Tuesday 20 May 2014

led spirit

Oh dear.. there's trouble brewing for Jimbo and Led Zep. It seems "Stairway To Heaven" is being called a rip off of Spirit's 1968 track "Taurus". .

    "Business Week reports - Spirit founding bassist Mark Andes and the trust that handles (Randy) California’s royalties are working with Philadelphia lawyer Francis Alexander Malofiy, who says he is going to file a copyright infringement lawsuit and seek an injunction to block the rerelease of “Led Zeppelin IV” (as part of that band’s expanded reissue series, which starts next month)."
    **Hennemusic

Randy California, Spirit founding member and writer of the precious chords under dispute had been complaining for years before his death in 97 that his song had been nicked after the young Zeppelin crew had toured with his band back in the 60's.
Although you have to wonder why a lawsuit wasn't being chucked around when the song had such success in the 70's. Seems like old wounds never heal.

    **The clarity seems to be a present-day clarity, not at the time of infringement,” adds Andes. “I can’t explain it. It is fairly blatant, and note for note. It would just be nice if the Led Zeppelin guys gave Randy a little nod. That would be lovely.”

What the mother suing first line of that means is anyone's guess, well not ours actually, but it's nice to know that Andes and his lawyer have Randy's best interest at heart and all this has nothing what so ever to do with the outstanding fortune a successful lawsuit would bring. Because we all know how benevolent lawyers are, right?
So as one of rocks religious anthems climbs the stairway to the courtroom it's also given the perfect answer for any young guitarist finding themselves banned from the guitar shop for playing those haloed chords.. "Stairway to Heaven? no mate... I'm playing Taurus".

Mind you uploader ' Totally Sounds Like' nailed all this 5 years ago when he compiled the two chord progressions for us all to clock the similarity.. ? You'll probably be the best judge.