Led Zeppelin- Rip Off Artists?

Many people criticize Led Zeppelin for being rip off artists, stealing ideas and even main musical sections (as well as entire songs!) in their hit songs from old blues artists, and that they are not a good band because of such. They have been accused of stealing:

The Intro/Main Riff To Stairway To Heaven

Babe Im gonna Leave You

Black Mountain Side

Bring It On Home

Communication Breakdown

Custard Pie

Dazed and Confused

Hats Off To harper

How Many More Times

In My Time of Dying

The Lemon Song

Moby Dick

Nobody's Fault But Mine

White Summer

Whole Lotta Love



While, after examining the songs that they allegedly ripped off, it is very evident that they "borrowed" from these artists, without an ounce of credit.

However, I believe that led Zeppelin is still a good band. They had talent, for sure.

So, what do you think about Led Zeppelin? Would you still call them a good band?

I like some of Zep's music, but they're one of those bands that I really like to bash for a variety of reasons.

However, I'm going to defend them in this area. Everyone rips off riffs every now and then, or builds songs on other songs without giving the original artists any credit. It's an old blues and folk tradition, actually. A prime example of this would be the song 'Louie Louie'. The chord pattern of the song has been ripped off more times than anyone could count, but no one ever complains because it's a cool, simple pattern that works with a lot of songs. Now, Zep may have "stolen" compositions far more complex than 'Louie Louie', but it's all in the same tradition.

Now, if the thread was accusing Led Zeppelin of being "Jack Off Artists," then that would be another thing entirely.

Death on Credit said:

I like some of Zep's music, but they're one of those bands that I really like to bash for a variety of reasons.

However, I'm going to defend them in this area. Everyone rips off riffs every now and then, or builds songs on other songs without giving the original artists any credit. It's an old blues and folk tradition, actually. A prime example of this would be the song 'Louie Louie'. The chord pattern of the song has been ripped off more times than anyone could count, but no one ever complains because it's a cool, simple pattern that works with a lot of songs. Now, Zep may have "stolen" compositions far more complex than 'Louie Louie', but it's all in the same tradition.

Now, if the thread was accusing Led Zeppelin of being "Jack Off Artists," then that would be another thing entirely.

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Well, for example they stole the intro to stairway to heaven from some obscure unknown band, almost exactly, covered Dazed and Confused, Lemon Song, and a couple more I think, without giving ANY credit to the artists. Full blown covers, no credit. Also, they stole the lyrics to Whole Lot of Love entirely (and got sued over it) Jimmy Page admitted to "borrowing" parts of the song Stairway To Heaven from the artist.

Thats a bit more than using a chord progression...

I respect Led Zeppelin's talent, but come on guys, atleast give the guys you ripped off SOME credit.

No offence, but his is old boring news...

Years ago, most every Zeppelin fans knew Led Zeppelin did a lot of blues covers and could care less who got the credit...

it was never an issue with the fans....

so much so, Led Zeppelin was the most popular rock band of the 70's.

(and 80's really)

The fact of the matter is, Zeppelin took sometimes old and boring blues songs and changed them around a bit, and at times changed the lyrics around, and gave the song some 'steriods' - making the songs larger and more powerful than the original versions - and Zeppelin fans ate it up....

It seems to be an issue nowadays to newbie Zeppelin fans....

or Zeppelin haters.

Well, that my take on this - it's no biggie.

Groovy Man said:

No offence, but his is old boring news...

Years ago, most every Zeppelin fans knew Led Zeppelin did a lot of blues covers and could care less who got the credit...

it was never an issue with the fans....

so much so, Led Zeppelin was the most popular rock band of the 70's.

(and 80's really)

The fact of the matter is, Zeppelin took sometimes old and boring blues songs and changed them around a bit, and at times changed the lyrics around, and gave the song some 'steriods' - making the songs larger and more powerful than the original versions - and Zeppelin fans ate it up....

It seems to be an issue nowadays to newbie Zeppelin fans....

or Zeppelin haters.

Well, that my take on this - it's no biggie.

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Well thats weird because my grandfather was discussing it today with me, who has been a Zeppelin fan for a LONG time.

It's ****ed up they did this, but it is not new news.

I love Zep, but just IMO shows they were not to original.

Always liked Sabbath more then Zep.

ComfortablyNumb said:

Always liked Sabbath more then Zep.

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I always liked Deep Purple more than both.

I never cared for any of the 3.

Groovy Man pretty much sums it up for me. It's old news. Credit and restitution has been made to most of the artists. And hell yeah, as a loooonnng time Zep fan, they are still a great band in my eyes. The foundation of 99.9% rock and roll are the variations of basic blues and boogie riffs which go back long before most of us were born.

Odysseus said:

Groovy Man pretty much sums it up for me. It's old news. Credit and restitution has been made to most of the artists. And hell yeah, as a loooonnng time Zep fan, they are still a great band in my eyes. The foundation of 99.9% rock and roll are the variations of basic blues and boogie riffs which go back long before most of us were born.

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...But ENTIRE songs?