LED ZEPPELIN - GALLOWS POLE | REACTION

[@zosomoso]

The only people who call it “stealing” don’t understand the history and context of blues music. Covering music and referencing other work is a long time blues tradition. Blues music goes beyond lyricism, it’s about feel and what you bring to it. Virtually all of the British blues-rock bands of the late 60s (Cream, Hendrix, Stones, Peter Green’s FM, Bluesbreakers, etc.) covered material and yes, sometimes without giving credit. Even the second wave blues greats like BB King, Albert King, and Muddy Waters covered music from first wave greats (yes, sometimes without crediting). They weren’t “stealing” they were paying homage to their influences. In the end, out of Led Zeppelin’s 90 studio recorded tracks, only 10 are covers or have referenced material and all of which has been credited since the late 80s with back proceeds given to original artists. Music Copyrights were almost nonexistent prior to the 90s, LZ gets vilified for doing what everyone did because of the proportion of royalties. “I don't think that they stole the licks or anything of the sort. I don't know anybody that plays that hasn't borrowed something from somebody," -B.B. King, 1971

[@H0tchips]

EXACTLY this.

[@primateinterfacetechnologi6220]

your assessment is correct, sir. peace.

[@kevinmcfarlane2752]

Yes, it doesn’t matter how many times you lay it out like this there will always be haters who repeat the mantra like a stuck record. That’s life unfortunately.

[@paulharrison8969]

Exactly, and that coming from king of the Blues BB KING the late great ZEPPELIN 'S catalogue is like no other, no one sounds like them, what we have since & today owes their roots to ZEPPELIN and acknowledge it even today ... As ZEPPELIN clearly state they were influenced by the music heard when they were budding musicians and as been previously stated helped keep those influences alive but made it their own and always added nit detracted Love em or hate them they cannot be denied. The fact that 50 yrs later people are still debating is testament of their impact on the music scene Long live LED

[@TechnicallyTexan]

The Stones were primarily a cover band for three albums, I think (someone correct me if I’m wrong on that), but they never even planned to do original music when they first started.

[@jjmaker]

"other bands are getting close".....play Gallows Pole, order restored

[@gary2kr1]

Outstanding! Lmao

[@chadlee914]

Great song. And I. Agree with all that. Anyway in the 70s bands were .more open sourced. Wish I could come up with a 70s word 4 that. Anyway everyone stole each other's stuff. Maybe that's why they were so great. But they we were and are great

[@motorcitymaniac167]

For the people that say Led Zeppelin stoled all this music. If it weren't for Led Zeppelin they would have never known the song existed. So if you really look at it Led Zeppelin is honoring their music by bringing it back to life

[@donthomasdunigan7004]

The issue is more about giving credit and paying the original artist. Yes, all music is derivative, but when the material isn't yours but you put your name on it (to collect ALL the revenue, not sharing with the original artist or their estate, or even mentioning the original artist in the credits), then you are showing disrespect to them. "Honoring their music" would include sharing the profits and giving proper credit, if done honestly. Anyone who has listened to Steeleye Span would know the song existed, by the way. Peace.

[@motorcitymaniac167]

@@donthomasdunigan7004 that's why Zeppelin lost a few Court battles cuz they did not give credit when releasing their versions or covers

[@boki1693]

@@donthomasdunigan7004 I agree with you 100%. It's just that was the way things were done back then and Zeppelin was far from the only band doing it. They get singled out because of their popularity and fame. I am glad they were forced to acknowledge where they got some of their ideas from but I just don't like the way people(not you) like to make it seem it was only them doing it in an attempt to lessen their talent.

[@garyanning9731]

Trouble is they gave their own twist on the songs they used. I've heard the original Whole lotta love and you wouldn't know it until you heard the words. The recent one was Stairway to heaven. It was 6 seconds of the intro. And yeah, there was a slight similarity, but that motiff has been used so many times before then. There's even 400 year old piece of classical music that has it and you can definitely hear it in that.

[@dntnawall]

plus a huge part of folk and blues music is the fact that it gets passed down and reimagined. simon and garfunkel, bob dylan, jackson c frank, bert jansch, and so many others did the same thing.

[@gzucc]

John Paul Jones really is the secret weapon to Led Zeppelin's already considerable arsenal. Thank you for reminding me to listen a little deeper.

[@PeterTea]

"Your brother brought me silver Your sister warmed my soul But now I laugh and pull so hard And see you swinging on the gallows pole" Now that's some cold blooded shit right there. This song's structure influenced Stairway to Heaven. The song speeds up in a similar way and the drums come in in the middle. It's a helluva tune. Definetly a great, underappreciated Zeppelin song. See? Zeppelin can even do a ho down, banjo and all. Everything but the kitchen sink by the end. PS Zeppelin stealing music is for those jealous types that don't care to scratch the surface of their claims. Anyone that listens to any of the original songs that Zeppelin played would be hard pressed to call it a carbon copy by any stretch of the imagination. Take a song like When the Levee Breaks by Memphis Minnie, the subject matter about the levee breaking and a few bars of lyrics are about the only similarities to those songs. Or even a song like this one, which is based on a medieval song. Lots of people covered it and usually with the protaganist being let free and not killed, like in the Zeppelin version. I would call it influence more than anything. Not to say that some of these song credits that were originally neglected weren't justified. It's not like the record industry was or is a bastion of morality. But saying that Zeppelin merely copied and pasted these songs is the height of arrongance to suggest. They always made a song their own.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

I agree, Peter.

[@Colt-045]

You talk a lot bro

[@cynthialewis9942]

Its, "her" swinging, the sister was hung, one word changes the whole meaning of the song

[@clab5864]

See-saw marjory daw, See-saw knock at my door...

[@westpalmtom3461]

Hell yeah!

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Helene here: OK, Zeppelin. You asked. Zeppelin was huge and high profile and wealthy, so were an obvious target. It has become “woke” these days to hate on them for “cultural appropriation” which is a concept that did not exist in the sixties and seventies. So it’s applying current norms to behavior from the past and putting modern judgement on it. That’s number one. Secondly, Delta blues was the music that permeated black culture starting around 1900.....kinda like the music of the hill folks in Appalachia...It was heard everywhere in the Deep South. The young Brits in the fifties heard this music and were passionate about it. They heard phrases being used by many different black artists ( backdoor man....killin’ floor...many others) which people like Plant soaked up like a sponge. This music was not known or appreciated by white America. Coming from an old culture which had a hundreds year old tradition of folk music, all in the public domain, I think they honestly looked at blues in the same way. There were no rules, no “etiquette” among musicians and bands over 50 years ago....they often sang on each other’s records, wrote songs for or with one another......as many have said from that time , it was the “Wild West”. Different time, different practices and expectations. Move forward in time and you have different rules, different etiquette and all of a sudden Zeppelin starts getting nailed with law suits....one of which was utterly laughable (Stairway to Heaven) and was dismissed. did they “borrow” from old blues? Yes. Did Robert Plant “sample” phrases from old blues songs throughout his lyrics? Yes. Do current hip-hop artists liberally “sample” riffs from Zeppelin and other rock bands? Yes. What’s the difference? I have my own opinion on that, but I think you can come to your own conclusion. Bottom line: Jimmy and Robert were PASSIONATE about the old Delta and Chicago black blues and they (especially Robert) idolized the blues singers and players like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson and a dozen others. That music became a part of his soul and still is. I truly believe they were paying tribute to that tradition, while making it their own through completely reinterpreting it, at a time when that was the norm and accepted. Then times changed and you now have people, mostly young people who were not around then, seemingly to actually relish throwing shade on Zeppelin and sneeringly calling them a glorified cover band. I sometimes think it’s just “virtue signaling” myself. Anyway...long answer, but you did ask, and there’s been allot of water under that bridge, and allot of history, and it’s many more shades of grey than the simple black or white explanation that some people crave. Zeppelin deserves their iconic status. And when some people try to be cool by dismissing them as a cover band, or not being creative and of being only thieves of others work it makes me really ANNOYED. Thanks for indulging me. Peace out.

[@henriettaskolnick4445]

Cheers Helene!!

[@dlewtweentorla1210]

Very well said. Will add (even though touched on), the members of Zep were HUGE fans of the blues. Yes on a few plus songs they did borrow parts from and others re-made the songs (as many groups have done). Difference was Zeppelin took very raw early blues and changed them so much making it theirs. Not to steal, quite the opposite, these guys were FANS and paying homage to their heroes. Never denying it, giving credit and always saying in interviews how much the Old Blues had an impact on and influenced them. Side note: A few years back Stax Records (Museum) was once again in financial ruin in Memphis. Plant being a huge fan of History, Music and R&R, living in Tennessee at the time heard about Stax being in financial trouble. Robert donated a lot of time and cash to keep it open, update, overhaul etc. This happened quietly, can barely find anything on the web. Only reason I know, visiting there two years ago. Leaving the museum saw a Picture on the wall taken in front of the building with Plant at the new "Re-Opening". Under the picture a thank-you to Plant for keeping the dream alive. Ended up talking to the Manager, who couldn't say enough great things about the Zep front man. Saying they wouldn't be there without him.

[@awmerriam4]

TRUTH!! THANK YOU

[@TimoVERSION]

I appreciate your eloquence and detailed argument, but may I respectfully disagree with some of your premise? Our culture has evolved (slowly) on a number of fronts, and we very much "...apply current norms to behavior from the past and putting modern judgement on it...". Human rights; slavery, child labor, the right to participate in society for women and African Americans, were all 'acceptable' behaviors at one time. We find them abhorrent and criminal now, and it is entirely appropriate to consider them retrospectively as such. That it wasn't a crime in the past doesn't absolve us today, especially when there continues to be repercussions and profits. By 'crime', I'm emphasizing the seriousness of it, but I'm not suggesting jail. Some 'misunderstandings' of the past are egregious enough that some kind of reparations are necessary to the healing process. It's important in the case of rock and roll, not just for the money or the musical history, but to credit African American music as an essential component of a world-changing art form as well. As you noted, it's not like 'America' is proud of it. I really like your idea that the British might have applied to American 'folk' music what they had always done in their own scene with British folk. I also agree that they would have said (honestly) that they were paying tribute to an art form they loved, and that it was part of every tradition to put your own stamp on a song.I think that may very well have been the case, but still, it's an explanation, not an excuse. Along those lines, though, it is also very appropriate to mention that Jimmy Page knew his instrument well enough to really take the blues and folk ideas to a new level. Often his lines were more nuanced or evolved than straight blues steals; Willie Dixon would never have sued if Plant had written original lyrics. (Didn't "The Led Zeppelin Organization" sue the Beastie Boys for using John Bonham's Levee Breaks kick drum?). Samples, and especially prominent ones, now involve entire divisions at record companies. It's very much business, and has been for some time. accreditation Lastly, but not leastly, I liked Robert Plant as a singer then (less so as a lyricist), but find him absolutely amazing these days. From the avant-country of Raising Sand to any of the Moroccan blues or Celtic psychedelic bands he's been with, and even the last Zeppelin gig/film, he's matured his gift wonderfully.

[@dannymoore6886]

Cultural appropriation is an idiotic concept. Music transcends cultural and racial boundaries. It's what brings us together, not separates us.

[@vespoint]

I think yours is the first reaction I’ve seen to this track! Always loved this song.

[@lonedinosaur13]

Yep me too

[@mattslater4605]

It’s from an old British folk song, and evolved through blues and this is just another evolution. Prickle Holly Bush is a very early variant of the saga

[@ratowey]

I love this song, in fact all the third album is great. A little more folky than their other albums.

[@moefeaux1442]

"Ten Years Gone" off of Physical Graffitti.

[@rick6582CNCMedicalParts]

Enjoy Led Zeppelin..Great Band..every album was great....Saw them "Live" 3x times at the Garden 75&77...Un- real..

[@jamestoddjackson9655]

Ten Years Gone please. The Song Remains the Same/The Rain Song Live from MSG in ‘73

[@micahjared8082]

Once upon a time there was a band called Led Zepplin. A band like this will never come along again ; Fortunately for us they left a lifetime of music. GOAT

[@ljc3338]

Born-y-aur-stomp by Led Zeppelin next please

[@rockitflash]

They guys in LZ were huge fan of Black American Blues artists.Many of their songs were those blues songs that they reworked into Zeppelin tunes.The steal part is they might have not credited or paid money use of the originals.The thing is,they were responsible for reintroducing blues back to Americans.

[@Ed9870]

As to the copyright lawsuits, bear in mind that they only real reason is because they were the wealthiest band on the planet at the time, and skeeve lawyers always seek out the deepest pockets.

[@keymack2477]

There is and always will be only ONE Led Zeppelin. For more LZ greatness, the next time you wander over, try Moby Dick live, Going to California and Battle of Evermore. Then go to Battle of Evermore live, covered by Heart for an amazing performance and different sides of the Wilson sisters than you have ever seen!

[@sfbayareagirl]

What a great song. I haven’t heard anyone checking it out yet. Cheers. Try “Misty Mountain Hop” and “Four Sticks” both from LZ IV

[@310fcg]

Tangerine from the same album!!

[@susanmaggiora4800]

Frank Gaul One of my favorites from these guys.

[@keithetherington4824]

Friends is another great song from this album by Led Zeppelin. They have so many songs to choice from. But this one is one of my favorites.

[@patrickseevers3858]

Zeppelin loved to play a lot of old blues songs. But when they did it was great.. And you're right, they have so many songs that it would be impossible for that to happen. Robert and Jimmy wrote most of their songs. So much talent. Definitely gifted

[@WhiteMaurice]

Best song Zepp ever did Facts!

[@richardbailey1295]

This is a traditional song, done by many, some in Bluegrass circles. Zep's version is very much Zeppelin's version...just uses the traditional theme. Like Tom Dooley, ya know?

[@robc.8269]

Led Zeppelin as many british loved & studied american black blues. And I think they used pieces of others blues as a tribute. But the blues was taken & used by other bluesman through it's history like many old folks songs. I think Zeppelin made it better with their own style & people like myself looked back & listened to Albert King, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Freddie King & others because of them. People want to find faults & claim Zep wasn't as good as they were. But their truly Blues Rock Gods.

[@westonwhitham5894]

Great Bands like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Yes, and Led Zeppelin are all Torch Bearers for different Musical Genres and Styles. Led Zeppelin pays homage to the men that would play their guitar and sing the old blues songs on the streets of places like New Orleans. Without Bands like Led Zeppelin, this great Blues Music would be lost to History.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

And Pink Floyd. Good list.

[@abdellahouajra2547]

Deep purple

[@hippiejoe969]

Chod, I believe there was a lawsuit against Zeppelin from the band SPIRIT, now they said that some of the beginning ryfs to Stairway to Heaven were stolen from them and I also believe it wasn't actually settled until 2016 decades later. Zeppelin won the case. However Spirit is a amazing band if you're into pyicadelic scene which I was/am. PEACE HIPPIE JOE

[@rpg7287]

Chod, if you want a real treat, listen to “That’s the Way” from this album. It might be the most beautiful song they ever did, and it’s extremely underrated. Not a hard-rocking song. Just a beautiful, precious acoustic gem that I know you’ll love.

[@buddybangs9445]

Cool acoustic tuning as well. Page was incredible with the way he could take DGDGBD and make it flow.

[@johnwdaley4727]

Yes, the finishing touches of Jimmy's acoustic guitar is exquisite...

[@markwhitely4021]

Led III brilliant album inspired by a stay in Snowdonia, Wales.

[@loriclarke3406]

Since you are a drummer, I think you would love Zeppelin's 'When the Levee Breaks'

[@tymega7680]

Zeppelin will always hold the throne, they just had so many styles, you can just listen to their entire discography and never be disappointed by the talent

[@Frankincensedjb123]

They didn't steal. They just didn't credit artists properly in the early goings. It has all been taken care of since. Most of what they "stole" was well-known blues songs that they did their own versions of. And often, they'd just take a lyrical, rhythmical, or melodic phrase and build an entirely unique song around it. Sometimes they'd borrow from half a dozen songs and put them all into a single, amalgamized original song. For instance, go listen to the original version of When The Levee Breaks by Memphis Mini, or Nobody's Fault But Mine by Blind Willie Johnson or You Shook Me by Willie Dixon and then listen to Zep's version. They could have left out the references to the original song that inspired them and nobody would be the wiser because Zep's songs often sound nothing like the original. But most English bands in the 60s were using blues songs. Ultimately, 90% of Zep's songs are pure originals, but the few that they didn't credit got them into hot water. But they probably didn't credit the original artist because it was tough to do that in the first place with so many of these traditional blues songs be repurposed and rewritten that no one was 100% clear on who was the first to write many of them.

[@peckish_tooth6515]

The live version on 'No Quarter' is worth hearing IMHO.

[@innosanto]

This "looking shocked" thumbnail everyone does, looks silly but works.

[@blitztim6416]

Love this song. I used to spin that wheel on the album when I was a kid to see all the hidden images.

[@donnamangrum6548]

Please react to Going to California live from Earls Court 1975

[@Trev0r98]

This is one of those Led Zep songs where I can't figure out how the beat works, but I guess that's part of its amazing charm. I adore this LZ cover.

[@stretchgilbert]

They've had lawsuits brought against them for stealing music from other artists and it's always been proven bogus. On the first album they did take old american blue songs and rework them and they were ordered to give songwriting credits to those artists

[@happilyeggs4627]

All music builds on what has gone before. Complete invention is such a rare thing in music. Even musical “geniuses” like Mozart took inspiration from their predecessors. Music does not, never has existed in compartmentalised vacuum bags.

[@TimoVERSION]

Although a long time personal favorite, it's an all-too under appreciated gem. They did some interesting acoustic-based things throughout their career, but there are some particularly outstanding ones. Gallows Pole is obviously great, making rock out of English folk rather than their usual blues influences. Another wonderful foray into English acoustic atmospheres, certainly one of Led Zeppelin's magic moments, is The Battle Of Evermore.

[@tonyspychala4910]

I agree start with traveling riverside blues band

[@AG-OldmanBrick]

This entire LZ III album is a masterpiece.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Love when the drum and BANJO come in. Led zep and a banjo Makes me smile every time. I am a big fan of ramble on

[@yullt6885]

Same way I feel. From 14 to 18 I hardly listened to anything else, but I grew and discovered other music. Zeppelin is still my favorite. Led Zeppelin is the bees knees 😁 so the truth is, Zeppelin didn’t give writing credit in many cases where they simply should have. But the ultimate truth is they took obscure songs and created something really creative, new and inventive and created rock’n’roll like no other band before or since. Gallows Pole by the the is a “traditional song” basically meaning nobody knows who wrote it, but true to form Zeppelin turned into a classic.

[@robertprice6830]

Listen to Leadbelly's version of this. Then you will see the haters bullshit.

[@briansexton1759]

They reworked some old blues songs.

[@supasoulproductions]

The problem is not really borrowing heavily from old blues songs, it's the renaming them and putting their own names on them. But they have pretty much paid their dues for it at this point.

[@melissaward6311]

There's a wonderful live version out there. Also Friends, live page and plant . and Thats the way, song from same live performance. This tour was great. I went,and took our 16 yr. Old daughter. Egyptian band backing them up with some orchestra. Glad we all went. Never happened again around us.

[@cynthialewis9942]

One of my favs from Led Zeppelin

[@chopperdeath]

Led Zepplin 3 is underrated.

[@georgegregg2722]

They have been accused of " stealing songs ", mostly from the 1930's blues genre. Back in their time it was not required to say where the source material came from. They did lose a couple of lawsuits due to their lack of accreditation. This particular song is at least 200 years old, so no one is going to fight them in court.

[@zosomoso]

The only people who call it “stealing” don’t understand the history and context of blues music. Covering music and referencing other work is a long time blues tradition. Blues music goes beyond lyricism, it’s about feel and what you bring to it. Virtually all of the British blues-rock bands of the late 60s (Cream, Hendrix, Stones, Peter Green’s FM, Bluesbreakers, etc.) covered material and yes, sometimes without giving credit. Even the second wave blues greats like BB King, Albert King, and Muddy Waters covered music from first wave greats (yes, sometimes without crediting). They weren’t “stealing” they were paying homage to their influences. In the end, out of Led Zeppelin’s 90 studio recorded tracks, only 10 are covers or have referenced material and all of which has been credited since the late 80s with back proceeds given to original artists. Music Copyrights were almost nonexistent prior to the 90s, LZ gets vilified for doing what everyone did because of the proportion of royalties. “I don't think that they stole the licks or anything of the sort. I don't know anybody that plays that hasn't borrowed something from somebody," -B.B. King, 1971

[@heliotropezzz333]

In relation to old traditional folk songs like this the author is usually unknown and they are classed as just 'traditional'. Anyone can use them without royalties being owed to anyone. LZ created original music for the traditional lyrics.

[@rick6582CNCMedicalParts]

Who cares zeppelin does it much better look at all the pop music 2021 all recycled 60s 70s 80s music...because 2021 music us horrible?

[@michaelerisman757]

The layers of this song are insane... John Paul Jones the best bass player

[@the_judge_8262]

'Thank you:, not just this reaction but also your next song choice, a great emotional love song from Led Zep with great instrumentals in it too.

[@mr.knowitall6440]

The thing about a song that Zeppelin "covers", it's always been re-arranged and "enhanced" well beyond the original version, to the point that Zeppelin have typically done more in the reworking of the song than the original songwriter did in creating the original song. Listen to the Joan Baez version of "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You", then listen to the Zep version...

[@jbojoify]

Led Zeppelin has taken some lyrics from blues artists in their early stuff, but led zeppelin has cranked it up so much and added new instrumentals that it doesnt even matter. The original is nothing great. Their later albums dont have any covers!

[@melissaward6311]

Led went back and paid the dues to most of the originals. I agree lz had a sound of their own.

[@wsn0009]

'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp' is another great one off Led Zeppelin III worth checking out.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Helene here....Hi Chod! Funny you should note that Bonham often followed the lead guitar of Page. That, as I’ve read, was one reason that they were so incredible live doing improv on the fly. It was usually Jimmy who went off into “the zone” and just channeled riffs...Bonham could immediately follow along but at the same time keep Jimmy somewhat tethered to the earth. JPJ stuck like glue to Bonham..,.you can see him watching Bonzo constantly during a song, unless JPJ was taking the lead, like on No Quarter. Those three musicians had an alchemy together, and that allowed Robert interject his vocals like an instrument into the mix and weave his voice around them. I’ve heard several drummers comment on this point of Bonham focusing on Jimmy’s guitar.I’ve heard others say no. The fact that you, as a drummer commented on it persuades me that that was indeed the case.

[@gerhardbraatz6305]

I could care less what people say about Zeppelin. I grew up with this music, loved it, always will.

[@Gr8erh8er]

💯 👍

[@MARTIN-BAGMM]

OUT ON THE TILES... THIS IS ALBUMN ROCK WE JAMMED THE START OF SIDE1 TO END SIDE 2... EVERY MUSICIAN IS INFLUENCED BY SOMEONE

[@stevecrisell9091]

John Bonham, Unique.

[@cuales1955]

Hermoso tema !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@juliemanarin4127]

They didn't steal...they did do covers like every other band. Yeah...they are the greatest...and 2 notes is not stealing. Yeah someone stupidly tried to sue over a couple notes in Stairway...Zeppelin won.

[@MapManLK]

I have loved this song for 51 years. It opens side two of "Led Zeppelin III" and is one kick-ass way to start the second side! GREAT Zeppelin song! Fun reaction, too!

[@ray-moeadayinthelife9754]

The problem with the stealing thing...is Groups like The Allman Brothers and Humble Pie...gave Credit on thier albums...LZ....gave credit to Page/Plant for old blues songs....I hve all the original Vinyls.....and that's the truth

[@richardbailey1295]

Traditional blues many times nobody knows who actually wrote the song. It's what you say.....Copyright Sh#t.

[@garysawtell3536]

When the levee breaks possibly the greatest Led Zeppelin song of all time

[@brambam]

They didn't steal, they gave credit in several interviews. And they always changed it up a hell of a lot anyway

[@lt54iceman]

Hey ...I know how you love SRV...This kid plays like SRV. Name is Can Bayoglu..

[@justineapril7922]

Robert Plant was TWENTY when this was recorded!! John Paul Jones is one of the best bass players in rock! Other great songs from this 1970 record: The Immigrant Song, Tangerine, and the awesome Since I've Been Loving You! 💜💜💜💜

[@scotttrainer9704]

They got sued for Stairway to Heaven, but they recently won that case. They covered a lot of older artists that they grew up listening to. In some cases they gave them credit on the original release and not later causing some problems. Robert Plant once while introducing a song said that they bought, stole, and borrowed songs.

[@BeardBeerCigar]

Favorite Band! First song I heard was, 'The Ocean' when I was 14 (1974)...man! Great review my friend -Cheers!

[@lathedauphinot6820]

It’s a great band, & this is a great song. The problem with Led Zeppelin is that they claim other people’s music as their own, denying them any royalties or exposure from the publishing. Through various lawsuits, they have had to change the song writing credits on the first album, for instance, from having written all but two of the songs to having written only two of the songs. Ever heard of Jake Holmes? He wrote “Dazed and Confused” and opened for the Yardbirds, Page’s band at the time, when they toured America in 1967. The other Yardbirds admit it and credited it. Not Jimmy Page. “Communication Breakdown”- Eddie Cochran; “How Many More Times”: several parts, written by Howlin’ Wolf, Albert King, and the Bolero part written by Page’s band mate Jeff Beck. Credited on the album to Page, Jones, and Bonham, keeping royalties to themselves. It continued on Led Zeppelin II. “Whole Lotta Love” is Willie Dixon’s “You Need Love”. Etc. And these are not songs from the 1930s. Muddy Waters recorded “You Need Love” in 1962; Page saw Jake Holmes play “Dazed & Confused” in 1967. Eddie Cochran was a 1950s star. Albert King played with Stevie Ray Vaughan in the 1980s. In contrast, The Rolling Stones always credited and insisted Howlin’ Wolf open their shows on second U.S. tour.

[@loric4550]

Diggin your videos, Wilburn. Great content and quality! When you get a chance, check out Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Here comes 15K!

[@elsievickie]

Led Zeppelin Honored at Kennedy Center, Heart sings Stairway to Heaven, best cover ever, nice to see them honored, still looking good. TRIVIA drummer is son of late drummer of Led Zeppelin, RIP. MUST SEE. Check out Daryl's House, Daryl from Hall and Oats, jams in house with artists from 40 decades, he's better now, Papa was a Rolling Stone with Train is fantastic. Ceelo Green is another one to watch, so many to choose from. Enjoy your channel, bring back many good times, I'm a old Hippie, but we sure had fun!!! Motown please, anything from 60s and 70s🤗

[@bishlap]

By Zeppelin standards, this album didn't sell well, too "acoustic" for some/many? Anyway, I'd say it's a great record and has only gotten better in my mind w/ age... I mean, "Since I've been...." is worth the price of the album alone. Another good vid, Wil. Thanks

[@richardbailey1295]

If you haven't yet.... 'What is and What Should Never Be...." from Zep II

[@bobot1981]

Zeppelin, from the ashes of the Yardbirds, like a lot of white 60's bands, played a lot of American Blues. White American kids didn't know this music, but it became more acceptable to to the power structure once it was played by white people. It's just blues. Blues covers. The deserved criticism of Zeppelin is that they didn't credit those from whom they borrowed. For instance: Sonny Boy Williamson kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHnTooSXm5V4gZo And Led Zeppelin kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYvReZSsp6lnrLM And for the record, Jimmy Page is the most sigificant rock and roll guitar player.

[@vinceparke5740]

I opened an Old English Poetry book in my small town library and found a poem called "A Maiden's (something. Request? Denial?)" I forget. The words and verses are the gist of this song.

[@davidwyndham4671]

Jimmy Page was a member of The Yardbirds. Led Zeppelin initially were going to call themselves The New Yardbirds until Keith Moon (drummer for The Who) told them that name would go down like a lead zeppelin. They adopted that name. Some of the songs Led Zeppelin did were Yardbird covers. The most famous being Dazed and Confused. When the Levee Breaks was a reworking of an old blues song but wasn't exactly a cover. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter where they got their material from. They were lovers of music and had many different influences and wrote a lot of original songs. Anyone criticizing the band for borrowing or "stealing" music from other sources doesn't understand what makes great music or great artists. Musicians play music. Critics masturbate.

[@TechnicallyTexan]

Shakespeare “stole” his storylines. Romeo & Juliet, King Lear, Macbeth, almost all of them. Taking something wonderful and making something new and wonderful out of it was never a bad thing until very recently historically speaking. It’s a modern invention. It was a foreign concept when Led Zeppelin was coming up. So they didn’t do it maliciously, and yes, they ended up paying.

[@anitapaulus937]

You need to react to “The Lemon Song”, and “Ramble On” to hear some really nice bass lines. I won’t address the BS about stealing. It’s ludicrous. Here’s food for thought though. Zeppelin, Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart all recorded “You Shook Me” at about the same time. You don’t hear anything about those artists being thieves do you?

[@dougieyou]

personally that chatter is from the haters. This song from the 3rd. album is a banger, I loved the first two albums and think that the 3rd. is my favorite album. You should react to "Tangerine" or for that matter any song on it..their all great.

[@lindahunter4545]

Nope! You are so right. There is no other band like Led Zeppelin. They will still be listened to for decades to come. I wouldn't be surprised. Anyway, it's not at all true about them, that they stole music from others. WOW! Who's saying that?? Do you really think that the Led Zeppelin would be around and alive(they're music) and that they're music would still be loved and played today? No. I seriously doubt that. Just an ugly rumor.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

There was a huge brou-haha (sp?) about that subject; I do know they "borrowed" songs/licks/phrases from old blues songs but so did a lot of artists in this era. They definitely did not "copy" them exactly or they wouldn't sound like Led Zeppelin. They made them their own, imo. And, of course, much of their work is original.

[@regisdonahue4923]

All four members of Led Zeppelin were huge fans of black American blues. A lot of their tracks are from black American blues. Example, The lemon Song(killing floor) when the levee breaks and quite a few more. Did they steal The music? I don’t know; but I don’t believe they had consent. If that is the case many black blues artist families should be rewarded something in my opinion. I am a huge fan of Led Zeppelin. And I’m sure black American blues artist knew what a good job they did bringing their music too light when it may have been forgotten and not heard any more. That is for the artist who were still alive when they came out in the late 60s.

[@j.jennings1722]

The controversy around Led Zeppelin stealing music does have some merit, but not much. Early on, they were very blues oriented, to the point they ripped off their hero, Robert Johnson's music from the late 1920's, even some of his lyrics for The Lemon Song, which is a great song by them. They did later give him and other blues artists some writing credits. And, it's obvious they were inspired by pieces of other songs, like that one song from Spirit. But, the majority of their songs are original and ALL their songs are great.

[@John-fk3rv]

Gallows pole is an old country song. Like OLD. Singing cowboy music. It waz on an album my parents had that I listened to as a small child. B4 cable tv. B4 color tv. It never sounded like this. Zeppelin can do no wrong.

[@neillenet291]

No question Led Zeppelin stole from other artists without giving them credit. Which always astounded me because they wrote such great originals. All you have to do is go on KZbin and type in Led Zeppelin plagiarism and you get the whole story. In their fefense Zeppelin always made the songs better than the original. They mostly stole on their first 2 albums. They ripped off muddy waters and Willie Dixon and were sued by their families Because Led Zeppelin didn't always give them credit. They blatantly ripped off Jake Holmes for the song dazed and confused. Google it, it's not hard to find

[@clevellbarney8917]

You got it right. LZ took existing blues, folk and pop themes and made it their own, and in mine and your opinion, 10X better. They did no more stealing than ANYONE back in the day and especially today. LZ even gave Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson and other artists credit and attention. Many modern acts outright steal without mention and hope they don't get sued. LZs influence is also heard more than any other rock group all across the music map, mostly without mention.

[@JimmyRJump]

Unless you're getting payed more by talking fast, quit the DJ act. Speak in a fashion normal people can follow what you say. I like yer content, except when it sounds like a passing express train and we have to cut back to hear a repeat of what you just said. Maybe I need faster ears, I don't know. Cheers amigo. Well-wishings from Belgium.

[@akavienne]

A lot of their earlier songs were adaptations of songs from blues artists like Willie Dixon, Leadbelly, and Muddy Waters. I believe the biggest problem is that they didn't credit the original source...so in essence 'stealing'. Honestly, while I don't believe it's necessarily right, it was a common practice in the 60s - early 70s and it's really not fair to judge them for a decision made over 50 years ago. But, it also did keep the original artists from making any money off of royalties. .

[@garygaither4382]

Zep "borrowed from the Blues Greats and others... All Good Greats do ..(see Rolling Stones/ )

[@dannyharris2041]

Watch Leadbelly do gallows pole back in the 1930s Led Zep did use the Mississippi delta blues to inspire rock versions of them

[@boki1693]

The word "Stole" is used by the haters. Like the Stairway lawsuit was so ridiculous. It's like the first 5 notes are the same from a group called Spirit. And nothing else was the same. LOL. That one thank God was thrown out of court. The borrowed key phrases and lyrics and were influenced by mostly the old blues masters before them. Just like EVERY white band in the 60's did. In the late 50's and 60's, young English kids discovered the blues and loved it and did their version of the blues. And modern rock and roll was born. By the way the black artist did the same thing too from earlier black artists. But you notice you never hear about that. Thats because non of them reached the level of fame Zeppelin did. Zeppelin was more blues based than most of the others and rose to such great fame they were easy targets. And they had a habit of changing the one or two lines they borrowed from blues songs most white people had never heard of before and turning them into huge hits by often completely rearranging the music and adding a few lyrics. Can you imagine any of the old black blues greats sounding anything like Zeppelin no matter how much they supposedly "stole" from them? Sure, the black artist should have gotten credit and monetary compensation but thats the way it was back then. And Zep by far was not the only ones doing it.

[@mr.knowitall6440]

Anyone who has had their music "stolen" from Led Zeppelin has probably received more notoriety (and maybe money) because of Zeppelin, than they would have themselves.

[@danielsmith5088]

Hidden gems by Zeppelin - the truth is, for Zep fans, they're all gems and we know them all. For everyone else, hidden gem describes 80% of their music. There is really only one song out of their entire repertoire about which you might not hear praise from serious Zep fans, and that's Hot Dog. It is the only one I'll leave off my playlists.

[@johnwallen438]

I can understand why someone who is most interested in musicianship would rate LZ so highly. But they had their weaknesses. They were pretty static on stage and not very interesting to watch. Their songwriting ability was a little bit in question as almost everything they did seemed to be lifted from somewhere else. Sometimes they let things go on too long and don;t really nail a song. Sometimes the playing is gratuitous and not really adding much: fancy playing for the sake of it. I find RP a particularly static and cgaracterless front man. I find his voice a bit screechy and repetitive while Bonzo is often a bit too busy on the drums. Page is the genius that knits it all together---but even he is sometimes repetitive and runs short of ideas thinking power and style can always cover things up if the content gets thin. Overall a great band--but far from being the best.

[@anthonyblakely399]

I have another Rock group for you that is or should be in your top tier.....I want you to react to "Blues Part 2" by Blood Sweat & Tears. If you like organ playing and Horns then you will really like this.

[@jamestickle3070]

The members toured America and heard a lot of Southern Black blues. They were amazed. Went back to England and recorded a lot of old classic blues ‘songs’ but they weren’t stolen. They added a ton of their own thang to it. It’s like accusing Elvis of stealing black blues. They just brought it to a new audience. They gave a lot of credit. Plus a lot of the haters were actually just trying to extract a little of that mega coin they were making off the records. Nothing like today’s copy cat artists who straight up have no fresh ideas and steal old songs.

[@glass2467]

Here we go again. Yes they took songs, or bits of songs, and didn't always credit properly. But it's commonly overlooked that historically, it has been common for centuries in folk music and blues, and many other styles of music, to pass the song or the story forward. Generation passes to generation and they never cared about copyright. Having been serious students of blues, Led Zeppelin were doing things the traditional way by building off old ideas, but adding their own genius on it. Many blues musicians from the past have stated that they appreciate Led Zeppelin and other rock bands, for carrying the torch, because if not for them, their music would not be known to many. Anyway, that's my take.

[@Ed9870]

The only appearance of a banjo in the Zeppelin canon. From Page's bottomless bag of tricks.

[@philging]

Led Zeppelin were influenced by music and artists that came before them . . just like every other musician.