Taurus (instrumental)
| "Taurus" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by Spirit from the album Spirit | ||||
| Released | January 22, 1968 | |||
| Recorded | November 1967 | |||
| Genre | Psychedelic rock, progressive rock | |||
| Length | 2:37 | |||
| Label | Epic Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Randy California | |||
| Producer(s) | Lou Adler | |||
| Spirit track listing | ||||
| ||||
"Taurus" is a rock instrumental by American rock band Spirit, originally released on their self-titled debut album in 1968. The track, composed by guitarist/singer Randy California, was recorded in November 1967.[1] It has been alleged that Jimmy Page borrowed the descending guitar figure from "Taurus" for Led Zeppelin's signature tune "Stairway to Heaven".[2] Led Zeppelin opened for Spirit in an early American tour, providing the possibility that Led Zeppelin had heard the Spirit song before "Stairway to Heaven" was written. In the liner notes to the 1996 reissue of Spirit's debut album, songwriter Randy California writes:
People always ask me why "Stairway to Heaven" sounds exactly like "Taurus", which was released two years earlier. I know Led Zeppelin also played "Fresh Garbage" in their live set. They opened up for us on their first American tour.[3]
In May 2014, an attorney hired by Randy California's estate announced plans to file a copyright infringement suit that will seek a co-writing credit for California on "Stairway to Heaven."[4][5] In April 2016, district judge Gary Klausner ruled that there were sufficient similarities between the songs that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (who is credited as co-writer of "Stairway to Heaven") would stand trial by jury for copyright infringement. The trial began on June 14, 2016.[6] On June 15, 2016, Jimmy Page spent hours on the witness stand testifying.[7] The trial concluded June 23, 2016 with the jury finding that Led Zeppelin was not guilty of plagiarism.[8] The jury was not allowed to hear original recordings of the songs; instead they heard an expert perform both songs in court using original sheet music.[9]
References
- ↑ William Ruhlmann. Spirit: Biography. Allmusic. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
- ↑ "Whammy Bar" Guitar World April 1997: 19 "But California's most enduring legacy may well be the fingerpicked acoustic theme of the song "Taurus," which Jimmy Page lifted virtually note for note for the introduction to "Stairway to Heaven."
- ↑ Vincent, Peter (May 20, 2014). "Did Led Zeppelin rip off Stairway to Heaven?". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
- ↑ Lewis, Randy (May 21, 2014). "Guitarist's estate says Led Zeppelin lifted 'Stairway to Heaven' part". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
- ↑ "Stairway to Heaven: The Song Remains Pretty Similar". BloombergBusinessweek. May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ↑ "Led Zeppelin stars face copyright trial", BBC News, April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/06/16/how-jimmy-page-defended-led-zeppelin-in-the-stairway-to-heaven-trial/?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories-2_stairway-7pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
- ↑ Cullins, Ashley (June 23, 2016). "Led Zeppelin Wins 'Stairway to Heaven' Jury Trial". billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ↑ Grow, Kory. "Led Zeppelin Win in 'Stairway to Heaven' Trial". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 29 November 2016.