You be the judge

[BikerDude]

Led Zeppelin being sued over ....... Stairway To Heaven.
I think that I had heard that Zeppelin stole the melody.
In fact if you check the wiki for the band Spirit you see..

They also went on tour that year with support band Led Zeppelin, who were heavily influenced by Spirit?Led Zeppelin played an extended medley during their early 1969 shows that featured "Fresh Garbage" among other songs, Jimmy Page's use of a theremin has been attributed to his seeing Randy California use one that he had mounted to his amplifier,[1] and it is now widely accepted that Page lifted the descending guitar figure from Spirit's instrumental "Taurus" for Led Zeppelin's signature tune "Stairway To Heaven".

If it's true I sort of hope that they have to pony up some cash.
Here's the Spirit Song in question. Take a bit to get to the guitar part...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJUdnTKlP1E#t=70


If you put this together with the shameless use of blues songs without a hint of credit to the original artist (who were still performing at the time) then Zeppelin looks a bit suspect. Some of these are a stretch but some aren't. Mostly the blues ones. Willie Dixon for example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTz_iX_L0VA

[LotsaBadKarma]

If they did steal it then they should pay. I wonder what the statute of limitations is on something like this.

[DigitalBuddha]

So did Deep Purple...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzJJgSls5-U

[BikerDude]

If they did steal it then they should pay. I wonder what the statute of limitations is on something like this.

It's civil. I don't think there is a statute of limitations.
Crimes have statutes of limitations. The claim is for monetary damages.
I hope they and others get paid.
Of course as DB pointed out if they win it will open a real can of worms.
So many of the British invasion bands "borrowed" heavily on the great blues artists of the time. And nothing would make me happier than seeing them have to pony up cash to the estate of Muddy Waters and others.
Poetic justice.

[Rev.Stu]

Having listened to the pieces in question - seems a few lawyers are happy. Does anyone know the Euro/$ amount. of the suit? I agree with someone that posted at YouTube, just give Spirit some money and get it over with, rather like a speeding ticket.
Seems there is adequate evidence that Jimi P was influenced by Spirit, whatever. In the end the lawyers have their payday and the party representing Spirit will likely get a settlement.
It isn't news to me that a British band ripped off something cool that they heard, be it a riff or a musician.

[jgiffin]

I like the way this dude puts it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xny0Uj4--tk

I fucking like the Eagles but they kinda did rip off this tune. But Jethro guy says, "Awww hell, we stole it, too. Ain't much new under this darn sun of ours. Have at it Henley, et al."

[DigitalBuddha]

More of Deep Purple ripping off other bands (such as Ricky Nelson and Jimmy Hendrix)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7r_4CijBWk

And....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzJJgSls5-U

[BikerDude]

I just like the idea of a bunch of Rock stars in feather boa's and fancy clothes having to cough up some cash to the old delta and Chicago blues guys. There's some aspect of "dues paying" that comes into play for me.
I mean is it the blues if a private school kid sings about not getting a BMW for Christmas?

"You gotta pay your dues to sing the blues." That old adage applies.