Re: Rip-offs

[Scott Swanson <swandwn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, 11 Oct 1997, kerri hunter wrote:

>After reading countless text books and lists regarding Zeppelin ripping off
>other people's music,why has no-one ever mentioned the beginning of
>"staiway to heaven"? We have found that it is a direct rip-off of Spirit's
>"Taurus".Check it out! I'ts found on their first L.P
>{self titled} from 1968.

>From the Led Zeppelin FAQ List, written a very long time ago in a galaxy
far, far away by Thor Iverson:

  "Stairway To Heaven" -- Possible (though unlikely) lift from
     "And She's Lonely" by The Chocolate Watch Band, which
     became the intro chords.  There's really no way of knowing
     for sure.  The solo chords are also similar to the chords
     of Dylan's (and Hendrix's) "All Along The Watchtower,"
     though the chord progression is hardly uncommon and any
     direct influence is also unlikely.  A more believable lift
     might be from Spirit's "Taurus," an instrumental from their
     _Time Circle_ album--the intro from "Stairway" is remarkably
     similar, and Page and Plant were certainly aware of the band.


I've never actually heard the song myself, so I can't comment.
{zips mouth}

Later,

Scott
(swandwn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)