Hear Tommy Shaw of Styx Cover Led Zeppelin’s ‘Going to California’

Tommy Shaw of Styx recently premiered a cover of “Going to California,” the classic song from Led Zeppelin.

Though Shaw’s cover isn’t exactly “new” — it was recorded “many years ago,” per a statement — it feels fresh, and the decision to release the song on digital platforms this past Friday was a conscious effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic era with new music.

After touring behind two Shaw-Blades albums, we discussed a second album of covers and actually recorded a few more, but we never officially set a project into motion. Styx would soon get back together and hit the road with the “Return to Paradise” tour. Will Evankovich and I decided to cut “Going to California” and did it at my home studio in the Hollywood Hills.

We recently gave it a listen and when Styx manager Charlie Brusco suggested we release it now to help fill the musical void that the lockdown had created, it suddenly had a new purpose. We had it mastered here in Nashville and created some artwork and got it placed on all the streaming platforms. Robert Plant’s original vocal is stellar, but I tried to make it my own while honoring its essence. I hope you enjoy it!

Love you all,
Tommy

View this post on Instagram

Excited to share Tommy Shaw's "Going To California" now available and streaming everywhere! Please read the note from Tommy below. Stream now using the link in our bio. Note from Tommy Shaw: After touring behind two Shaw Blades albums we discussed a second album of covers and actually recorded a few more. But we never officially set a project into motion. Styx would soon get back together and hit the road with the Return To Paradise tour. Will Evankovich and I decided to cut “Going To California” and did it at my home studio in the Hollywood Hills. We recently gave it a listen and when Styx manager Charlie Brusco suggested we release it now to help fill the musical void that the lockdown had created, it suddenly had a new purpose. We had it mastered here in Nashville and created some artwork and got it placed on all the streaming platforms. Robert Plant’s original vocal is stellar but I tried to make it my own while honoring its essence. I hope you enjoy it! Love you all, Tommy

A post shared by Styx (@styxtheband) on May 22, 2020 at 5:01am PDT

Stream Tommy Shaw’s take on the song below:

Styx had to postpone planned March 2020 tour dates as a result of the pandemic.