Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Can't remember if we discussed this here.
Sorry, i can't link a youtube rihgt now, but do a search for Spirit's "Taurus". Spirit performed this song in concert while touring as openign act for Led Zep in the late 60s. It's an instrumental, about 3 minutes long.
Over 40 years after Led Zep released Stairway to Heaven, the estate of Randy California (he's been dead around 12 years, I think) is suing Jimmy Page/Led Zep for plaigarizing Taurus.
I don't buy it -when you listen to Taurus you will hear a minor chord pattern with dsescending bass line - 4 note/chord pattern which is identical to the opening of StH. BUT (big butt!) the higher 'melody' of the StH part is not there, and the chords are different after the 4 note/chord pattern, too. Halfway thorugh Taurus (until its end) the background chord playing (being standarad minor key notes) may sound vaguely like the melody (sung part) of StH.
I bet the lawyers settle out of court, make the most money and 70-year-old Jimmy Page will be out a few million, which he'll never miss.

What do you think?

What do you call a bunch of dead lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?
"A good start!"

i think someone is looking for a payday (and when ISN'T that the case???)

the similar part in question is obviously the Am argeggios with the descending chromatic bass line. and yeah, it's likely Page got the idea from Randy California.

but as big a part as the move looms in "Stairway"....it's hardly an original move. it's been around a looooong time and is has been used in both afro cuban and brazilan music forever.

i always thought Spirit was a really cool band...how many rock bands from that era had a father (ed cassiy, drums) and son in 'em????

here's the Taurus link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd8AVbwB_6E