Led Zep ‘Stairway’ testimony results in win
Members of Led Zeppelin are feeling a whole lotta love for members of a Los Angeles jury who ruled in favor of the British rockers in a court case claiming copyright infringement. Allegations were that the group’s signature song ‘Stairway to Heaven’ was built on a ripped-off riff from 60s psychedelic band Spirit.
Testimony from band members and ‘Stairway’ writers, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, along with testimony from bandmate John Paul Jones were key in helping the jury come to a decision in the case.
Plant lightened the mood in the courtroom on one occasion when Francis Malofiy, the attorney representing the estate of Randy Wolfe (a.k.a. Randy California) of the band Spirit, grilled members of Led Zeppelin, accusing them of “selective” memory regarding their activities of more than 40 years ago, specifically
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The riff in question pertains to the introduction of “Stairway to Heaven”, of which the estate of Randy Wolf claimed was actually a riff stolen from the Spirit song “Taurus”, composed in 1968.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFHLO_2_THg – Taurus
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page took the stand and testified that while the introduction of “Stairway to Heaven” was similar to “Taurus” in its chord sequence, they were otherwise different songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q7Vr3yQYWQ – stairway
Jurors were played live versions of both “Stairway” and “Taurus” on both guitar and piano to determine their audible similarities and differences, in addition to comparing original sheet music of the songs.
Expert testimony from the defense also aided jurors in their findings, as several experts agreed with Page in that the only similarity between “Stairway” and “Taurus” are their descending chord sequence, which is common and dates back some 300
The 8th juror says, “I started to feel that the defence counsel wasn’t doing his job. He let too many things go. Little things.” (13).
It is constantly hard to really find the cultural impact the band had yet Led Zeppelin positively is the first of the movement from the last era of the 1960's to the sexually determined rock music that depended on manliness and a more unified development.
During the 1900s, passion of composing music arose and encouraged many young teens to create garage bands and elder to perceive music as career. Famous musicians like Robert Johnson, Bill Monroe, and Elvis Presley were seeking the same. Although many were composing songs, most of them adapted their own versions from many which created a list of similarities and differences between them. Most commonly similar were themes or forms yet some differentiated in delivery style or instrumentation. Many artists got more creative and used similar instruments but give a twist into the sound play. This can be seen in the script or heard in the audio of the songs “Walkin’ Blues” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” like many others.
It is unquestionable the Led Zeppelin have influenced many great artists throughout the years. Their powerful legacy and inspirations can be seen in the work of many great musicians. Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Metallica, Madonna, Alive Cooper, Guns ’n Roses are just some of the band the Led Zeppelin had a profound influence on. XXX As Brian May from Queen said, “I'm the world's biggest Led Zeppelin fan. The music, the way they conducted themselves, their whole management structure - they were the blueprint”. Brian May (No date). XXX
Another similarity is that the melody is repeated several times in both pieces. Yet another similarity is that both selections have moderate tempo in some parts of the pieces. One last similarity is that both selections include many major chords, meaning that the sounds tend to be
Furthermore, Led Zeppelin's music has left a lasting legacy that influenced music over four decades and influenced many elements in today's American popular culture. Led Zeppelin has sold millions of albums worldwide. Not only did they influence their generation of music, but also influenced the American music that is created today. "They were the first band to prove hard rock was a genre that a lengthy career could be built off," (Grant). In the 1970's, bands such as The Cars, The Who, Bad Company, and Lynard Skynard were greatly influenced by Led Zeppelin, creating a heavier rock n' roll sound. They were the first few bands to use elements Led Zeppelin created. In the 1980's, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, and Guns and Roses also experimented with similar riffs, sounds, and style that Led Zeppelin created. Three decades later, you can still find similar sounds and style that was incorporated into Led Zeppelin style. Bands known for this include Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Hooty and the Blowfish. Of course, there are hundreds of
There is footage of the Stones’ performance on The Ed Sullivan Show floating around the internet. The changed lyrics were not sung in a different
It was funny how I was so positive that the youngster was guilty at the start! (Walks back to the middle) I would never have thought that as time progressed, Juror 8’s arguments would make me think otherwise. Angel:
(Rose 2 pg 28) Which is pretty much self explanatory. Juror 8 kept pushing on, acknowledging the fact that this 19 year old boy didn’t grow up the way a child should that his mother died when he was just nine years old and his father beat him his whole life. He’s sympathetic towards the boy and just wants justice to be rightfully
Do you enjoy listening to the famous rock band Led Zeppelin? This band has had countless songs that have made the top 100 list, including Stairway to Heaven, Immigrant Song, and Kashmir. Their music has changed the history of rock and roll. Finally they were also ranked grband in the world for 10 years in a row! This is almost unheard of in rock and roll history. This proves that Led Zeppelin is the greatest rock band of the past 50 years.
Led Zeppelin and Rush are two of the most legendary, Billboard topping, Grammy award winning, Rock ‘n’ Roll bands in the world. They both are very similar in many ways. The two bands play similar genres and have been compared to each other a lot. Their likeness in sound has even gotten them mistaken on the radio one time. When a Rush song was first debuted on the radio, people were calling in asking when the new Led Zeppelin album was coming out.
Led Zeppelin were never afraid to try new musical directions, drawing inspiration from such styles as blues, rock, folk, country (and everything in between!) to create a unique sound that almost defies description, probably the most appropriate way to describe their vast repertoire is simply as "Led Zeppelin". During their reign they created one of the most enduring and diverse catalogues in modern music and firmly secured their status as one of the most influential groups ever (probably second only to The Beatles!).
Ryan Murphy explained that he had selected songs based on the freakiness of the original artists who sang them, such as David Bowie, Nirvana and Lana Del Rey.
Led Zeppelin all started with guitarist Jimmy Page. Before Page was apart of a band known as “The Yardbirds” along with Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. But sadly “The Yardbirds” had spilt by 1968 and went their separate ways. With that happening Page had set out to create a new band. Jimmy Page had some trouble when it came to finding new members for his band. Page had asked singer Terry Reid to join but he was unavailable but Reid had recommended Robert Plant, who then later suggested drummer John Bonham, and last but not least Page asked John Paul Jones to join the group after a few sessions together. (www.rollingstone.com).
Note: Only the first line of the Madonna song is copied, but it's pretty obvious.