Members of the rock band Led Zeppelin have appeared in court to deny borrowing from another song for their 1971 classic Stairway To Heaven. Guitarist Jimmy Page and singer Robert Plant are expected to give evidence at the civil case in Los Angeles. They are accused of lifting the song's opening notes from Taurus, a 1967 track by the band Spirit. Page, 72, and Plant, 67, are being sued by a trust acting for a founding member of Spirit who died in 1997. The case began with the jury being played various performances of both songs, including part of Led Zeppelin's recording of Stairway to Heaven. In his opening statement, the plaintiff's lawyer, Francis Malofiy, said the case could be summed up in six words, "give credit where credit is due".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36534469

I read that in this morning's paper. What I found interesting was I just happened to be listening to my Led Zep CD yesterday-which has Stairway to Heaven on it. Not a CD that I listen to frequently. In fact, I can't remember the last time I listened to it.



Cat

I am wondering, why has it taken them so long to come to court?

Led Zeppelin urge judge to halt Stairway to Heaven trial

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36584386

Lawyers for Led Zeppelin have asked a judge to throw out a case accusing the band of stealing the riff for Stairway to Heaven. Singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and Warner Music argue that the prosecution have failed to make their case after three days of testimony. US District Judge R Gary Klausner is expected to hear arguments on the motion when the trial resumes later.

I am hopping that The Led Zeppelin prevail in this case.

I am wondering, why has it taken them so long to come to court?


I wonder that same thing myself.  Maybe they slipped into a coma for 45 years, just recently woke from it, turned on a classic rock station and were like "Hey, that is our song!!!" :D

I wonder that same thing myself.  Maybe they slipped into a coma for 45 years, just recently woke from it, turned on a classic rock station and were like "Hey, that is our song!!!" :D
May be their heads were humming and it won't go?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFHLO_2_THg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFHLO_2_THg
Sounds like Led Zeppelin will have to pay up!

I was reading about this in the newspaper this morning. Not sure what to make of it all. :-\\

I was reading about this in the newspaper this morning. Not sure what to make of it all. :-\\
As I mentioned in an above reply, what took them so long to go to court?

As I mentioned in an above reply, what took them so long to go to court?


I read WD's response and had similar feelings:

I wonder that same thing myself.  Maybe they slipped into a coma for 45 years, just recently woke from it, turned on a classic rock station and were like "Hey, that is our song!!!" :D

Sounds like Led Zeppelin will have to pay up!


chords sound a bit different.

chords sound a bit different.
Listen at 47 seconds.

Oh well...

Led Zeppelin cleared of plagiarism in Stairway case

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36611961

Led Zeppelin did not plagiarise the opening chords of the rock epic Stairway to Heaven from the US band Spirit, a Los Angeles jury has found.

Oh well...

Led Zeppelin cleared of plagiarism in Stairway case

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36611961

Led Zeppelin did not plagiarise the opening chords of the rock epic Stairway to Heaven from the US band Spirit, a Los Angeles jury has found.


So Led won the case? ???

So Led won the case? ???
Looks like it.