Robert Plant beams as Foo Fighters blaze through “Rock and Roll” in a wild, high-octane tribute to Zeppelin’s legacy

This performance brought an exhilarating twist to a rock anthem. At the Kennedy Center Honors, the Foo Fighters boldly tackled Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” with Dave Grohl returning to his roots behind the drum kit and the late Taylor Hawkins stepping up as frontman. Hawkins delivered a vocal performance bursting with raw energy, his voice cutting through the air like a siren. Watching him command the stage, far from his usual seat at the drums, gave fans a thrilling new appreciation for his talent.

There was a visible spark in the air as the Foo Fighters launched into the classic track, their sound roaring through the venue with fearless intensity. What made the moment even more unforgettable was the presence of rock royalty in the audience—Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones, all beaming with pride and joy. Their reactions alone proved that the Foo Fighters weren’t just performing—they were honoring a legacy, and doing it with unrelenting spirit.

The band’s rendition was explosive and fast-paced, capturing the rebellious energy of the original 1971 track while injecting their own distinct edge. Hawkins didn’t just sing; he tore into the song with a passion that felt almost primal, each note vibrating with wild enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Grohl’s drumming was as powerful as ever—he held nothing back, crashing through the beat with the same fiery drive that built his career decades ago.

For anyone unfamiliar with Hawkins as a vocalist, this performance was a revelation. Known primarily for his drumming, Hawkins showed he had the voice and stage charisma to rival any frontman. His unpolished, explosive delivery paired perfectly with the song’s classic rock roots. Watching him take the lead while Grohl powered the beat from behind was a full-circle moment that resonated deeply with fans of both the Foo Fighters and Led Zeppelin alike.

As the camera panned to the faces of the Zeppelin icons seated in the front row, their delight was palpable. Robert Plant’s wide grin and Jimmy Page’s nodding approval said more than words ever could. It was a moment of rock generations colliding—where legends saw their influence carried forward with respect and unfiltered energy. The Foo Fighters didn’t imitate—they celebrated, and in doing so, reignited the timeless fire of a classic.

Check out the unforgettable performance below, and don’t forget to pass it along to the fellow rock lovers in your life…

The Kennedy Center performance took place in 2012, during the year Led Zeppelin received their official honors. Since then, the video of the Foo Fighters’ take on “Rock and Roll” has racked up more than 16 million views on YouTube, capturing the attention of rock fans around the world. Viewers have flooded the comments section with praise, many stunned by Hawkins’ incredible vocal chops, while others express sheer joy at seeing Grohl drumming again with such ferocity.

This electrifying moment wasn’t the band’s first encounter with the Zeppelin classic. In 2008, Wembley Stadium played host to a similarly historic collaboration. Grohl and Hawkins teamed up with Robert Plant and John Paul Jones for a thunderous version of “Rock and Roll.” Plant’s vocals rang out as Grohl pounded the drums and Jones laid down the basslines, proving once again that rock’s heartbeat is strongest when legends unite across generations.

Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” first hit the airwaves in February 1972 as the second single from their monumental album, *Led Zeppelin IV*. The driving force behind its creation came from John Bonham’s impromptu tribute to Little Richard. Bonham began playing a drum intro echoing “Keep A-Knockin’,” and Jimmy Page joined in with a Chuck Berry-inspired riff. The resulting fusion created a vintage rock ‘n’ roll sound that paid homage to the genre’s roots while firmly stamping it with Zeppelin’s powerhouse style.