# 10 – 4 Non Blondes – “Misty Mountain Hop” (1995)
Eclipsed by the towering shadow of their mega-hit “What’s Up?”, 4 Non Blondes had more to offer than most people remember. Their take on “Misty Mountain Hop” appeared on the Led Zeppelin tribute album, “Encomium: A Tribute To Led Zeppelin” released in 1992. Anchored by the inimitable Linda Perry, the cover took Zeppelin’s classic into the grunge era, making it thicker with 90s alternative rock textures. With Roger Rocha’s guitar, Christa Hillhouse’s bass, and Dawn Richardson’s drums completing the lineup, the 4 Non Blondes version was produced by David Tickle. Their rendition didn’t shy away from the original’s groove but added a contemporary edge, complete with Perry’s aggressive vocal delivery. She smoked this one baby! While it didn’t necessarily chart like their flagship single, it earned critical respect for its bravery and modernization of a classic.
# 9 – Phish – “Misty Mountain Hop” (1996)
Hailing from the jam-band universe, Phish has never been timid about tackling the giants of rock music. They took on “Misty Mountain Hop” in a live performance during their 1996 New Year’s Eve concert, which was eventually released on the live album “New Year’s Eve 1995 – Live at Madison Square Garden.” This was Phish at their improvisational best—Trey Anastasio’s psychedelic guitar tangents, Mike Gordon’s heavy bass, Page McConnell’s wandering keys, and Jon Fishman’s intricate percussion work. Produced and mixed by the band themselves, this version has a looser, almost freewheeling vibe. It was a highlight of the night and showcased Phish’s ability to adapt classic rock standards to their unique style. While it didn’t impact the charts, it remains a fan favorite, especially within the jam-band community.
# 8 – Dread Zeppelin – “Misty Mountain Hop” (1991)
If there ever was a cover that flipped the original on its head, it’s Dread Zeppelin’s rendition from their 1991 album 5,000,000*. Known for their audacious mix of Led Zeppelin tunes and reggae rhythms—oh, and an Elvis impersonator for a frontman—Dread Zeppelin’s take is anything but ordinary. Produced by Jah Paul Jo, the cover features Tortelvis on vocals, Butt-Boy on guitar, Put-Mon on bass, Fresh Cheese on congas, Spice on percussion, and Charlie Haj on drums. Their tongue-in-cheek vibe is perfectly aligned with the whimsical nature of the original, and yet they manage to make it entirely their own, replete with reggae beats and an Elvis-tinged vocal delivery. It didn’t break any chart records, but it has the kind of cult following that appreciates its humor and audacity.
# 7 – Train – “Misty Mountain Hop”
In the number seven spot, we have a live version from Train. This should come as no surprise to Train fans because the band did release an album of Led Zeppelin covers in 2016 entitled Train Does Led Zeppelin II. Pat Monahan on lead vocals pays great respect to Robert Plant’s original vocals. The band does not drift too far from the original Led Zeppelin recording.
# 6 – Widespread Panic – “Misty Mountain Hop”
A band that’s earned its reputation on the jam band circuit, Widespread Panic has covered “Misty Mountain Hop” during several of their live shows, one of the most notable being during their Halloween set in 2011 in Chicago. With John Bell on vocals and guitar, the band puts a jammy, slightly psychedelic twist on the classic track. Their version of the song is unique for its improvisational bridges and extended instrumental sections that add a different layer to the original composition.
A recording of the track can be found on various fan-made live albums and online platforms dedicated to the band’s extensive live performances. Their unique take on the song has received praise from both hardcore Zeppelin fans and followers of the jam band scene alike. The version below is from another show since the Halloween set is muted on YouTube.
# 5 – Umphrey’s McGee – “Misty Mountain Hop”
Umphrey’s McGee, another heavy-hitter in the jam band world, have also dabbled in Led Zeppelin’s discography. Their version of “Misty Mountain Hop” is a fan-favorite during their live shows, bringing a prog-rock touch to the classic. The band features Brendan Bayliss on vocals and guitar, and their unique version adds a longer instrumental interlude that allows for some intriguing musical conversations between band members. While no studio version exists, recordings from live shows circulate among fans, highlighting the band’s technical proficiency and ability to reinterpret classic tracks.
These versions of “Misty Mountain Hop” breathe new life into a classic rock staple, each band imprinting their distinct stylistic signatures onto Led Zeppelin’s original blueprint. From soulful, grungy renditions to extended jam band versions, these covers demonstrate the song’s enduring appeal and adaptability.
# 4 – 7 Seconds – “Misty Mountain Hop” (1990)
The American hardcore punk band 7 Seconds took a stab at “Misty Mountain Hop” in 1990, offering a version that diverged significantly from the original. Known for their speed and intensity, 7 Seconds typically didn’t stray far from the hardcore punk ethos, but their take on this Led Zeppelin classic is a fascinating detour. It was included in their 1990 album Soulforce Revolution, which itself was a departure from their earlier, more aggressive style into a more melodic and varied sonic landscape.
The band’s lineup for this album consisted of Kevin Seconds on vocals, Steve Youth on bass, Troy Mowat on drums, and Bobby Adams on guitar. Produced by Kevin Seconds and Jim Dobbins, the track mirrors the band’s transition into a softer, though no less impactful, musical territory. This version amplifies the punk aspects of the song, with faster tempos and a frenetic energy that’s unmistakably 7 Seconds.
While “Soulforce Revolution” didn’t make significant waves on mainstream charts, it was a critical point in the band’s evolution and received favorable reviews in underground circles. The cover didn’t attain notable chart success but stands as an interesting interpretation, filtering Led Zeppelin’s rock sensibilities through the lens of hardcore punk, thereby embodying the restless, genre-defying spirit that 7 Seconds was known for.
# 3 – Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes
Well, this one may not be fair because it does feature the man who originally wrote the songs and played the lick, but hey it’s really cool to listen to. Jimmy Page toured with the Black Crowes for some shows and released a double CD live album of all Led Zeppelin songs. The band stays true to most of the original arrangements. It must have been fun to be a member of that band playing with Jimmy Page for a year.
# 2 – Glenn Huges and Chad Smith -“Misty Mountain Hop”
What happens when you put together one of the greatest rock and roll vocals of all time with one of the coolest and most grooving drummers in classic rock history? Well, I’ll tell you. You get one smoking red hot killer version of Led Zeppelin’s “Misty Mountain Hop,” that’s what you get. This song was released on the Australian version of the album Music for The Divide. The recording also features Alice In Chains‘ guitarist Jerry Cantrell.
# 1 – Heart – “Misty Mountain Hop” (2016)
Heart, fronted by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, covered “Misty Mountain Hop” as part of their “Live at the Royal Albert Hall” album, released in 2016. This was a particularly noteworthy performance because it featured the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, giving the classic Led Zeppelin song an orchestral backing that added both grandeur and nuance. Ann Wilson’s powerhouse vocals do justice to Robert Plant’s original delivery, while the band retains the driving rock rhythm that makes the song a classic. The lineup for this live performance included Ann Wilson (vocals), Nancy Wilson (guitar, vocals), and their band, along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The album was generally well-received and highlighted Heart’s enduring skill and versatility even after four decades in the music industry.
10 Cool Cover Versions Of Led Zeppelin’s Misty Mountain Hop article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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