Say It Ain't So...Possible Led Zepplin Lawsuit?

fureverywhere

fureverywhere

beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
Location
Northern NJ, USA
When I read this the first time I was a bit puzzled. Randy California has been dead for several years...not really in the best shape to show up in court. But no it's the estate of Randy California. A short backstory-Spirit was a band in the late 60's and early 70's, probably best known for "I Got a Line On You"...( may I also recommend Jay Ferguson's "Thunder Island"). Anyhoo, poor Randy drowned as a hero after saving his teen son. The possible lawsuit involves the claim that Led Zep stole the opening chords to "Stairway to Heaven from him. The question of course is if you say record a song that is in the "style" of BB King are you stealing his actual music?
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/led-z...spirit-robert-plant-jimmy-page-170132316.html#
 

It does sound that way, Fur when you listen to the opening riffs of Taurus. Led Zeppelin has been so successful everyone will sue them though they're understanding about not suing other musicians like Pearl Jam who was accused of ripping Zep off on their song Given to Fly.
 
Page did steal a load of stuff. However, since Zepellin's music is so grounded in blues, that is inevitable.

I heard of this claim some time ago and am still not convinced by it. A chord sequence is not the best musical structure to base a plagiarism claim on. And where do you stop? Is a 12 bar riff 'owned' by anyone? If it is, then there are a lot of artists in trouble.

Now, Clapton did rip off Stairway with Let It Grow. he does accept that. So, how complicated does this all become if Zeppelin lose this suit.

Finally, if Randy California did not feel strongly enough to raise the action, I think that probably shows how strongly he felt about it.
 
I'm thinking of somebody like George Thorogood...who I just looked up and he's still alive and well and touring. But if you deconstruct his music...every blues musician from the last hundred years could sue the pants off him.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top