Adam Lambert's 'Whole Lotta Love': The Story Behind The Cover

Glam rocker tackled the legendary 1970 Led Zeppelin song for 'American Idol' rock night.
By Gil Kaufman

<P>Imagine a freight train speeding toward you at midnight. Or a rockslide barreling down a hill as you try to outrace it. That's the feeling of the ominous, chugging Jimmy Page riff that kicks off <MTVNLINK type="url" id="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</MTVNLINK>'s 1970 Stonehenge of rock, "Whole Lotta Love." And that's before singer Robert Plant leans into one of the nastiest, ecstatic rock screams this side of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."</P><P>That's the song Adam Lambert chose to sing on "American Idol" rock night Tuesday (May 5), and, needless to say, it was a challenge that the eyeliner-loving Los Angeles stage veteran was more than up for, hitting a series of high notes and rock screams that would have made Plant proud. It was a risky maneuver that paid off for Lambert, who chose a tune that came in at #75 on <I>Rolling Stone</i> magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004.</P><P></p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"> </div><p></P><P>The legendary British rock act recorded the tribute to Chicago blues icon Willie Dixon during their second U.S. tour after working it out in their live show, including it on their 1969 classic album <I>Led Zeppelin II.</i> Like many of the songs Zeppelin performed early in their career, "Love" was a blues standard turned on its head with a heavy dose of crunching psychedelic guitar and thundering drums, courtesy of late drummer John Bonham. The song was based on a 1962 tune by another blues forefather, Muddy Waters, called "You Need Love," which was penned by Dixon.</P><P>For Zeppelin's version, Plant customized the lyrics by adding some lyrical quotes from a few other songs Dixon wrote for Howlin' Wolf, "Back Door Man" and "Shake For Me," nailing the tricky vocal in a single take. It was also inspired by 1966's "You Need Loving" from the British rock group the Small Faces, for whom Zeppelin had great affection, but they also did not credit Dixon for his part in writing the original lyrics. The song became Zeppelin's first U.S. single and their only U.S. top 10 hit. Though their manager would not let them release singles in the U.K. because he thought it cannibalized album sales, the song was finally released as the band's only British single in 1997.</P><P>Dixon sued Zeppelin over the song in 1985, claiming it borrowed too heavily from his "You Need Love," and Zeppelin reached an agreement with him, with Dixon using the money he received to set up a program that provided musical instruments for schools. A cornerstone of heavy rock, the tune -- which was the theme song for the long-running British countdown show "Top of the Pops" in the 1970s and '80s -- has been covered by dozens of artists over the years, from Tina Turner and Ben Harper to Prince, Slash, Leona Lewis, Train's Pat Monahan, the London Symphony Orchestra and Jane's Addiction.</P><P><b>Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.</b></P>

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Beyonce Backs U.N.'s World Humanitarian Day: Watch Now!

Singer will film live music video for 'I Was Here' to support campaign.
By Jocelyn Vena

<P>Last week, Beyoncé posted a mysterious message on her website that simply read, "Leave your footprint on 19 August 2012."</P><P>The cryptic note had many fans wondering just what Queen B might be up to come mid-August. Well, the answer is here, and Beyonc&#233; not only wants her Beyhive to leave their footprint that day, but she'll also be doing the same.</P><P></P><P>The superstar has joined forces with the United Nations and humanitarian aid organizations for World Humanitarian Day on August 19. It is "a global day to celebrate humanity and the spirit of people helping people," according to a press release.</P><P>The VMA-nominated singer will be in New York City for the big celebration, along with her "I Was Here" songwriter, Diane Warren. The ladies will be on hand at the U.N. General Assembly Hall to film a live music video for the <i>4</i> ballad that they will then donate to the cause. It will be released that same day.</P><P>Beyonc&#233; appears in a black-and-white PSA for the campaign. A close-up of her face, sporting the braids she debuted a few weeks back, shows her outdoors. "It's high time we rise together," she says. "Do one thing for another human being &#8212; nothing is too small. It begins with each of us. Make your mark and say 'I was here.' " Also including footage of people across the world, the message closes out with the track playing and the diva saying, "One day, one message, 1 billion taking action for each other. I'll see you then."</P><P>The World Humanitarian Day website launched this week allows folks to post the "individual acts of good" they have done in their communities. By the day of the event, they hope to reach 1 billion people with a single message. Communities will do their part through commemorations and public events.</P><P>"We all see the headlines, and we think, 'What can I really do to help?' " Beyonc&#233; said in a statement. "World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity for all of us to work together to make a difference. This is our time to leave our mark on the world and show that we were here and we care."</P>

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Check out Monday’s afternoon reads: Kristin Cavallari got a Hermès Birkin bag as a push present – PEOPLE StyleWatch Children’s peers prove accurate indicator of adult personality – HuffPost Parents ESSAY: I was a welfare mother – The New York Times How to make your toddler listen to you – Just the Facts, Baby RECALL: [...]

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Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Heads to Rehab

Billie Joe Armstrong has checked into rehab following a major onstage meltdown. While performing at the iHeartRadio Festival on Friday night in Las Vegas, the Green Day frontman launched into an expletive-laden tirade, then smashed his guitar onstage. Watch the unedited version here, or check out the safe-for-work clip below.

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WE tv’s Bridezillas is Back! Plus, a Where Are They Now Special Premiering June 10

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Celebrity Breakups: Heidi Klum & Seal Divorce

Heidi Klum and Seal

They've shared one of the most passionate unions in Tinseltown, so it comes as sad and surprising news that Heidi Klum is getting divorced from husband Seal. Seal was the special guest during Monday's (January 23) taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show". With the episode set to air later this week, the 48-year-old British singer opened up about ending his marriage with wife of six and a half years, Heidi Klum, telling, “I think we were shocked. You go into these things with the greatest intentions when you say ‘I do’ and you say ’til death do us part.’ Those vows hold value. They are not just words… You try and you work through it and the thing that you quickly realize when you are married and you become a parent you do the best that you can." "It makes you actually appreciate your parents a lot more. The thing that I’m most proud about this great woman who married (and I really do mean that from the bottom of my heart), is that together she has given me four incredible gifts…four beautiful children [Leni, Henry, Johan, and Lou]. She still, in my opinion, the most wonderful woman in the world. I think our priority was to remain civil and do this thing with dignity. We still very much love each other,” Seal, who also performed “Let’s Stay Together” for the daytime talk show, added. “To say that neither of us were grieving would be an out and out lie (and I don’t mind telling you that). I think the operative here is that we are civil to each other and we both have a tremendous amount of respect and love and we try and do this with as much dignity as we possibly can.” Meanwhile, the "Kiss From a Rose" singer also commented on the fact that he was still sporting his wedding band, as he explained, “Yes, I am still wearing my ring. I think it’s just pretty much a token of how I feel about this woman. We have eight years. Eight wonderful years together. Just because we have decided to separate doesn’t necessarily mean you take off your ring and you’re no longer connected to that person. We will be connected in many ways ‘til the rest of our lives…. though our children and also through this tremendous admiration, respect and love that we have for each other. Will we wear the ring for the rest of our lives? Who knows? But right now it feels really comfortable on my hand so I have intentions of taking it off anytime soon.” [gallery=811]Heidi Klum and Seal

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Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber Tumble For Olympic Gymnasts On Twitter

Taylor Swift, Ryan Seacrest and other celebs tweet to celebrate U.S. gold medalists.
By Kara Warner

<P>Now that the Summer Olympics are in full swing, it seems as though the entire world has been caught up in watching their country's best athletes go for gold. We've definitely caught the Olympics fever here at MTV News and have been hard-pressed to pull our eyes away from all the action, and we're not alone. Thanks to a slew of enthusiastic tweets from our favorite celebrities, it's obvious the fever has spread to the likes of Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Pink, particularly after the U.S. gymnastics team won their gold medal Tuesday evening (July 31).</P><P>"Those girls are tearing the floor up for the USA! #Olympics," Lady Gaga tweeted. "Woohoo! Gold for the ladies! Just want to squeeze them! So much talent and beauty. Did u seem all holding hands? There's no 'I' in team."</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Olympics 2012: What's On Team USA's Music Playlist?" id="vid:819232" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>Gaga's support eventually made its way directly to 16-year-old team member McKayla Maroney, who thanked the Mother Monster for her kind words, which resulted in more excitement from Gaga herself.</P><P>"@mckaylamaroney tweeted at me!" Gaga responded. "Why didn't anybody tell me!!! DEAD. You were brilliant give all the girls a kiss for me."</P><P>Vote now for your favorite summertime smashes in our Summer Jam Games!</P><P>Fellow singers Pink and Justin Bieber are also on the women's gymnastics team's bandwagon.</P><P>"Congrats to the USA women's gymnastics team on their win," Pink wrote. "You competed hard!!!!!! Well done."</P><P>"Heard @FranklinMissy is a fan of mine. now im a fan of hers too. CONGRATS on winning GOLD! #muchlove," Bieber https://twitter.com/justinbieber/status/230212769889280000" target="_blank">tweeted, before sending the entire team some love. "CONGRATS to @McKaylaMaroney @jordynmarie2013 @kyla_ross96 @Aly_Raisman @gabrielledoug on your GOLD MEDAL. #BeliebersWinGOLD #Proud ..."</P><P>The celebrity love didn't stop there, Taylor Swift also issued tweets of congratulations to the fab five.</P><P>"CONGRATS @Aly_Raisman and all of the fab five on your incredible win!!!" Swift tweeted. "So blown away by @FranklinMissy! I was so happy to see you win, girl :)"</P><P>Finally, the up close and personal fever award goes to Ryan Seacrest, who has extra special access to the athletes thanks to his reporting gig with NBC. Seacrest showed his support for the ladies by trying to join them in their group splits.</P><P>"Doing the splits is easy, standing back up...not so much," Seacrest tweeted, along with a hilarious photo for proof.</P><P><b>Forget the Olympics: Vote now in MTV's Summer Jam Games! Polls are open and will close at midnight ET Sunday (August 5). Guide your favorites to golden glory, and help spread the word via Twitter, using the hashtag #SummerJamGames.</b></P>

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