A major copyright lawsuit involving the British classic rock band Led Zeppelin that’s been going on since 2014 has finally been settled. You know that song you hear every time you walk into a Guitar Center because one old guy is always, always trying to shred? Apparently, the band Spirit claimed the rockers lifted the sweet riff in “Stairway To Heaven” from their song “Taurus.”
The lawsuit was filed in 2014 by Michael Skidmore, representing the estate of Randy California (Spirit’s guitar player). Though Led Zeppelin have waded through their fair share of copyright claims saying they’ve ripped off various blues artists, this was the most serious legal accusation the band has faced.
Despite serious accusations, jurors have decided that, yes, that sweet, crunchy riffage in “Stairway to Heaven” does indeed belong to Led Zeppelin. They did not steal it from Spirit.
Now that ownership has been given to Led Zeppelin can we officially blame them for how annoying it is to walk into literally any guitar shop?
Do you think the songs sound similar? Check them out below.
