American Idol Gives Back 2010: Mary J. Blige, Randy Jackson, Orianthi Cover 'Stairway to Heaven'

Toward the end of the American Idol Gives Back 2010 episode, which aired tonight on Fox in a two-hour special episode, numerous musicians collaborated on a moving cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven". The song will be available on iTunes, and proceeds will go to the Idol Gives Back program, which funds several programs, including health care for underprivileged kids.

Artists who contributed to the American Idol Gives Back 2010 "Stairway To Heaven" rendition on tonight's episode come from a variety of musical backgrounds. Mary J. Blige, of hip-hop and R&B success, provided the lead vocals, while punk-rocker and former Blink-182 drummer, Travis Barker, handled percussion. American Idol's own Randy Jackson added soulful bass lines to guitar legend Steve Vai and budding pop prodigy Orianthi's guitar work. Combined, the odd grouping delivered an acceptable, if not quite impressive, performance of the Zeppelin classic.

Mary J. Blige especially seemed to give her all to the performance, and displayed true talent on the American Idol Gives Back 2010 stage. Blige managed to convey significant emotion through her voice, even while hiding her eyes behind shades until the final bars of the song. Barker pounded away on the drums in his signature fashion, going hard, but in his own restrained and perfectly-timed way. Vai, Orianthi and Jackson provided all the right support notes to Blige's powerful vocal tribute to "Stairway To Heaven", though it is a tall stick to be measured by.

While American Idol Gives Back is a great program, and iTunes copies of tonight's version of "Stairway To Heaven" will benefit the kids, which is also great, there is still a musical critique to be made. If the original version of this classic Led Zeppelin song was a 14 on a scale of on-to-ten, tonight's American Idol effort was perhaps an eight-point-five. Still, very good cover, and a very good cause!

For more American Idol downloads, or to download the "Stairway To Heaven" cover, check out the Download Center on the show's web site. You can also visit iTunes.com to check out popular American Idol celebrity performances.