Led Zeppelin faces trial over Stairway To Heaven

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Clockwise, from top left: Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin.

File:Jimmy Page with Robert Plant 2 – Led Zeppelin – 1977.jpg: http://www.jimsummariaphoto.com File:John Bonham 1975.jpg: https://secure.flickr.com/people/divadivadina/  File:JohnPaulJones1980-2.jpg: https://secure.flickr.com/people/khiltscher/

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/apr/12/stairway-to-heavens-opening-chords-may-have-been-stolen-judge-says

Gary Sykes… Money money money, hey if you listen to 100 songs you could probably say theres a connection in most chord sequences. I think a lot of us owe our love of music to bands like Zep, lets no tarnish our musical youth with this crap. I think my younger memories of growing up have been altered ny the likes of saville n rolf etc, so rant over B-)

Mark Randall… This was obvious yonks ago.Yes, I know there are a finite amount of chords, chord sequences and melodies, but at least try and make it your own.

Terry Huggins… There’s certainly a grain of truth there Gary, but it happens far too often with Led Zep to be dismissed that easily. Babe I’m gonna leave you (which Page & Plant claimed to have written) was virtually identical to a song written in the 1950s and recorded by Joan Baez. They’ve also ripped off Willie Dixon, Jeff Beck and a number of others.

Gary Sykes… Yeah i know, i have an early blues cd with obvious riffs n stuff that they “used” but its the politics n money that make it sad. Im sure if we dig deep enough, those who inlfluenced them would find riffs etc that they “copied”. Does it realy matter, yes, only when its about the money, its only rock n roll but……..

Terry Huggins… Copying a riff or a few words subconsciously is one thing, but what Page and Plant did was the deliberate and calculated theft of other people’s work. It was like seeing a nice car and driving off in it as if it was your own. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer Zep’s versions of those songs, but would it really have hurt them that much to credit the writers and pay them royalties they were entitled to?

Gary Sykes… Just wonder if Randy California would approve, afterr 40 odd yrs? Worth remembering how much the beatles ” nicked” aswell. Just hope the judge makes a bad decision as it may open doors for thousands of lawsuits, then who knows what would follow. Ahhh! I just wrote a song in e-minor, will i be in court next week. Hey great debate, 😀

Clifford Rose… I think there should be a time limit on these type accusations.

Peter Fairless… There is, Clifford, it’s called copyright!

The New Yardbirds – Surrey University 1968

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supplied by The College of Rock and Roll Knowledge Facebook page via Peter Pursglove

The College of Rock and Roll Knowledge…. As you all know, bands change their name every now and then. Sometimes when they decide to change the name, tickets and posters have already been printed for a show the band is scheduled to play. This was the case on Oct. 25,1968 with The New Yardbirds. They had changed their name and were making their live concert debut at England’s Surrey University. The poster described the show as the “first big dance of the term.” In reality, it was the first concert of what many say was the greatest band in the history of Rock and Roll. (note, The New Yardbirds had already played some shows but this was the night they played under their new name.) 46 years ago tonight was the first live performance of “Led Zeppelin” with John Paul Jones , John Bonham, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.

Philip John… Strange but true. Way back in the day Ian Hunter auditioned for The New Yardbirds before the Mott gig came up. Fortunately for Zep they got Robert and fortunately for Mott they got Ian. Can’t help wondering what it would have been like the other way round.

Will Cornell… ….this may be an easy one, but what hit song did “The New Yardbirds” line-up (MINUS Plant) perform on 3 years before the first LZ album?

Robert Searle… Saw them when they first started ar Cooks Ferry Inn Edmonton with about 150 people there .A great night of good music.