll,” clocking in at nearly five minutes, stands as a testament to her unrelenting energy and charisma. As soon as she steps onto the stage, the atmosphere changes. The crowd doesn’t just react—they erupt.

From the first pounding beat, Ann takes command. Her voice slices through the sound like lightning across a dark sky. The way she drives the lyrics—raw, raspy, and razor-sharp—reminds you why this song has lived for decades. It’s more than music. It’s movement. And Ann Wilson is the high priestess leading the charge.

What makes this performance so unforgettable isn’t just her voice, though that alone could level a stadium. It’s the way she moves, breathes, and feeds off the crowd. Her bandmates, swept up in the momentum, are rolling on the floor, jumping at each other, and surrendering to the wild rhythm she sets. It’s chaos—but the kind of beautiful chaos only real rock and roll can deliver.

There’s a special kind of magic when a band isn’t just playing for the audience, but with them. That’s exactly what happens here. Every note, every drumbeat, every riff fuels a collective electricity that surges through the entire venue. And Ann, at the center of it all, is the storm.

Adding to the song’s legacy, it’s worth noting that “Rock and Roll,” originally released on Led Zeppelin IV, featured The Rolling Stones’ own Ian Stewart on piano. That collaboration alone makes the song legendary—but when Ann takes it on, she brings a whole new energy that feels just as significant.

Over the decades, Heart has become more than just a band—they’ve become a bridge between generations of rock fans. And performances like these remind us why. They don’t repackage nostalgia—they reignite it, making these classic tracks feel immediate, urgent, and alive once again.

You can’t help but wonder what might have happened if the stars had aligned for a true Led Zeppelin and Heart collaboration. Ann and Robert Plant, trading verses, summoning the elements—it sounds mythical. And maybe that’s for the best. Some fantasies are too explosive for this universe to contain.

Still, when you watch Ann Wilson sing Zeppelin, you get a taste of what that might have been like. It’s a rare glimpse into an alternate timeline where legends don’t just meet—they merge. The stage becomes a battlefield of pure sound, with Ann leading the charge like a warrior queen in leather and fire.

For anyone who thinks classic rock is a thing of the past, Ann Wilson serves up a very loud, very clear reminder: it’s not dead. It’s just waiting for the right voice to bring it roaring back to life. And in Ann’s hands, “Rock and Roll” isn’t just a song—it’s a resurrection.

If you’ve never seen it, prepare yourself. Because when Ann Wilson steps up to cover Zeppelin, she doesn’t ask for permission. She owns it. And once you’ve heard her do it, there’s no going back. The bar’s been raised—and the spirit of rock and roll feels alive as ever.