Led Zep: we didn't pinch Stairway to Heaven, but we were exceptionally talented

Here's an update on the copyright infringement suit filed on behalf of the Randy California estate:

"Led Zeppelin would like it known: They did not commit copyright infringement in writing “Stairway to Heaven.” The group does admit, however, to being an awesome part of rock ‘n’ roll history... and filed an answer to a lawsuit alleging that “Stairway” was stolen from the 1968 song “Taurus” by Spirit, who had played with Zeppelin on an early tour.

The group’s answer to the lawsuit... is light on detail, mostly denying the allegations or claiming insufficient knowledge to answer the allegations, but does contain one amusing passage, in which Page, Plant and Jones assert their talent and reputation.

“Answering paragraph 11 of the First Amended Complaint, including the First Amended Complaint’s footnote 1, Defendants admit that Led Zeppelin has been called one of the greatest bands in history and its members were and are exceptionally talented,” the group’s answer reads, “but otherwise deny each and every allegation contained in paragraph 11 of the First Amended Complaint.”

http://www.boston.com/entertainment...nds-history/22Ad9750vnSxnQJwsYaQsO/story.html

 

Then how do they explain this?!?

 

Because they're.... talented?

 

Does anyone remember laughter?

 

Forty years ago. Peter Grant and Richard Cole would have responded to this a bit differently.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/news/led-zeppelin-stumbles-stairway-lawsuit-234729426.html

 

Pinched!

 

Is this version of the infringement with, or without, "the cough"?

 

That’s a fantastically dramatic and exciting legal developmmmmmm zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

 

I am without speech.

 

The riff sounds pinched to me. Just saying ...

And Zep was my favorite back in the day!

Just pinched the riff, that's all. lol.

As Picasso stated: "Bad artists copy, good artists steal".

 

Incidentally, why would someone with as cool a given name as Randy Craig Wolfe need a pseudonym?

 

Because he got the name Randy California from a certain J. Hendrix, and you don't just discard a talking point like that.

 

Ah.

 

Jimi gave him the name because there were two Randys in that jam band. One was dubbed Randy California. The other was called Randy Texas.

 

I don't know whether to be pleased at the confidence with which they answered these charges or just be dreading the inevitable "Led Zepplelin stole every damn thing" argument that happens every time this subject is brought up.

Quite a contrast with how the Jake Holmes case was settled though.

If they lose the case, the judge should sentence Plant to perform the song with his band in concert.

 

Here's another update, FWIW.
http://loudwire.com/led-zeppelin-stairway-to-heaven-authorship-trial-may/

 

I'm figuring they waited until Peter Grant was dead before filing the lawsuit to avoid any sort of "confrontation"

After all Peter Grant was the Suge Knight of his day, or I should really say it was the other way around

 

God I hope they find in favour of Spirit.

It'd vindicate everything I've ever said about how unoriginal Zep were.

 

Hey, that would be really swell for you!

Meanwhile back in the real world...

Each case needs to be resolved on its own merits. While it's certain Zep picked up that riff and modified it considerably, it's a small brief element of two otherwise dissimilar songs. I'm not a legal expert, but my understanding is that the overall construction, impact, and 'feel' of both songs need to be "virtually identical" for litigation.

Not seeing it at all here. Jake Holmes, yes. This, no.

Complicating things in the public eye is the fact that California was a likable personality, and Page not so much.
.

 

Well Benn, it doesn't need a legal ruling for my ears to hear the blatant similarities and plagarisms between "Whole Lotta Love", "Immigrant Song", "Stairway", "Trampled Underfoot" (and many others) with earlier performances and recordings by other artists.

 

And, if not, what will you do? How will you go on?

Lots of bands are 'unoriginal'. Most, in fact.

 

Or maybe Randy didn't think pinching a lick to build an entirely new song was actionable, or, at least, shouldn't be acted on.

 

What a bunch of bull

 

Only if the entire world agrees with it if that's the decision. I, for one, would not. The only similarity from a music theory perspective is the use of a descending scale pattern that only lasts mere seconds and isn't the hook (melody) of either song. The spirit song lacks the upper notes that the Zep tune has which are the melody. The bass notes are not.