Did Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and Jimmy Page lift the famous opening of “Stairway to Heaven” from an instrumental called “Taurus” by a band called Spirit?
The estate of the late Randy Wolfe, a songwriter from Spirit, claims so, in a case that will be decided in court.
A U.S. district judge in Los Angeles ruled that there is enough evidence in the plaintiff’s charge of copyright infringement to send the matter before a jury.
According to CNN, the suit, filed by Wolfe’s trustee Michael Skidmore, claims Page may have heard Spirit play the song at three U.S. festivals at which both bands appeared, before the release of Led Zeppelin’s famous track.
CNN has posted video clips of both versions, and amusing other instances of notable cases in which musicians accused musicians of stealing.
Listen for yourself: Does Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams’ “Blurred Lines” sound like Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up,” Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” like Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”; Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters” like Huey Lewis’ “I Want a New Drug”; George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” like the Chiffons’ “He’s So Fine” and the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ U.S.A.” like Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen”?
CUTE ANIMAL ALERT
San Francisco Zoo officials announced the birth of a giraffe and have posted links to a video of the adorable 6-footer taking her first steps.
The yet-to-be named giraffe was born at 9:40 a.m. Friday in the Bernard Osher Foundation Giraffe Barn to parents Barbo and Floyd; within minutes, she was walking.
“It’s such a special time when babies are born at the zoo,” zoo president Tanya Peterson said in a statement issued Wednesday. “You can’t help but fall in love with this calf the moment you see her.”
LINDSAY’S NOT ENGAGED
Even though TMZ reported that Lindsay Lohan is engaged to her beau Egor Tarabasov, the star is denying it.
“The story is untrue and holds no merit,” Lohan’s publicist Hunter Frederick told People, Us and OK!
Here’s what is known about the guy: He’s 22 and the son of multi-millionaire businessman Dmitry Tarabasov. He grew up in Moscow and now lives in London.
Lohan’s parents apparently approve.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
S.F. 49er Trent Brown is 23 … San Jose Shark Joonas Donskoi is 24. … S.F. Giant Hunter Pence is 33. … Singer Nellie McKay is 34. … Actor Ricky Schroder is 46. … Actress Caroline Rhea is 52. …. Chess player Garry Kasparov is 53. … Drummer Max Weinberg of the E Street Band is 65, … Singer Peabo Bryson is 65. … Singer Al Green is 70. … Actor Tony Dow is 71. … Musician Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane is 72. … Singer Lester Chambers of The Chambers Brothers is 76. … Actor Lyle Waggoner is 81. Director Stanley Donen is 92.
— Wire reports
Egor TarabasovEngagementgiraffeJimmy PageLed ZeppelinLindsay LohanRandy WolfeRobert PlantSan Francisco zooSpiritStairway to HeavenTaurus
