Audio | Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven Alternate Mix

As we previously reported, Led Zeppelin will release deluxe reissues of both Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of Holy on October 28. Both reissues contain a slew of previously unreleased material including an alternate mix of “Stairway To Heaven” which Rolling Stone premiered today.

The track was recorded at Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound back in 1971 and we agree with Rolling Stone that it contains a “moodier” approach to the band’s signature sound. “It’s always interesting to hear stuff that you know really well and hear it differently, but the same,” John Paul Jones told Rolling Stone. “It does give a different perspective on it. You hear different things. I did read somewhere that the end of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ contained one of the best rock bass parts ever recorded. Unfortunately it comes underneath one of the greatest rock guitars so… But ‘Stairway’ is a favorite still. It’s just got everything that we are about.”

“The Sunset Sound mix of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ was actually mixed at Sunset Sound in L.A. in advance of the version that everybody knows,” added Jimmy Page. “I think it’s a really good embodiment of everything that’s on there. It’s a guitar mix, really.”

With that in mind, take a listen to the alternate mix of “Stairway”:

Both reissues are currently available for pre-order at LedZeppelin.com.