“Stairway to Heaven” is perhaps one of the best-known songs
in Rock N’ Roll; there are few that wouldn’t recognize the song’s famous riff
if they heard it. But now the rock group responsible for bringing “Stairway to
Heaven” into life is being sued—with claims that the song was ripped off.
Jimmy Page responded to the allegations, calling them “ridiculous.” Now let’s compare “Taurus” to “Stairway to Heaven”:
When asked why the case took 43 years to come full circle, the California estate’s attorney Francis Malofiy answered: “Justice is available to those who can afford it,” he said. “It’s very hard for a musician who’s struggling just to keep a roof over his head… to actually go about and fight some of the biggest giants in the music and entertainment industry.”
California’s estate is seeking court ordered damages and writing credit for Randy California. What do you think about the two songs – how do they compare? Comments on YouTube range from “Total ripoff!” to “Nothing alike.”
The suit is being brought by the estate of the late musician
Randy California. California was a member of the ‘60s band Spirit. When on
tour, the band was joined by an unknown group called Led Zeppelin. The case alleges that Jimmy Page of Led
Zeppelin stole the riff from the single “Taurus” and created “Stairway to
Heaven.” California’s estate says one of the causes of action for the suit is
the “Falsification of Rock N’ Roll History.”
“Well, if you listen to the two songs, you can make your own
judgment,” reads the lawsuit, pulling from a 1997 interview between Randy
California (aka Randy Craig Wolfe) and Listener Magazine. “It’s an exact… I’d
say it was a rip-off. And the guys made millions of bucks on it and never said,
‘Thank you,’ never said, ‘Can we pay you some money for it?’ It’s kind of a
sore point with me.”
Take a listen to “Taurus” below:
Jimmy Page responded to the allegations, calling them “ridiculous.” Now let’s compare “Taurus” to “Stairway to Heaven”:
When asked why the case took 43 years to come full circle, the California estate’s attorney Francis Malofiy answered: “Justice is available to those who can afford it,” he said. “It’s very hard for a musician who’s struggling just to keep a roof over his head… to actually go about and fight some of the biggest giants in the music and entertainment industry.”
California’s estate is seeking court ordered damages and writing credit for Randy California. What do you think about the two songs – how do they compare? Comments on YouTube range from “Total ripoff!” to “Nothing alike.”
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