As the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll goodbye to longtime manager, trusted advisor, confidant, and close friend Nick John, GRAMMY® Award-winning Atlanta hard rock juggernaut Mastodon reveal the details for Stairway To Nick John.
For this very special release, the quartet cut a cover of “Stairway To Heaven”by Led Zeppelin—who their late manager professed a lifetime of fandom for as his favorite band. For the first time, Mastodon will uncover their take on this classic as a permanent Record Store Day exclusive vinyl, featuring the Studio Version on Side A and a Live Version on Side B.
Only 1,500 copies pressed to 10-inch vinyl will be available in participating independent retailers during the 12th annual Record Store Day on Saturday April 13, 2019. Poised to sell out fast, fans are encouraged to get one as soon as possible.
All proceeds benefit the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Click here for further information.
Mastodon has issued the following statement: “In early September 2018 we lost one of our closest friends and our biggest fan, our manager Nick John. He was essentially the band’s Dad. From our highest highs to our lowest lows he was always there. Every single move we made went through him first as our trust in him was marrow deep. His favorite band besides us and Gojira, was Led Zeppelin. We were asked to perform “Stairway to Heaven” at his funeral. Afterwards, finding out that someone had recorded it, we figured we should record a studio version and release it on RSD as a tribute to Nick with all the proceeds to be donated to pancreatic cancer research. We would not be the band we are today without the help of Nick John. We miss him dearly and think of him always. We love you buddy!”
Stairway To Nick John arrives on all DSP’s this May.
Mastodon have just announced a co-headline U.S. tour with Coheed and Cambria under the banner of “The Unheavenly Skye Tour” with special guests Every Time I Die. Each night Mastodon will perform their 2009 groundbreaking album Crack The Skye in its entirety. The album remains one of the most critically revered albums of its time: