Are you sure you want to delete this post?
Many decades have gone by since "Stairway to Heaven" was a brand new hit on the radio (1971). During those days, one would hardly hear much talk at all when it came to copyrights, and bands stealing tunes from other bands. Today, everyone is so sue-happy that it's ridiculous.
Led Zeppelin band members have been in a furious fight with a legal team who represents the estate of late guitarist Randy Wolfe, who was a member of the band Spirit.
The argument goes that Zeppelin played a show with Spirit before they became big. At that time, they would have been familiar with Spirit's song "Taurus". The song features a guitar melody which holds a scary similarity to "Stairway to Heaven".
I know that artists collaborate. Many great tunes have been written backstage by artists from different bands coming together to jam. This isn't the only accusation of copyright infringement the band has faced. Many other artists have been coming out of the wood work, claiming that Zeppelin has ripped off their songs as well. Below are the songs in question. Did they steal it? You decide.
"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin
"Taurus" by Spirit - the melody in question begins at the :44 mark
Another video chalked full of songs that Zeppelin has allegedly lifted from other artists.