Mary J. Blige Says U2 Cover Inspired Led Zeppelin Remake
Mary J. Blige‘s international release of Stronger With Each Tear includes covers of Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway To Heaven,” and “Whole Lotta Love.” Blige will discuss the remakes on Oprah Tuesday.
In February, Blige recorded “Stairway To Heaven” with an all-star ensemble of musicians. Travis Barker played drums. Steve Vai and This Is It newcomer Oranthi were on guitar. Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair played piano, and American Idol judge Randy Jackson, who assembled the band, handled bass.
Blige said she wanted to remake a Zeppelin classic as a bonus for her overseas release. “Ron Fair and myself and my label all were brainstorming about what is the next big rock ‘n’ roll record that Mary can take on for the U.K.,” Blige said in a behind-the-scenes video about the song. “I remember doing ‘One‘ for the Breakthrough album and everyone really receiving it and loving it.”
Fair believes U2 lead singer Bono originally suggested the idea. “Mary J. Blige has a lot of great friendships with musicians around the world, one of which is Bono,” Fair said. “They were all hanging out and the subject of Led Zeppelin came up. And I think Bono’s the one who threw the gauntlet down and said, ‘You’ve got to do ‘Stairway To Heaven.'”
The positive feedback Blige received for “One” made her want to release more rock covers to appeal to new fans. Blige is not new to remaking classic songs. She has made her own versions of Chaka Khan‘s “Sweet Thing,” Rose Royce‘s “I’m Going Down,” and even the 19th century Christmas carol “What Child Is This” with opera great Andrea Bocelli.
When remaking a song, Blige said she does not try to emulate the original recording. “I just never think of what the actual artist is doing,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “I always look deep into Mary and give them what I would do.”
