In June, Led Zeppelin won a copyright lawsuit that claimed the band plagiarized the 1968 song “Taurus” by American rock band Spirit for the intro to “Stairway to Heaven.”
The estate of Randy Wolfe, Spirit guitarist and vocalist, specifically claimed Led Zeppelin used the now deceased guitarist’s work in their 1971 hit.
Since then, Led Zeppelin founding guitarist Jimmy Page has remained silent about the lawsuit, but earlier this week Page finally addressed the controversy with a brief Facebook post.
“Throughout the lengthy journey to that verdict, and even more recently, I have received and been aware of the overwhelming wave of support, encouragement, and congratulations that has been deeply moving,” said Page, who co-wrote “Stairway to Heaven” along with singer Robert Plant.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank all those who contributed such a positive energy to me,” he concluded.
Here’s the whole statement:
Page’s words came shortly after the lawyers representing the Wolfe estate applied for an appeal on July 23.
As Rolling Stone reported, attorney for the estate Francis Malofiy told Law360 that he believes Page and Plant “won on a technicality.” Warner/Chappell Music, the publisher behind “Stairway to Heaven,” is currently seeking $613,000 in legal fees from the Wolfe estate.
Hopefully for Led Zeppelin, this process doesn’t continue to be a long and winding road, but a more familiar ascending walkway of right angles that leads to a happy place.
Before You Go
