Jimmy Page: How Stairway to Heaven was written

Hardline

Well-Known Member
Messages
20,657
Reaction score
36,182
I remember there was a rumor going around at one point that it was automatic writing channeled through Aliestar Crowley was how Stairway got written. LOL
Page did live in Crowleys house once and owned an occultic bookstore.
This was the first song I ever heard someone say if it was played backwards you could hear Satanic messages in it. Back masking
 

JohnnyTheFox

Achilleslastand
Messages
9,866
Reaction score
18,995
I remember there was a rumor going around at one point that it was automatic writing channeled through Aliestar Crowley was how Stairway got written. LOL
Page did live in Crowleys house once and owned an occultic bookstore.
This was the first song I ever heard someone say if it was played backwards you could hear Satanic messages in it. Back masking

Jimmy did live in Boleskine for while as well as Plumpton Place{which is featured in the movie The Song Remains the Same with Page sitting on the grass playing an acoustic guitar} https://forums.ledzeppelin.com/topic/2974-jimmy-pages-plumpton-place-1974/ There were strange occurrences at both places.
 

Them

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,509
Reaction score
8,829
...I know how " Stairway to Heaven" was actually written...late one evening Jimmy & Robert were loafing around in Jimmy's study, and suddenly Lucifer appeared to them and said, "Sup Bros?" ""Grab a pen and paper and write this down!"...:muttley:
 

JohnnyTheFox

Achilleslastand
Messages
9,866
Reaction score
18,995
...I know how " Stairway to Heaven" was actually written...late one evening Jimmy & Robert were loafing around in Jimmy's study, and suddenly Lucifer appeared to them and said, "Sup Bros?" ""Grab a pen and paper and write this down!"...:muttley:

That isn't to far off the mark, I recall a interview where Plant said the lyrics just flowed out of his pen.
 

YosemiteSam

Unfriendly and Aloof!
Messages
45,756
Reaction score
21,940
I used to love that song and even learn to play it on my guitar, but the term burned out was invented for that song. Now, if it comes on I can't change the station fast enough.
 

fredp22

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,717
Reaction score
2,117
remember when album came out song didnt receive that much airplay in the beginning. Black Dog, Rock and Roll, When levee breaks were songs receiving most of airplay. While Stairway wasnt looked down at it just didnt get much airplay and really didnt take off for a while but then its popularity just kept growing.

Same thing for Claptons Layla. It was actually released twice with minimal success on first release but took off when re-released.
 

Runwildboys

Confused about stuff
Messages
50,240
Reaction score
94,113
CowboysZone DIEHARD Fan
remember when album came out song didnt receive that much airplay in the beginning. Black Dog, Rock and Roll, When levee breaks were songs receiving most of airplay. While Stairway wasnt looked down at it just didnt get much airplay and really didnt take off for a while but then its popularity just kept growing.

Same thing for Claptons Layla. It was actually released twice with minimal success on first release but took off when re-released.
As late as around 1990 something, I think it was still the most requested song in history.
 

fredp22

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,717
Reaction score
2,117
As late as around 1990 something, I think it was still the most requested song in history.
Now both Layla and Stairway go back and forth as best song but when album was released in 1971 it just wasnt recognized as a fabulous song. Really dont remember time frame but would guess 3 years (1974) before it took over as strongest song on album and its popularity grew. It was also placed at a place on album (2nd to last on 2nd side?) that said band wasnt expecting to much originally from the song.
As for Layla dont remember what caused the re-release and surge in popularity, May have been Duane Allmans death
 
Last edited:
Top