In September last year, Mastodon lost their longtime manager, Nick John, to pancreatic cancer. It was just the latest painful interaction with the disease for the band members, who have been so seemingly cursed by cancer that they crafted their epic last full-length, 2017's Emperor of Sand, as a concept album about it and its effects. Today, the Atlantan prog-metal favorites revealed plans to release a cover of Led Zeppelin's unavoidable classic "Stairway to Heaven" in tribute to John and to raise funds for cancer research.
John was "essentially the band's Dad," Mastodon posted on Instagram. "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!"
Mastodon's "Stairway" cover will be available on 10-inch vinyl, with only 1,500 copies pressed, on Record Store Day, Saturday, April 13th. All of the proceeds will benefit the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
