Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

icymist

(15,888 posts)
Wed May 21, 2014, 03:22 PM May 2014

A History: Led Zeppelin Stealing Songs, Lyrics, Guitar Riffs, and anything they could get away with!

As much as I don't like it, one of the rock groups that I grew up listening to, been influenced by, and even drew poster sized pictures of in art class, are thieves. This isn't just merely being influenced by a song that happens to sound like it, but stealing it, note for note and word for word! Sometimes, it's just a small part of an obscure song written by old blues artists and other times, outright stealing the entire thing! I can't imagine how I would feel if somebody stole one of my songs! I really can't imagine how these old blues musicians, some living in poverty, would feel if they knew that these four people were making millions ripping off their stuff. I'll never play another Led Zeppelin song, except to very vocally give credit to the artists who actually wrote the song. Here are some examples of the theft:







When the Levee Breaks (Kansas Joe McCoy, Memphis Minnie)


27 April 1927. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, Greenville, Mississippi. The river stage was at 46.8 feet. From: "The Floods of 1927 in the Mississippi Basin", Frankenfeld, H.C., 1927 Monthly Weather Review Supplement No. 29. Archival Photography by Steve Nicklas, NOS, NGS

Kansas Joe McCoy, Memphis Minnie:

If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break.
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break.
And the water gonna come in, have no place to stay.

Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan.
Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan.
Thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home.

http://www.keeponliving.at/song/when_the_levee_breaks.html
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A History: Led Zeppelin Stealing Songs, Lyrics, Guitar Riffs, and anything they could get away with! (Original Post) icymist May 2014 OP
Jimmy Plaige and Robert Transplant Blue Owl May 2014 #1
LOL! You know, I actually thought of stealing one of Led Zeppelins' songs, 'The Rover' icymist May 2014 #2
I believe as a parody, it would be considered Fair Use under copyright law eShirl May 2014 #3
Yeah, except that Led Zeppelin probably stole that song as well! icymist May 2014 #4
honestly, I think dread zeppelin is even worse d_r May 2014 #5
LOL! Loved the bowling ball and shoes at the end! icymist May 2014 #6
Chet Atkins used to say "Good writers borrow, great writers steal." alfredo Dec 2014 #9
If George Harrison SoFlaJet May 2014 #7
Carolan's Dream alfredo Dec 2014 #8

icymist

(15,888 posts)
2. LOL! You know, I actually thought of stealing one of Led Zeppelins' songs, 'The Rover'
Wed May 21, 2014, 03:49 PM
May 2014

and change the lyrics to how I took their song and made it my own. The chorus being:
I stole your song
Yes I stole this song
Don't you know that I just stole your song!

Fortunately, I have higher standards and respect for songwriters., so I never did it, even at an open mic!

icymist

(15,888 posts)
4. Yeah, except that Led Zeppelin probably stole that song as well!
Wed May 21, 2014, 04:29 PM
May 2014

It would be a good laugh in the right venue!

icymist

(15,888 posts)
6. LOL! Loved the bowling ball and shoes at the end!
Wed May 21, 2014, 04:59 PM
May 2014

Yes, Led Zeppelin! Your time is going to come! Indeed!

SoFlaJet

(7,767 posts)
7. If George Harrison
Sun May 25, 2014, 09:12 AM
May 2014

can be made to fork over the big bucks with the My Sweet Lord/He's So Fine case then Page and Plant best bring their checkbooks to court with them because Stairway is a LOT closer to Taurus than MSL is to HSF. I hope Randy California's family gets a bunch of money now that they can finally afford a lawyer.

What is really sad about this story is near the end of his life, California was actually playing the sitar in an Indian restaurant, his nightly payment you ask? FOOD!!!! He was paid a nightly meal.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Musicians»A History: Led Zeppelin S...