Washington: Despite being one of the most popular classic rock songs of all time, it is claimed that part of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ was ripped off.
Led Zeppelin, which is about to release reissues of its first three albums, could soon be on the receiving end of a copyright infringement lawsuit over the 1971 song.
According to Bloomberg Businessweek, a lawyer representing the trust for Randy California, late guitarist for the band Spirit, claims Zeppelin stole the intro for ‘Stairway to Heaven’ from Spirit’s 1968 instrumental track ‘Taurus.’
California, who died in 1997, wrote the tune for the band’s debut album; guitarist Jimmy Page and Zeppelin unveiled ‘Stairway’ three years later.
The case is coming to light now after 43 years, as bass player Mark Andes and California’s trust have hired Philadelphia-based attorney Francis Alexander Malofiy in hopes of getting credit.
Malofiy said the idea behind this is to make sure that Randy California is given a writing credit on ‘ Stairway to Heaven’.