Mary J. Blige has partnered up with American Idol's Randy Jackson (who plays bass), plus Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, Steve Vai, and Michael Jackson's former touring guitarist Orianthi, to record versions of Led Zeppelin's “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love.” This strange project was produced by a Geffen Records exec and the tracks are available through iTunes right now.

From the release:

Keyboardist and Geffen Records Chairman Ron Fair produced the nearly nine-minute “Stairway To Heaven” and  co-produced “Whole Lotta Love” with RedOne, the Grammy award-winning producer who created multiple #1 hits for Lady Gaga.  Both tracks also appear on the U.K. version of Stronger WithEach Tear.

 

Blige adds: “I am a Led Zeppelin fan.  I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway To Heaven'.  I make songs my own by going deep inside myself and translating them to 'what would Mary do.'”

 

According to Randy Jackson, “People are going to be blown away…  Mary's throwing down!  She's rockin' out!

No word as if Blige is now also into Tarot, hermits, Tolkien, or the complete works of Aleister Crowley.

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