While Led Zeppelin has recorded countless popular songs, most people would agree the band’s defining track is “Stairway to Heaven.” But what song is Van Halen’s “Stairway.” Former frontman Sammy Hagar has answered that question, and his response might not be what you’d expect.
The Red Rocker says his pick is “Right Now,” from the 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. “The funny thing about ‘Right Now’ is it’s like one of those songs like ‘Stairway to Heaven’ for Led Zeppelin,” Hagar says. “’Stairway to Heaven’ wasn’t, like, a number one single or anything. It wasn’t even really a single. But it becomes one of their biggest songs. I believe it peaked in the 20s – the video got great awards and won three MTV music awards and all that. But the song itself wasn’t a giant radio hit or anything.”
Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony agrees, saying he believes professional sports teams helped make the track popular. “All of a sudden, you had different sports – basketball, the Lakers – different sporting events would start playing bits of that song.”
