Photo:Brendan Hoffman/Pool/Sipa USA
Happy to report that the Led Zeppelin “Stairway to Heaven” plagiarism trial is over! That was quick.
Not Guilty said the jury! The Zep did not rip-off the Spirit song, “Taurus”.
The prosecution claimed that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant — who both took the stand – had “selective memory” and seemed to forget their touring days with Spirit and the many Spirit albums that Page owned.
The defense quoted an esteemed musicologist who concluded that aside from comparable elements, “Taurus” and “Stairway” shared “no substantial similarity.”
The jury agreed with Page and Plant who praised the jury’s “conscientious service”.
“And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all is one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.”