Digging Into Led Zeppelin’s Legal Battle

Earlier this week, we discussed Led Zeppelin and his legal battle over copyright issues regarding the song “Stairway” with former Spirit member Randy California. Let’s talk about it a little more…

Here’s how we got to where we are. The moderately famous rock band ‘Spirit’ (“Nature’s Way” and “I Got a Line on You” chart singles) wrote a tune called “Taurus” in 1967, released in 1968.

So far so good right? Well, The plot thickens. A little known group called Led Zeppelin did a tour opening for Spirit in 1968. The suit alleges that Jimmy Page stole the opening rift of “Taurus” and stuck in in the opening of ‘Stairway.” The two riffs are very similar in sound and cord, so the legal point is definitely made.

Suffice to say we’re happy to see an end to this legal battle.


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