Led Zeppelin’s Music Influenced By Other Artists
Led Zeppelin, widely regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of all time, was accused by many of plagiarizing parts of their music from other existing works. For years, evidence of plagiarism has had mixed reviews among fans and music critics alike.
The group is known for groundbreaking hard rock sounds and hits such as “Stairway to Heaven”, as well as critically acclaimed albums such as Led zeppelin IV. But there was speculation that the band had been taking inspiration from other music, leading some to accuse them of not giving artists the credit they deserved.
The spirit, a Los Angeles based rock band, filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement against Led Zeppelin in 2014. The lawsuit claimed that components of Led Zeppelin’s iconic song “Stairway to Heaven” were directly taken from the song “Taurus” by the spirit, which was released three years before in 1967.
University of Michigan professor of Musicology Gareth Dylan Smith highlighted contrasting musical elements in the two songs that are strikingly similar. The lawsuit supports the argument that Led Zeppelin’s classic track includes elements of the spirit’s song, citing two guitar riffs and a descending bass line that are present in both.
Furthermore, Press Credentialed Music teacher Julia Robinson showed the interdependence of Led Zeppelin’s early success and the direct influence of other artists on their songwriting. She noticed that a conscious combination of the ideas of other artists with their own led to great success for the band.
Led Zeppelin’s former manager Peter Grant was interviewed about the allegations of plagiarism saying that “the band was always experimenting with different ideas and sounds, and it’s not uncommon for artists to be inspired by other artists”.
Robinson further argues that it was Led Zeppelin’s creative transformation of different musical elements into something of their own that made them successful.
Debate Surrounding Led Zeppelin’s Plagiarism
Led Zeppelin’s legacy has been subject to debate as a result of the accusations of plagiarism, some feeling that the use of ideas from other musicians without proper citation is unethical and inexcusable.
In response to the lawsuit, guitarist Jimmy Page defended the band claiming that there were similarities, but that any sort of copied elements were “subsequently developed into something that was distinctly Led Zeppelin”. University of Michigan professor Smith argued that the fact could not be disputed.
Whether or not it constitutes plagiarism has been a key point of discussion among fans, considering the musical structure of the guitar riffs and bass line were not Patentable, as patent law does not extend to musical works. This has contributed to both sides differentiating in opinion and being unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
The accusations have caused a dispute among fans who regard Led Zeppelin’s iconic songs as their own original works. Some have argued that similar melodies from different compositions may have occurred subconsciously or due to overlapping influences.
Further research is being conducted into the use of musical elements from other sources in Led Zeppelin’s compositions, to assess the degree to which they may have been influenced by other artists and how much of it constitutes plagiarism.
Led Zeppelin’s Legally Proven Plagiarisms
The issue of Led Zeppelin accused of plagiarizing has been further seen in the context of past cases which have been legally proven.
One notable example is the case of Willie Dixon, an American blues bassist, who was a major advocate for copyright and artist rights during the 1960’s and 70’s. Dixon sued Led Zeppelin in 1985, claiming their song “Whole Lotta Love”, taken from Album II, infringed upon his song “You Need Love” which was released on Dixon’s album a decade earlier.
The case was eventually settled out of court and Williams granted Led Zeppelin a co-writing credit, as well as a lump sum payment for using his song as a basis.
The situation highlighted the difficulty of enforcing copyright law in the music industry due to the lack of clarity present in law. This is one of the many factors that contribute to the continued debate surrounding the accusations of Led Zeppelin’s plagiarism.
A study entitled “The Extent of Plagiarism in the Music Industry” by the Arizona State University, researched the extent of plagiarism in the music industry and their findings support these types of accusations.
Further Analysis of Led Zeppelin’s Accusations of Plagiarism
As previously mentioned, much of the accusations of plagiarism towards Led Zeppelin are difficult to prove due to lack of legal evidence. In the case of Dixon, settlement came from out of court with both parties co-credited in the song.
As time has progressed more evidence has been revealed that supports the arguments of those accusing Led Zeppelin of taking parts of their music from other sources. This suggests a more conscious effort towards copying, putting into question the so called “overlapping influences” as previously suggested by Grant.
Peter Grant was convinced that any similarities in musical elements were purely coincidental. Interestingly, a songwriting coursebook written by Jimmy Page entitled “Fuck You Jimmy Page” explored the ethics of appropriation, in a chapter specifically talking about Led Zeppelin’s use of plagiarism in musical creation.
Page described the techniques the band used to remake songs of others in their own image, acknowledging that although the music was being reinterpreted, the original author should be credited.
The presence of the chapter may suggest that Page was well aware of the similarities between Led Zeppelin’s music and other works and had a sense of obligation towards artists due to his own use.
Recent Outcome of Led Zeppelin’s Accusations of Plagiarism
The lawsuit between Led Zeppelin and the Spirit was brought to trial on April 9th, 2016 in the US. The jury concluded that there were indeed substantial similarities in the musical elements in the two songs, but not enough evidence to prove that Led Zeppelin had consciously copied them.
This verdict speaks to the difficulties for plaintiffs in copyright infringement cases, as the burden of proof requires clear evidence to prove intent and copyright infringement.
Many people are now arguing that the law is outdated and fails to take into account the modern use of musical creation.
In response to the case, the Atlanta Journal Constitution argued that ‘modern copyright law needs to better reflect the technological playing field’. They suggested that the copyright law should be updated and protected more thoroughly.
This view has been echoed in music industry circles, with many now arguing for stronger copyright law to protect artists from plagiarism.
Led Zeppelin’s Changing Plagiarism Reputation
The reputation of Led Zeppelin’s influence on modern music remains undeniable. For many, they remain pioneers for their experimentation in hard rock and iconic guitar solos.
Yet the issue of plagiarism in Led Zeppelin’s music has damaged the band’s reputation and the longstanding accusations of plagiarism have put into question the origin of some of their biggest hits.
The outcome of the case of the Spirit versus Led Zeppelin only gave clearer view into the contentious nature of the debate surrounding plagiarism in Led Zeppelin’s music.
It is clear that there is a great deal of disagreement concerning the extent of plagiarism in the work of Led Zeppelin. Each side believes they are right and puts forward compelling arguments.
The controversy over authenticity in the music of Led Zeppelin will no doubt continue, as will the debate surrounding the nuances of copyright law in the music industry.
